Nothing exciting in the area to attract me out but 27th October, on the way back from an appointment, I drove around RSPB FenDrayton Lakes not expecting much so I was not disappointed. In what is known as the orchard (I believe), a Roe Deer was nervously checking me out but eventually settled down to play with a dead branch on the ground before disappearing through the hedge.

There was nothing else on show.

The next day, with a sunny afternoon forecast, I drove to nearby Cottenham to see if the Red Kite roost was still active, as last year. I only managed a few shots before the clouds set in and this is the best of them.

For me, Red Kites need sunshine to show off the plumage so I did not stay long.

With not much to show for the last few days, and not fully recovered from the after effects of the Covid jab, last Friday, 30th, I took the easy way out and visited Welney WWT again. As before, there was nothing to provoke any excitement so after taking a load of shots, there were only three that stood out from the pack. Blue Tit

Pied Wagtail

and finally a Coot, displaying it's aggressive tendencies.

So, still not much to show from my efforts. The really annoying thing though is that, having checked the Welney sightings for today, more interesting species have arrived with the easterly winds. That is wildlife photography for you!!!!

Once again, with nothing of interest showing in Cambs, I crossed the border into Norfolk to Welney WWT for a morning session. after being rather incapacitated for nearly a couple of weeks with the after effects of the combined Covid/Flu jab, it was good to get out, even for just a short time.

A lovely sunny morning but nothing different showing - again. A Great White Egret managed a flypast.

and several Wigeon were flying around but never close.

and the family of Mute Swans were still there but this time flying around too.

For a change, the many Mallards put on a show that was worth a few shots.

but, for the first time for me, an Otter appeared outside the observatory and spent some time fishing.

So, something different but after a couple of hours or so, the after effects of the jabs began to strike again so it was time to go home.

With very little showing in Cambs, and after a visit to Welney last week, last Tuesday, 6th, I drove to West Norfolk  to see if there was anything of real interest available. Short answer, again, was nothing so it was again a case of trying to take interesting shots of the common birds to replace the older ones in my library.

First call was at Holme Dunes NWT. The tide was far out and so were the birds so I tried the hides where a Jack Snipe had been reported. it had shown earlier but was spooked by a Marsh Harrier and was back in the reeds so no show for me. On the way out, a Curlew showed well.

so I moved on to Thornham harbour which is one of my most productive sites. This time the tide was high so nothing there so I moved on to Brancaster Staithe The usual Turnstones showed well

and several Black-tailed Godwits were feeding in the channel

but, disappointingly that was it so I decided to drive back, calling in at Thorham again where the tide had receded.

Both Godwit species were feeding and not bothered by me.

but the surprise of the day from a common Redshank. How many times do you see something of interest and ignore a Redshank only for it to rapidly fly away, calling loudly and putting up everything else? Well, this just stood and looked at me allowing a full frame shot before slowly wandering off.

A Herring Gull was perched on one of the harbour uprights and dropped onto the water behind the bank and then emerged with a crab, taking it across the stream to dismember and eat it.

Several Black-headed Gulls were also perched on the harbour mooring posts but doing nothing. Being a beautiful afternoon with little wind, I sat in the car to enjoy a coffee and an apple, deciding to liven things up by throwing the apple core for the gulls to feed, getting the camera ready for some flight shots.

Several minutes of chaos before one finally won the battle, took the apple core, spat it out and gave me a dirty look, as if to say 'thanks for nothing'!!!

End of day out.

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.