Acrocephalus Warblers at Rainham Marshes

21st June 2017

It was forecast to be in the 30s so not a good day to be out photgraphing birds, but it was the best day in the 10-day forecast so time for a visit to Rainham Marshes. Might get some photos of Acrocephalus warblers, in this case Reed and Sedge warblers, but I also packed my macro lens should I have to resort to photographing insects.

In the event I did use the macro lens, not for insects but for the many flowers on show.

Creeping Cinquefoil

Chicory

Goat's Rue

Mallow

Tufted Vetch

Yarrow

Over the MDZ I had an impromptu fly-past by a squadron of Shelduck as I was taking the compulsory photo of a Little Grebe. I have 100s of Little Grebe photos from Rainham Marshes, but I still can't resist another.

It was so hot that even the Magpies were panting and the Marsh Frogs were seeking a patch of shade in the reeds.

Around the Dragonfly Pool a number of Bearded Tits were flitting around but mostly flying long distances and never posing, part from this rather bedraggled male which kept hidden in the reeds.

On the warbler front this male Whitethroat suddenly appeared out of nowhere with a beakful of food, but disappeared just as quickly.

But now down to the business of the day, the Acrocephalus warblers, which at Rainham Marshes translates to Sedge and Reed Warblers. The only photographic Sedge Warbler was this bird which was singing its heart out, albeit partially obscured by the rose bush. However, 10/10 for effort.

But the star of the show today was this Reed Warbler which was posing nicely in the mustard by the MDZ hide. Didn't it do well?

Marsh Harriers in The Fens and a New Dragonfly for Cambridgeshire

19th June 2017

Time for another visit to The Fens to see how the Marsh Harrier nests are going and whether any young have fledged yet. It was going to be a very hot day with temperatures in the 30s, so I arrived earlier than usual and parked myself in the hide with all the windows open to create a flow of air.

Everything was deathly quiet apart from a few Reed Warblers chuntering away in the reeds. Even the nature of the pond had changed since my last visit with several sprigs of Greater Bladderwort pushing their way, without leaves, through the water. But the Reed Warblers seemed less concerned about the heat and put in several appearances quite close allowing a few shots to be taken,

The harriers did eventually appear, but in a rather half-heartedly sort of way, preferring to sit around rather than waste energy on hunting. A couple of females did a few laps of the reed-bed, but there was no sign at any time of hunting, seemingly waiting for the males to bring food in as is often the case.

A lone male did take to the skies allowing a few shots, but disappeared as soon as it had arrived over the trees, never to be seen again.

At this point I thought I would have a look at some dragonflies on my way out. The diversity of species at this rather spectacular dragonfly habitat seemed be fairly restricted with only Azure Damselflies representing the blues. From the hide I had seen Emperor and the first Brown Hawkers, but not a single darter of any description, possibly still a bit early. By far the commonest dragonfly was the Four-spotted Chaser.

However, at the opposite end of the scale, I spotted a demoiselle perched high in a tree. I immediately recognised it and realised its significance so took some record shots. For this was no ordinary demoiselle, but a female Beautiful Demoiselle. normally only found in the south and west of England.

I submitted the photo to the County Recorder who has confirmed the identification and also that it is the first record for Cambridgeshire. So I feel a little chuffed as I drive home.

Pipits, Larks, Starts and Darts at Thursley Common

15th June 2017

Of course the original objective was to photograph the Red-footed Falcon at Frensham Common, but that hadn't been seen since 7.30am, and so after an hour we took the strategic decison to move to Thursley Common in the hope of some Hobbys and Dartford Warblers.

I sensed we might be in for a good day as, just as I was sitting in the boot having a sandwich, I looked up and there in front of me just 8 yards away was a superb male Redstart. Of course by the time I had found the camera it was long gone. I have been to Thursley several times before, but always for dragonflies, so really have no idea what birds are here.

So off we set and not too surprisingly, in view of the fact that we were in an acid bog and heathland, the first birds we came across were Stonechats. I normally photograph Stonechats during the winter months so these, especially the males, were rather more colourful. Also along the boardwalks Goldfinches were posing on the Gorse.

We also saw Redstarts at a few places on our route, and what was noticeable was that it was the males that enjoyed the sunshine, whilst the females seemed happier collecting food for their offspring in the shadows.

I normally go to The Brecks for Tree Pipits, but up on the heath here they were far more numerous and were singing from several trees. One particular individual was particularly confiding and allowed us to approach to within just 8 yards as it posed on a burnt log. Note the thin striations on the flanks, the stouter bill and tiny hind claw compared to a Meadow Pipit.

A little further along the track there were a few birds chasing around low over the heath, eventually dropping into cover. More Tree Pipits? A stealthy approach managed to locate one of the birds which turned out to be, not a Tree Pipit, but a Wood Lark. Once again we were able to get within just 8 yards.

Well, can this day get any better? Yes it can. As we approached the end of the track, we could hear the unmistakeable jangle of a Dartford Warbler. Now these birds are harder than you can imagine. Yes, they are loud and you can get just yards from them. The problem is that they often sing from the centre of a bush, so can be heard but not seen.

When they do eventually break cover, you very often have just a few seconds to grab a shot before they drop down again into cover. However, with a little patience it is possible to hear them, see them and grab a shot which I managed to do. Not the best, but I WILL BE BACK!!!