Christmas Present from Santa

Driving an elderly relative back to Exeter after Christmas can have it's compensations when a quick turn-round and homeward diversion to Portland harbour can provide Brunnich's Guillemot at silly distance from the watching crowds.  This is a species I hadn't expected to see in Britain let alone from the mainland in Dorset.  A species normally at home in the frozen north amongst the reindeer!

Parrots

 

Twelve birds with big bills at Holt CP.

Wind-blown Waifs

Force 6-7 northerlies brought large numbers of Skuas to the north Norfolk coast on Thursday along with many other migrants and wind-blown waifs.  The Great Skua, following in the path of the recent Sooty Shearwater, was also at Grafham Water.

Sooty Shearwater at Grafham

I wasn't expecting one of these to turn up today - 1st for Cambs possibly?

Local Spotted Crake

This little gem was first found last Sunday in Bedford when the weather was wet and windy.  Each time I've visited the bird has skulked and not shown right for my choice of camera.  This morning I decided to take both formats out and managed a few digi-scoped images plus some with my 400mm and 7D.  Feeding on black pond snails and enjoying the warm sunshine.

Gone Fishing

Gadwall brood

 

Not seen this brood before but it it likely they have orginated from the Gadsey Brook workings north of the river- seen here on Ouse at Willington.  The pan-shot was nice but flawed by two of the birds slightly angled away from me.

Bittern & Mallard have brood!

York NRM is hosting all six extant A4 pacifics this week including two shipped for the celebration, one each from US and Canada. A once in a lifetime event for those who like steam locomotives.

Life after Death

Why do Spotted Flycatchers love churchyards?  I rarely see them anywhere else these days.

New Jersey again

a selection of birds and other wildlife seen around the confines of my hotel in Princeton NJ.  Shame I missed migration but plenty of things to see all the same.

Farm Birds

Dusky Maiden

Female Dusky Thrush - Margate cemetery, Kent.  A great day out!

Yorks Gos

Highlight of a couple of days birding in Yorkshire was this obliging Goshawk.