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.

Oystercatcher's Day at Hunstanton

 We were very fortunate with a sunny though chilly day for our RPS outing to Hunstanton and an abundance of waders to keep the cameras clicking. The Oystercatchers were present in the largest numbers so here is a day in their life from warming in the morning sunshine, searching for good spots to rest, joining large flocks at high tide, to feeding as the tide and the sun go down.

 

Hunstanton Sunset and Xmas Fair

I stayed 3 nights in Hunstanton over the weekend and took my camera for a walk each evening - two of them had good sunsets (usual quiz question - in what East coast seaside town can you view the sun setting over the sea?) The first one is particularly curious with a bird apparently sitting on the sun! The long exposures were all done with the Olympus live composite facility which builds up the image in 1 second exposures on top of an initial exposure. During some of these I moved the camera.

 

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. 

Hunstanton Taster

The RPS Nature group spent a very enjpyable day photographing on the beach at Hunstanton as the tide dropped and then in the afternoon started to come ie. We followed the tide line watching the waders etc feed on the mussel beds. A lot of photos to download and sort but here two - Black-tailed Godwit and Curlew, together with some night shots taken yesterday evening. More birds to follow when sorted!!