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.

 

Bird photography is certainly not getting any easier - and it is not just me. Plenty of other that I talk to are telling me the same thing. Where are all the birds?

To go somewhere different, last Tuesday 23rd September, a friend and I headed towards Sculthorpe Moor, Norfolk to see if a change of venue would make a difference.

In the Tower Hide, the usual species came into the feeders, especially Coal Tits that I had not photographed for a while. 

and a Kingfisher showed distantly from the Wetland Hide

and that was it. Par for the course!!!

So we headed to the Norfolk coast, stopping to eat lunch at Brancaster Staithe harbour where a Greenshank was feeding but little else of any real interest.

So we began the homeward trail, stopping off at Thornham harbour where another Greenshank was briefly showing before running off into the distance.

So, with the promise of a coffee and cake from my friend, we called in at Holme Dunes NWT. Just finishing of the goodies when a member of staff ran in with the news that a Spotted Flycatcher was showing in the nearby tree. Couldn't resist that one - a possible highlight for the day.

and so it transpired. Success at last!!!

Friday 26th September and I joined another friend to go to Landguard, Suffolk. Good for migrants in the right weather conditions that looked favourable - Easterly wind overnight and cloudy.

All we found was a Dunlin on the beach

and a few Linnets feeding on the ripe blackberries.

We were home by late afternoon!!!!

Good places for bird photography are becoming very hard to find at present. The lack of rain in the East is showing with dry pools and a severe lack of birds so, within a reasonable driving distance, the only place to go has been Norfolk - again - so Thusday 18th September and I was heading in that direction.

The first place to turn up anything remotely interesting was Brancaster Staithe harbour where a couple of Bar-tailed Godwits were feeding in the mud.

I had intended to spend the afternoon at RSPB Snettisham but these days, I need a pass for the close car park and I was not able to get one via the usual channels so instead I called in at Titchwell where the pass was provided there and then. So off to Snettisham.

Loads of Little Egrets - I stopped counting at 40

and 17 Spoonbills asleep on the island

With accompanying noise, well over 150 Greylag Geeses flew in to roost

and that was about it on the scrapes.

High tide was scheduled for around 17.00 but it was not high enough to provide the swirling flocks of waders so that was a disappointment as my aim was to photograph them against the setting sun but at least I did find a basking Common Seal that was very co-operative.

But that was it for the day. Better luck next time - again!!!

Monday 8th September. 

I decided to pay a visit to Wicken Fen, approaching from Burwell. First stops at the hides - no water and no birds. So I carried on towards Mere Hide but half way there, I met a couple walking in the opposite direction who infomed me that there was no water there either so I turned round to go back to the car.

On the way back, there were a couple of Roe Deer close enough for a photo, although against the sun.

A disappointing afternoon.

Thursday 11th September.

A trip to Grafham Water. Firstly the dam but there were serveral fisherman on it so no birds to see so I moved on to Mander car park and the hide. Certainly there were birds but the water level was so low that they were too distant for any decent shots. On the way back to the harbour a Cormorant flew by.

and several Common Terns were flying around, first an adult

and a couple of juveniles.

Regretfully, the Black Tern that was present was too far away.

So, once again, a poor day making it a very poor week.

Well, that is birding for you.

Last Thursday, a friend and I went to Lemsford Springs as he had visited a few days before and was happy enough with his photos to want to revisit. Weather was mainly cloudy with showers forecast, some heavy.

The attractions are the Green Sandpipers and Snipe that are mainly winter visitors but it rapidly became clear that photograpahy would be challenging, what with the weather, coupled with the birds maintaining a distance.

Firstly, a Kingfisher made a brief visit

and eventually, one Snipe started to feed with it's feeding circle bringing it close enough for a shot.

That encouraged one Green Sandpiper to move closer. although still distant.

But the star of the show, although still distant was a Stoat. Adding a 1.4 converter to the 200-800 lens helped but with the poorish light, an aperture of f13 gave high ISO readings but, having only photographed a Stoat once before, and many moons ago, it was worth a punt.

In the afternoon, upon recommendation, we visited the Watercress Wildlife Association reserve at St.Albans. Ring-necked Parakeets were resident which my friend had never photographed before. Well, he failed this time too. In fact neither of us took a single photo as there was nothing showing.

An early return home was the answer!!!!