Lesser Redpolls.Bedfordshire. February 2013.

 A selection of Lesser Redpoll images whilst I have been trying to photograph the Mealies at The Lodge, lovely little birds that I've had fun in getting shots. The light can be awful under the tree canopy so I had to up the ISO quite a bit so as to capture these flighty little finches. Still its been good practise manually sussing out the best camera settings.

 In the above image check out the colours in the crown feathering, and you can see it mixing into the breast feathers too.

 This one is showing a more orange toned crown.

 Check out the lovely pink hues to this adult bird.

Waders return to Bev's. 18th Feb 2013.

 The last trip to Bev's with my dad was very quiet indeed, mind you the temperature was still cold so I don't blame the birds for not putting on a show. This time the weather was brighter and a tad milder, I spent most of the time watching the group of Shoveler, one male was actively chasing the others away from his female, and most encounters would end in the whole group taking flight and after a couple of circuits of the lake they would all land and resume the jostling around. 

On viewing the northern lake I saw a pair of Oystercatchers take flight and head north, they didn't return unfortunately, with the water level still quite high there was not enough of the island showing for them to stay, hopefully they will return. On looking back at the records from last year, I had seen them towards the end of February, so maybe a week or so earlier, but a sign of changes to come.

Feeding station at The Lodge. February 2013.

 This selection of images were taken on the 8th and 9th at the Lodge RSPB, my Dad and I stopped in after the Fudge duck hoping to connect with a Mealy Redpoll, I then spent the Saturday morning there. At least 4 individual Mealies were seen alongside a good number of Lesser's. The Siskins were in good numbers, trilling away, some of the males were so colourful. On the both days just a couple of Brambling were seen, a lot more elusive than the other species.

Fudge for Breakfast. Priory CP. February 2013.

 I visited Priory CP again, this time my Dad accompanied me. The morning was cold but the prospect of a brighter start looked good for some more images of the Fudge Duck!

It showed well for us, moving off and returning dependent on the dog walkers, it was a lovely bird to see again. It was very dominant at times and frequently displaying to the females, chasing other male Pochards away. When displaying it would throw its head back as waterfowl do, but it would also seem to suck back its neck, flattening it at the same time, peculiar. A joy to see again and in the company of another lovely duck, the Pochard.

A cold walk around Bev's. 2nd Feb 2013.

Sarah and I took an afternoon walk around Bev's, there was a bitterly cold wind blowing across the lake and needless to say we didn't stop for too long. I hadn't done an afternoon walk for some time and it was very quiet indeed. A noticeable lack of smaller birds, with most species being on the lake. I did add one for the year list, Collard Doves, this brought the year total at Bev's to 51 species so far.

"Thank Fudge for that!". Priory CP. 1st Feb 2013.

After Sarah had left the house for work I picked up the bird pager and what message do you think greeted me? Yes the bloody Ferruginous was back at Priory! The message was an hour old so with no time to spare I got ready and set off again. I was very happy once there as it showed well for me, and despite the light I grabbed some images. It then moved across the lake to the far side to preen and roost up with the Pochards, but it was just  too far away for any more shots, I could put up with that though.

"Oh for Fudge Sake!!!" 31st Jan 2013.

 With the prospect of good weather I forfeited the need for sleep after my night shift and headed straight to Priory CP,Bedfordshire, for the Ferruginous duck. After a few hours I wish I had gone to bed first as there was no sign of the "Fudge Duck". A small consolation was the Black necked grebe which on just the one occasion moved closer to the hide for its picture to be taken, I was pissed off just a tad but dare I say not as much as the two birders who travelled down from Wolverhampton!