No yankee bitterns here just tits.....

Not all of us are filthy twitchers some of us are genuine patch workers who do not stray off the patch no matter what turns up in places like Cornwall.

I was loyal to Rainham marshes today and was rewarded with several Brambling half a dozen Siskin and a flock of at least 11 Bearded Tits this morning showing well in the PD just before the dragon fly pool.

A young male Marsh Harrier was also seen hunting around the reserve and duck numbers have increased too.

This afternoon i caught up with Valentino the wintering Med gull now back for its 11th year in Ilford.

some of the ilford wildlife.

these are not the 3 filthy rats that travelled to cornwall this weekend!

Suffolk

Myself, Shaunboy, Bradders, Jono and a drunk Monkey travel to Suffolk this morning in hope of seeing some lingering birds from in the week, and didn't take long to connect with the long staying Red-flanked bluetail which we picked up early doors in Lowestoft.

After all getting cracking views we move onto Reydon where several Rough legged buzzards have been reported and after an hour and a half's wait we get a distant bird as we leave, also jam in on two newly arrived Waxwing, and many roaming Bearded tits.

Then onto Dunwich for several Shorelark, thirty plus Twite and a Short eared owl in off, and three fly bye red head Goodsander, a quick stop at Westleton on the way home for several Dartfords.

A great day's birding with Excellent company, and Monkey was sober by the time we got home! hic!

Weekend

Spent yesterday morning and this morning dipping the Bluethroat at Rainham that was found by Sir les of the Garrison (well done) which he found at the end of the northern boardwalk but proved elusive yesterday and non existent today, and which was the first one since the bird on the tip back in '94.

Other birds of note were 4 Pinkfeet found by Mo and 2 bar-wit on the foreshore and bearded tit in the reed bed below the serin mound.

Pinkfoot

A few more Shetland pics

A few more random shots from last weeks shetland trip.

Siskin

probable greenland redpoll

These Seals were around Lerwick Harbour.















This Otter was seen from the ferry from Yell to shetland and most of our otter sightings were seen in and around the man made breakwaters.













Most important when staying on Shetland be sure too stock up on food and drink provisions!

ham n cheese is a must, with one or two nelsons!

Unst and Unst!!

Yes it was two days travelling to the isle of Unst for Hornemans Arctic Redpoll, and a day later for Lancelated Warbler.

Snowball

Our first trip to Unst was spent searching for the Redpoll and five and half hours later we find the bird in its favorite garden below the cemetry and showed well to all that hung around long enough.

Yellow brow

we also saw Little Bunting at norwick, 2 cracking Yellow Browed Warblers as well as Redstart, Arctic Tern and many Brambling on the move.

little bunting

Our second day saw us at Skaw to see the Lancy that showed very well to the travelling crowd, and again saw the Hornemanns again this time without the wait! another Little Bunt showed and added Little gull to the trip list.

Lancelated Warbler

Esha Ness

As well as the Amrican Buff-Bellied Pipit, these two stunning Buff Breasted Sandpipers were on show allowing close views.

Also Snow buntings and a single lap at this site.

Outer Skerries

A day on the Outer Skerries on Sunday saw me catch up on Citrine Wagtail, a bogey bird of mine, showing well on the freshwater pool just beside the key.

Also seen were Black Headed Bunting, Short Toed Lark and Red Breasted Flycatcher a large flock of Snow Buntings several Lapland Buntings and good numbers of Brambling and Redpoll, a flock of Barnacle Geese flew south and Redstart and Willow Warbler were also seen.

Shetland sea birds

Back from a great week at Shetland and will start with some sea birds from around the islands.

Black guillemots are all over shetland

Kittiwakes

we found this adult Glauc in lerwick harbour

Fulmar

Gannet