Sometimes, the need to get out with the camera surpasses the availability of exciting subjects ands so it transpired. I was not in the mood for driving a distance so made do with a short trip up the A10 to Welney, just over half-an-hours drive for me. Weather sunny but increasing cloud at times.

The bird life from the observatory was lively - lots of swans, geese and ducks but nothing out of the ordinary so it was a case of trying to get something different or better than I already had to improve my portfolio.

Canada Geese were flying in and out.

and Mallards in bright breeding plumage were everywhere.

The last time I was here, there was just the odd Pochard but winter visitors had greatly increased the population with several striking males

a lone female

that even gave a cheeky backwards glance for the camera.

But, as always, the stars of the show at this time of year are the Whooper Swans, recently arrived from Iceland and Greenland. Somehow, I never tire of photographing them. A resplendant wing flap in the sunshine

A spat between two (presumably) males

and finally a really close headshot.

Once again, nothing to really excite the senses but enjoyable for me, never-the-less.

Not strictly new but I have not visited Summer Leys Nature Reserve in Northamptonshire for several years. Rather surprising really as, many years ago, I used to live just a couple of miles from it but a friend suggested it so off we headed.

First stop was at the feeding station called Charles Tower hide. I was hoping for Bullfinches but a volunteer who was there said that they had almost entirely been killed off by what is commonly called 'Scaly foot'. He had seen one within the last few days but totally absent during our stay. So we had to make the best of the birds that did visit. Blue Tit, Goldfinch and Great Tit.

We then moved on to Pioneer Hide as Water rail, Glossy Ibis and Jack Snipe had all been reported the previous day, the latter being the reason for the visit. The hide was very busy but still space to sit so I concentrated on what was showing. Little Egret

and distant Stonechats.

A Water Pipit put in an appearance and stayed a while feeding amongst the reeds. Never an easy shot but that was only the second time that I have ever photogrpahed one so that was a result.

The Water Rail appeared several time in the reeds.

The Jack Snipe never appeared and one Glossy Ibis flew in but kept to the far side of the mere - too distant for any worthwhile shot.

So after 4 hours in Pioneer Hide, we moved on to the Rotary Hide. A Grey Heron flew in.

and a pair of Shovelers were feeding relatively close in.

Not much else so, late afternoon, we returned to the feeding station but by then, the sun had moved round and the only new species was a Greenfinch but that never posed for a photo worth keeping so that was it for the day.

Overall, the day at Summer Leys was very enjoyable with some photos that I was pleased with. Definitely worth another visit soon.

 

Day 1 - Wednesday 15th October. A couple of hours or so to spare so a drive around Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB.

Result - nothing worth keeping.!!!

Day 2 - Thursday 16th October. A visit to Welney WWT. Weather forecast was mostly sunny but mostly darkish cloud cover - far from ideal. Not much there out of the ordinary either.

Many more Wigeon since my last visit.

Plenty of Mallard, mostly in breeding plumage now with the resulting activity.

And the usual stop over on the feeders. No Tree Sparrows showing again but a couple of House Sparrows having an altercation.

Nothing to really get excited about.

Day 3 - Friday 17th October. Lynford Aboretum as it has been quite a while since my last visit. Previously, small birds had quickly descended on food put out on the bridge but not this time. It took ages before any came down, and even then not often. First was a Dunnock.

and then a Marsh Tit or two.

 

Quite a while since I had photographed one of them so that was a result but a total absence of Nuthatch that was surprising. The mere has dried out so there was nothing to see there either. Later on we tried to find Goldcrest and Firecrest, both of which are prevalent there but they refused to appear. 

So on to nearby Lackford Lakes where we drew a total blank but, taking a side road home, we found a couple of Red-legged Partridges, one of which did not do the usual disappearing act and gave us the once-over.

Now you can understand the heading of this blog.

First call was to Snettisham beach for the longish staying Greater Short-toed Lark, only to be informed that it had flown south and had not been relocated.

So I moved on to NWT Holme Dunes, by now a couple of hours after high tide. The usual stuff on the beach.

Common Gull

Herring Gull

 

Curlew

and Oystercatcher

A small flock of Crossbills were just about visible in the pines but never close enough for a photo and they soon flew off, presumably to find somewhere to drink.

Returning to the car, Birdguides had reported that the Greater Short-toed Lark had been resighted about 400 metres from the car park so back to Snettisham where I found it being followed by a small group of birder/photographers so I managed some shots but it was always flighty and distant.

Heavily cropped in poor light so not the best.

Returning to the car for lunch, a small flock of Linnets flew in to a nearby pool to drink and bathe.

I then decided to pay RSPB Titchwell a visit. Water levels outside Island Mere Hide were now much lower with plenty of mud but few waders and none close surprisingly except a couple of Ruff and a Knot.

Walking back, a lone Glossy Ibis flew on to Thornham Marsh, worth a few shots although distant.

So, once again, not a lot to show for the day except for improving my overall fitness!!!

Last Thursday, 2nd October, I was not in the mood to travel any distance but wanted to get out so I decided to go to Welney again. It seems that I end up going there about once a month these days, usually with not much to show for it but that is about par for the course at present. Weather forecast great - light winds and mostly sunny.

Anyway, arriving in the observatory hide, I was surprised to see a few Geese on the water and more flying in.

Canada Geese

and Greylags

There were also a pair of Shovelers, doing what Shovelers do!!!

and a few Teal, bathing in the sunshine.

I moved up the reserve to the next hide where everthing was distant, due to the low water level but a pair of Cetti's Warbler were flitting around in the reeds, one giving a very brief opportunity for a shot.

Not the best photo I have ever taken but the first one of this species for several years.

Moving back to the observatory hide there was a large flock of Ruff, often flying around.

and a Feral Pigeon quickly flew past. Pleased that the camera autofocus was quick enough to get this.

And then 5 unusual Geese that were sleeping on the far bank decided to paddle around. I took photos without really knowing what they were - plainly hybrids but of what.

Merlin Bird ID didn't help at all but I tried a new programme for me that was recommended by a staff member - Obsidentify - and that turned up Graylag x Canada Goose Hybrid 100%. We live - and learn!!!

A Mute Swan flew in.

and I could not resist a pop at a flying Wigeon.

Heading for the car, I also cannot resist a few minutes watching the Sparrows flitting around the feeders and eventually managed a shot I was happy with.

No Tree Sparrows but, overall, a good day for me, not measured by rarities but just enjoyment of being out with a camera and photographing what ever is about.