Last Friday, 2nd October, I had a spare morning when I was itching to get out. The afternoon was for Covid and Flu jabs so a full day was not on the cards. In such circumstancesn the only place to go was Welney WWT, about 40 minute drive, and the weather was perfect.

Unfortunately, the only species on offer were the usual ones - Canada Geese

Greylag Geese

and a family of Mute Swans - two adults and 7 almost fully grown cygnets, that did their best to put on a show.

There were several Cattle Egrets that were always distant but one flew closer, although still distant.

Welny is famous for the wintering Whooper Swans and a pair appeared that looked fully airworthy, as opposed to some injured birds that cannot migrate and are resident. Anyway, these two were displaying to each other.

But amongst the many geese, a pair of Barnacle Geese appeared. Probably too early for migrants, but who knows these days.

Anyway, a morning to improve the library with better shots replacing older ones.

I have not visited Frampton Marsh for several months - and it was one of my frequent haunts - but a friend and I decided to give it a try - his first trip out for several weeks due to an injury. Weather was light cloud but it was much heavier that expected and did not begin to clear until late morning.

We were totally surprised to find that the only area of water was in the reedbed lagoon - everywhere else was virtually dry - not a good start. So we headed for the Reedbed Hide and waited - and waited - very slow for anything within camera range. Not an auspicious start to the day.

Everntually, pair of Little Grebe began feeding

and a female Shoveler

A snipe made a very fast low fly-past - surprised that I even managed a shot although not the sharpest I have ever taken!!!

and a few female Pintails began flying around.

A pair of White Wagtails began feeding on the water line in front of the hide providing the opportunity for some unusual shots.

As we were having lunch, another photographer came in and said that he had just left the Buff-breasted Sandpiper on the far side of the bank - distant but not impossible. So we made our way there and immediately found it - too distant from the top of the bank so some careful negotiating of the muddy bridge was called for. Still distant. These shots were hand held at 800mm +1.4 converter but acceptable, thanks to Lightroom and Photoshop and also that it was my first photographic opportunity for the species.

And that was it for the rest of the day. 

 

22nd September and I decided to visit West Cambs as the weather forecas was light cloud all day and if photogrpahy proved difficult, I was not too far from home for an early finish.

First call was Grafham Water dam where I was staggered by the low water level. According to Anglia water, the reservoir is only 62% full, very low for this time of the year so the water line was some distance form the dam making photography difficult. 

However there were plenty of common birds there for a change as, at my last visit, there were none, but getting away from the usual bird on water shot to something more interesting was a challenge. I was reall yassisted when the sun broke through the clouds and, with little wind, the opportunity for some reflection shots.

Tufted Duck

Great Crested Grebe

and many Little Grebes

with one shot of a juvenile diving just a little different.

With nothing else of interest, I moved to the harbour but with nothing there at all due to the several fishing boats being readied coupled with the low water level I moved on, deciding to visit nearby Paxton Pits for the first time for several years.

Once again there were no interesting species on show but several Little Egrets were flying around

and a preening female Shoveler.

So I decide to head for home, calling in at RSPB Fen Drayton Lakes but the only bird of any interest was a Corn Bunting.

So I was home by mid-afternoon after a day of mild interest but photogrpahy in Cambs right now is exceptionally hard work to get anything of real interest.

 

With a shortage of places with anything interesting within the localish area, I decided to go back to West Norfolk to see if things had improved .

Starting off, as usual, at Thornham harbour, things began to look up as the first to show was a pair of Bar-tailed Godwits.

and there cousin, a Black-tailed Godwit, neither taking instant flight for a change.

Moving on to RSPB Titchwell, the Spotted Crake was only showing intermitently and not close, so with all the attention on it, I didn't bother as I already have better shots than anything that I could have managed there.

Moving on to the beach, the tide was out and the first to attract my eye was a Great Black-backed Gull, imperiously checking it's surroundings.

and, surprisingly, a Greenshank.

Even an Oystercatcher posed.

Moving back to the reserve, there were few waders on the freshmarsh but mainly too distant for anything earth-shattering but the Little Stint was of interest.

so I moved on to Brancaster Staithe harbour that usually produces something if the tide is right. Several Dunlin,

 a couple of Curlew Sandpipers and a Ringed Plover.

So, not too disappointing.

I did not want to be late home but a detour around Chosely was a must where a Red-legged Partridge showed well

and, on a hard standing next to the road with a puddle, a couple of Yellow Wagtails stayed long enough for a photo.

So overall a decent day. No raritities but at least opportunities for the camera.

 

While finishing off the editing of the photos from Spain, I have given my kit an airing with very mixed results.

16th August, an early start to Snettisham RSPB for the wader spectacular, except it wasn't. Cloudy conditions put a stop to anything creative but here are three as an example - far from being my best. Knot and Dunlin

and on the way back to the car, a couple of Little Terns were visible - just. A white bird against a white sky - enough said.

and that was really the sum total of the day.

With an encouraging weather forecast, 25th August to Welney WWT but with the water levels low, nothing came close enough to get excited about. These are the best, once again. Cattle Egret, Ruff and juvenile Mute Swan

But the shot of the day was provided by a Common Snipe that was feeding in the lagoon, eventually coming close enough for something interesting.

And that was it!!!

Still, not to be downhearted, once again I ventured to the Norfolk coast - 1st September. Thornham harbour - nothing - Titchwell RSPB, no opportunity for any shot at all!!! Brancaster Staithe harbour, too many people. On the way back, I called in at Holme Dunes NWT. Once again very quiet so I ambled down to the beach with a receding tide and it did not take too long before a procession of Gulls flying west to roost provided an opportunity to relieve my disappointment. To say that I filled my boots would be an understatement.

Loads of Black-headed Gulls in winter plumage

but even they were outnumbered by the Herring Gulls in varying plumages. Now I am not an expert on immature gull plumages (even adults can cause a problem) but these photos were after research with the Merlin and Obsidentify apps. Herring Gull

Lesser Black-backed Gull

Great Black-backed Gull

with odd interludes with distant Black-tailed Godwits

and closer Oystercatchers.

So, after over 1000 photos, I made my way home. What a strange day.