Not to Ruff

 

A misty Monday morning wasn't what one had hoped for. But as i headed to the point a very obliging Short-eared Owl was very busy quartering the marsh looking for food. This rather smart Owl kept me company for most of my visit during the day. On the flood water a Green Sandpiper, Three Ruff  and a single little ringed Plover were busy feeding in the margins. Whilst two Great white Egrets patrolled the fields nearby.

May Magic

Kestrel feeding on a lizard.

Pair of Ruff  on the 22nd.

Record shots of one of the Spotted Redshank seen during the month.

May is a great month for birdwatching. With migration in full swing, one never knows what will turn up on the ranges. The highlights for Wildlife Artist Richard Hull and myself this month included. First ever Woodlark on the 20th. And on the last day of the month a cracking drake Garganey was on the Geedons scrape.

Two ticks.

I went out with the hope off photographing a couple off rarities on Saturday. The Semipalmated Sandpiper at Abberton and the Bairds Sandpiper at Holland haven. How ever both birds were impossible to photograph due to the distance they was at. However with the light being good and these Ruff being close i decided to capture a few shots of them instead. So all wasn't lost two life ticks and a couple off half decent pictures of moulting ruff.

Banking on the Holiday.

Bank holiday monday would be the last time i might be able to visit the pools for a while. So i decided two maximise my time by making sure i would be in place a couple of hours before high tide. And with the late afternoon sun i should get some good light. Trying to get a little closer to my subjects without spooking them is always a problem. so after sorting my gear out i settled down under my scrim and waited. As i hoped it was not long before the waders came in. Starting with the Ruff and then after she had waded out off sight, in came the Juvenille Curlew Sandpipers. And the end results are these pictures which i am very pleased with.