Dec 302012
 

This may well prove to be my last post for 2012 – What better way to end the year than to observe, at close quarters, a bird that is usually viewed miles out at sea with other seaduck. Velvet Scoter are not often seen inland but this winter a small number have found their way onto a few land-locked waters, including this immature female that has been at Swithland Reservoir in Leicestershire for a number of weeks. Very confiding if one is prepared to wait and put some time in.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish all the birders and moth-ers that visit my site, a happy new year and many thanks for taking time out to view Simplybirdsandmoths.. My British Bird year list looks like finishing on 247.

Velvet-Scoter-69002260 Velvet-Scoter-68332255 Velvet-Scoter-68452256 Velvet-Scoter-68552257 Velvet-Scoter-68682254 Velvet-Scoter-68932261

 

 

Dec 232012
 
Great Weather for Ducks

Rain, Rain Rain – Ah, a little repsite this morning. Very few good birds about locally (apart from the many Waxwings) and even less at Staunton Harold Reservoir. The Yellow-legged Gulls seem to have moved off, as does the Caspian Gull. Last date I had a Yellow-legged was last Tuesday 18th December. A Green Woodpecker Yaffled, around 80 Tufted Duck, 70 Mallard and 10 Teal, 1 fly over Wigeon . Very few passerines!!!  Where are all the Yellowhammers? Decided to photograph some of the local Mallard.

Dec 162012
 
Just Can't Get Enough of em!

Sorry folks more Waxwings – Nothing special locally and most of the Trent Valley is currently flooded out, so local birding was a wee bit quiet. Another opportunity therefore to photograph Waxwings. Just can't get enough of these gorgeous birds. There was a reasonable flock at Rugeley, in Staffordshire and they were very obliging, albeit briefly for around 15 – 20 minutes this morning. Unfortunately the majority of birds on view were immatures.  

Dec 092012
 
A Bombycilla Day

More Waxwings pour into Derbyshire. With the recent cold weather, more Waxwings have moved south into central and southern England and there have been several large flocks in Derbyshire. Upto 200 in the Long Eaton area and over 100 in the Ilkestone area. So this morning I was on the chase. The weather was really appalling first thing with grey skies, rain and overcast conditions. However it did brighten up for short periods and in a several hours I was able to get some half decent shots. Still not happy with my final results and so hoping that the winter […]

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