River

Out all day today on a long walk - from Wyke, along the lanes to Cressage then back along the River Severn to Ironbridge and back to Wyke through the woods; it started well with a Dipper along the brook at Farley which for some reason was singing his heart out, it was a nice day but not that nice!

Its ringed!  Wonder where from?

Just showing his crazy white eyelids

Grey Wagtail at the same spot

There wasn't too much along the river with wintering Common Sandpiper and Chiffchaff the highlights so here's a Yellowhammer

One of those killer Robins with its latest victim

Attenborough

I left Rutland on Monday morning and spent most of the day just up the road at Attenborough Nature Reserve near Nottingham; a lovely time was had by all with plenty of birds showing well in the bright sunshine.

After hearing a few Cetti's Warblers singing deep in cover I said to myself that it would be nice to get a photo of one but then instantly dismissed that idea as hardly very likely given their nature.   Ten seconds later one popped out!

Reed Bunting

Bullfinch

Blackcap

Gadwall

and Shoveler

Otter

A little look at Eyebrook Reservoir on Saturday afternoon after a pub lunch produced great views of this Otter as it mooched along the southern shore and caught a fish; the photos are no more than record shots but an Otter is an Otter!

Rutland

I have just had three days at Rutland Water, visiting people, going to pubs, helping out with the WeBS count and trying to take some pictures.

I found this Red-throated Diver off the dam on the 5th - apparently no one else saw it and I have to do a description!

Pied Wagtail

Wigeon

Foxy and Muntjac making friends along the edge of Burley Fish Ponds

Peregrine bombing over the new volunteer centre being built

And a Little Owl by Steph's house near Melton Mowbray

Gulls

Among the hundreds of big Gulls on Horsehay Pool this afternoon were three Yellow-legged Gulls - two adults and a 2nd winter.

One of the adult Yellow-legged Gulls

Plus this slightly darker mantled Lesser Black-backed Gull

Clutching at straws

Winter in Shropshire is rarely exciting birdwise which means you often end up clutching at straws which is what I was doing when I saw this Jackdaw at Venus Pool with obvious whitish neck patches looking quite good for a 'Nordic' Jackdaw - birds of the eastern race C. m. soemmerringii show a prominent whitish half collar with Scandinavian birds having this feature to varying degrees; this one actually looks quite good despite it being in Shropshire!

This Bullfinch was posing nicely as she fed on Nettle seeds, some of which she got by hovering!

Song Thrush

Flight

Went down the River Severn today and tried to photograph some Goosanders but there weren't too many on show, in fact there weren't many ducks at all as its still incredibly mild but a Woodcock, a drake Gadwall and a Little Egret were all unusual records along the walk.   Otter spraints and tracks were also seen in several places.

Two dodgy flight shots although it was hardly good photography conditions

Before they flew!

Plus a Robin and a cow