A couple of trips out, camera in hand, was the sum total of my efforts last week. Overall, the weather was quite reasonable but other commitments prevented any more.

Firstly, with an unexpoected free afternoon on Tuesday, I travelled south to the RSPB's replica watches uk head office reserve at The Lodge. Bramblings and Siskins were the main target - I had heard that they had been visting the feeders outside the hide. Arriving about 1.30, one of the first visitors was a female Brambling - good start.

Just a brief visit - and from then on, it went downhill to just the normal common visitors but, evn so, there were oppourtunities for some decent shots.

Then a Magpie decided to bathe in the furthest pool.

and the usual ground visitors came in. This is certainly the best site I know for replica rolex photographing Red-legged Partridge at close quarters - normally all you see of them is the tail end as they run away.

After trying for a while at the feeders opposite the entrance, i gave up as the background was so messy, even though both Siskins and Bramblings were regular visitors.

The next day, with a friend, we decided to go to Mistley, Essex, on the southern bank of the Stour estuary. Timing is all important here. The birds come in on the rising tide so the best time is an afternoon high tide with the sun behind and preferably a North-westerly wind. All the ingredients were there - except the birds decided to go elsewhere - there were masses on the far bank. Only a few Pintails and a Shelduck came close enough for a shot.

So with Mistley proving to be a disappointment, we decided to revisit Alton Water on the way home. We were there last week but it was cloudy and grey. This time the weather held bright and sunny. First visit was to the dam where two Great Northern Divers had been reported. Only one was showing on the far side so we trekked across the dam, by which time it had moved away to the centre of the water and went to sleep.

Calling in at the Sailing Club car park, we saw the other to the west side of the bay and close in to the bank where it was being photographed by a lucky local.

So we drove to the next car park to try the hide - where the Red-necked Grebe was right in the middle of the water and where it stayed because the water around the hide was frequented by a large gaggle of Greylag Geese.

So we walked on further, in very muddy conditions, to where we had found the Black-necked Grebe last week - and nothing. I was ready to go home but my friend decided to turn left instead of right so we walked on, eventually reaching the place where we had seen the Diver earlier - and they were both there, and close in too. What luck!!!

With care, we were able to photograph them in the setting sun - certainly my best images of the species - thank you Nigel.

More images in the Recent Additions section.

Well, within the past few weeks, I have managed to cover several species that I really wanted. Great Northern Diver, Goosander, Mandarin, Slavonian Grebe, Serin and Red-necked Grebe. What a start to the year - better than the whole of last year. Lets hope my luck continues!!!

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