Exciting Day at Rutland

A day of drama at Rutland Eggleton Nature Reserve with the RPS Nature Group both in the weather - thunder and lightning included - and the target birds - Hobby, Osprey and Cuckoo. Not quality photos by a long way but may give an idea of the action in sunny and cloudy skies (we failed to catch an Osprey with background lightnings flashes in a photo!). At the end, Reed and Sedge Warblers, Wren and Reed Buntings that tantalised us with brief visible moments in the reeds) 

Welney RPS Nature Group Visit

We were surprised at how few insects there were at Welney - hopefully it was the cool showery weather that had driven them deeper into the foliage. I did enjoy photographing this Speckled Bush Cricket (didn't notice the Spider!), two species of Leaf  Hopper, a Picture-Winged Fly, Hoverfly, Nettle Leaf Beetle and an Ichneumon spp. The Reed Warbler was probably a young one as very confiding and very pristine plumage.

Second Visit to the Pools

This Reed warbler sang almost continuously on both my two visits to Venus Pools. It was the closest bird I photographed.  The Goslings and the Heron also obliged but this is a place where a very long telephoto lens would be very beneficial. Lovely to watch and listen to the birds regardless.

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.

Highlights Day One Mallorca

 It is difficult to choose just a few images from our first day birdwatching in S'albufera. The Black-Winged Stilts were very territorial though always seen off by the even more aggresive Avocets. There are Nightingales everywhere and a very vocal new species to be photographed - the Great Reed Warbler. Kentish Plover and Little Egret complete the set.