A Few Shots Here And There

Winter is creeping up on us again, another year nearly over, where does the time go we ask. Well I have been out quite a lot, more so than last year due to lack of work. Things have picked up a bit now though and the frustration of working on a nice day has returned. The Kingfisher that gave me lots of pleasure has gone from the reed bed hide at Stodmarsh, it may have been taken by a Sparrowhawk or just moved on, who knows, it was great while it lasted. I went to Reculver to see the Shorelark that was with a few Snow Buntings, they showed well and allowed a few shots. I also came across whilst at Stodmarsh a returning Bittern that crashed into the reeds a few metres in front of me. I've spent a lot of time watching these magnificent secretive birds and I knew that there was a chance that I would be able to see it as I was close to the waters edge and for it to take off  with its huge wing span it would need to be able to stretch out.  I could hear it coming through the reeds towards me and it eventually showed and gave me good views. So here are a few pictures taken over the last month not in any order. The last picture is of a Black Necked Grebe that visited the Reed bed hide Stodmarsh whilst I was watching the Kingfisher. I will start the new blog next year,

                                                               

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The Stodmarsh Kingfisher

Over the past few weeks there has not been much about for the camera so I decided to spend my time with a Kingfisher. It has been coming to a couple of posts that are in front of the reed bed hide and slowly as the water level has risen at times stayed and fished. No real pattern as to when it would turn up I have spent on one occasion six hours missing the bird at each end of the session by minutes. That said you get out of this pastime what you put into it and I returned the following day and only waited minutes for it to show and put in a splendid performance. Here are some of my efforts with the camera. I am going to shut this blog down shortly and start a new one as there is gremlins in the works on this one so thanks if you have read it.
regards
Tim Gutsell.

Wonderful Waders

At last I have managed to get back in to the swing of things and spend time in Birdland. Over the last couple of weeks its been relatively quiet on the work front so I have grabbed the camera bag and visited Oare and  Sandwich (backsands) twice.  My target birds being waders as this time of year is really good to catch up with one or two as they head in their various directions  for the winter period.  My first visit to backsands started with me parking the car by the polly tunnels last Thursday 16th just before 7am. The air was full of expectancy and I was excited which put a spring in my step as I started the the route march to the scrape .The farmer was busy harvesting the crops, I was amazed at the size of the machinary that was being used towering me as I walked by.  Reaching the scrape I entered the tiny photographers hide, here I was to spend the next five hours in which the tide  peaked  and pushed the birds from the river banks etc,  inland to the scrape and hopefully  they would come in range of the camera. Slowly the first birds dropped in. Several Greenshank and Redshank, followed by Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers and a solitary Wood Sandpiper. There was one Black Tailed Godwit still in summer plumage and several coots and moorhens. Some of the Sandpipers came very close, I was pleased I was the only one in the hide as I am sure if there was more than one shutter firing off the birds would have spooked. Fantastic seeing the birds so close, there was a single Heron and Little Egret as well.  The time flew by and I was soon on my way home, pleased with my day. Friday the 17th I had arranged to meet Steve Ashton at Oare marshes in the afternoon. We meet in the car park at 2pm. It was a lovely summers afternoon with blue skies and a gentle breeze.We made our way along to the East flood, where  for the next four hours we rattled off the cameras, Mark Chiddwick joined in the fun for a while as he managed to finish work early,but time was of short supply for him and he soon had to go. We spent a a fair while being amused by a Wood Sandpiper and juvenile Ruff. There was lots on show, Black tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover Snipe to name but a few, however the best for me was was a Little Stint and a last knockings Temminicks Stint, birds that I had only ever seen from a distance. We were both parched by the end of the session so a welcome drink from the old artesian well went down a treat before we said our goodbyes.I visited briefly again after work on Monday but time was very limited seeing several Ringed Plover to add to the list and Yellow Wagtail.  Today still no work, (one of the joys of working in London around the Olympic area,) so another trip to backsands, this time it was a waste of time as you could count the birds on one hand, only a young Lapwing and Moorhen was to come in range of the camera  .So there we are a good few birds seen with a few photos to boot.

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Catching up with the camera.

The year is flying by and I have not been very active with the camera for the last month.  Lots going on ,  my daughters wedding and a trip away with the caravan taking up most of the time. Last weekend I found myself with some spare time so starting Friday after work I went to see a few butterflies, something that's new to me and it was nice to see my first Heath Fritillary which is very localised. Saturday morning I helped out with a Bittern survey at Stodmarsh arriving at the Marsh hide about 0600. Staying to midday I ticked off lots of the local resident birds but did not see any Bitterns. We were hoping to see a few feeding flights but was not very successful. Last year was a real success story for Bittern at Stodmarsh  with three youngster's showing well from the Marsh hide lets hope we have more of the same this year. Sunday together with Steve Ashton I went out watching Peregrines. Masters of the skies they are and we were pleased to contact them.  I also visited  yesterday dodging the showers and was rewarded with a few photos.  Other local birds seen were Corn Bunting, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. Very nice.

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Wales The last post.

Its strange how when you are enjoying yourself time races by. And its not often you get the chance to spend all day doing just what you want to do. This leads to the adage, there is not enough hours in the day. Time fast running out and we have still to see Wood Warbler and maybe obtain a Dipper photo. . The weather this trip has been superb, I have never been to Wales without it raining so everything spot on. I started the day again with an early visit to the river where I watched the Dippers at the nest site, the female coming of to feed enticed by the male every 30 minutes or so, however still not enough light for a photo.. The Dippers lead us a merry dance, over the rest of our stay we tried various sites where they were known to be and although we saw them for me a good picture was not to be . We had another visit to Gigrin again superb, I don't think I could come to this area with out calling in. We saw the tour out with Steve Ashton having a sighting of a Otter which he was thrilled with and locating a pair of Wood Warbler to which we ran out of time for a photo.  Ive cut this report a little short as the blogger seems to be playing up and I am struggling to upload my pictures. My thanks to all on the trip for their company, I enjoyed the banter and the moments that we were lucky enough to enjoy

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