RSPB Burton Mere/Parkside.

Headed off to RSPB Burton mere this morning with Mark and called in to Parkside on the way,
female Hen harrier was about first thing but dropped down in to the marsh.
Quite a lot of Little egrets about this morning along with a few Curlew and Lapwings.

Little Egret at Parkside.

After a quick stop we headed to Burton mere, really like the visitor centre here friendly atmosphere and nice and warm too.

Plenty of birds around today, Shellduck, Coot, Moorhen, Stonechat, Tufted duck, Lapwings, Redshank, Curlew and a few Black-tailed Godwit's.

Black-tailed Godwit at RSPB Burton Mere.

Curlew at RSPB Burton Mere.

Walked down to the hides and quite a few garden birds about visiting the feeders, wind was picking up quite a bit also.

Blue Tit at RSPB Burton Mere.

Coal Tit at RSPB Burton Mere. 

Great Tit at RSPB Burton Mere.

Just around the corner a Meadow Pipit was sitting on top of a screen hide, he didn't mind if we got close and flew down to the ground before flying in to the reeds.

Meadow Pipit at RSPB Burton Mere.

Meadow Pipit at RSPB Burton Mere.

A lone Kestrel was also flying over the reeds but never really came close for a proper photo.

Kestrel at RSPB Burton Mere.

With the wind picking up a Grey Squirrel was sitting in a tree out of the wind I'm sure his eyes were watering with the wind.

Grey Squirrel at RSPB Burton Mere.

A little Rat was also running in and out of his burrow fetching dry grass and any seeds that have fallen from the bird feeders.

Rat at Burton Mere.

Mark and I took a quick drive up to the Point of Ayr for a quick look, the wind was horrendous blowing sand straight in to our eyes and binoculars. A few Shellduck were near the car park, and a large amount of Oystercatchers were feeding at the tide level, we did notice a sign saying bird hide on the main road out of Talacre, unforutnatly it was padlocked.

There was a large amount of of Curlew and Redshank from what we could see over the wall, will have to research this hide a bit more?

Curlew and Redshank just off Talacre main road.

Work.

I have not been able to get away from work this week, so will have to make up for it at the weekend weather permitting.

Still quite a few Fieldfare feeding on the grass around our building, but the only thing of interest has been the steady sightings of Red kites flying over, would be interesting to find out how many are thought to be in the Rutland area?

Red Kite at Wittering.

RSPB Fen Drayton

Decided to get an early start and head to RSPB Fen Drayton this morning, and as expected most of the lakes are still frozen!!
As I have never been before today was a quick scope of the area and it seems to be a great place weather permitting.

The first bird I came across was a Grey heron sitting in the reed bed, he did not seem as nervous and fly to another area as most herons do.

Grey Heron at RSPB Fen Drayton.

Grey Heron at RSPB Fen Drayton.

After I got my bearings I followed the guided bus route down the road and came across Goldfinches feeding on the last of the teasel, I was starting to get a few good pictures until around 20 cyclists came past shouting to each other and that was that!!

Goldfinch at RSPB Fen Drayton.

Goldfinch at RSPB Fen Drayton.

Goldfinch at RSPB Fen Drayton.

Missed the chance of getting a photo of a kingfisher as it flew while I was changing my camera settings after inadvertently changing from AV to TV wondered why the shot went wrong!!!

I was however presented with a consolation prize of a Long tailed tit just around the corner.

Long tailed tit at RSPB Fen Drayton.

After a few hours I had seen a good few species of birds along with rabbits and decided to head back, and just near the exit gate a Common Buzzard was sitting on a fence post waiting to get his picture taken.

Common Buzzard at RSPB Fen Drayton.

On the way back I called in to Bramton wood nature reserve for a coffee and while waiting in the cafe to see if the Kingfisher turned up (he never did) a Tree creeper appeared at the base of a tree before disappearing around the back and flying off.

Tree Creeper at Bramton nature reserve.

  

A days birdwatching.

Set off this morning at 08:00 for Rutland water nature reserve and it turned out to be a nice drive there, 2 Red kites soaring, 4 Common Buzzards and 2 Kestrels.

Quite a few Fieldfare and Redwing in the fields next to the car park this morning along with a Great spotted woodpecker feeding in the nearby oak tree.

First close encounter today was with a little Wren who kept hopping along the fence as I got near.

Wren at Rutland Water.

Wren at Rutland water.

Due to the weather the last few days along with the lakes being frozen it was a quiet day, although a few Green woodpeckers and Bullfinches could be seen.

A Grey heron was waiting for something to arrive but after 20 minutes I left and moved on.

Grey Heron at Rutland water.

After a short drive to Deeping Lakes I was told a Long eared owl had been seen in the last few days, so off I went in search. I did manage to find it unfortunately it was too far away for a good picture.

Can you see it?

Long Eared Owl in Hiding Deeping Lakes.

Before setting off I took a few more pictures while having a brew.

Blue Tit.

Chaffinch.

Great Tit.

Grey Heron.

Rutland nature reserve.

After finishing work early, I decided a quick walk around Rutland water was in order before the early nights set in.

Good start as I managed to see a Red kite on the drive to the water flying near to the main road, luckily a lay by was quite near.

Red Kite near the A606 to Rutland Water.

After arriving at the water a pair of collared doves were sitting on the fence in the car park, and did not mind who was watching!!

Collared dove at Rutland water.

Collared dove at Rutland water.

Collared dove pair at Rutland water.

In the adjoining field around a dozen or so Fieldfare had gathered to feed along with a few blackbirds and red wings.

Fieldfare at Rutland water.

Redwing at Rutland water.

Also managed to grab a quick photo of a Green woodpecker feeding before he flew off into the trees.

Green Woodpecker at Rutland water.

After a brief walk as most of the lake was still frozen, I headed to the visitor centre for a coffee and before leaving had a quick look at the first hide to see what was about.

Blue Tit.

Chaffinch.

Dunnock.

House Sparrow.

Quick 2 hour walk around Rutland water.

Decided to have a quick walk around Rutland water after work today to pass a bit of time.
Why is it always the case that when you are driving there is a photo opportunity and you can not take it due to nowhere to safely stop, 2 Red kites perched next to each other and missed it due to traffic.

Plenty of birds around today despite the wind and cold, a good group of Redpoll in the alder near redshank hide was a good start to the walk.
Plenty of lapwing, Gadwall and Teal about also.

Just around the corner a Green woodpecker was clinging to a fence post but soon flew off as I tried to get closer.

Green Woodpecker at Rutland Water.

On lagoon 3, a group of Smew has taken up temporary residence near the bay with 3 drakes and 7 females. Unfortunately they are to far away for a worth while picture.

A Mute swan then decided to chase off a rival male by flying low all the way across the lake.

Mute Swan at Rutland Water

Mute Swan at Rutland Water

On the way back to the car I spotted a Goosander and a lot of cormorants drying out after diving for food. I was finally greeted at the car by a Dunnock to whom I shared a biscuit.

Dunnock at Rutland Water.

On the drive back I spotted something in a tree and managed to pull into a lay-by, It wasn't the Red kite I was after but a Buzzard and still to far away for a decent photo.

Common Buzzard.

RSPB Burton Mere and Parkgate visit.

Early start today with a visit to 2 RSPB reserve's, first was RSPB Burton mere which used to be an old fishery until the RSPB took it over and created a fantastic wetlands.
We just arrived at Burton Mere and poured a cup of tea, when a Hen Harrier (ringtail) showed up on the scene fantastic start to the day.

Hen Harrier (Ringtail) RSPB Burton Mere.

From the visitor centre Shoveller, Teal, Wigeon, Redshank and Stonechats where all showing well.

Possibly a Merlin but flew to quick to confirm.

After a quick cup of tea we headed out round the reserve and within 200 yards the distinct sound of a Cetti's Warbler, managed to locate it quickly flitting round in the brambles.

Cetti's Warbler RSPB Burton Mere.

We walked around the reserve for a while longer with many Stonechats showing along with Kestrel, Buzzard, Tufted ducks and all the usual garden birds.

Buzzard RSPB Burton Mere.

RSPB Parkgate was the next stop of the day with the first 3 birds being Snipe sitting on the edge of a small island. A lot of Little Egrets also around today, along with another Ringtail, Curlews, Reed Buntings and a solitary Grey Heron. 

Due to the many ditches that cover parkgate many birds can be heard but spotting them is another matter.

On a previous trip a Merlin and Peregrine were spotted, hopefully they will return next time we visit.

Little Egret RSPB Parkgate.

Little Egret RSPB Parkgate.

Little Egret RSPB Parkgate.

Grey Heron RSPB Parkgate.