Waxwing on my doorstep.

There's something about the Waxwing that has that Wow factor for me. So when one was reported just 15 minutes away from my front door, I couldn't not go and see it. I usually see them in larger flocks, but this was a single bird that had been around for a few days and had a ready supply of berries on hand.
It was a cold grey day, and the sky was typical of many that are the background of my Waxwing pictures. Thankfully the bird itself does enough to brighten up even the dullest shots.
Only gripe I have is that it stayed in between the branches of this tree and it was difficult to get a clean shot of it. Shouldn't really complain. The bird was happy enough, I was happy to add it to my year list and delighted to catch up with one again.

Hooded Crow

I'd seen that a Hooded Crow had been in Wigan for a week or two, or at least reported for a week or two. I'd always wanted to see one and it wasn't too far away. I didn't want to miss out, or have that regret of missing out, when it was not even 30 miles away. So I made the effort to go and see it. A close relative of the Carrion Crow, it is usually confined to northern Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man.

On arrival it had been flushed/scared off by an over enthusiastic photographer. Now these are really getting on my nerves, as they are giving most, if not all bird photographers a bad name. They have no field craft and move selfishly towards the birds to get better pictures and ultimately flush them. This means no one gets to see them properly. They will then move/chase after the bird. When will they learn, that if you just stay still and maybe even hide out of view that the birds may actually come to you? This means that you can get your pictures and those that have no interest in photographing them can also enjoy the bird for as long as possible. They are there for everyone, so stop being so selfish.

Anyway, now I've got that off my chest. It eventually flew back and spent a lot time on the heath, and gave me good views and even a fly past. Very pleased with this particular lifer.

With patience, it came closer.

Hawfinch

Every year I make specific trips to Lynford Arboretum in Norfolk to attempt to see the Hawfinch. Most prove fruitless. I've seen them on a couple of occasions, but they have all been distant and for not long at all. For my Birthday treat I decided I would take a trip down to Darley Dales in Derbyshire to see if I would have any joy finding a flock that had been in the area recently.
On arrival, there were several behind St Helen's church high up in the trees. They soon moved off, and here began the game of cat and mouse around the church yard. They would disappear for some time, then come back for a few minutes. I did get some good views, although I could always want a bit more.
A great bird and the largest of the finches. I'm happy to tick it off again for this year.

When they did come close, they stayed well in cover and into the light.

These pictures were the best I could muster. Always room for improvement.

Common Gull

I'm not huge fan of gulls. Mainly as I really struggle with their identification in their many different phases of plumage. One that I do like a lot though is the Common Gull. There seem to be many in Norfolk and it's where I seem to come across them without looking out for them.

I do like the stripey head.

Little Egret

A bird that 10 years ago, or maybe less, would have had me hotfooting it take a look, is the Little Egret. A real success story in it's recolonisation of parts of this country, it's now a rare day when you don't see one on a coastal visit. This chap was standing on it's own at Salthouse. Maybe it was waiting for it to warm up, as it was really cold that morning.