Minsmere Odonata

Tania had never been to Minsmere and I was keen to show her what is probably the RSPB’s showcase reserve. So we had a trip down into Suffolk last weekend. Some good birds as well as insects. Probably the cream of the insect crop was a few Hairy Dragonflies. This individual picked up by Tania perched in a bramble was a newly emerged Hairy Dragonfly. Notice the incompletely unfurled wings. However, the note the yellow costa and antenodal cross-veins that help to identify this species even at some distance.

Celibate?

As we entered the RSPB hide in Scotland last week I beckoned my guests to approach quietly. A pair of Slavonian Grebes were just outside. They were probably closer to the hide than I’ve ever seen them previously at this location. Photographing birds with a few grands worth of equipment only to have a 10p piece of glass in the way can lead to disappointing results. So now came the tricky part; raising the hide flaps without disturbing the birds. I needn’t have worried; they were otherwise engaged. Or at least the female was. She was trying hard to tempt him, to seduce him into the act. He was having non of it. Despite her laying submissively flat on the water and making it easy for him he just wasn’t bothered. Well … it was a cold day!

Lovin’ Scotland

Don’t you just love Scotland and its birds? Carl Chapman is out of office.

Fury

The protracted stay of the Long billed Dowitcher at Cley can’t go on much longer can it? It’s perhaps overstaying it’s welcome more than Donald Trump. We were watching it yesterday and it appeared to be getting a little frustrated. The target of all that pent up aggression was an unfortunate Black tailed Godwit. The Dowitcher certainly wasn’t daunted by the larger size of the Godwit but a particular method of attack was employed presumably for its own safety. Firstly the Dowitcher debilitated the sword like bill of the Godwit by clenching it shut with its feet and then proceeded to give headache inducing blows to the poor Godwit’s head. A pure ‘Get-art-a-moy-pab’ moment (to be said with a Barbara Windsor accent)

Water, water everywhere

Sat in the hide with friends Bob and Bill this week we had independently decided to see if we could see the Water Pipits that had been kicking around Cley for the last few weeks. It was good to be out birding with them both. It’s been a long time since we’ve had an honest days birding together and the next couple of hours reminded me of how good it is to be in their company. I must admit I was paying attention to a 1st cycle Mediterranean Gull in the distance that Bob picked out when the lady sat in front of me asked me what the bird was right in front of the hide.

I was delighted to tell her it was a Water Pipit. Not a particularly well marked bird but nevertheless a Water Pipit. Feeding along the edge of the scrape the bird was working the muddy edge for a morsel or two. It didn’t stop long; but long enough for a shot or two.

Who knew?

Who knew Kestrels had drumsticks?

Larking about

Walking along the cliffs in the week was a delight. The sun was shining and the wind had dropped; it could even be said it was warm. Warm enough to make it pleasant to stand and watch the sea. It was high tide and the waves were licking the base of the cliffs. Very little was passing-by to the North but here in the grass around me the Skylarks were definitely feeling Spring in the air. The warmth had got to them too and their blood was up and flowing. Pairs were displaying. Crouching, wing spreading, bowing and generally larking about.

Migration

Swallows are not our birds; we only borrow them. Soon to be lost to foreign shores. Drink these beauties in while you can.

Hawkeye

Wood you?

One of the best birds on Scillies this year was this Wood Sandpiper. Not for its rarity value but for its complete lack of concern for our presence.