franklins gull

Upon arrival at Abberton there was no news on the franklins gull for the past 30mins but as I only had a 30mins stop off due to work I wasn't hopeful in seeing this yank. But after about 5mins someone shouted going left and I got on it straight away. Then for 10mins it flew around and gave me  some chances for a few photos.  Then I made my way back to work.

If only all twitches was like that !

Spring update

So far so good and all going plan on the patch this spring. Just the one wheatear and one redstart both males which was a bonus. I say just one but one is better than none. I did get a patch tick not a bird but a grass snake early one morning and was very slow moving so give me a chance for some photos.

 Not my best photos but you have to grab a record shot if you can.

Adding to these crackers the common birds arrived as the do but more than happy to see them.

Common Chiffchaff

Blackcap

whitethroat

Hoping to improve on this photo and find a more confiding bird.

Spring so far

My first sign of spring was this chiffchaff on the 14th which was the first for the year on the patch

 

Then a patch tick with this little grebe on the water surrounding the 11th tee on the local golf course which was a nice surprise 

A pair of pied wagtails nest building

 A pair of kestrels in the area as last year on the patch

 And then this male wheatear was a very nice addition on the 3rd for the patch

I found a single greenshank in a muddy puddle on the A414 then the following day 3 turn up at Amwell on the 4th this time I had my camera and grabbed some record shots 

So far so good 

I can't stop myself

When I am on the patch I can't stop myself photographing these grey wagtails. There what I call a half decent bird and keep me wanting more.

Stonechat Wallasea Island

How can you get ten photos of one pair of birds but I just think stonechat are great, I went to wallasea island with hope of photographing stonechat and it didn't disappoint .

Garden delights

I have had some gems over the years in, over and around the garden including this pair of bullfinches just over the fence. I haven't got a long garden so manage the grab these images from the bedroom window.

This wren from the local stream near the outlet from the sewage works but think they have a problem with there filters as you can see the toilet roll pieces it was like confetti every where.

goosanders connaught waters

With the news of a pair of goosanders at connaught waters I thought I would take a look and wasn't disappointed.

 It was a shame the light was always behind

 Well not always

 pochards seem to be getting scarcer these days

 I have never seen a scaup over here before but a tufty will have to do 

 Then a kestrel whilst packing the camera away in the car not a bad visit