Friday 15 March 2024

A Drake Smew at Amwell

7th March 2024

There has been a drake Smew at Amwell for some time now and last week I saw it out in the middle of Great Hardmead Lake but then, as they are sometimes do, disappeared without trace. Today it was on the far side of the lake from the main view-point, but then started to drift southwards towards the Gladwin Hide.

After trying to grab a few shots through the hedge and reed-heads, I eventually ran to the Gladwin Hide to get ready for the swim-past.








If only they could all be this cooperative.






And then, to finish off, it was photo-bombed by a female Goldeneye!!!


Well, that wasn't bad. Also great to have a catch-up with Stuart Fox, Scott Poynter and Ron Cousins.
















Monday 11 March 2024

The Magic Tunnel at Lynford Arboretum

28th February 2024

There is an old track at Lynford Arboretum which can be viewed from a wooden gate just 100 yards south of the Shepherd's Baa Cafe. The track has a brick wall on one side and mature trees on the southern side where the sun is for most of the day and therefore, apart from a few episodes in the afternoon, is very shady and dark, not ideal for photography.

However, for many years now seed has been put down around an artificial pond and attracts good numbers of tits, Nuthatches and Chaffinches, but also the occasional Great Spotted Woodpecker, Yellowhammers, Bramblings and the occasional Hawfinch. The last couple of winters have been a bit quite but this year it has been fairly busy and has attracted a fair number of birders and toggers alike and basically we need a bigger gate!!!! So time to just settle down and wait to see what appears.

As said above there is a pond half way up the track and seed is cast either side of the pond so that one side is much closer to the gate and fortunately this was where the Yellowhammers were feeding.




Lovely to see them so close.


Then a cheeky Nuthatch appeared and nearly bumped into a Brambling.


From my experience Bramblings have been incredibly scarce this winter and I have hardly heard any reports from my home county of Hertfordshire and surrounds, and not a single one in the garden whereas I normally get one or two. Luckily this doesn't appear to be the case at Lynford and today there were 10+ making the most of the seed, but unfortunately on the far side of the pond.










And then they were photo-bombed.............by a Hawfinch. Just how good is that?






Just the one today and in appalling light but so much better seeing them close as opposed to 100 yards in the paddocks.










Just love the Magic Tunnel.







Thursday 7 March 2024

A Great Grey Shrike at Weeting

28th February 2024

A Great Grey Shrike had been present just north of Weeting since the 22nd February so time for a visit. The bird was frequenting a 45 acre area of clearfell and was very mobile and most of the time fairly distant, but did occasionally venture a bit closer. When we arrived and located the bird it was indeed distant, probably about 150-200 yards as measured on Google Earth. These were taken at 1120mm.





So it was just a matter of waiting for it to come closer. Luckily there were Wood Larks in the area to keep us entertained with their flutey song, and also landed on their song post a lot closer than the shrike!!!














The shrike flew to the northern corner of the clearfell and went missing for a while, but eventually emerged and perched high in a tree allowing a few shots to be taken before it flew back to its original position.










Well, what a fantastic way to spend a couple of hours and what a cracking bird!!!!












Sunday 3 March 2024

High Tide at Gunners Park

23rd February 2024

I first discovered Gunners Park when I went there in October 2013 for the Parrot Crossbills (which I missed by 20 minutes), and the Serins in March 2015. What cracking little birds.

Since then it has been a bit quiet but still worth a visit for the high tide roost. When we arrived today we were greeted by a male Kestrel which was sitting on high surveying the scene.Then on to the lake where the usual gang of Redshanks were spending their high tide on the sides of one of the islands.



Now on to the action on the sea wall and one of the first waders to appear on the shingle beach was a lone Oystercatcher with the usual handful of Turnstones.


















But now on to the main actors, the Dunlin and the Sanderlings of which there were probably 1000+. Most of the Dunlin flew in to the roost and immediately got their heads tucked in and went to sleep..........


...................with just the odd one waking up to see what was going on.








The Sanderlings on the other hand flew in and immediately started feeding, especially on the large flat area by Gogs Berth which was still above water at this time.






I love photographing these highly energetic jewels on the beach but sometimes difficult to get them stationary.




























And all of this just down the road from Southend Pier!!



But the highlight of the high tide roost must be the activity when, for no apparent reason, the whole flock gets spooked and take off for a lap of the bay before returning to the beach, allowing some excellent opportunities for some flight shots. Enjoy!!!