Last Monday, 16th August I went to the RSPB  reserve at Frampton Marsh. A bird had been there that was totally new to me, a Pacific Golden Plover,  a variant from America of the European Golden Plover.

When I arrived back home, the conversation with my wife went something like this.

'Had a good day?'

'Not bad but really only one bird to photograph but that was the one we went for.'

'Many photos?'

' Just shy of 700'.

'What of one bird?'

'Yup'.

The look my wife gave me was a conversation all on its own.

Well, there was another species worth the odd photo, a Yellow Wagtail.

But down to the main reason for the visit. When you see a species for the first time, and distant too, a few record shots are required in case it flies off never to be seen again. Then, after a time, the bird gets used to you so you can move in closer - many more photos required. And so it goes on over a three hour period until you get the best photos you can in the circumstances - 693 in my case. A simple explanation for photographers but to my wife, it cut no ice what-so-ever. Another nail in the coffin of increasing insanity!!!

So some of my better photos.

and finally one at the end of the session when it was seen off by a Lapwing.

That brings my tally to 369 British and European species. Another 31 and I will have reached the target that I set myself many years ago.