LM's 6th BY, 2021 - in search of consistency, with better photography

[TonyQ]

Excellent trip to Minsmere, and a special sighting to finish

[xelas]

What a fantastic photo of the Bearded Reedling, and the Stonechat is in the same category. 

[Kitsafari]

what a nice collection from Minsmere and the reedling shots were wonderful. and you crossed 50th quietly too.

[lmSA84]

@PeterHG@Dave Williams@TonyQ@xelasand @Kitsafari- thanks for the kind words!

 

 

[lmSA84]

60. Great Brittern, Minsmere and London Wetland Centre, January / February

 

I mentioned that Minsmere is most famous for the three birds, chief amongst must be the Great Bittern. Sadly it wasn't a great view  and it didn't get much better at the Wetland Centre! 

 

 

[lmSA84]

61. Western Marsh Harrier, Minsmere, January

 

 

[lmSA84]

Beside the birds there was plenty of other wildlife around

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Dave Williams]

Excellent Marsh Harrier shots and you have as good as I have ever had with the Bittern!

[michael-ibk]

Any Bittern sighting is a fantastic one! Love the Bearded Reedling shots, and many other beautiful photos since I last looked. Also really enjoyed the misty moody ones from page 2 a lot!

[Kitsafari]

gorgeous dreamy light in the other wildlife photos. 

[lmSA84]

@Dave Williamsand @michael-ibk- you're too kind - these Bittern shots look like smudge shots on the lens ! I'm hoping to get to Otmoor later in the year for something better. 

 

Either way onwards and upwards!

 

61. Eurasian Sparrowhawk, Minsmere and Shrewsbury, January / February

 

 

 

 

 

This cheeky Sparrowhawk was hunting from the ground. I think mainly because of the gale force winds that we're blowing at the time.

 

  

[lmSA84]

62. Herring Gull, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

I've made two trips now to the Isle of Sheppey (a small island off England's Kent coastline) and I'll probably be making more! So far it's given me 10 new ticks for my BY, including four lifers  

 

Edited March 14, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

63. Sanderling, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

[lmSA84]

64. Common Ringed Plover, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

 

[lmSA84]

65. Ruddy Turnstone, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

[lmSA84]

66. Red-legged Partridge, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

[lmSA84]

67. Grey Plover, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

[lmSA84]

68. Water Rail, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

I came across these Water Rails (I think an adult and juvenile) at sea. I didn't know they could enjoy sea water but apparently so.

 

 

[lmSA84]

69. Greater White-fronted Goose (Greeland), Isle of Sheppey, January

 

This was the first of my lifers and target for the year (we don't get a lot of these in central London! )

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

70. Horned Lark, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

A chance to see these guys and the Hen Harriers is what drew me down to the Isle of Sheppey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[lmSA84]

71. Hen Harrier, Isle of Sheppey, January

 

 

 

 

 

[lmSA84]

The island is also full of the usual shorebirds and hunting marsh harriers

 

 

 

 

 

 

[xelas]

Great photos, specially of Hen Harrier and Horned Lark!

[michael-ibk]

Horned Lark - how very cool! Great Hen Harrier photo!

[Kitsafari]

first time i've heard of a horned lark, i think, and it's such a cool looking bird. i can see the reason for its name.