A1 Birding

  A number of singing male Reed Warblers had taken up residence by the visitor centre, but one bird regularly perched in the open giving fantastic views and very good photographic opportunities.

  Two and a half days in east Devon specifically to see and photograph Cirl Bunting and Dartford Warbler, was successful with fantastic views of both species and decent photos, too. I arrived in the afternoon of the Friday and visited Dawlish Warren after dropping stuff off at my digs.  I heard a Cirl Bunting here, but could never locate it, annoyingly, but was unphased knowing it was the main target the following day.  I did however snap a male Stonechat and a male Linnet at very close range. Linnet Stonechat The Saturday was very windy, with variable amounts of cloud.  I spent four hours watching Cirl Buntings, but the strong breeze made it hard work.  I managed a few decent shots never the less. Cirl Bunting On the Sunday I headed to Aylesbeare Common. The wind had dropped and there was light cloud.  It took me an hour of walking around in suitable habitat to find a Dartford Warbler. The bird showed very well, but feeling I might have been in an active t...

  April is a good month to visit Attenborough, with many warblers in full song. However, a very early start on 16th was rewarded with a Cetti's Warbler right next to the path in the open!  This was my best view of this species anywhere, never mind getting a photograph.  The very crisp, sharp light is in some respects unflattering, but I was very grateful that this ultra skulker was being so co-operative. Cetti's Warbler I returned the following day at a slightly more civilised hour and had continued success with the camera. Though less skulking, the Blackcap is rarely this confiding and I really couldn't believe how close this bird allowed me to approach. The out of focus tail on the second image means I should have used a higher f-stop, but my point and shoot method rarely gives me time to think about such things, especially when I think the bird is going to fly off at any moment. Blackcap This Sedge Warbler was perched up and was just visible between two tangles of thic...

  A frustrating day, with some nice birds but I missed Garganey and most birds were a long way away, so below are the only photographic highlights.  Bluntisham Lakes near RSPB Ouse Fen is a great little place and I'll go here again.  There were lots of Black-tailed Godwits migrating (rubbish light) and that's where I photographed the Shoveler in flight.  The Pied Wagtail and Common Redshank were on a brief visit to Welney. Shoveler Common Redshank Pied Wagtail