A visit to Warnham LNR

After seeing web reports of a Mealy Redpoll for the past week or so and the many excellent photographs I decided to make tracks for Warnham following last nights half decent weather forecast! I arrived in dull, cloudy conditions and headed for the hide. It wasn't long before a light coloured Redpoll turned up on the niger seed but photographing the bird was not going to be easy. It soon disappeared and returned twenty minutes later but again proved difficult....it was on the wrong side of the feeder and I really don't like photos of birds on feeders! However I managed a few half decent shots but then doubts crept in as to whether this was in fact the Mealy! There were a lot of Redpolls about and they all showed subtle plumage variations...however I am pretty certain the ID is correct...please correct me if I'm wrong.

Mealy Redpoll

Mealy Redpoll

Not on a feeder but an unnatural pose!

Lesser Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

Warnham LNR is a fabulous reserve for photographers who want really close up views of garden birds...

A humble Chaffinch watching the many camera lenses poking out from the hide.

Robin watching attentively.

Reed Bunting

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker

Close up of male GSW

The beady eye of a Magpie

...and a diminutive Long Tailed Tit

A great morning and the weather did cheer up gradually!