Sandy Saves the Day

20th August 2013

I set off with Andy Johnson to visit the Ouse Washes, my first visit for over 40 years. The reserve was in excellent condition with 3 Common Cranes, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, 50+ Ruff, Dunlin and Marsh Harrier all on view. There was also masses of butterflies, the most I have seen for at least 20 years including five Clouded Yellows. Unfortunately, all the birds were distant and therefore no opportunity for photographs so on the way back we decided to call in at The Lodge to see what the pools in front of the hide were doing.

Well, in a nutshell, they were doing nothing as both were full of algae and awaiting a good clear out once any amphibians had departed. However, as luck would have it , the area just outside the hide was fairly lively with various family parties including Goldcrests which, typically, could be heard but not seen. Then, a bird swooped across a clearing and landed on the outside branches of a tree, a Spotted Flycatcher. In this position it was badly back-lit but then moved on to a dead tree which allowed a couple of shots including one of it stretching its wing.

But today's star of the show was a Nuthatch which was performing in the same dead tree and posed beautifully in the sunshine.

For better reproduction of my photos, see my photo gallery at flickr.com/photos/seymourbirdies

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