Slavonian Grebe

Summer plumaged Slavonian Grebe, Stewartby Lake, 31st March 2013

Med Gulls

In the Stewartby lake roost

at MVCP

At least five Med Gulls have been in the Stewartby lake roost in the last three days - four adults, and a first-winter.  Two of the adults were displaying this evening - beautiful!

Over Willington

Great white Grey Heron

There have been a few sightings of a "white heron" around Stotfold area in recent months and I had the good fortune to have it fly over my car about ten days ago which whetted my appetite for finding it as it sure looked quite like an egret on initial view. On the third attempt this week, I managed to capture a few digiscope images of the bird earlyish morning at Radwell Lake just over the border in Herts where I had seen it one lunchtime previously, so now we have a decent record of what it really is. Any Great White Egret claimants in the Ivel Valley beware...

Wheatear

Wheatear in the snow, Broom GP, 24th March 2013

Waxwing - Lidlington

Two photos of a Waxwing in his garden taken by Neil Wright.

The Lodge. 23rd March 2013.

 A few shots from a cold and snowy Lodge. 

More images on my blog

http://backinbirdland.blogspot.com

Dived into Streatley in my lunch break today to try and catch up with the Great Grey Shrike, sadly I walked the loop from the Swiss cottages but absolutely no sign. Never mind I will try again over the weekend. I did however run into Yellowhammer, Read and Corn Bunting, Red Kite, Fieldfare, Skylark and a Pied Wagtail

Ring-billed Gull - Stewartby Lake

A video-grab taken by Paul Wright of the Ring-billed Gull found in the Stewarby Lake roost by Neil Wright.

Ring-billed Gull (& Kittiwake) - Stewartby Lake

A few more video-grabs from Paul Wright of the the Ring-billed Gull found by Neil Wright. The last one showing a Kittiwake behind the RBG ....

Great Grey Shrike

By David Asquith

Great Grey Shrike

Streatley, by David Asquith.

Potton garden ticks - 07/03/2013

Just record shots, but first ever in our very small garden.

Avocet

Avocet, Broom GP, 6th March 2013

Bean a long time coming

I missed these last week so was pleased to see them this morning, up the river from Radwell.

Dunstable sewage works Sunday 3rd March 2013 started cold, frosty and misty and ended up with lovely sunshine late on.
Thought this month I would make a list of the birds I spotted today during the 3 1/2 hours on site.

On view Kingfisher,  Shelduck, Mallard, Teal, Shoveler, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Wigeon, Pochard, Canada Goose, Grey Heron, Little Egret, Green Sandpiper, Snipe, Black Headed Gull, Great, Blue and Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, a pair of Reed Bunting, Wren, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker, Magpie, Crow, Wood Pigeon, Buzzard, Sparrowhawk, Coot, Moorhen.

As you can see from the pictures the Grey Heron bit off more than he could chew?

Sat in the hide for ages, I heard the Water Rail but it never showed today!

Goldcrest. The Lodge. Feb 2013.

 Seen regularly around the feeders at The Lodge, feeding on small pieces of dropped seed.

Mealy Redpolls at The Lodge. 2013.

Bird 1

With so many Mealy Redpolls being reported at The Lodge, and plenty of pictures in the bag, Steve Blain and I decided to sort through our images and try and ascertain how many Mealies were involved. After a couple of hours, detailing wing patterns and plumage details we checked between our own photos and came up with 8 different birds. A couple of the original birds were still frequenting the feeders, and some new ones had turned up more recently. On my last visit with my Dad, we had seen 4 Mealy Redpolls and 2 of those were new to me. I would like to thank Steve Blain for taking the time to scour through the photos and educate me in Redpoll 'id which has been an interesting and enjoyable lesson, hopefully they'll stay a bit longer for some more photographs. 

 Bird 2

 Bird 3

 Bird 4

 Bird 5

 Bird 6

 Bird 7

Bird 8