Collared Flycatcher

A timely find by David Roche at Holme in Norfolk. My drive home from Scotland was already diverted to Kings Lynn so this was a bird not to be missed!

Back with the Wagtails

The light was good enough this morning to try using my 1.4x converter. I don't use it too often because AF with the pins taped with my 100-400mm IS rarely pays off but this morning I was glad I took it along. These birds are a joy to watch and photograph.

Hungry Family

A pair of Grey Wagtail have nested this year in one of the doors at Willington Lock resulting in frantic parents being disturbed from the nest everytime a boat opens or closes the lock. Crazy birds but they seem to be doing OK so far and theres no shortage of food.

Brand New Demoiselle

Newly emerged and drying it's wings.

Easter Wanderings

Good weather birding.

Blue-ee

This cracking bird spending a fruitless second spring on territory at Welney. I didn't manage to visit last year but the little beauty showed very nicely yesterday morning once the sun had decided to come out. If only a female would drop in..........

Grasshopper Warbler

Good to see Grasshopper Warblers in the village this spring following two or three years where they had seemed to have vanished. A full selection of warblers this morning with the exception of Lesser Whitethroat which doesn't seem to have arrived yet. The local male Cuckoo has also returned - wonder if he's as glad to see me as I am to see him ?

Hornet

I don't like getting too close to these beasts despite finding them fascinating. Fortunately the 400mm and a heavy crop gave me safe range and didn't bring the goose-bumps out too much!

Avocets @ Willington

On the 16th March I recorded my first Avocet at Willington, this morning I found two there. Two had been seen earlier in the morning at the Brick Pits so it seems they had relocated to here. Poor shots but good birds for Willington.

Garden Birds

I tend to take for granted the diversity of birds I can see from my garden living close to the river here in Willington. As well as the local Barnacle Geese, I had a pair of Shelduck fly low over the garden last evening in the lovely light. Best fly-over birds seen over the years include Whimbrel, Kingfisher, Barn Owl, Raven, Merlin and Lesser-spotted Woodpecker.

Close Ups

Lost Property

River Ouse, Willington.

Super Mooning

The closest we have been to the moon in the past 19 years apparently and supposedly looking

625 miles closer to us than it did last month. News reports said that it would appear 14% bigger and 30% brighter when it rose last night but I think some of this is an illusion. Nice moon though, I wouldn't be without it.

There are some scientists who believe that close lunar influence can be the trigger that impacts seismic activity on planet earth, as seen recently off the shores of Japan.

Spring is Sprung

Devonshire

A few hours to spare in Devon this week..........

Orientalis

Having eluded hundreds of birders on Tuesday, the Oriental Turtle Dove duly obliged this morning in the dull, wet garden of number 41. Chipping Norton, Oxon.

It Went That Way

Fun and games in Chipping Norton.

I Saw a Rare Bird

What happens when the tragically uniformed meet the regretably uptight. Funny!

http://www.xtranormal.com/watch/8226531/