The Farne Islands

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

Shag

A five and a half hour trip was made to the Farne Islands on 2nd May 2007 stopping at Staple Island for 2h and Inner Farne for 2h. The weather was bright and the sea calm which heralded for a good day. We were not disappointed. Fantastic sights of Feeding Puffins, Cormorants, Purple Sandpipers, Turnstones, Shags, Guillemots , Kittewakes, Razorbills, Gannets and Eiders. A few Pock Pipits, Wheatears, Artic Terns and Sandwich Terns were also in evidence.

Razorbills

Razorbills nesting on the Farne Islands on 2nd May 2007

Guillemots on the Farne Islands

'Bridled' variety

'Non- Bridled' variety

Guillemots on Staple Island including close ups to illustrate the 'bridled' and 'non-bridled' varieties--2nd May 2007

Ringed Plover

An unexpected find on the Farne Islands on 2nd May 2007

Male Eiders

Eiders in the harbour at Seahouses and on Inner Farne on 2nd May 2007

Herring gulls

A few pairs of Herring Gulls on Inner Farne near to a small gathering of Sandwich Terns and 5 pairs of Artic Terns. The Roseate Terns have not arrived yet.

Rock Pipit at Seahouses

A Rock Pipit on the Harbour Wall at Seahouses before our trip to the Farne Islands on 2nd May 2007

Kittiwakes on the Farne Islands

A photographic visit to both Inner Farne and Staple Island on 2nd May 2007

Puffins on the Farne Islands

These photogenic birds do seem to pose on command!

Iberian Chiffchaff

A very poor record shot of the Iberian chiffchaff at Colney, Norwich on 28th April 2007

Chaffinch at Eyebrook

Taken on 26th April 2007 whilst 'dipping' on a Lesser Scaup at Eyebrook Reservoir, Leics. However Osprey and Green-winged teal seen as well as first Common Tern of the Summer.

Spotted Crake, Attenborough Nature Reserve

I gave myself another 15 minutes after viewing a seemingly uninhabited reed-bed for about two and a half hours without any activity. Whereby I was justly rewarded by the sight of the Spotted Crake which decided to have a quick wash and preen before disappearing back into the dense reed-bed. Another successful twitch, but only just!

Willow Warbler

First Willow Warbler seen at Orton Brick Pits, Peterborough.

Yellow Wagtail

Yellow Wagtail at Blackbush, Peterborough. Along with Wheatear, first of 2007.

Long-tailed Tit

Long-tailed Tit at Orton Brick Pits, Peterborough on 18th April 2007

Common Snipe

Common Snipe at Minsmere on 13th April 2007

Jack Snipe at Minsmere

Record shots of a Jack Snipe which , in a two hour period, never fully showed itself. However the shots do illustrate the lack of a pale median crown stripe which differentiates it from the larger Common Snipe.Ring Ouzel, Cetti's Warbler, Dartford Warbler and Bittern were also in evidence; particularly good views were had of the Cetti. Friday the 13th of April proved to be a lucky day!

Robin

Black Redstart, Corn Bunting (Choseley Barns) and Black-eared Kite (Dersingham Bog) were also seen and Cetti's Warbler (Tichwell) heard in addition to the Robin (Tichwell)

Canada Goose

Canada Geese at Woodwalton Fen, Cambs

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit at Woodwalton Fen

Early Morning at Thetford forest

A super day in Thetford Forest to see two Goshawks displaying in the early morning sunshine, their white under-tail coverts showing to perfection. Also seen were Crossbills, Wood larks and the long staying Red-tailed Hawk. Unfortunately no Golden Pheasants were spotted. At a different location five early arrived Stone-curlews were observed distantly.

Cornwall Extravaganza

White-billed diver, Hayle, Cornwall. Just one of the birds seen during a day trip to Cornwall with Chris Orders and Oliver Smart. Leaving Peterborough at Midnight we arrived at Stepper Point near Padstow at 6.00am. After an adventurous climb up the headland in the semi-dark we were informed that the target bird, Gyr Falcon ,was not in its normal night roost. However on our way down we observed other Birders frantically waving and all running in the same directions. Of course we followed and brief views were obtained of this White Morph as it flew off inland. Hayle was our next port of call for White-billed Diver and Spotted Sandpiper. Diversions were then taken to see Lesser Whitethroat, Chiffchaff and Red-necked Grebe before travelling to Newquay where after an hour or so we witnessed a Dusky Warbler. Arrived home at 10.30pm after 777 miles travelling. Was it worth it ---for 4 life ticks--of course--a day to remember.

Spotted Sandpiper

Spotted Sandpiper, Hayle Estuary, Cornwall

Mandarin

Mandarin duck at Blakeney wild fowl sanctuary, Norfolk

Black Swan

Black Swan at Blakeney, Norfolk