The last few days of July were an almost non-event, despite three trips out with the camera.

First, 25th July, and an afternoon at my local RSPB reserve - Fen Drayton Lakes. The only birds within range (and they were distant) were some Common Terns feeding young on the floating island.

Second 28th July and a late afternoon/evening at RSPB Fowlmere hoping for decent shots of the Water Voles that everyone else seems to find, and the Marsh Harriers feeding young. Result - no siting of the Water Voles and only the male Marsh Harrier that brought food into the nest once. Apparently, the female disappeared a couple of days before my visit leaving the male to bring food to the one young in the nest that was almost ready to fledge.

Result, a few photos that were all deleted as not being up to scratch.

Third, a full day visit on 30th July to Frampton Marsh RSPB. Also very disappointing as there was very little water around the reserve and any birds were mainly clustered aroung the few remaining pools and too distant for photography. The 360 hide was closed for the morning for some running repairs but the was no water near it anyway. The Reedbed Hide eventually provided closer views but that gave me the opportunity to try the R5 MK2 with the RF 200-800 lens and the RF 1.4x Converter, effectively shooting full frame at 1120mm.

First a Lapwing.

and then a family of Little Ringed Plovers that were a real challenge in the cloudy conditions. First an adult

and two of three juveniles.

Apart from a shot of a juvenile Goldfinch,

that was the sum total of the days events.

My summing up of the camera combination - most shots very soft (I was hand holding) and, due to the cloudy conditions, shooting at the required 1/2000 sec minimun with that combination resulted in IS0 3600 and upwards.  So only really applicable in sunny conditions.

Hopefully, matters will improve from mid-Augst after my return from holiday.