Autumn has arrived

On looking out of the kitchen window this morning I noticed that our silver birch tree was host to at least three Chiffchaffs. They were so intent on feeding before making off for warmer climes they seemed totally oblivious to my presence whilst taking a few pics.  

The early morning warm light created a real autumnal 'feel'.

These two Brents confirmed Autumn was here...the first I'd seen in the harbour .

Grey Plover in Whites Creek...one of several.

'Stumpy' the Greenshank in his usual spot

One of several reed Bunting which seemed to just 'drop in'

A rather pale Lesser Whitethroat. (A Whinchat was also nearby but I failed to obtain a photo)

Close up of a Lapwing feeding along the wall

...and a ringed individual.

On the Spit Wheatears were showing well...

Great birds and they will be a welcome return in March 2021..with the winter months behind us!

The weather is forecast to change soon so it was good to be out this morning

Back to Pagham

 It's always good to get back to the home patch after being away for a few days so I was straight down to see what was about along Whites Creek to hopefully see the reported  Curlew Sandpipers. At the time of my first visit I could find just two.

Notice the very flexible mandibles of the bird on the right(below).

Most of the Black Tailed Godwits were now in winter plumage....

   ..... although a few still showed a hint of summer  dress.

The pale short billed Greenshank was still present and this is certainly his second autumn/winter appearance.

Quite confiding and very photogenic.

...and finally, for now, a rather resplendent Little Egret in all its finery.

A Suffolk Week

 Having just returned from a few very hot days on the Suffolk coast it is time to sort out a few photos taken mostly at at Minsmere but also a few north to Southwold and south to Aldeburgh. The water levels on the Minsmere reserve were the lowest I've ever experienced,  resulting in very few waders but there were other rewards!

Starting at the groynes just north of Southwold a couple of  Purple Sandpipers showed up very briefly but after a couple of shots they soon moved off.

Several visits were made to Minsmere but few waders were present beyond a few sandpipers, lapwing and dunlin.

Common Sandpiper

Green Sandpiper

Lapwing

Dunlin

A very distant Great White Egret...Island Mere 

The only Bittern seen, flying over Island Mere.

The highlight were probably the Bearded Tits which on one morning came almost too close when using the 700mm lens

In the gorse and brambles on Minsmere beach the Dartford Warblers were quite confiding but fast moving and quickly disappeared into the undergrowth making photography challenging!

Other birds included....

Stonechat

Stonechat (juvenile)

Kestrel

Reed Bunting

Whitethroat

Chiffchaff

Barnacle Goose,probably from a local feral flock.

Water Pipit near the Konik field Minsmere.

The Koniks

Setting sun over the reed beds at Minsmere.