White-tailed Lapwing

 A trip to Winters today to look for the white-tailed lapwing while it was still there.  The weather was challenging to say the least: 4C, strong NW winter and continuous wintry squalls sweeping over.  None the less we found the lapwing where we expected by the wind pump of the marsh.  Although it was busily feeding when we arrived it spent a great deal of time sheltering behind the rushes out of the wind.  It was quite distant and too far away for successful photography but I was pleased with some record shots.  Although we didn't move far away from the pit, we did manage to find 35 species plus a roe deer buck so a successful day.

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Burton Agnes Snowdrops and an Early Trip to Bempton

 After an overnight frost, we pulled up into Burton Agnes Hall car park in bright, clear sun at 11.00 am.  We had come with friends Brian and Heather to visit the magnificent snowdrop walk.  As usual the woodlands were thick with them and the main challenge for me was to select compositions from the mass.  Soon it was time to indulge in some lunch before heading off to Bempton.  Although it is early for a first visit, there is always a frisson on anticipation.  Gannets were plentiful, but none on the cliffs; they were all gliding past.  Fulmars, on the other hand, were on the cliffs but perching under overhangs and ledges and out of site as they so often do.  They were indulging in their usual pastime though flying out over the sea in a loop before swooping back in out of site and challenging the photographer to lock on in that brief moment when they are visible.  Feral pigeons were plentiful but I could see no rock doves among them.  Brian and I wandered along to join the twitchers looking for the lapland buntings, but we arrived late on in the afternoon when they weren't cooperating.  Back at the visitor centre there were large numbers of tree sparrows at the feeding station but the light was now very poor so photography was difficult.

All too soon it was time to take our leave but we had the pleasure of fish and chips at Papa's on the way home to look forward to.

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Fulmar

Tree Sparrow

Snowdrops, Aconites and Feeding Station

 I made two visits to Scallows on 8th and 10th of February, to top up the feeders, photograph at the feeding station and to photograph the snowdrops and aconites.  The 8yh was mild and sunny at 12C after a dull start, whereas 10th was cooler at only 7C with excellent light later.  The snow drops and aconites were in their prime and looking their best.  I enjoyed a happy hour photographing them.  Pottering about birding after photographing the snowdrops, I was delighted to disturb a sparrowhawk at John and Judith's feeders.  It was good both days to hear the great spotted woodpecker drumming.  Although I didn't see either the male or female at the feeding station I could hear them nearby.  There are at least two nuthatches coming to the feeding station and they are very bold and confiding.  Long-tailed tits were present but only two.

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Aconites

Aconites

Aconites

The Wood

Snowdrops and Aconites

Snowdrops

The Wood

The Wood

The Wood

The Wood

Snowdrops

Snowdrops

Snowdrops

Snowdrops

Snowdrops and Aconites

Snowdrops

Snowdrops

Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Long-Tailed Tit

Long-Tailed Tit

Long-Tailed Tit

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

Nuthatch

Robin

Goosander on a Cold and Grey day

A seafront walk today on a grey and cold morning with rain in the air to try and catch up with the female goosander.  I had had two previous attempts to find it, both unsuccessful.  It was actually in the exact spot where a friend had found it yesterday.  I have to say it is a very cooperative bird and it was easy to secure shots of it.  Just a pity that the light was awful.  A bracing seafront walk, though, with 21 species in the bag and a satisfying glow that I had caught up with the elusive goosander at last.