With spring in the air I decided to take a trip to the coast to see if any Wheatear had arrived. I wasn’t disappointed, as both male and female birds had arrived. A small group of birds settled down to feed next to the car along with Meadow Pipit. I also managed to photograph some skylark in the heather.

This is a different Owl on a post; I seem to be getting a bit closer to them. Hope they stay a bit longer.

Images from 17.3.2012

After spending most of the day waiting for any Owls to show I decided to take a walk and found this one on a post.

Visited my daughters today to photographed a pair of Goldcrests that have taken up residence in her garden; I had an hour with them as they flitted in and out of the shrub beds looking for insects.

After a bad start I am starting to get some better results at this site, still not the shots I want and I have missed some great opportunities.

Some activity on the Owl front, but still no light.

After spending all day Saturday and most of Sunday in the garden I decided to take a trip out to see if any Owls were flying, as soon as I arrived I spotted one. However it kept its distance until the light was fading, I took some not very good shots and returned home.

First Stonechats of the season not quite in breeding condition.

Upper Hollesley Common in Suffolk is a long way to travel to photograph Crossbills, It took me four hours. I travelled on Wednesday, staying overnight in Woodbridge a few miles from the common

I called in at Minsmere to see if I could see the Otters, as they were showing at the Bittern hide on Tuesday. I only stayed a few hours and watched the Marsh Harriers displaying before leaving for the common.  When I arrived at the site I could see the Crossbills flying from tree to tree calling. They can be difficult to see even when noisily feeding.

They can be confident birds, landing just a few feet away to drink from the pools.

The lighting could have been better at times but you try to make the best of what you’ve got. I wish I had more time to devote to them but I am leaving Thursday late afternoon. Still it’s been worth the effort.

Fog everywhere this morning, so no rush to get out. It should clear later in the day.

Lots of activity on the feeding station but I still haven’t taken a decent photograph of the Siskins.

I have other things on my mind, Short eared Owls and Crossbills.

Later in the day I arrived in Lancashire, It’s a new site for me and I seem to be the only one here.

Whilst waiting for the Owls to put in an appearance this Buzzard decided to have a rest ( lucky for me).

As the light faded the Owls just seem to appear and landed on some posts, I managed to get a few shots before they moved off.

Had a short visit to Moore Nature Reserve photographing the Treecreepers.

With some light promised for later in the afternoon I decided to take a trip to see if any Bitterns were showing. With its marvellous camouflage and stealthy habit the Bittern can be difficult and sometimes boring the photograph, sulking in the reeds it can do very little for long periods of time. But in flight or hunting mode it can be spectacular.