Thursday, December 11, 2008

Gull Fest

Yesterday took me down to Yarmouth, which happens to be good spot for one of my favorite birds, Mediterranean Gull.

Mediterranean Gulls, adult...


2nd winter


1st winter


adult


2nd winter


1st winter



This morning, before an appointment in Cley, I zipped down to Salthouse beach, where in the early morning grey a mean looking 1st winter Glaucous Gull was feeding before sloping off on to Cley's North scrape for the rest of the day.

Glaucous Gull... ISO800 @ 1/38 second!

Sunday, December 07, 2008

Parish Birding

Had a walk around the Parish this morning, as i am often do at this time of the year. Headed towards Felbrigg Lake first thing, wildfowl numbers back up but nothing out of the ordinary Mallard 40, Shelduck 1, Coot 2, Gadwall 3, Mandarin at least 9, Tufted Duck 4 and Pochard 2. No Mute Swans so far this winter, a Water Rail was squealing from the reed bed. Most notable sighting was a hang around Little Egret which first flew up from the south end of the lake then was feeding in the ditch to the north. Felbrigg Great Wood was notable only for the absence of any birds. Continuing over the fields to the west of the village a good flock of 1000 Golden Plover and 50 Lapwing were thoroughly scanned but no little gems could be found. Presumably the same Little Egret flew high west over the fields and a Common Buzzard made an appearance over the Ridge.

(notice how I have successfully blown out the white in the morning sunshine-D'oh!
Little Egret












Tufted Duck






Jackdaws


hen Blackbird