Monday 27 August 2007

Hengistbury Head


The family went to the beach so I made a midday attempt to find myself a Wryneck, I found nothing more interesting than a Pied Flycatcher behind the 'Bird Sanctuary' as well as plenty of warblers and tits. Other than a couple of Dartfords and a dodgy Crow there wasn't really anything else to report.

A hungry Starling with stains around it's beak (top) a young Dartford Warbler (2nd) and an adult Stonechat (3rd) (c) Ashley Howe

Blakeney

Arriving mid-morning at Blakeney, my Dad, brother and myself walked the length of Blakeney for 2 Greenish Warblers in the plantation. They showed well most of the time as did a photographic friendly Spotted Flycatcher. Wheatear, Whinchat and Yellow Wagtail were seen reguarly.

One of the Greenish Warblers in the plantation, showy birds but hard to photograph because of the speed they move about, this was the best I managed. (c) Ashley Howe

Walking back along the shingle revealed no sign of the reported Barred Warbler at 'The Hood' but a third Greenish Warbler was glimpsed there and a Pied Flycatcher on offer.

A very showy Spotted Flycatcher feeding around the plantation and coming to our feet for grub. (c) Ashley Howe

Back at Cley the juvenile Red-backed Shrike was showing amazingly well along the Beach Road and allowed visitors to get within a few metres of its favoured perch.

A few pictures of the Red-backed Shrike at Cley, showing well throughout and once flew down to my feet for a Bee (c) Ashley Howe

A drive down to Horsey resulted in a brief view of a warbler not far north of the Gap, where it was possibly a Barred Warbler. Closer inspection of the shrubs resulted in no re-appearance however Hirundines were plentiful.

Sand Martin and Swallow were both plentiful around Horsey Gap (c) Ashley Howe

Sunday 5 August 2007

Anglesey

Leaving late morning for Anglesey wasn't the best idea ever... picking up Steve Menzie on the way and not arriving on Anglesey till at least half 4. No sign at first of the Black Stork in dreadful weather until relocated on the estuary soon after. At range in poor visibility CRAP!! The bird was last seen flying over the nearby village.

OK this is officially the shittest photo ever!! But you can see how piss poor the weather was from the picture. A lifer all the same but personally I was more ammused by the retarded Sheep in surrounding fields.

Wednesday 1 August 2007

Titchfield Haven

Last Friday Lee and I made a visit to Titchfield Haven in the hope of locating either Roseate or Black Terns. It was high tide so there wasn't any gatherings on the shore at Hill Head and there was very little infront of the hides... so we left empty handed. Though we did get some nice photos...

The Light was good for a while during the morning and from Hill Head Harbour I managed to photography both Little Egret (top) and Turnstone (2nd) well. (c) Ashley Howe