Sandy. Mon 18th October. 2010

Sarah and I took a stroll around the reserve at Sandy, and although there was still a lot of fungi around I did not find what I was looking for. On a wooden fence we found a large number of Ladybirds all nestled together in the gap between the panel and post. On further inspection most of the posts had a large gathering of Ladybirds tucked away. Why this was I'm not sure, the sun was out, no real adverse weather conditions, maybe looking for a wintering hole is the most likely although not as tucked away as I would like. Perhaps they know of worsening and colder weather on the way!

We noticed a few very large Hornets flying around and tracked them to a hole in a big old tree. I made my way carefully closer until I was a few feet from the hole. If you stay calm and quiet they do not pose a threat and within minutes I was watching them coming and going, some were as long as my thumb, looking huge up close. They were busily arranging their winter hideout no doubt, I only had a macro lens with me so I was limited to close ups, you would get a few seemingly waiting at the hole edge watching out before flying off only once another had returned and a new front line appeared from within. Amazing to watch at such close quarters.

Semipalmated Sandpiper. Abberton Reservoir.Essex.Oct 2010.

It had been a while since I last went to Abberton, and it looked totally different when I arrived at the main gates before first light. There were plenty of waders in the adjacent bay busily feeding and moving around. Once the sun had risen and the birds were starting to show better it was time to start scanning. It wasn't long before I was joined by a Essex birder, and after scanning through the waders I picked out one that looked decidedly "plump" and was not associating with the Little Stints but rather preferring to feed alone. On quite a few occasions the whole flock of waders would take to the air before landing and then the process of picking the bird out the bird ensued.

Once the reserve was open everybody moved around to the boardwalk behind the centre, from here the light was a lot better now and the smaller waders could be picked out better. Once again the Little Stints were picked out and not far from them was the "plump" bird again. Most of the time views were distant, but you could always pick this bird out. Its feeding behaviour was not as erratic as the Stints and the shape was obviously stockier. As stated in identification literature the Semi-P' can "show a diffuse pale mantle V at a distance", which this bird certainly did but nowhere to the extent of the stints along with darker upper scapulars helping to accentuate this V. Now that the Semi-P' had been found and everyone was happy, it was a case of keeping your eye on it, it frequented the mud flats further out once away from the bay area and would often be lost amongst the roosting numbers of dunlin and godwits, or lost in flight when they all took to the air. Another new addition for me and another without the use of the camera, back to the old ways.

Empidonax Flycatcher. Blakeney Point, Norfolk. Sept 2010.

A early start at 3am had me setting off for Cley and the daunting thought of a hike to Blakeney Point for the Empidonax Flycatcher there (hopefully). I arrived at 05:15 and after a brief rest got my act together and set off. How many bloody times will I end up partaking in this 3 mile shingle walk, this time in the dark too. By the time I reached the plantation I was truly knackered and soaked from the rain. 2 birders said the bird was still present so the walk was put to the back of my mind for now. It wasn't long before the bird showed itself right in front of me, a cracking little bird that gave itself up when moving, otherwise it blended in perfectly especially in the dismal light. The wing markings really stood out and in the light it did give off a yellow tinge to the throat and breast especially when wet. It would prove elusive at times but always returned to the same areas feeding and at one time bathing in a water hole amongst the grass but it gave good views throughout. There were so many common migrants coming in the sky was a motorway at rush hour, I saw a Ring Ouzel at the half way house and plenty of Bramblings and Siskins, along with Redwing, Song Thrush, Blackcap, Reed Bunting, Willow Warbler, Chiff Chaff, Goldcrest and Robins galore. A great new bird but the prospect of the long haul back to the car at the forefront of my mind. On my return I was shattered and still wet but it was worth it, but not again too soon...

Fungi foray.

Fly Agaric

Staying local I thought I would search for some fungi. Hearing a few reports of some at Sandy I headed there. I was not to be disappointed either. I have never seen so many Fly Agaric fungi before, they were all over the place and a lot more to emerge too. So on hands and knees I began the search. I was able to get a few types of fungi that I had not come across before so that was a bonus. I think I have correctly named them, but admit I am no expert, but it was fun and something different.

Fly Agaric

Fly Agaric

Fly Agaric

Tawny Grisette

The Sickener

Sulphur Tuft

Red Cracking Bolete

Red Cracking Bolete

Red Cracking Bolete

Parasol

Deer Shield

Death Cap

Common Puffball

Birch Polypore

Birch Polypore.

Arctic Warbler. Holme, Norfolk. September 2010.

My Dad and I made it to Holme ( after 2 close encounters with a Belgium Lorry driving dickhead ) in the hope the Arctic warbler was still present. It had been seen the day before but with a clear night and strong winds and my luck I was on edge to say the least. After about 3 hours, wait for it, the Arctic' showed itself, Hooray, and although the episode didn't last for long I had as well as my dad added a new species to our lists. It was very elusive and hard to track amongst the pine canopies but on separate times my dad and I got good views of the head patterning. The supercilium really stood out when viewed against a dark background and the way it held itself looking for food gave it an elongated but slim shape, with no other birds to size against it looked very much chiff chaff size and pale underneath when viewed from below, especially in the dark pine canopy. A bird I had been after for some time and now added, with the wind increasing and the bird disappearing we left, no pictures unfortunately but on the elusive nature of the bird and in that wood we were lucky to connect with it.

Over the last couple of weeks I had been hearing a cricket near to my shed, but had only seen it on one occasion. I got views good enough to identify it as a Dark Bush Cricket, but was not able to get any shots. For days I continually heard it whilst sat in my shed but no sign of it at all. Then one day I found it or another on the wall of the house and so with careful placing I was able to get a shot before it once again disappeared. I cant remember ever seeing one of these crickets before either.

Biggleswade Common. August 2010.

I spent a couple of hours with the Red Backed Shrike from first light. Once the sun had risen enough it appeared on bushes near the railway line sunning itself before becoming more mobile.

But as the image below shows it thought it was still a bit too early so just a tad more sleep was in order.

It was not fazed by the trains going past either, its not until you actually get close views that you see how small a bird they are, but a lovely group of birds none the less.

The image above is not of it about to bring up a pellet but it was actually yawning, time for another nap?, no a stretch of the wings and I'll be fine.

The background colour of the image below was from a passing train. After some time it became more awake and more elusive whilst searching for food so I left pleased with a few shots in the bag.