Purple Sandpiper

Throughout the winter months several Purple Sandpipers can be seen along the rockier parts of the north Norfolk coast. I was fortunate to find one at the weekend. Not the easiest bird to find, especially in the the gloomy conditions of Saturday morning, as it blends in really well with the dark stones. Having a hunch where to look does help, and I've found them here before. So I was delighted to find one as I peered over the seal wall. It paid no attention to me at all as it looked for food and the tide crashed into the rocks.
A bird I always look froward to seeing, as it is just a little different (and not as common) as other wading birds.

Black Redstart

I've not posted for a very long time. A lot of my time was spent training for my first marathon in October of last year. In fact, I have now run two. So I put my camera away for a bit, but still have my passion for birding, and I will be doing more this year than last. Not that I ever stop looking out and keeping my lists.

Anyway, I dusted off my camera and binoculars at the weekend when I when to Norfolk to see my parents. As luck would have it, there were a few decent birds very local in Sheringham. I pushed my year list up towards 80 for the year already.

One of my target birds was a very 'out of season' Black Redstart. A bird that I usually see high up on the buildings of Manchester city centre, and in the summer at that, it was nice to be able to see it at close quarters as it hopped around the surrounding apartments.

A great little bird to get on the year list in January.

On the lookout for insects.

An absolutely cracking bird.

RSPB South Stack

I had a lovely time at South Stack on the island of Anglesey in later Spring. There was a lot going on, as birds were busy pairing up, nest building and some were only just arriving to these shores following their migration.
The weather was perfect and it was a joy to be in amongst some lovely looking birds in all their summer finery.

Linnet

Meadow Pipit

Rock Pipit

A freshly arrived Wheatear

Gronant Little Terns

On my way back from Anglesey recently I stopped off at Gronant along the North Wales coast. The area is well known for its nesting Little Tern colony, and is one of the most important sites in the UK, holding over 10% of the UK breeding population. It is also the only breeding colony in Wales.
They migrate here from West Africa and make their nests on the beach. Special wardens keep a watch over the nest area 24 hours a day to deter would be predators.
For the smallest of our Terns they do make a lot of noise. If you can't see them overhead you'll certainly hear them.

Really beautiful little bird.

Black tailed Godwits

At the end of April, I made a visit to Burton Mere on the Wirral. There were a few different waders about, but probably the most striking and colourful were the Black-tailed Godwits. Many were in their summer breeding plumage, or close to it, and when they were huddled together they looked superb.

As good as they look individually, they certainly look better in a group.

Stonechat

The Stonechat is a stunning little bird. Especially at this time of year when the male is in his full summer breeding outfit. The black head is much darker at this time and the orange breast nice and bright. The female is not so colourful, but still a lovely bird to watch.
I watched a really lovely pair at Beeston a few weeks ago, but didn't have my camera with me, and I was a bit gutted because the male gave some really good views in the sun. Then just a week later I came across another pair at RSPB South Stack on Anglesey. The light  was even better and they came really quite close to me.

A stunning male, in typical pose.

The female, also keeping a lookout.

With a big juicy spider.

Spotted Flycatcher

I'd only seen one so far this year, but last weekend I came across several pairs in one day. A few visits to the Goyt Valley had come up trumps yet again. Now, I've still not seen a Pied Flycatcher this year, but the Spotted Flycatcher is now well and truly ticked off.
Not a bird that makes it too easy for you to find. More often than not I've picked them out flitting up in the canopy of the trees, as they do their fly catching.
I did however, after watching a pair flit about in a wooded area, discover a nest site. I was absolutely thrilled as I watched one carry nesting material to a nest.
Fingers crossed for them, and I hope I am able to monitor it over the coming weeks.

On the nest after dropping off some feathers and moss.

Chough

I've had a pretty successful time just recently tracking down difficult birds. The Chough was another one of those birds. They aren't in many parts of the UK, but a few times I've missed out somehow, even when making a concerted effort to go and find them.
At South Stack on the island of Anglesey, these birds breed and my luck was in. I only had a few minutes watching them, but it was better than nothing. Love the red legs and bill.