Kingfisher

One of the best places that I can almost guarantee seeing a Kingfisher (and it's not a particularly easy bird to pin down) is back at my Mum and Dad's in Loughton, Essex. I spent my childhood, youth and young adulthood here. I spent a lot of time on the Roding Valley Nature Reserve, but at that time it was usually spent playing football or riding a bike. Now when I go back to visit, I go on foot and seek out all the delights that nature has to show me. There is plenty to be seen, and knowing the site so well, I have an advantage in understanding what will be where.
There are several spots that I concentrate on for the Kingfishers, and at this time of year they are a bit more active. My first sighting was just a brief one as it called and then flew in front of me and into the sun. Not very helpful. The next was a whole lot better.
An early morning walk before disturbance by too many other people, and I caught sight of a red flash banking right towards the river. Having crept to a vantage point where I could see the bank, I put my binoculars up. Sat on a branch looking back at me was a cracking little bird. I think it was a juvenile.
I was able to watch for a good five minutes or so before the first dog walker of the day shouted 'Good morning' and scared it off. Great views all the same and at quite close quarters. One of my favourite birds.

Regurgitating a pellet.

Cetti's Warbler

The Cetti's Warbler is so often seen but not heard. A loud burst of song from within a dense bush is usually all you get. I saw my first one at Titchwell in Norfolk last year. After hearing several bursts it appeared close to the boardwalk. It sat quite proud for a moment, tail cocked, and then shot off into the undergrowth again.
I've had a few encounters this Spring too. Pennington Flash came up trumps again and gave me fleeting views by the hide, but the New Forest was excellent for the number of singing birds and those willing to show themselves.
It's a very nice looking bird. I just wish it was seen more often, because they are there.

Apologies about the twigs.

Kittiwake

I really enjoyed watching the Kittiwakes at Bempton and Flamborough. This medium sized gull almost looks like it doesn't belong in the 'gull' family. It has a softer look to it than some other gulls. It looks dreamy eyed and lovable. You'd probably think differently if you heard the noise that they make though.
Apart from their noise, the plumage looks very subtle, the bill is quite small and yellow and they have a lovely dark eye. Contrast this to some other gulls that have large aggressive looking bills and yellow beady eyes and the Kittiwake seems like a real pussycat.

These birds were busy making nests and generally jostling for positions on the cliffs. It was lovely to watch them sore and hang in the air. Quite possibly my favourite gull.

How cute.

With some comfy nest material.

Pennington Flash - Bunting Hide

The Bunting hide is always my final stop off when I've been to Pennington Flash. The real action happens in the vastness of the rest of the country park with its varied and wonderful habitats. So what better way to finish off a few hours walking around than to sit and watch birds feeding at close quarters. All sorts can be seen. Here are just a few.

Male Bullfinch.

An inquisitive looking Magpie

 

A Robin on the well stocked feeding table.



Sedge Warbler - RSPB Otmoor

The reeds were alive a few weeks ago when I visited Oxfordshire en route to the New Forest. Reed and Sedge Warblers were in their finest voice. The sun was out and the volume was turned up.
The song of the Sedge Warbler is quite mesmerising to listen too, and it's even better if you've managed to locate the bird and you can watch it in full flow.
I was lucky enough to do so on a number of occasions. Here are a few of the shots I got.

Dunlin and Sanderling

I stopped off recently at Farmoor reservoir in Oxfordshire. I was in the area and a Black-throated Diver had been reported, so it seemed daft not to go and take a look. Unfortunately the reservoir was huge and the diver was asleep right in the middle of it. I got some good views through the scope, but   photos were an impossibility.
A lot closer on the banks of the reservoir, were a nice Dunlin and Sanderling, both in really lovely breeding plumage. I don't think I've seen a Sanderling in this plumage before.
They were both very confiding and gave me a great opportunity to get close. At close proximity you can really appreciate how small these birds are. No binoculars needed, and they are small.

Dunlin with the black front.

The Sanderling, which doesn't have a black front.

Black-headed Gull

Often much maligned, the Black-headed gull will rarely be at the top of anyone's list of favourite birds. When birds are common they hardly get a second look. And when they are noisy too (as they are at this time of year) they just become a pain.
I don't know why, but I started to watch some of the Black-headed gulls at Elton reservoir a few weeks ago, just watching their behaviour. They are very agile birds and skilled at dipping over the surface of the water to pick up food. Almost Tern like, but without the "phwoarr".
I grew to like them a little more just by paying them some attention and noticing them.

Bempton

Some more pictures from Bempton Cliffs. The cliff top paths allowed us to get very close to all the birds, but it was the Gannets that really stole the show for me. I spent a lot of time trying to get good flight shots, but then I also found myself concentrating on the birds that were sat on the rocky cliffs.

A Gannet giving me the eye.

 

And in flight.



A Guillemot possibly with a Sand Eel .

A very good looking Razorbill.



And applying the breaks for landing.

Reed Warbler - Pennington Flash

Go anywhere near a reed bed right now and you're likely to hear the sound of a Reed Warbler. I found a few pairs on a recent visit to Pennington Flash where I was fortunate enough to get some really good views.
They were busy pairing up and chasing each other around, or off territory.
The song has a real range of short bursts. Up and down pitches. Quite often the bird can be hidden down in the reeds, especially if its windy, and that can make it very frustrating to see.

This bird took a moment out in the open.

The view from the back.

Close up

Cuckoo

The song I look forward to most in the Spring (after the first Chiffchaffs and Willow Warblers) is that of the Cuckoo. I've heard many in recent years, but they have on the whole been very tricky to track down.
Last year I managed to locate one at Holme in Norfolk and this year I've seen several. In the New Forest there seemed to be a constant call of a Cuckoo wherever I was. It was great to step out of the hotel at first light and hear two or three different birds calling. Amazing

The bird pictured below was actually seen in Manchester. Next years aim will be to get some better shots. In the meantime, these will have to go as record shots and no more.