A fellow member of the Cambridge Bird Club, also a photographer, informed me where there was a Red Kite roost at nearby Cottenham. All I needed was a sunny day so, early afternoon on 2nd December, I went to check it out.

Sure enough, Red Kites came in in dribs and drabs but that was good as it gave time to select which ones would prove to be the best subject, especially with a contrasty low setting sun.

With the sun getting lower, one bird decided to catch a small mammal, probably a Field Vole, and then flew off with it's prize, proving that Red Kites are not purely scavengers.

And then towards the end of daylight, one of my final images was this.

(with apologies for the slight readjustment of the subject in Photoshop).

So a very successful couple of hours or so. The only problem was the quantity of potential keepers that has taken me over a week to sort.

Monday 17th November - weather bright and sunny for my first visit to Leighton Moss RSPB. I had heard so much about this reserve so I was really looking forward to it. Once again though, the hides, mainly facing south or west, with a bright low winter sun are far from ideal for photography.

Not much unusual from the first hide except for a feeding Snipe

so we headed for the Eric Morecambe hide which, I had been told, was great for photography.

A pair of sleeping Redshank caught my eye

as did a rather distant female Goosander.

and a Shoveler.

But mostly, the birds were sleeping so little else to get the camera working so we moved back to other hides. Nothing to show except for a pair of very wet feet as the water level was very high and some of the paths were flooded as shown by this quick shot (into the sun) of a Water Rail feeding on the path.

So returning for the afternoon to the Eric Morcambe Hide there was now more activity. A Great White Egret flew in with the sun behind it.

and the various ducks were paddling around - opportunty for something different. Shoveler, Teal and Wigeon.

and that was it for the day. First impressions of this reserve is that it has tremendous possibilities for photography - but not on the day we went there.

Returning home the next day, we called in at a couple of reserves but the weather was awful so few photos taken and none worth keeping.

Wednesday 26th November and I was itching to take some photos. So I decided to visit Grafham Water - I had not been there for a while so it was about time.

My usual first visit is to the dam, but not much there except for a Common Sandpiper that was quietly feeding amongst the usual wildfowl. The water levels were probably as low as I can remember so the tide line was some way out and any birds were rather distant.

Moving on to the harbour area, the only bird of note was an adult Great Black-backed Gull. Unusual to find it there mid-morning.

But the main reason for going was for the Bewick's Swans that had been reported there and there they were roosting in front of the hide at Mander but, because of the low water levels, still probably 70 to 80 metres out.

After a few shots with the 200-800 lens, I realised that special measures were required to make this trip worthwhile. So I added the RF 2x converter to the 200-800 lens - effectively at 1600mm - but the sun was shining and the light good - worth a try.

First off was roosting pair.

and then rather more adventurous.

It is not really possible to judge photos from the back of the camera but these looked OK. A sleeping Lapwing caught my attention.

and I also noticed a Great Black-backed Gull that did not look at all well - probably the same one that I had photographed previously from the harbour - unsteady on it's feet before it lay down and went to sleep near the tide line. It was still there, unmoving, over an hour later when I left. Bird Flu?

Then a few more shots of the Bewick's

until I left as the cloud came in that made photography at this distance much more difficult.

Checking out the results,I must confess that I was pleased with the long distance shots with the 2x converter - much better that I expected.

A  friend had arranged a business meeting  in Preston for Monday17th November that had then been cancelled. He had paid for a couple of nights in a local Premier Inn that he could not cancel so kindly invited me to join him. I have never visited this part of the country with my camera and was keen to check it out.

Leaving on Sunday morning, we arrived at the first reserve, Martin Mere WWT around lunchtime. And to my first surprise. Being on the west coast, the hides mainly faced west, straight into the afternoon sun. Not good for photography and the species around was not that impressive either - similar to my local Welney WWT.

But you have to try to make the best of things these days with a Shelduck flying in,

and rather more Pintails than I expected. They are my favourite duck so, despite the sun location not being ideal, I concentrated on them.

With the setting sun, there were opportunities for shots with a few Whooper Swans flying in

and eventually a drake Pintail.

So not the best of afternoons - quite disappointing really for my first visit to the reserve.

Last Thursday, 13th November, weather forecast sunny and bright but I was at a loss as to where to go. With nothing of consequence being reported locally and not in the mood for a long drive, I decided to revisit Welney WWT.

The lagoon in front of the observatory was filled with birds - mainly geese - lazing about as usual until something spooked them as they all took to the air, circling around. Quite a sight and very noisy. Eventually, they settled down to returning to the lagoon, Greylags at first

and then I noticed a couple of Pink-footed Geese also circling.

After a while the Geese began leaving allowing the duck brigade to re-occupy the water. Mallard first

and others to  bathe after matters had quietened down. Shelduck, Wigean and Pochard

Visiting the other hides was a waste of time again so i returned to the obsevatory hide where a few Whooper Swans had returned in readiness for the swan feed at 3.30pm.

and the final opportunity for something different, a fly-over Sparrowhawk.

A large flock of Pink-footed Geese (probably around 1500 to 2000) flew over to settle on the far side of the wash, too distant to photograph. I was informed by one of the volunteers that the food supply further into Norfolk was not sufficient so thay had moved further south this year.

The search for something different goes on but I do find enjoyment in trying to get better photos of the common species and enjoyment of one's hobby is all that matters.