Loaaaads of birds

Sunday is one of my days off in what seems like a never ending week, no birds were around so I decided to take my sister shopping and headed over to Basingstoke. £75 lighter we went to catch the train, a quick check on the pager to reveal Collared Pratincole, not really close enough for me to worry about.
“beep, beep, beep, beep” The out loud response on a crowded train of “oh your fucking joking” is enough to turn a carriage blue, this being the moment Oriental Pratincole mega’d. There was nothing I could do, no car, no lift and time was getting on.
Sunday again, a week after the first message on that rather tedious afternoon, Yes, a week had past before I could go! But up popped my saviour, Ash Howe still hadn’t seen Bluethroat, so he said we’d go up for that and the pratincole… Sweeeeet! All arranged on the Sunday evening, an evening session of fishing was cut short as he revealed that we would be leaving at 2:30! I can assure you now, falling asleep at midnight and waking up at 2 is not good for your body at all.

Part two, Lakenheath fen, Suffolk. It was early, and bitterly cold, the sound of acrocephalus song filled the air, a Bittern was booming from the reed bed in front of us and Common Whitethroats resonated from every bush. We made our way around the raised bank, a Common Tern passed us a few times as did a Common Sandpiper, then, cutting through the air the beautiful song of Golden oriole. My first in the UK, we now had the tough challenge of actually locating a bird. It didn’t take me long to clap eyes on a stonking male sat right out in the open and we both enjoyed excellent scope views until it fucked off not to be seen again that morning. Walking the reserve in the hope of getting Common Crane we also had, Kingfisher, 2 more singing Golden Oriole, a few Marsh Harrier and more booming Bittern. It was in this area that we also had Gropper, Garden Warbler, Bearded Tit and a realisation that there was quite a day total to be had.

Golden Oriole

Turtle Doves; I love them, ok they are a bit shit but in Hampshire you actually have to go to known sites to see the bloody things! Cambridgeshire appears to be slightly different, and they show well, right next to the road in fact. Spinning the car round I grab my camera out the boot, get back in the car, and expect to drive off, ash reminds me that I actually need to close the boot before we set off, I think tiredness was setting in.

Turtle Dove

Welney, Norfolk a rather promising little reserve, with flooded meadows and vast expanses of open fields, although quite a Hefty entry fee! I felt like a proper dude, scoping for year ticks instead of going for the target bird, Whooper swan, Once out of the way we headed up to the reedy area where the Bluethroat had been seen in the morning, We picked up the Great White Egret flying through and kept searching for the Bluethroat, but after half an hour there was no sign. Being me I got bored of waiting with people who kept shitting out their breakfast the moment a sedge warbler moved through, so mentioned to ash that looking form somewhere else may well be a better option. I don’t even remember sitting down before Ash picked up the bird singing out in the open, and it dropped. Moving on see if I could photograph it I soon realised it was right in front, on the floor only 20 yards away!

Bluethroat

Bluethroat

Garganey

After picking up food, a sandwich, a roll, 3 bags of crisps and a can of relentless I was ready for some hardcore Pratincole action! Arriving at Frampton Marsh RSPB I was struck by how very un-RSPB it actually looked, a very birdy looking reserve. The weather wasn’t great; although the sun was shining black clouds surrounded us. Wandering up to the 360 hide a corn bunting sang and showed very well, Ash got some excellent pictures. Once in the hide we searched about and 5 minutes later the bird was up, although at the moment really only a Pratincole Sp. We headed over to the south hide to obtain better views, A few Yellow wags passed over as did a very hefty shower, a Soaking later we were in the hide. The most unbelievable show was put on but the bird, continually flying in front of the hide, as were 7 little gulls that also performed very well. After about an hour and a half in the hide it was time to puck up some more birds, targeting Temmink’s Stint and Wood Sandpiper. 360 hide again and the Temmink’s showed well albeit at a distance and from the visitor Center as did the Wood Sandpiper and a Garganey. The day came to an end after photographing tree sparrow. Once again an excellent days twitching with Ash Howe.

Corn Bunting, Ashley howe

Oriental Pratincole

Oriental Pratincole

Oriental Pratincole

Little Gull (with the face of a Pterodroma Petrel)

Wood Sandpiper

Yellow Wagtail