Very dull and overcast today, but with high tide being early i decided to see if i could get some photos of the Mergansers that have been on the estuary. I decided to visit the hammerhead on the island and stood on the ponton. No sign of any drakes but this female was busy trying to swallow the lug worm she had found.
Time is always limited when i have the chance to visit a M.O.D permit only area. So these or just a few sightings from last year although they are not brilliant pictures they are still very memorable moments that i feel are worthy off showing.
With the snow starting to melt and a slight rise in tempertures, i took a walk down to the Brickhouse pond on the island. All my hard work walking through the slush was rewarded with the sight of these two wigeon cruising about and with a few minutes of sun light shinning between the very grey skies i captured these few shots.
An hours walk along East Mersea beach with my springer spaniel today produced these few waders. Although the sun was bright it was extremely cold. And the kettle was soon boiling once i returned home.
Such a gloomy start to the day was soon brightened up with the sight of these Avocets at Abberton. And with such contrasting weather decided that black and white was the way back today this particular picture reminds me of an early birdwatchers reference book. Also the black tailed godwit in flight was also very pleasing.
High tide around the island, was as i finished work this afternoon. So i decided to let my Springer Spanial dog have a swim from cockleshell beach, East Mersea whilst i photographed this rather tame common Gull in winter plumage, and i can asure you it felt like winter on the beach.
These tiny little Goldcrest are always a favorite of mine to watch fliting from tree too tree. And being the smallest uk resident bird they were not so easy to photograph and catch on camera.
Making my way back to the island today i spotted this heron standing by the Abberton reservoir on the Layer breton Causeway. Deciding to use a near by wall as cover and pearing over the top. I was able to gain a few shots with out startling him.
This juvenile Tern was busy preening and was photographed at calis marsh Turkey. Hes got a long journey ahead like, i have back to the uk, but he's off in the other direction to warmer climates. But my lack of knowledge of terns needs some work so identification is needed. please send your answers in the comments tag.
This Little Bittern was skulking about at Calis marsh near Fethiye, With its new bird tower and the area recently having a conservation certificate issued. This is one of my favorite sites in Turkey and now locally known as Bird Paradise. Just a shame i couldn't get any closer to him for a better photograph, but still a nice turkish tick for the year.
A regular sighting on my walks to kayakoy are the little owls. Always sitting in the shade of the chimneys around Orcun villa in the holiday town of Hisaronu. I have stayed in the villa a few times and am very pleased with the location and birdwatching habitat that surrounds the accommodation.
Spending time around kayakoy is fun. And having to climb over the ruins of the ghost town, to try and locate the Nuthatch & then too catch a sparkle in the eye was a risky business and one I'm still hoping to achieve!!!.
I was trying to avoid the heat hase so spent some time trying to get closer to this Chukar on the rocky slopes of Kayakoy. But he really didn't want to play game for me.
Nearly missed this shrike, it was only that i saw his tail flicking from side to side that gave him away sitting on top of the bush waiting to pounce on his next unsuspecting victim.
An evening around the ruins at Kayakoy, Turkey produced these breeding rollers. And with the warm temperatures and bright light made the photography more enjoyable.
