Bempton Cliffs.

I decided to head to Bempton Cliff's on Sunday as the weather looked good, I was going to leave at 04:00 but woke at 02:00 so decided to set of early.

I arrived at sunrise and was greeted by a Barn Owl all be it at a distance.

Shortly after a Fox ran past behind be and I missed the opportunity for a photo.

The cliffs are quite alive now with the Gannets busy collecting nesting materials. The wind was very low today and the birds kept well below the cliff tops making getting a photo tricky. 

Razorbills are around in what seems good numbers with huge rafts out at sea.

The same go's for the Guillemots with plenty around and busy flying back and forth to the cliff ledges.

In far fewer numbers are the Puffins and at times quite tricky to pick out.

Kittiwakes are also in good numbers and a great bird to watch soaring around the cliffs before what seems finding the most awkward ledge to land and build a nest on.

Every now and then a Fulmar would turn up mixed among the Kittiwakes but always seemed to stay well below the cliff tops.

Their was a few other species about today with Linnets showing quite well along the nature trail path.

I hope to get back again soon for another day hopefully in the very near future.

Below is a few more images from the day.

Out and About.

I have not had any holidays from work for a while so getting out has been tough.
I have visited a few places over the past month but mainly Rutland water and Frampton with them being quite close to work.

When passing Southport I called into the old car park and had a quick look around, a few birds flitted between the floor and the long grass and I thought Linnets at first but looking closer it was around 15 Twite feeding quite happily in my presence.

And this past weekend I took my daughter for a walk around Southport and persuaded her to have a walk around the old sand works near  Marshside, got a nice surprise as 3 Wheatear were flying around. They were quite flighty but managed to get one shot at least.

Below is a few images from the past month around the places I have visited.

Reed Bunting at Frampton Marsh.

Skylark at Frampton Marsh.

Ruff at Martin Mere.

Hare at Rutland water.

Hare at Rutland water.

Turnstone at Hilbre Island.

Lesser black backed gull at Southport.

Stonechat at Lunt meadows.

 

Long Billed Dowitcher at Rutland water.

I headed to Rutland early today after reading a report from a couple of days ago about a Long Billed Dowitcher that was seen on Lagoon. I set off not expecting much but got a surprise when I arrived as it was seen on lagoon 3 at 07:30.

I headed straight to shoveler hide and it was already getting busy.
The Dowitcher was showing well but at quite a distance but superb views for those with scopes.
It seemed to spend its time feeding up and down the spit.

Unfortunately it was on the limit of getting a photo, even with a 500mm a 1.4TC and a crop body giving 1120mm I had to settle for a very heavy crop.

On the way out I called into Buzzard hide, now I normally miss out this hide as nothing is ever seen from here yet I decided to have one quick look just in case and low and behold a Cetti's landed on the reeds before diving back in. I managed a few shots but one reed was in the way. But at least I managed a picture of these elusive birds. And learnt a lesson to check hides and not presume that nothing outside the windows.

Jack Snipe at Rutland.

I called into Rutland water after work this afternoon for a walk around, upon arrival the report said a Jack snipe was present on lagoon 3.
I headed straight to the lagoon and surprisingly I had the hide all to myself, I found Snipe very quickly as around 15 had taken up residence on the small spit to the left of the hide.
They never came all that close and were always behind the short grass making getting a picture difficult to say the least.

After 15 minutes or so searching I managed to locate the Jack snipe, and it had to be right at the back of the spit in the long grass. After waiting for nearly 2 hours for it to come closer I gave up when he decided to take another nap break. It was good to be able to compare the 2 birds seeing the bill is a lot shorter than the common snipe and tends to bob a lot when feeding. Hopefully he will remain for a few days or weeks and with better light and a bit of luck I might be able to get a better picture.

The other birds of note today was finding a drake Smew with 3 red heads in tow, they were at some distance but they usually remain for a while and move closer over the weeks.

The north arm provided some good views of 2 black necked grebes, 1 Slav Grebe, 1 great northern diver and 1 red necked diver. They tend to spend the early morning in the shallows of the north arm before moving out into the open water making finding them hard to say the least.

Rutland Water.

With the sun coming out for a few hours yesterday I headed to Rutland for a few hours.
I dipped out on the Slav grebe, Red and Black necked grebes that are around but just could not find them. Hopefully I can try again over the next few days weather permitting.

Lots of Great crested about on the North arm along with Golden eye and Tufted ducks.

On the way back I decided to call in to Fineshade woods to see if any red kites were showing, I was quite shocked to see around 30 soaring over the tree tops getting ready to roost near the visitor centre. With the light starting to go and realising I had came out with only one memory card it was time to go, but will definitely get back this week with a few batteries and memory cards for another go.

Up and Down the country.

I have been back at work and spending my time between being at home and working away during the week. I have managed to get out a bit around Lunt meadows and Martin mere while at home and Fen Drayton, Frampton and Titchwell while away during the week. I have started my year list again and have managed to take it up to 84 sightings so far this year, I hope I can beat last years of 164.

Below is a few images taken over the last month or so from my trips out.