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.

Lunt Again!!

I headed to Lunt Meadows this morning to try for the SEO again (they wont be around for ever).
I got really lucky as one was quartering the field next to the car park, after grabbing my camera and deciding to shoot into the sun I managed to get a few shots before he dropped into the long grass and stayed put.

The rest of the day was pretty quiet on the owl front with them showing only briefly during the day but at quite a distance at times. A lone Barn owl was spotted hunting early morning left of the pump house but not seen again during the day.

A few Kestrels made passing visits with one putting on quite a show by hovering close to our position.

SEO, Lunt Meadows.

I had to visit Lunt again to try and get at least one picture of the short eared owls perched, as all my shots have been in flight.

I arrived around 2 pm with Mark after the rain had stopped and headed to a speck that I hoped would produce a chance of a shot.
Mark headed around the lake and found that the female Scaup is still present.

Another resident Gary Clarke was already waiting for the SEO to show, that guy has the patience of a saint and can stand in the same spot for 6 hours. Yesterday provided perched shots for Gary and I was hoping for a repeat.
After an hour or so standing in the cold mud an owl popped up from the grass and landed again 10 yards away. But soon after with the light fading fast the wait was over and up popped a shorty and flew right to the perch and began looking around, mission accomplished for today now just a few more in better light.

Martin Mere.

Not been out all that much lately but made a flying visit to martin mere this morning, and only had time for a quick walk around. I did manage to get a few pictures. The only other of note is the Great northern diver at West Kirby marine lake.