Egyptian Goose at Rutland Water

BIRD ART AND PHOTOGRAPHY-SUMMER 2010

Green Woodpecker

Male Green Woodpecker having a well earned feed after completing the excavation of a nest hole in an Ash tree in the grounds of Thorpe Hall.

Oriental Pratincole

Copyright C Orders.

A mad dash at Sunday afternoon Tea time to find this rare vagrant from east of India at Frampton Marshes.

Great Crested Grebe at Ferry Meadows

'' Looks a bit cold to me!''

Swallow in Ferry Meadows

An extremely accommodating Swallow

Blackbird at Paxton Pits

It's not right ---these Nightingales get all the press

Nightingale at Paxton Pits

At least fifteen Nightingales at Paxton Pits just after dawn

Meadow Pipit

A good rarity week with White-spotted Bluethroat at Welney and a Red-rumped Swallow at Ferry Meadows. Since no photos were possible I had to make do with this Meadow Pipit at Nene Washes

Whinchat at Castor Meadows

Sandwich Tern at Ferry Meadows

On arrival the Tern was resting on an orange buoy which was some way from the shore. After chatting to a 'dingy' man who was just about to go out onto the water I asked him if he would help to bring the Tern in closer by sailing near to the buoy and hopefully persuade it to relocate to a nearer buoy. As can be seen from the photo he managed to move it on to the closer Yellow(just) buoy. There was an even closer one but I didn't want to push my luck!

Common Snipe

Common Snipe at Nene Low Washes

Ring Ouzel

Male Ring Ouzel at Castor Meadows

Wheatear at Maxey Pits

Male Wheatear at Maxey Pits, Peterborough

Mandarin at Castor Hanglands

Two males and one female seen at first light

Little Egret

Little Egret at Minsmere

Pallid Swift

Having dipped on the Pallid last Thursday we trekked again to Suffolk. This time with success having good views as it fed over the fishing ponds in Kessingland

Lesser Kestrel Twitch

Picture taken by C Orders. On Monday 29th March we arrived at Westleton Heath full of expectation. After standing in the Drizzle for 2 hours with a light mist descending our expectations were being severely challenged; the Lesser Kestrel had gone to ground. Although two of our team were quite prepared to'sit it out' our third member decided ( he was after all the driver) that it would be a good idea to travel about 20 miles north to see the Pallid Swift which had been reported some hours previously. On arrival at the Swift site we were infomed that it had not been seen for about an hour after flying purposely to the West---our expectations were now at an all-time low. Half the day gone and no ticks! A passing birder then informed us that the Lesser Kestrel had been relocated . Travelling south over familiar roads at speeds approaching a F1 Red Bull we revisted out previous Stake-out. And there it was--- the Mega rare Kestrel. Having got a tick at last we forgave the driver even though we dipped on the Pallid Swift. A supporting cast of 4 Dartford Warblers and a lone Swallow completed a memorable day. .

Sculthorpe NR

Coal Tit . A quick visit to Sculthorpe NR on returning from seeing the Alpine Swift. Golden Pheasant and Willow Tit were also seen. Field Mouse under the Feeders

Alpine Swift from Sunny Hunney to Clear Cromer

Click images for more details

We waited for a couple of hours for the Alpine Swift to appear on the Cliffs at Old Hunstanton . Having no sightings we moved to Cromer where a report had already been made. Within seconds of arrival it was spotted from the car. The next two hours was spent chasing it around town to get closer views. Thanks to Martin and Paul Hawkins for their help in spotting this surprisingly large Swift.

Little Egret

One of five at Nene Low Washes

Blue Tit

Great Tit

Robin

Bohemian Waxwings

Four Waxwings gourging themselves on the first spring-like day of the year at Panton Street , Cambridge

Black Redstart

Male Black Redstart at Exton village near Holme Farm, Rutland

Bullfinch

Male Bullfinch in a Peterborough Garden