Little Bittern at Titchwell Norfolk. 25th June 2007.

After not being able to get to see the 'LB' the week before it looked like the bird had moved on. Then news came through it was seen again at titchwell, so an early morning start to arrive in torrential rain didnt look good but i covered up my camera and lens with my poncho and off i went. One other birder appeared and then the rain started to ease off. Another birder arrived and then the wait started. It wasnt too long before we saw the 'bittern' in flight and it seemed to land fairly close by. So we all repositioned ourselves and no sign but the bird then started to call and what a weird call too. I can only describe it as an aging old dog barking softly, it was weird. And then it appeared from nowhere even closer climbing some reeds. What a stunning little bird, in a panic i clicked away some record shots and then it flew off out into the reed bed further away but still showing. Everyone was well happy having seen it so well, and a new tick for me too.

**MEGA** WHITE TAILED PLOVER

"Dipped - enough said.........

SQUACCO HERON. Erith marshes, London. Saturday 2nd June 2007.
An early morning start was in order to twitch this bird. I'd never seen one before despite trying and so with sarahs daughter for company we arrived nice and early. With a few birders already there it wasnt long before the heron came into view, what a little stunner as well. The only problem was waiting to get a viewing hole when it became free, and they all seemed to be the wrong height too, what a weird viewpoint that was, it was more like one side of a pillbox with more view holes, Abby was ok due to being small she could take her pick of the lower ones. So after a short while peering over someones shoulder i got to the front and was able to grab some half decent pics. The vegetation infront of the hide was overgrown so some of the shots had some blurring, but the bird showed well, before moving out of view, and i left well happy. As we headed back to the car more birders were arriving but there was no sign of the quail that had been there.

Minsmere RSPB.

Purple Herons.Minsmere.Suffolk. May 21st & 23rd 2007.

After a pretty uneventful trip to norfolk on the 18th of may news had come through of not 1, not 2 but 4 purple herons at minsmere. Most years there is a sighting of one at this spot, and this was a bogey bird for me. For years and hours worth of trying they had eluded me, well no longer. I had gone before a nightshift on the monday 21st and had seen 1 bird distantly but i was elated and a pre-planned trip with my dad on the wednesday 23rd proved even better. One was on show as we got into the hide and then over the course of a couple of hours we had seen three individuals.I was a happy man i can tell you. And with good views of marsh harrier and the usual swallow prech at the sluice we left contented.

Hoopoe 10th May 2007.

Hoopoe. Bishops stortford.Herts.

This bird had been hanging around stortford for a few weeks and had set up on some playing fields and was showing very well at times. I went on the 10th of May and then again on the 16th but on the second attempt it was more elusive and distant. An absolutely stunning bird to see and one you never tire of looking at, i was able to grab some decent shots despite the dog walkers pets making a bee line for me as i was crouched low to the ground.

Wilsons Phalarope.May 4th 2007.

Wilsons Phalarope. May 2007.

Myself and sarah travelled to Grafham water in cambridgeshire to connect with this cracking summer female wilson's. This was a 1st for sarah and only my second, and it provided excellent views although a bit far for my camera lens hence the quality of the pics, but that didnt matter, a lovely bird to see none the less. When watching i noticed how it attached itself to a pair of gadwall, and fed in the wake of the ducks picking out what they had disturbed. Although the male didnt take kind to this and frequently chased it from the females rear! Oooh err!.

27th April 2007.

Iberian Chiffchaff. Colney, Norfolk.

I travelled with my dad to add this to my list, it showed very well and was continually vocal.Viewed from across the road and what with the size of the bird i was pleased just to get a few record shots.