RPS Nature Group Meeting at Rutland Water

Unfortunately the promised warmer and brighter weather failed to materialise so another outing in cold, breezy and, at times. wet conditions. The birds were keeping low in the vegetation searching for sheltering insects etc but I did manage satisfactory photographs of a couple of Reed Warblers and Green Woodpecker, Reed Bunting, Common Tern and Great Crested Grebe. Very few insects visible but here an Orange Tip and a Colletes bee species with the X100v plus macro attachment and the 100-400mm lens for comparison. Many thanks to Peter Ward for organising the trip.

New Year Walk at Barton

We took a walk round the fields at Barton hoping to photograph a Hare or two. We briefly saw one retreating so here a miscellany from the morning. Several very smart -looking Reed Butings. There are a couple of very strange scarecrows - the one with dolls' heads is enough to scare anyone let alone a Crow. 

Signs of Spring at Paxton

On a sunny afternoon at Paxton, it felt like spring might come soon with the birds collecting nesting materials, showing off the pristine breeding plumage and stocking up on food ready for the busy times to come. 

Norfolk Tour - Cley NNT Reserve

Overcast misty conditions at Cley weren't ideal for portraits but added to the atmosphere of the reserve. Two favourite species, Reed Bunting (with damselfly) and Bearded Reedling, performed well on the East Bank  while Spoonbills, Sand Martins, Avocets, Redshanks, Shovellers and Pochard  showed well on the marshes.

 

Norfolk Tour - Titchwell RSPB Reserve

Overcast day for our visit to Titchwell gave sympathetic lighting for the Sandwich Terns, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Brent Geese  and Black-Headed Gulls against the water and sky. It also showed off the colours of the Heron, Reed Bunting and Sedge Warbler. Although at a distance it was great to see Grey Plover, Dotterel and Mediterranean Gulls.