Minsmere RSPB

During my reason trip to Norfolk I decided to head further south to Suffolk and to Minsmere RSPB reserve. A little off the beaten track to say the least, I was pleasently surprised at what I found. Typical of similar reserves it nestles away but, tardis like, it has a shop, cafe and toilet facilities.

Unfortunately like all other reserves it is between seasons and there wasn't a lot to see. It was also suffering from a lack of rain, not something that we further over to the West can complain of. However if Minsmere is suffering of anything it is suffering with an explosion of Rabbits. They are everywhere, literally under feet. I believe the problem is being addressed but unfortunately this means myxamatosis. I recall commenting on this before. I dislike the disease immensely, It seems a very cruel way to kill something off. However unless a better way can be found then I accept it is a necessary evil.

I did see the following, can anyone help me identify these two first birds. I believe that this is a Juv Willow Warbler.

This second I believe is a Juv Chiff chaff.

There was quite a fuss being made in the car park, there were Flycatchers to be seen. Both Spotted and Pied were seen. I believe this is a Juv Pied. Am I correct?

Now one of the species I was hoping to see was the Kingfisher, there were reports on the information boards that sightings at the sluice were common over the previous day or two.

I trudged down to the sluice, the furthest point from the centre and upon my arrival the weather which had been overcast turned worse and rain started to fall. It was light but not what I had wanted. Fortunately it didn't last for long.

Whilst waiting I met a gentleman called Jon Evans, a volunteer at the reserve, and also a keen photographer. He was very forthcoming with information about the reserve and what I could expect to see and where. He had seen the Kingfisher fleetingly some minutes previously. I was not aware beforehand but I am now that Jon occasionally contributes to Birdguides website, I have checked out some of his offerings and would suggest they are well worth a look.

Jon moved on in search of Whinchat, which he got. I hung around for a while, determined to give the Kingfisher chance to visit. I contented myself with pictures of Juv Swallows perching on a wall and being fed by the adults occasionally. I then saw a flash and the Kingfisher landed a short way infront of me. It paused for literally a second and then took off again. I managed to grab this shot. It was taken through tall grass, as you can see. Not bad for a true grab shot though.

The Swallows were not looking great but I have included this shot of one.

Back at the car park, I saw the above Deer and its calf. I believe that there are quite a few of these around too.

I was advised that there were sightings of Bittern and Hobby during the day, I didn't get to see them despite visiting every hide but one, the canopy hide. If I may just take this opportunity to say that on the whole I was very impressed by the hides at Minsmere, they were spacious and in a few cases on two levels, a top layer for twitchers and a lower floor for photgraphers, there was ample room in most of the hides for large lenses.

I will return. I think it would be worth it.

I couldn't finish without a picture of the scourge of the reserve. I still think that Rabbits are lovely little critters.

Water Voles and babies in the next posting.

Norfolk Pictures

Here are some of the pics from Norfolk hope you like them. I had a great few days down there, I added quite a few birds to my yearly list and a few to my lifetime list such as Ortolan Bunting, Curlew Sandpiper, Stone Curlew, and Whimbrel.

I loved the Dunlin, seen lots but never photographed any that were this close.

A lifetime first this Ortolan Bunting was a great opportunity for me and lots of others that day, One chap I spoke to had travelled for 1.5hrs by bus from Hunstanton just to tick it as a Norfolk first. He didn't even take a picture, Twitchers are mad.

On the one day the area infront of one of the hides at Cley was very busy, but two days later nothing. Guess it's about time and place. This Green Sandpiper was very obliging.

This is a Common Sandpiper.

Three Bar Tailed Godwit were seen on the same day as the Ortolan Bunting. Here's one of them.

The Marsh Harriers were coming within range, to a degree.

This Little Ringed Plover looked thoroughly peeved at my intrusion.

I have nearly 1000 shots to go through so there may be more to follow. Watch this space.

Norfolk and more.

Hi, No pictures this time just a quick update, I'm over in Norfolk for a few days, I love Norfolk especially the area around the Coast at Cley and Salthouse. I seem to have chosen a week when the weather isn't as good as it has been but so far it's not been too bad. Although it took a turn for the worst last evening.

Tues saw me at Cley marsh and a very good day was had indeed. I saw lots of stuff and have some great pics which I will post soon. I'm on the dongle at the moment and it's too slow to upload pictures. I have seen some new species for the year including, Whimbrel and Golden Plover, and photo'd lots of other stuff including: Yellow legged Gull, Green Sandpiper, Dunlin, Spotted Redshank, Lapwing, Hobby (from a distance), Little ringed Plover, Marsh Harrier(from a distance) and common Sandpiper. Hopefully some good pics amongst them.

I've also been to Minsmere RSPB in Suffolk, I'll go into detail about that in a future post but suffice to say I had a good day seeing and photographing stuff including: Pied Flycatcher, Kingfisher, Deer, and Swallow.

I don't know what the rest of the week will bring. I will keep you posted.

Leighton Moss again.

A trip back to Leighton Mos via Martin mere did occur, I wasn't blessed with good weather and didn't see the two star species, and came away feeling pretty let down.

I stayed at the same little site I'd stayed at in July, you'll remember, no internet, mobile phone or washing/toilet facility. Ten pounds a night with electric- three nights are just about managable. I'll look for somewhere different next time though.

Star species one was an Osprey, present on Monday evening but not afterwards. Star species two was a Bittern. seen Tues and Thurs but unfortunately not by me. The best I got were sightings of a Marsh Harrier, Greenshank, and Red Deer.

Great Black Backed Gull was seen at a distance, look at the size of it compared with a Mallard duck.

The Greenshank was one of two, again seen at a distance.

Herons were constantly doing flybys.

The Deer weren't looking good, between coats I guess.

Moorhens are lovely in the evening light.

Thousands of Coots at Leighton Moss.

So nothing sexy or exciting, this time. I will return later in the year.

Got 'em.

Well I said in my last post I was going to try and get badgers and here are the results.

It's the first time I've photographed anything in the pitch dark so I am very happy with these two shots. I only got 3 shots in total so 2 out of 3 that I can use can't be bad can it? I think they could have been sharper, but as I said I'm happy with these for my first effort.

Let me tell you though, it was not easy. I hadn't got the light set up that Chris G uses, I had only one flash and a live band playing in the distance which carried through the night air made it very difficult.

I only saw two badgers and only for a period of 30 mins. I desperately wanted the badgers to come closer but the two I saw don't like the light, Chris G can vouch for that, they hang around on the edge of the light but don't come close. The one I was hoping for was not seen at all.

Anyway there will be a next time so this is a start.

Off to Lancashire in the morning, weather permitting hope for some good stuff from Leighton Moss.