Welney Morning Birds

We spent the rest of Sunday morning (after a breakfast in the cafe!!), general bird watching and 'snapping' on the main reserve so here a flavour of the session and including Cattle Egret and ?Chiffchaff (a pair were flitting in the bushes - presumably overwintered in UK).

RSPB Arne's Elusive Dartford Warbler

Our target for the RPS Nature Group visit to Arne was obviously the Dartford Warbler. It was certainly very elusive with brief views at quite a distance. However, with mainly sunny weather I enjoyed our walk around the reserve in great company. Life in the gorse  included Dartford Warbler, Dunnock, Stonechat - male and female, Robin, Chiffchaff, and Tree Pipit

Last Day in New Forest

I spent my last day in the New Forest walking around the Burley Heath area. Here is a selection of birds I encountered on a drizzly gloomy day - Egret, young Chiffchaff and parent, lots of Stonechats, Hobby and Swallow. Final photographs before very heavy rain stopped operations were mating Ichneumons.

Woodland Birds

 A selection of the birds feeding and singing in the car park. It rained on and off while taking these and the light was poor so 6,400 ISO for many with noise reduction applied. Although I have photographed Chaffinches before, I have never noticed the black feather frill above the beak.The Blackcap was very vocal. Apparently males will sing even when incubating - this one shows his brood patch.

Wren and Whitethroat Show

It was certainly Wren and Whitethroats centre stage along Bourn Brook on Saturday morning. I counted 2 trilling Wrens and 5 singing Whitethroat males - at least one had attracted a female in a short stretch. Robin and Chiffchaff made guest appearances.

Spring Migrants Arrive at Paxton

Last week's warm southerly obviously brought in lots of summer visitors. Paxton Pits was full of singing Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps, and a short burst of Nightingale was heard together with sightings of Swallow and Sedge Warbler. The Grebes are still working on their nest site but making little progress with the high water level.