Our final visit of the trip was to be Fairbairn Ings RSPB but yesterdays visit was a non-event so, on recommendation, as we travelled South on our way home we called in at Old Moor RSPB. This reserve was a revelation. Set up for photography as well as birding, it is well managed and just gives the air that visitors are all important.

Following the main track, the first hide overlooked a very busy scrape with the usual Black-headed Gulls in abundance. Just one keeper opportunity - a juvenile complaining that it was not being fed and the adult telling it where to get off!!!

There were many families of Canada Geese but one shot attracted my eye.

There was also many Gadwall around. The hide gave plenty of opportunity for flight shots.

The hide also overlooked a scrape dominated by a colony of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, also giving excellent flight shot opportunities.

Moving to the next hide, Cormorants were feeding young on the nest in the nearby trees although, by now, cloudy conditions had made photography rather more challenging for flight shots.

There was also another family of Canada Geese on the water.

and a Mute Swan decided to land on the water.

Moving further round this track, an adult lesser Black-backed Gull posed as it overlooked it's nesting site where it's mate was sitting.

and finally. a family of Shovelers appeared from the reedbed in front of us.

So, while there were no rarities on offer, the whole set-up of the site for photography made for a very enjoyabl;e experience.

Visiting St.Aidens RSPB  was the main reason for the trip as my friend wanted to photograph the Black-necked Grebes. It was the first time that either of us had been. The whole site can be seen from the raised visitor centre - and it is big. So where to start.

We had directions from a couple of volunteers and made our way down the track. It looked to be quite a trek - bright sunshine, warm - and very contrasty, with plenty of heat haze, far from ideal for photography. And very little was showing either until, about half way round, we found a couple of waterfowl in a reeded area that made attractive shots. A female Pochard

and a drake Tufted Duck.

Finally we found a small family of Black-necked Grebes but into the sun which made photography difficult. Never-the-less, I took a load of shots, all but three being deleted in the editing process due to heat haze. Here are a couple - not the best shots that I have ever taken!!!!

Moving on, a Common Tern was posing on a stick - one for the record.

and a hunting Kestrel that refused to show it's most photogenic side.

So 5 miles of walking with not a lot to show for it.

Mid afternoon, we moved on to Fairbairn Ings RSPB and did not take one photo so a very disappointing day overall.

A friend and I arranged a three day visit to West Yorkshire beginning Monday 12th May and a half day afternoon session in a hide provided by Leeds Wildlife Hides. I would not often say this but the weather was bright and sunny and proved to be a major disadvantage for this session.

When we arrived, part of the viewing area was already in deep shade and this worsened as the day wore on. One main attraction was a Sparrowhawk visiting but, unfortulately, no sign for a couple of days.Making the best of it, the first species to attract attention were a few Collared Doves that at least gave the opportunity for some flight shots to start off.

At least one Jay visited on and off, collecting food for a nearby nest.

as did a Song Thrush

and even an unusual shot.

A pair of Bullfinches visited but always kept to the shady area which was a disappointing as Bullfinches need sunlight on their plumage to really show off the colouration.

Two brief visitors - a juvenile Robin

and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Mid-afternnon, the Collared Doves were replaced by several Stock Doves

with one displaying.

But the star of the show, beginning late afternoon was a male Cuckoo with frequent visits.

and often flying around.

and some form of display activity too.

Final summing up of the session - some good results but would have been much better in the morning with the sun behind the hide or, dare I say it, a cloudy bright day with no shadows!!!

Ouse Fen RSPB  is only 6 or so miles from my home but it is not a site that I visit much. However, last Wednesday 7th May I decided to go to try to photograph the Great Reed Warbler that was first reported there more than a couple of weeks ago.

It appears to be the same one that was there a year ago and returning for the summer. Last year it was always rather distant but this time, it was favouring the other side of the track so could be rather easier.

During the walk there, a Reed Bunting showed quite nicely.

The target bird was rather obvious to find. It is very noisy in song but it always stayed on the far side of the reed bank - still only about 10/12 metres away but mostly hidden from view - very frustrating - so I settled down for a wait with others coming and going.

Eventually it appeared with a view through the reeds. Most shots were spoiled by the reeds waving in the breeze and interrupting the view but my patience was finally rewarded.

and one that brought a smile to my face.

So, in my book, a successful visit. Coupled with the Spotted Sandpiper last week, it has been a good few days.

28th April - I needed some petrol so a visit to Tesco at nearby Bar Hill and, with sun shining, I could not resist a drive around Fen Drayton Lakes RSPB with camera ready. As usual, not a lot to get excited about but a Common Whitethroat was occasionally showing in the hedge along the access road so I parked up and waited.

My recent experience of this site is that there are more joggers, walkers, dog-walkers and learner drivers along this access road than there are birds and this proved to be the case this time. Every time the bird popped up to sing, it was disturbed but, after more than an hour of patientl;y waiting, my persistence was finally rewarded.

Last Thursday, 1st May I got up intending to visit Welney WWT but a flash on Birdguides confirmed that a Spotted Sandpiper had been identified on the dam at Grafham Water. All change as I had never seen one before. So parking up, I walked along the dam where a dozen or so birders were peering over the parapet. I joined them and there it was, totally unconcerned by the excitement it had created.

I spent over an hour there taking more photos than is good for the health as editing takes a long time.

Moving around Grafham to the hide at Mander, I intended to eat lunch and see what was on offer - not much so it was a case of trying to take a shot that was different. A nesting Coot and a wandering Mallard obliged.

On my way home, I called in at nearby Stirtloe to see if any Warblers were showing. Answer yes but the only photographable one was a Sedge Warbler.

Still, another the day provided a new species to add to my list. My target is decent photographs of 400 British and European species - now on 391.