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.

Last Monday, 16th February, I had resigned myself to another day on the computer as the weather forecast was dull and rainy all day. However, early afternoon some signs of brightness appeared so I grabbed the kit and drove to my closest reserve, Fen Drayton Lakes, not expecting anything of interest as usual.

The reserve was as flooded as I can remember with water too deep for the car to negotiate, a hundred metres or so before the busway crossing. There was a flock of Greylage Geese on the adjacent field with a few White-fronted Geese intermingled although rather too distant for my liking.

Needs must so I bolted on the 1.4x converter to the 200-800 lens to see what quality of shots would result. To get good results, the sun should be showing for better light, in my experience and it appeared occasionally so these are the best of a load of shots taken.

A combination of Lightroom, Photoshop and Topaz PhotoAI combined to make these shots acceptable so not a totally wasted trip but when will we get some sun?

Last Wednesday,11th February, a couple of friends and I had booked the raptor hide at Bourne Wildlife Hides for the day but things did not turn out as expected. We were very kindly advised by Tom Robinson, the owner, that the very wet weather meant that nothing was showing so we postponed it to another day.

So we decided to take a punt and go to Norfolk for the day - rain forecast and so it proved for most of the day so, while these photos are not really up to standard, they were the best in the circumstances. First call, as usual, Hunstanton cliffs about a couple of hours before high tide. A few Oystercatchers

with the gulls loafing around, mostly Black-headed variety but one Mediterranean Gull that posed nicely.

We found nothing more of interest until driving around the Choseley loop where a couple of distant Brown Hares were getting soaked in the rain.

Next call was Brancaster with a few Brent Geese feeding close to the car park

and a Little Egret feeding in the, by now, heavy rain.

As we were driving out, I noticed what I thought was a Goosander in a channel. Stopping and reversing, it was a drake Red-breasted Merganser that proceeded to quickly paddle it's way into the distance but I managed a few shots, not the best, a record shot shall we say!!!

With nothing in the harours, we continued to drive into Holkham with only a Common Gull close enough for a shot

so, retracing our steps, we stopped at the roadside field where geese of various species often congregate. This time, there were only a couple of Egyptian Geese

and in the distance, a Chinese Water Deer minding it's own business.

Next stop of any significance was Brancaster Staithe harbour but with only the usual suspects to show. Herring Gull and Turnstone

Another day with not a lot to show for the effort. When will this wet weather change?