A morning at nearby Grafham Water 18th March - well it should have been a day but sightings were so limited that it was not worth staying any longer. I drew a blank on the dam, in the harbour and the only birds worth switching the camera on for were from thje hide. - a Carrion Crow picking it;s way throught the waters edge and a pair of mating Mallards

So I went home and cut the lawn!!!!

The next day, a friend and I drove to Willow Tree Fen in south Lincolnshire to see if we could manage any better photos of the Cranes than we managed last week, arriving around mid-day.

A strange phenomenon as it was warm and sunny, although not excessively hot, but it was not until later afternoon that any photos taken were worth keeping due to heat haze (or heat shimmer). I thought that only occured in hot conditions but apparently not - it can happen in any conditions where the air temperature if warmer than the ground. We live and learn!!!

Anyway, I started of with a trio of Little Egrets

a female Marsh Harrier

And Wigeon flying around.

There appeared to be three pairs of Cranes on the reserve but none showing close enough for a photo but eventually one pair flew into the open, although still distant.

but the shot I like best was when they were flying in over a lone Muntjac.

In fact they pair did not really settle, probably due to the close proximity of the Muntjac so, with nothing else of interest, it was time to call it a day.

Friday 13th. I am not particularly superstitious but the weather was bright and reasonably sunny so, on the spot, I decided to go to Welney WWT, just half-an-hours drive on a good day.

Friday 13th hit as soon as I reached the reserve - a strong south westerly wind that kept everything hunkered down. Nothing flying or photographable in front of the obervatory so I walked up to Lyle Hide and there was a small selection of birds on the northern side, sheltering from the wind. Lapwing, Redshank and Tufted Ducks

Nothing exciting but worth getting the camera out for.

On the way back to the car, I stopped at the feeders for the usual House Sparrows

but, again, no Tree Sparrows. This used to be a regular spot for them so very disappointing.

There is a concrete hard standing on the edge of a field to the north of the reserve so I decamped there for lunch in the car. A pair of Mute Swans were feeding close in that was worth a shot

and then pairs of Pied Wagtails and Meadow Pipits flew in to feed on the large compost heap in the corner.

That brightened my day up a little and driving home, there were still large flocks of Whooper Swans feeding in the fields, some close in so just another photo of the species as a parting shot as they will very soon be on their way north for the summer breeding.

And that was the sum total for the few hours out. Nothing exciting but still enjoyable and that it what really matters.

Tuesday 10th March, perfect sunny dat for a trip to South Lincolnshire, beginning at Frampton Marsh RSPB. There was an army of ducks near to the main car park but a Black-tailed Godwit was the only bird really worth photographing.

As with my last visit, there was nothing in front of the hides to even switch the camera on for - disappointing yet again, but walking back to the car, a movement in the grass proved to be a Meadow Pipit that posed long enough for a shot.

and the usual flock of Greylag Geese gave the oportunity for a close head shot.

After relocating to the small car park, there was noticeable fly-over traffic - Shelduck

and Brent Geese of the dark-bellied variety

but little else so it was time to head for the main reason for the visit - Common Cranes at nearby Willow Tree Fen.

The bright sunny weather changed to heavy cloud - not ideal for longish range photography but the Cranes were there and one pair even entertained with the mating dance.

More photos of the sequence are in the Recent Additions section of this website but the poor light has meant that a revisit in better weather is on the cards.

What a disappointing week.

Monday 2nd March. An afternoon visit to nearby RSPB Fowlmere. No Marsh Harrier turned up and it was not until very late afternoon that a couple of Coot decided to have a disagreement that provided a few photos.

After that, with fading light, a Yellowhammer showed on a bush during the walk back to the car.

so nothing to get excited about.

Wednesday 4th March. With a couple of friends we all went to RSPB Minsmere expecting a shed-load of photos. Very misty that stayed all day. A few photos taken but totally ruined by the weather conditions and none worth keeping. Result for the day - ZILCH!!!!   

Thursday 5th March. With the sun shining, a last minute decision to spend the afternoon at Ouse Fen RSPB.  Result the same - no photos at all so I carried on to Fen Drayton RSPB. Even so, it was not until I was driving along the access road on my way home that I noticed a couple of Partridges close in. Fully expecting the Red-legged variety, I got the bins and was stunned to see that they were a pair of Grey Partridges, now very rare locally and a species that I last photographed 10 years ago.   

And they stayed to look at me before taking flight after a few minutes and then, very surprisingly, flew back to a better position for photogrpahy. Filling my boots is an understatement as I managed to take over 500 photos. Here are just three.

So just one opportunity that made the week worthwhile.          

A couple of friends and I had booked a day at one of Tom Robinson's hides- the Wired Hide - a couple of weeks or so ago but the very wet weather put and end to that. So we re-arranged it for last Wednesday 25th February but even then, Tom advised us that to get there before lunchtime would be a waste of time as the weather was still seriously disrupting the avian visitors.

A rather soggy walk across the field to the hide and we were ready for action. A female Kestrel soon arrived to feed on the mouse bait, polished it off and then flew.

Then it all became very quiet with just a few Jackdaws around, one investigating a mouse bait before also flying off.

I even excercised my trigger finger on a Wood Pigeon!!!!!!

Several Buzzards were flying around the far trees but never came in to feed. Apparently, they seem to know when the hide is occupied and give it a wide berth but come in to feed when the hide is empty - very odd.

The female Kestrel returned but, by then, the light was insufficient for any worthwhile photography.

So then the evening began with strobe lights and flash connected to our cameras. Eventually, the expected Tawny Owl came in, took a mouse and flew off, never to be seen again.

But then the star of the show arrived - a gorgeous Dogfox that came and went and returned a few times to keep us on our toes.

even showing some gymnastics.

By 10.00pm, the show was over so we squelched across the field to our cars. The Fox made the trip for us all.