RSPB Titchwell Marsh Passerines

 It was too windy yesterday to go onto the beach for Waders and possible Snow Buntings/Shore Larks, so after visiting the Hides (images to follow), we spent time in the woodland around the visitor centre. It was very sheltered there with lovely low sunlight illuminating sudden flashes of gold as a flock of Firecrests flittered around in front of us - often too close to get them in focus but still an entertaining sight. Amazing how the morning disappeared before a complete bird was in the frame and just about in focus.There were also Goldcrests, Chiffchaff, Goldfinches and Tree Creeper to attempt to photograph and, of course, the very tame robins.

Early Fungi at RSPB Sandy

 The fungi season has started but with limited species (presumably due to dry conditions) - Amanita species, Cracked Boletus, Sulphur tufts and Parasols predominate and looked great in yesterdays warm autumn sunshine. Good to bump into several friends also on the lookout for attractive clumps!

RSPB Frampton Invertebrates Recorded June 2025

Finally sorted and identified, as far as possible, the invertebrates that I photographed on my visits to Frampton Marshes last week. 

Titchwell RSPB Reserve Before the Rain

 Yesterday the RPS Nature Group managed a shortish morning's bird photography before the rain set in which was fine as most people were journeying considerable distances back home. There were very large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover settling on the scrapes in beautiful light showing off their colourful but very good camouflage plumage in with Teal, Dunlin, Wigeon etc. Down on the beach there weren't the expected numbers of waders, certainly compared with the huge flocks at Hunstanton, but most of the species were there in small numbers. Here a couple of Bar-Tailed Godwits and an Oystercatcher with mussel. A lone Black-winged Stilt with a ring (?escapee) posed beautifully. 

St Aidens RSPB Reserve

 St Aidan's RSPB Reserve has been transformed from an old, open cast mine to a reserve with a rich variety of habitats including reedbeds, wetlands, meadows and woodland. It has a breeding population of Black-necked Grebe, which I was keen to see as I hadn't seen summer plumage birds before. There were lots of Bittern booming and several took to the air during our visit. Otherwise the numbers of singing Warblers - Sedge, Reed and Willow were very impressive along with Reed Buntings and all the usual water birds

Toadstools from Sandy Bedfordshire

With all the recent rain and relatively mild temperatures, the fungi are abundant everywhere including RSPB Sandy. We had a very enjoyable day there yesterday with only one shower when we needed to shelter. Here some of the Toadstools; smaller fungi and lichens to follow!