A Review of 2020 - Part 3 July - September

This is the third of my reviews of the year 2020 covering the period July - September for which I have selected five rather special days.

20th July 2020

Today was a trip to Lakenheath Fen in the hope of seeing some Bitterns. Several pairs of Bitterns breed at Lakenheath and at this time of year they should be feeding young in the nest and therefore going on several flights to the best fishing areas. These three flight shots were taken on the way back to the New Fen viewpoint.

5th August 2020

Today was a walk along one of my favourites beaches at Walton-on-the-Naze where both Ringed Plovers and Sanderlings were present. Ringed Plovers nest on the dunes here so at this time of year are only present in small numbers but the Sanderlings, a mixture adults and juveniles, are starting to return from their breeding grounds.

There is also a Sandwich Tern colony nearby so some great opportunities for flight shots, but it was a bit of a surprise to see a Little Tern catch a fish just off-shore.

8th August 2020

Today was a visit to Stanstead Innings to see the Redstart found by Jane Free. It was a bit elusive at first but eventually appeared in a Hawthorn bush where the bright green foliage and red berries provided the perfect back-drop for the photos. A very obliging bird.

1st September 2020

Panshanger Park has up to five pairs of Buzzards but during this visit one bird in particular was staking its claim. Perched on high in an Oak tree on the hillside it had a clear vantage point over the valley and was calling continuously to ensure all the other pairs knew that this was his territory.

11th September 2020

One of the annual puzzles at Oare Marshes is the Bonaparte's Gull. For the last eight years this bird arrives at the site towards the end of the summer when it is still in summer plumage. Then during the next couple of months it moults into winter plumage and leaves the site for pastures unknown. I wonder where it goes?

On this particular visit I was standing by the sea wall when out of the corner of my eye I saw a large brown bird approaching, presumably a juvenile gull. However, when turning round for a better view no-one was more surprised than me to see that it was in fact a juvenile Gannet which flew right overhead and headed inland. Amazing!!