I decided to re-visit Fowlmere RSPB on 11th June to see if I could manage photos of the Hobbies that apparently frequently visit. If that is the case, then someone forgot to tell them - a distant appearance for a few seconds!!!

This was an afternoon of waiting patiently for something to happen. The male Marsh Harrier put in a distant appearance and then flew off to hunt - no photos worth keeping there!!!

Later in the afternoon, a Goldfinch put in an appearance on a middle-distance bush - worth a shot

as did a Yellowhammer on the same bush- is it my imagination or are they getting quite scarce now.

And then the male Marsh Harrier returned after a successful hunt, calling up the female and, although distant and flying away, they completed a food pass.

with the male making a closer flypast with a stare that would make intended prey rather nervous.

And that was the sum total of the afternoons events.

Last Sunday, 8th June, a Red-backed Shrike has been reported at nearby Fen Drayton. A rare visitor to Cambridgeshire and, despite me not usually going out at weekends, I decided to go.

It was present, on the far side of a hedge with no access to it. Very frustrating to know that the target bird was just 20 feet away and not visible. As a consolation, a juvenile Common Whitethroat posed for a shot.

I had already planned to visit Fowlmere RSPB the following day, but just for the afternoon. The weather had changed, cloudy and a little blustery - not ideal for my target birds of Marsh Harriers and Hobbies and so it proved to be. On the mere, a trio of sub-adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls came in for a bathe.

Reed Warblers were active in between the wind gusts although giving no opportunity for a shot but eventually one stayed in the open to allow a series of photos..

So eventually the visit was worth while but I intend to visit again when the weather forecast is more suitable.

Monday 2nd June and I headed north to the Norfolk coast, hoping that the area was relatively free of holiday-makers.

First stop, as usual was Hunstanton cliffs where a westerly breeze was pushing the Fulmars above the cliffs. One of my favourite birds and I could not resist a few more shots.

My usual next stop would have been Thornham harbour but it was just an hour before high tide and the tide levels were too high for anything meaningful so I moved on to Titchwell RSPB. Over the past couple of years, Titchwell has never failed to disappoint and this visit was no exception. The best hide for photography is Island Hide and, again, the water levels on this part of the freshmarsh were too high - in fact lapping up to the front of the hide so the only birds on show were Avocets and Black-headed Gulls, virtually to the exclusion of anything else. Usual story.

However, a Chinese Water Deer was grazing on one of the islands so worth a shot although distant.

I walked up to the beach but the tide was too high for any birds to show. On the way back, a Common Tern was fishing in the brackish marsh and right next to the path.

Moving on, Burham Overy Staithe was awash with visitors as the sun came out - nothing of interest so back to Brancaster Staithe where the tide was ebbing so I stayed for a while. First up was a fishing Sandwich Tern,

and, for a short time, a Little Tern although rather distant.

So this ended up being a Tern day but I called in at Thornham harbour on the way home with a Little Egret showing well.

So a reasonable day after all but I still fail to understand the thinking behind the high water levels on the Titchwell freshmarsh. The mud used to be magnet for waders but not now. I may still visit in a couple of months time when the wader season begins but I have no confidence that the situation will change as it has been the same for a couple of years at least.

On my recent visits to the area, Brancaster Staithe harbour has been the star as it was on this day.

Our final visit of the trip was to be Fairbairn Ings RSPB but yesterdays visit was a non-event so, on recommendation, as we travelled South on our way home we called in at Old Moor RSPB. This reserve was a revelation. Set up for photography as well as birding, it is well managed and just gives the air that visitors are all important.

Following the main track, the first hide overlooked a very busy scrape with the usual Black-headed Gulls in abundance. Just one keeper opportunity - a juvenile complaining that it was not being fed and the adult telling it where to get off!!!

There were many families of Canada Geese but one shot attracted my eye.

There was also many Gadwall around. The hide gave plenty of opportunity for flight shots.

The hide also overlooked a scrape dominated by a colony of Lesser Black-backed Gulls, also giving excellent flight shot opportunities.

Moving to the next hide, Cormorants were feeding young on the nest in the nearby trees although, by now, cloudy conditions had made photography rather more challenging for flight shots.

There was also another family of Canada Geese on the water.

and a Mute Swan decided to land on the water.

Moving further round this track, an adult lesser Black-backed Gull posed as it overlooked it's nesting site where it's mate was sitting.

and finally. a family of Shovelers appeared from the reedbed in front of us.

So, while there were no rarities on offer, the whole set-up of the site for photography made for a very enjoyabl;e experience.

Visiting St.Aidens RSPB  was the main reason for the trip as my friend wanted to photograph the Black-necked Grebes. It was the first time that either of us had been. The whole site can be seen from the raised visitor centre - and it is big. So where to start.

We had directions from a couple of volunteers and made our way down the track. It looked to be quite a trek - bright sunshine, warm - and very contrasty, with plenty of heat haze, far from ideal for photography. And very little was showing either until, about half way round, we found a couple of waterfowl in a reeded area that made attractive shots. A female Pochard

and a drake Tufted Duck.

Finally we found a small family of Black-necked Grebes but into the sun which made photography difficult. Never-the-less, I took a load of shots, all but three being deleted in the editing process due to heat haze. Here are a couple - not the best shots that I have ever taken!!!!

Moving on, a Common Tern was posing on a stick - one for the record.

and a hunting Kestrel that refused to show it's most photogenic side.

So 5 miles of walking with not a lot to show for it.

Mid afternoon, we moved on to Fairbairn Ings RSPB and did not take one photo so a very disappointing day overall.