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.

 

For our last morning, we returned to the two floating reedbed hides, an early start again, which meant that the first couple of hours were in heavy shade until the sun rose high enough to light up the area. The set-up was that a space had been partially cleared in the reeds to put up feeders but leaving views of the water behind.

This presented it's own problems as the feeders were in heavy shade but the backdrop of reeds was in bright sunlight - a contrast nightmare.

Bearded Tits, both male and female, were regularly visiting the feeders

but this time, the main interesting activity was on the waterway behind the feeders, first with a small family of Red-crested Pochards

and a very cautious visit from a Marbled Duck, really checking us out.

before finally settling for a while.

But the surprise of the session was a rare White-headed Duck that rapidly paddled past allowing quick shots between the feeders

before paddling in the other direction half-an-hour later.

So not a vast number of images but interesting ones never-the-less.

After the long break for lunch, we were take to another pair of floating hides overlooking open water for our final session. This was not a success. A pair of juvenile Coots were almost a fixture

but the only other visitors were a family of Pochard, female and duckling, (one of five)

and the final shot of the whole trip - a Pochard duckling trying to look scary.

So, to sum up the whole trip. 16 days was too long. It could have been 10 days, 5 days in Cremenes and five days in El Taray. The guides from Aveshides really tried their level best to make it good for us, despite the really hot weather adversly affecting the wildlife so, overall, it was successful trip.

And now back to editing the latest from this area.

I second visit to the drinking pool near the El Taray farm to make sure that we saw the Stone-curlew that we missed the first time because we left too early. Well it was the evening of a 5 hour drive from the north and we were both shattered. This time we were fully 'in focus'.

The usual visitors that I found very difficult to ignore. Jackdaw, Magpie and House Sparrow

A good showing of Tree Sparrows that are now becoming very scarce in East Anglia

and the usual Spotless Starlings were ever-present, keeping us amused.

A Crested Lark also came in to drink, mostly keeping to the surrounding foliage although showing to sing before departing.

One shot of one of the many Rabbits

but then a sudden comotion as a Marsh Harrier appeared and caught one for it's evening meal.

But the real star of the show was Stone-curlew that slowly made it's way to the pool before leasurely drinking and departing.

It stayed for a good half-hour so my main difficulty was which images to keep, made even more difficult when a second bird also visited later but came much closer giving the oportunity for a head shot in the evening light.

What an amazing few hours for our penultimate evening.

 

Once again, an early start to the day for a drive to the steppes to find Great Bustard. We drove around for a couple of hours and at last a sighted a flock - very distant - and by then, the dreaded heat haze had appeared. This is the one and only record shot worth keeping and only after some considerable editing.

So we then moved on to a Roller hide overlooking a nest hole in an upright log. A pair appeared to be feeding young in the nest so there were some comings and goings and perching to show off a beetle dinner

before heading to the nest site

and then appearing

and perching as if waiting for the applause!!!

A very showy species

In between the Roller activity, a White stork lazily flew by

and, of course, Rabbits were everywhere, presumably accounting for the many raptors in the area.

So a disappointing start to the day but the Roller hide was a really enjoyable end to the morning's session.

We were off in the boat again for the evening session, but this time to a smallish lagoon in the middle of the vast reed beds with two floating hides overlooking a perching area. This was Marsh Harrier territory but, ever the opportunist, a Magpie was the first to fly in and sample the food.

There were several Marsh Harriers flying around in the distance, both male and female, but it took quite a time before one came in - a very impressive female - that made sure that the food was for her and no-one else.

Unfortunately, she was adorned with two enormous white wing tags but with no other bird being allowed near, she was the only subject to concentrate on. It took Lightroom AI removal to do a fine job of making the images usable. Normally, I would reject any photos that needed such editing but I have made an exception to these.

She was feeding for well over an hour, protecting the food before flying off but, by then, the light was too low anyway and nothing else came in.