Another early start but this time in a smallish boat with 5 of us and the not inconsiderable bulk of Francesco, our guide. We headed across the lake into the reed beds where two floating hides were located.

Immediatley, the problem became apparent. No light at that time in the morning but we were deposited in the hide, the feeders were topped up and then left. So, with birds coming and going, and the natural instinct not to waste any opportunity, I took hundreds of photos that I have just systematically deleted bacause of the light.

After a couple of hours, the light improved as the sun came round, but illuminating the reedy background with the subjects still in heavy shade - an editing nightmare. So most of the shots were deleted again but the odd one worth keeping. First species to call was a Spanish Sparrow but did not stay long and never returned.

Great Reed Warblers came and went

but the constant visitors were the Bearded Tits (Reedlings), males

and females,

and one showing the classic pose

and with the light improving, the chance of a flight shot.

and then, a surprise appearance of a pair of the very rare Marbled Ducks

but, after clocking us inthe hide, did not stay long.

so, as with this trip, mainly due to the very hot weather, a mixed morning with successes and failures as several expected species did not show.

I still have the last three days from the trip to Spain to complete the editing so I thought that I would break it up and include some local images and from further afield.

First is from a weekend trip in mid-July to co Donegal, mainly catching up on my wife's family but one walk along the coast at Moville. A similar story to Cambs - not much showing worth photographing  except this juvenile Grey Heron

and a Great Black-backed Gull flypast.

So back to Cambs and a morning at nearby Grafham Water at the end of the month. A shot of a Black-headed Gull on the dam

and a Carrion Crow feeding on a dead fish.

finally a Yellow-legged Gull loafing on the outfall entrance path.

and to end this scintilating list of events, 6th August to Fen Drayton Lakes for a couple of hours. Weather cloudy that helped the contrast shot of a Mute Swan

and a high-key shot of a male Tufted Duck

and a sudden appearance of juvenile Great Crested Grebe

There were still a few Common Terns flying around and finally one came close enough for a shot.

Not much to show is it? Back to editing the photos from Spain.

This was a rather strange set-up. Two pop-up hides had been erected by the side of a narrowish stretch of water overlooking a large reed bed. We settled in and waited - and waited - and waited. Bird photography can test one's patience sometimes.

And then we heard some bird calls that were unfamiliar to me coming from what seemed like a small flock calling to each other. Initially, they came from behind the hides but soon moved around although always distant - Collared Pratincoles.

I managed quite a few distant flight shots, most of which were for the trash bin, but some were just about worth keeping.

In the middle of the activity, a 'little-brown job' flew past my hide and landed by the side of the water to drink and then flew off. My first reaction was a Crested Lark but not sure. However after running it through both Merlin and Obsidentify, they both identified it as a Thekla Lark - result!!!

As the light was beginning to fade, I noticed a bird landing a short distance from the the side of the hide - a Stone-Curlew. Slowly turning the camera round to avoid spooking, it was motionless for a while

before running off into the scrub behind me.

So, on paper, a quiet session in the hide with few photos. As it happened, a fruitful one although not for Howard as he was not able to see either the Thekla Lark or the Stone-Curlew.

Another early start to photograph the Spanish Imperial Eagle - on station at 06:30  - still not fully light.

The subject flew in almost immediately and once again, showed the downside of my lens in poor light. 500mm, 1:250th second, f7.1 (fastest speed at this aperture) resulting in ISO 12,800 until the light gradually improved. Not the best for good images and certainly making flight shots impossible. Why we started at that time is unknown as the Eagle was obviously waiting for the visit and would have come in if it had been an hour later giving much better light. These are the best two shots of the session.

Male and female Marsh Harriers were almost resident during the 4 hours we were there and kept us entertained with their comings and goings with this photo I really like taken before it was fully light.

This time, we had a succession of both males and females to choose from.

The only other species were Magpies that I studiously ignored as I have several in my garden at home but could not resist a quick shot of one landing on a perch.

So overall, rather a disappointing session.

Very hot and Howard and I were sharing a hide that was just about big enough for us, the camera gear, drinks and the rudimentary air conditioning (a small fan). The other hide also held a couple of other photographers.

To call it cosy in the exceptional heat would have been an understatement but then we like to think we are wildlife photographers and can accept such inconveniences!!!

After the guide had departed, the first to appear from the nearby farm buildings were Spotless Starlings, squabbling just like the Starlings in the UK.

But the main attraction was a family of Hoopoes. Personally, I find these birds absolutely fascinating and most entertaining, even more so when a family of two adults and three youngsters put on a show. A youngster begging for food

an adult feeding a youngster,

and an adult and youngster checking me out.

And finally, for me, the shot of the session showing the full plumage of the breed.

A Little Owl appeared but only showed well for a short time.

So, despite the hot weather, I was happy with the resulting shots.