Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll

Coue's Arctic Redpoll

Coue's Arctic Redpoll

Lapland Bunting

Lapland Bunting

Sanderling

Sanderling

Purple Sandpiper

Purple Sandpiper

Short-eared Owl

Short-eared Owl

Waxwing

Waxwing

Wednesday 29 December 2010

December Highlights from Minsmere

As December and indeed 2010 come to a close, I thought I would share some more images from the last couple of weeks at Minsmere, in some very varied weather.
   The 14th brought us some glorious sunshine, and a pair of very obliging Bearded Reedlings to give them their proper name and an equally confiding Lapwing......or should that be a Pewit?.....or a Green Plover......Oh well whichever It looked fabulous in that sunlight.











  The following day was equally sunny but flippin freezing, whilst walking towards the sluice via the dunes behind East hide, I heard a Dartford Warbler calling then I noticed the little bird fly up from a patch of brambles into the depth of some gorse bushes, it showed quite well eventually before disappearing back into the gorse bushes.












   The 18th another sunny day, well some of it, I did manage to see and photograph a Grey Plover on the beach, although the Sanderling and Redshank weren't so confident.















   The 21st was very quiet, the "Waxwing tree" Which had been erected by the RSPB staff Robin and Ian with help from volunteers Luke Mark and Ricky is actually a well strategically placed bunch of large branches laced with Suffolks finest apples, made to look like an apple tree, supposed to attract Waxwings, which have been reported by visitors actually feeding on the apples, sadly I have not witnessed this spectacle myself, only Blackbirds, so it is now Christened the Blackbird Tree! However the apples do not last long on there, as soon as the apples are put in the tree, the Blackbirds are eating the apples before the job is completed.





   The 27th and we are still frozen except South scrape where there are at least 5 Redhead Smew, still diving for fish in what can only be described as slush, in places where it wasn't completely frozen.

Wednesday 15 December 2010

Iceland Gull Lowestoft

   I have spent the last couple of weeks visiting the most easterly part of our shores, Lowestoft to see the juvenile Iceland Gull which has graced us all with its presence, quite a dainty little gull, and eventually quite obliging, although nearly always into the sun, not helped by the security man at SLP in Hamilton Dock who would not let anyone passed "his bollards". just another half a dozen fence posts along and I would have had the sun over my left shoulder, but no, he is definately the winner of this years Jobsworth of the year award!







   Hamilton Dock also provided excellent views of a female Eider, Ness Point has been superb for some 9 Purple Sandpipers and of course the very tame Turnstones. Oh and the Pied Wagtails.

Monday 6 December 2010

A very warm welcome to Gary

On Thursday morning I set off for Minsmere in horrendous conditions, on route I lost the road twice as the the snow was drifting so badly, I encountered two other motorists who had slid into roadside ditches, they were ok thankfully, which is more than I can say about their cars.
  On arrival I spotted one of the tea room staff  leaving to head for home, due to the worsening conditions, then I noticed a bicycle parked outside the front door, (who on earth would venture out on a bicycle in those conditions, I thought to myself.) When I met one of the RSPB staff, who explained it belonged to Gary Prescott, who is travelling the U.K. visiting all the RSPB reserves, so off I went to try to meet up with this intrepid explorer, it was approximately two minutes later I bumped into the afore mentioned gentleman, who preceded to tell me all about his venture.
  Gary a special needs teacher is travelling the length and breadth of the UK in a Year long trip, non motorised, So far he has visited all the WWT reserves, and over 180 RSPB reserves, He will cycle around 5,000 miles to complete the journey on his trusty steed.....The Canondale Fatty! his yearlist tally stands at 247 that's only 5 short of beating Chris Mills of Norfolk's record of 252.
   Minsmere did yield 1 new bird to his list, a Wood Lark, Thanks to Jon Gibbs. Gary is being sponsored for three Charity's,  RSPB. Asthma UK, and WWT. you can sponsor him or follow his journey by visiting http://bikingbirder2010.blogspot.com  I would just like to add what a fantastic pleasure it was to meet up with this wonderful gentleman and I wish him all the very best on his journey. Bon Voyage Gary!

Winter Wonderland

Bewick Swans, Island Mere, Minsmere
Chaffinch, Minsmere

Great Tit, Minsmere

Blue Tit, Minsmere

Robin, Minsmere

Common Snipe, Minsmere
Twite, Dingle Marsh
Shore Lark, Dingle Marsh
Snow Bunting, Dingle Marsh
Bittern Flyby Island Mere, Minsmere
   Well the cold, frost, snow, and ice has been hitting us hard for the passed three weeks, but not stopped me from getting about to try and get some wintery  images, Minsmere being the main port of call, also managed a return trip to Dingle marshes and Dunwich shore pools.