28-3-11

Blog will not be updated for a while as we are off to Goa, India today til mid April. I intended taking my laptop but cant manage it as have so much camera gear to take and it would take me over the weight limit. I may decide after going through to the departure lounge to purchase a small netbook specifically for uploading photos whilst I am away, and if I can get wifi access anywhere I may update on here, will take it as it comes. Will certainly have photos to upload when I return to the UK :) Now cant wait to feel the sun on my face and to be surrounded by wonderful birds to enjoy and photograph! And the 30 degrees plus temperatures will be a bonus :)

Far Ings NNR 24-3-11

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Reed Bunting (m)

Tree Sparrow

A nice few hours at Far Ings this afternoon, we were supposed to be going shopping in readiness for our holiday next week but as the sun was shining we thought it was a shame not to go out birding instead! The reserve was fairly quiet but pleasant all the same. Just the usual birds around.

Far Ings NNR - 21/3/11

Drake Pochard

Drake Pochard

Drake Teal

Toads

Toads

An early morning visit to try and pin down the Firecrest and adult male Black Redstart that were on the reserve yesterday evening proved fruitless. :(  Good numbers of Goldcrest around and a few Chiffchaff in song plus all the usual water birds etc. We also came across a pair of mating Toads on the path!

Friday 18th March 2011

Black Redstart

Black Redstart

Short Eared Owl

A nice day out with Richard and Dean & David Eades. We had nice views again of the immature male Black Redstart at Waters Edge CP then later had a few hours at Worlaby Carrs for the Owls, both SEO and Barn Owl were seen :) Much better light today for photography

A Few WaterBirds

Drake Mallard

Male Pochard

Female Pochard

Female Pochard

Lots of activity today, all the ducks full of the joys of Spring and lots of displaying going on. A nice pair of Pochard came close enough to photograph, here are shots of them plus a male Mallard who was really showing off!!

More Black Redstart Captures

A small selection of other captures of the todays Waters Edge CP bird

Black Redstart

A great hour or so this afternoon watching this lovely bird :) We were sitting enjoying a coffee in the  Honey Pot cafe at Waters Edge Country Park when Rich spotted it perched on the fence of  the outdoor seating area.

Earlier in the day we had visited Far Ings NNR and had a nice male Hen Harrier pass through and also enjoyed views of Chiffchaff, Bullfinch and Treecreeper. Later in the evening we heard there was a Red Crested Pochard at Far Ings so we walked the long walk back to F.I and had views (but no photos) of a nice male RCP on New Pit 4

Bittern at Far Ings NNR 14/3/11

A lovely afternoon out today with Richard to Far Ings NNR. We had wonderful views of a male Bittern, he stayed around for a couple of hours before flying off to roost around dusk. A male Marsh Harrier patrolled the area for a short time too. Our first Chiffchaff of the year was seen and heard