Rough Essex.

Myself & Mo headed out to the east coast of Essex yesterday morning to filthy twitch the very showy Rough-legged Buzzard that has taken up residence of Holland haven nature reserve.

Arriving at dawn we headed towards the hide, it wasn't long before Mo picked up our bird heading towards us from the golf course, accompanied with a Common for comparison.  The bird flew closer and closer and gave a great flyby before settling on a nearby fencepost, where we enjoyed the bird down to about 100 feet! Absolutely amazing views through the scope, shame the light was so poor for the camera.

We stopped off at Heybridge Basin on the way home where the Great Grey Shrike was still present.

Kent Survey 19/10/15

First of the winter bird surveys yesterday for myself and Mo, north kent the venue, along our regular stretch of the hoo peninsula.

First bird seen was a late Northern Wheatear, followed by a clunking Raven along the seawall (a patch tick for myself).

Wader and Wildfowl numbers were fairly low but several Green sands bombed around.

Beardies seemed to have a good breeding season with several family parties moving around.

Other notable passerines were singles of both Yellowhammer & Brambling.

Star bird goes to a spanking male Hen Harrier picked up by Mo along the seawall as we were about to leave.

Ringing 17/10/15

Yesterdays ringing highlights included 8 Redwing & 9 Goldcrest's, a cracking male Bullfinch and a single Long-tailed tit were amongst the other usual suspects processed.

Overhead viz-mig saw both Siskin and Repoll over along with a steady passage of Skylark and Mipit.

Sumburgh birds

Some more photo's from last weeks Shetland trip, all these birds were seen around Sumburgh head.

Lapland Bunting

Twite

Rock Pipit

Spot fly

Arctic Skua

Velvet Scoter

Monkey amusing himself in top quarry!

Fun with Fulmars

When your not seeing or finding rare's on Shetland, theres always something to photograph.  While staying at Sumbrugh its hard to ignore the Fulmars that are constantly passing by, sometimes just feet away, as they seem to check you out as they cruise by!

Shetland goodies

Some more pictures from last weeks shetland trip.

This Red-breasted flycatcher was seen at Hestingott.

Yellow-browed warblers were all over the place.

Goldcrest's arrived on mass from midweek.

OBP - Scatness

This Olive-backed Pipit was seen at Scatness, just a stones throw away from where we were staying and favoured an overgrown garden, This was one of several on Shetland at the time.

Bluethroat Quendale 4.10.15

This stunning male Bluethroat was a Quendale last Sunday, without doubt the best I've ever seen in the UK.

Bird of the trip for me.