Desert Wheatear

Finally made it to Cromer Point to see the Desert Wheatear that has been present since 26 November. A combination of poor weather conditions and something called Christmas made the visit long overdue.

The Desert Wheatear was immediately visible although somewhat distant. It then went exploring the adjacent field but remained at a distance. All the other birders disappeared, then a couple from Hartlepool approached and I was able to show them the bird just visible down the dip in the adjacent field.

As I was just about to leave myself the Desert Wheatear landed in the grassed area in front of me.

Pictures taken at ISO1600 in poor light.

The Mere

Found a good number of large shells on the footpath around The Mere yesterday lunch time. I expected that the gulls had been feeding from them. However, further along the path the it was a Crow feeding from a shell.

I have no idea how the shells get there being so large.

Also managed a distant record shot of the Kingfisher.

At least two Bullfinches seen at the edge of the car park at Burton Riggs.

All pictures taken at ISO 3200 and processed through Neat Image software!

Rocky Robins

Four Robins feeding at the station at High Moor, Wykeham Forest on Saturday and Sunday together with Coal & Blue Tits, Chaffinch, Dunnock and two Goldcrests.

Pictures taken in very poor light at ISO1600 & 3200.

The pictures shown were taken at ISO3200 and run through Neat Image Software as mentioned by Dave Mansell. Thanks Dave for the tip which was sucessful in reducing the noise to more acceptable levels.

High Moor Feeding Station, Wykeham

Blue Tit & Dunnock pictured toady at the Feeding Station in Wykeham, decent light, photographed from car on ISO 800 but still resulted in slightly slow speeds for the subjects.

Dunnock nicely framed in a wishbone of twigs!

Fieldfares at Low Marishes

Found thousands of Fiedfare on Saturday in the fields all the way from the turn off for Marishes just north of Yedingham for 2-3 miles down the road. A few Rewing amongst them.

The dark conditions and the position of the car made pictures very difficult just a few very poor record shots of which these are just two examples.

Wasp Nest

Having had a small number of wasps in one of the bedrooms in the summer I sealed up a small crack between wall and ceiling. It ws evident we had wasps nesting in the roof space so I chose to wait until this time of year before I dealt with any nest, they were not doing us any harm.

Later we saw wasps entering the roof space at ridge level to the rear of the house, we do not have a garden so you do not get to see these things.

Come Saturday it was time to take a look. As soon as the roof hatch was up it was pretty evident. Having no experience of these things it was far bigger than expected.

The wasps themselves were a small type of wasp.

Snow Bunting

Traveling around the farm lanes at the back of West Ayton yesterday we came across this solitary Snow Bunting. As the crow flies it was to the rear of Wykeham Lakes where the excavations are getting close to the 'track' that leads you round towards Wykeham.

For the first time ever we were untypically faced with a car coming the other way and I did not see this little fellow again in the bright late sun.

Kestrel

Having spent the day at Fairburn Ings in glorious weather I had no pictures at all other than a distant Heron.


Very nice October day for birding having finally left the fog of the Vale of York behind. Enjoyed the many Gadwell and other species on the reserve.


The best was the last though when we went to the Lin Dyke Hide there was a good number of Fieldfare and Redwing in the fields and a Stonechat sitting very prominately a top a small favourite bush.


Having left the hide to set off for home I saw a hovering Kestrel which made of away from me immediately, turning the lens to 500mm I was surprised that I got half decent flight shots, vastly zoomed and croped in of course.


The nice contrasty sky showed what a mess my camera sensor is in with dust which I must do something about.

Red Knot

Series of pictures from Dornoch Beach of Red Knot. There must have been at least 200+.


Nice to see single birds, groups on the rocks, and in flight.


Seeing these small numbers it must be wonderful to see the thousands seen on the East Anglian Coast in the winter.

Snipe

The Snipe were showing extremely well at Filey Dams on Saturday afternoon in reasonable light. Having missed out on the Bluethroat and Grey Phalarope at Filey early afternoon, I went to The Dams having decide to give the highlights at Flamborough a miss.

The pictured Snipe was alone a reasonable distance from the hide but the other Snipe were all out in the open for once.

No sign of any Little Stint.

Embo Beach

Shots of an Oyster Catcher flying along the shore loine on Embo Beach. Nicely contrasting with the breaking wave on the shore line.

Buzzard

A week in North East Scotland at Embo north of Dornoch produced loads of birdlife.
There were a lot of Buzzards in the area and whilst I have visited areas where I have seen plenty of Buzzards in other parts of the country in this area they were on fence posts, telegraph poles, trees, bushes, everywhere.
I managed one or two handheld shots after leaving the car (not a good idea but if you are on the wrong side!) only for the bird to be away in moments. Not great quality but the best I have managed to date.

Green Sandpiper

One of two Green Sandpipers at the Dams today. On the main pool in front the west hide, this bird flew to the front near the hide and then slowly worked its way back up the side to join the other bird.

Also present but more elusive were two Curlew Sandpipers.

Coot and Chick

Final series of pictures from Filey Dams last Sunday showing Coots. The chick came out of the reeds and through the grasses calling all the time and honing in on the parent bird for a quick feed.

Common Darter

Male and Female Darter photographed at rest on the railings at Filey Dams.

Why are they attracted to settle on fence posts, picnic benches and sun bleached railings?

Garganey at Filey Dams

Second visit to try and see the Garganey on the Dams. This time more fortunate as the bird was on the pool in front of the west hide although a bit off in the far right hnd corner.

When visited last week the bird was nowhere to be seen.