tdgraves 8th big year 2021

[Tdgraves]

The water level of the lake was low, so there were beach areas which I have not seen before. Unfortunately, this meant that one of the hides was very far back from the waters' edge. At the last hide, I was most surpriesd to witness breeding behaviour....

 

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/2000

 

7T4A7598 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 400, f7.1, 1/2500

 

7T4A7609 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A7612 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

29) Great crested grebe

Edited January 23, 2021 by Tdgraves
extra photo

[Tdgraves]

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/2500

 

7T4A7667 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

30) Common sandpiper (not common for me, I think that this may be only my second UK sighting)

[Tdgraves]

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 500, f7.1, 1/1250

 

7T4A7683 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

7T4A7694 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

31) Common redshank

[Tdgraves]

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/1250

 

7T4A7727 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

32) Teal

[Tdgraves]

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 640, f7.1, 1/800, EV+2/3

 

7T4A7754 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

33) Robin

[Tdgraves]

Now I've just got to the end and I actually think that I have found another new bird, but am happy to be corrected...

 

Grafham Water, Cambridgeshire, 22/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/800

 

7T4A7759 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

My theory being, that all of the black-headed gulls looked like this....

 

7T4A7655 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

not a Mediterranean gull!

Edited January 23, 2021 by Tdgraves
Incorrect

[Galana]

A worthwhile and rewarding excursion. Liked the three for one shot.

Sadly your #34 is a BH. Some are changing already as the nights draw out.

Med Gulls have a fuller hood to the nape and a heavier bill.

[Tdgraves]

Oh well, it was worth a try...

[Dave Williams]

Nice additions. Your lockdown rules are certainly more relaxed than here in Wales! I knew that English reserves are still open but I'm amazed the hides are too. All I can say is lucky you but stay safe. 

[Tdgraves]

Just now, Dave Williams said:

Nice additions. Your lockdown rules are certainly more relaxed than here in Wales! I knew that English reserves are still open but I'm amazed the hides are too. All I can say is lucky you but stay safe. 

the RSPB ones are closed. These have all the doors and windows fixed open, so no need to touch and with the exception of the birders I met when I first arrived, I had them all to myself. Before lockdown when Welney reopened, they also had their doors and windows fixed open, but had restricted numbers and suggested face coverings all with lots of signage.

[Dave Williams]

Out of curiosity I checked and the official English ruling for meeting anyone other than your support bubble in an indoor space, private or public isn't allowed!! Those shots could have cost you a couple of quid!!

[Dave Williams]

1 minute ago, Tdgraves said:

the RSPB ones are closed. These have all the doors and windows fixed open, so no need to touch and with the exception of the birders I met when I first arrived, I had them all to myself. Before lockdown when Welney reopened, they also had their doors and windows fixed open, but had restricted numbers and suggested face coverings all with lots of signage.

 

Sounds a bit crazy...you could apply the same rules to any building I guess....including a pub!

 

[Tdgraves]

12 minutes ago, Dave Williams said:

Out of curiosity I checked and the official English ruling for meeting anyone other than your support bubble in an indoor space, private or public isn't allowed!! Those shots could have cost you a couple of quid!!

I was alone, but I guess they were meeting up with each other...

[Galana]

23 hours ago, Dave Williams said:

.including a pub!

Wishful thinking. I find the froth sticks to the face mask.

As an aside, and moderators permitting...

[TonyQ]

A very productive trip to Grantham Water  @Tdgraves

[Game Warden]

22 hours ago, Galana said:

As an aside, and moderators permitting

Let's not mix politics with birding. Post edited.

 

Thanks, Matt

[elefromoz]

looks a good days walk, I always enjoy the Redshank, so much more colourful than our "Green"

[Tdgraves]

Well, the weather put paid to any walks this week. It was beautiful this morning, but by the time I had finished work, it was wall to wall cloud. Last weekend we had some short-lived snow, which brought back my rare visitor

 

My garden, Cambridgeshire, 23/1/21

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/1250

 

7T4A7772 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

Canon 5D Mark IV, 100-400 Mark II, ISO 1600, f7.1, 1/640

 

7T4A7778 by tdgraves, on Flickr

 

34) Brambling

[TonyQ]

A Brambing! Excellent sighting and beautiful photos.

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @TonyQ

[Soukous]

Wonderful Brambling. I'm still searching for my first.

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Soukous he appeared before Christmas and has been here on and off every since. He is also my first....

[Dave Williams]

Brambling is a nice garden bird for sure. A rarity for me in North Wales and never seen in the garden.

[xelas]

Your Bramblings are so colourful, @Tdgraves. And you have collected a respectable number of birds for this time of the year.

[Tdgraves]

Thanks @Dave Williams and @xelas