southend at xmas

I had a great day at southend with Shaun and the girls we took the walk from chalkwell to the pier and back stopping off for lunch and some good photo opportunities .

 

scope not req

I went Norfolk on Saturday and caught up with the lads where I spent the day at titchwell beach . With great opportunities for photography and very good view's of a arctic skua .

what the

garden lizard

Today the dog found a lizard in the garden not for the first time but I did manage some photos before it disappeared in to a crevice .

wheatear trapping

I stopped off at langaurd nr on my way home from work . I had just arrived when the warden from the observatory approached me and asked if I could help round up some of the wheatear as he had placed some ground traps up ahead . After approx 10 Min's bingo one had taken the meal worm and I was soon asking to take some photos . There was around 40 wheatear on site he had been trapping for an 1 hour and this was his second bird .

spain 2011

I went to the costa del sol in July where I managed only 1 new bird I haven't seen a rock bunting which was whilst visiting a falconry centre in mountains . There were plenty of bee-eaters and shrikes and hoopoe to be seen on a local golf course but getting good photos was not so easy . I managed one hoopoe flying over whilst relaxing round the pool . I can only imagine what it must be like in the spring and autumn being in the most southern part of spain .

rock bunting

golden eagle

griffon vulture

thankfully it was'nt my head

woodchat shrike

juv woodchat shrike

hoopoe ( as I said not easy to take photos )

Whats on the post ?

All spring I,ve been waiting something other than the resident breeding birds and until now nothing but then on the post.

thankfully it waited for me to get closer ...

About time for a blog

A few pics from rainham marshes and the patch sometimes you get lucky with photography when a bird is just sitting there and doesn't mind you being there .

shrike it lucky

On the way home from Norfolk where I was working I stopped off at Chelmsford in hope of seeing a great grey shrike and great it was .

green winged teal

My first lifer of the year which began with dipping on the way home from work and then news of a sighting in the afternoon got me back over to connaught waters ,chingford . My first views was the very classic white stripe and head tucked under its wing but later maybe 20 Min's it woke up and gave great view .

my very own waxwing

There is a very good feeling about finding your own birds especially when they are scarce birds . Waxwings are probably not common this year but a lot in the country every day there must be 50 reported sightings on birdguides and this time one was mine . High Garrett , Essex was the site where i see them 20 in total , sounds better than a1104 on my way to work from the window of my van .

One of 15 siskins I found earlier on in the week .

a few patch birds

A nice sunny day on Sunday which got me over the patch in hope of some nice photos ,this was the best I could do . But enjoyed the walk with Jake and had another flock of 20 lesser redpolls .

more year ticks on the patch

I have had a good run of birds so far this year so far woodcock,snipe,redpoll,treecreeper,goldcrest all birds I had trouble seeing in december .

Also got my best photo of redpoll yes it could be better but very happy .