Bunkered

What is it about gold courses? Yet another nice bird at Brancaster this week. Originally seen flying in off the sea and heading inland this Hoopoe took a while to pin down. It eventually settled to feed for the best part of the week in the bunkers and on the fairways of the golf course. Very many thanks to the management and players that allowed access in a very gracious way to all that wanted to see and photograph the bird. More photos can be found within the ‘latest section’ of the Wildcatch Photography site. http://wildcatchphotography.zenfolio.com/?q=hoopoe

 

Scillies

So looking forward to our tour to the Scilly Isles this year. Here’s a photo of a Black and White Warbler taken in Canada last month. This is a bird that’s a good bet to turn up in the enchanted Isles this season.

Wilson’s

Friend Bob sent me some photos of a Leach’s Petrel he photographed flying up the beach at Walcott last week. Good photos they are too. They got me looking at some of my own Petrel photos I took in Canada last month. Wilson Petrels. This couple of photos show some of the identification features: the long legs trailing beyond the tail, the white wrap around rump, the square tail, the paddle shaped wings and if you look closely … the webs between the toes are yellow.

Spot the Flycatcher

This little fellow entertained us the other evening with his fly catching antics. Spotted Flycatchers aren’t apparent in the numbers they once were. Should we be worried? … I think so.

A Pair of Dotterel

It’s par for the course that golfers and bird photographers don’t always hit it off. A couple of Dotterel that turned up at the Sheringham course recently saw the patience of a few driven quite far. Some photographers had the balls to venture a little closer than others to bag a shot; leaving those that stopped a fair – way away a little more green with envy. I know … I know, but the situation just teed itself up.

Lonely

One lonely Common Seal!

Garden Tick

A glance at the wind indicator told me I should be looking out of the window as I ate my toast on Wednesday morning. The Sycamores weren’t alive with birds but there was a bird flitting among the leaves that I presumed was a Pied Fly and a Wheatear was balancing on the fence. I needed to get outside and take a closer look.

The Pied Flycatcher, or whatever it was, never did show again and the Wheatear moved quickly on. However, a Phylloscopus warbler that momentarily hovered in a little enclave among the Elms held my attention. It was bright. It was very bright. Only after another 30 minutes did it show briefly again and give its identity away. The sparkling white underparts, the lemon tart throat and that supercillium told me I had a new garden tick. Wood Warbler.

Grey’s

A trip out with Temple Seal Trips a week last Sunday was enjoyable. Derek and Jim, the crew and skipper, certainly make the trip as good as it is!

Wild cattle

On our mammal tour of the UK next May we call in to see the only heard of wild cattle in the country. Magnificent beasts these. Not wide cattle bred for meat or dairy they are completely free from drugs or veterinary intervention. They are lean and sinewy; very much a completely wild beast of the hills and forests; dangerous too!

Nearctic

Wouldn’t mind finding one of these on our trip to Scillies this year. Nothing like a nearctic for getting the heart racing. American Redstart taken in Canada this year.