Leaches Petrel Grafham Water 25 November

Leaches Petrel 25 November.

Having failed to connect with any of the previous inland Petrels Grafham finally produced a result - in dramatic fashion. The bird was watched being taken by a Carrion Crow at close range, but somehow managed to escape/get dropped, only to become caught in a tree as it fell, and was promptly rescued !! On inspection, damage suffered by the Petrel appeared to be superficial and excelent views of the bird were enjoyed in the hand.

4 - 8 November Dungeness and Holme - with a certain shrike in the Middle

A brief visit to Dungeness proved to be something of a Heron and Egret extraveganza - with the Great White Egret pereforming exceptionally well, with a supporting cast of a Cattle Egret, 2 Glossy Ibis, 2 Bitterns and the expected views of Little Egret and Grey Heron.

4 November Great White Egret Dungeness

4 November. The Great White Egret in flight

4 November little Owl Dungeness. 1 of 2 picked out while enjoying excelent views of the Egret

5 November Bewick Swan Dungeness RSPB. 3 of 4 present

5 November Cattle Egret Dungeness RSPB

6 November A rather impressive individual lurking at the Observatory

6 November. Brown Shrike Staines. A convenient detour on route back to Bedford from Dungeness. Also presernt several pairs 0f very noisy Parakeets flying overhead and a Kingfisher doing circuits along the river.

8 November. Holme. The rather special sight of 3 Cettis Warblers together in the hand - processed together in 1 net round, and bringing the total to an unprecedented 26 new birds ringed at the observatory this year.

and then they were gone ....... the moment of release.

The Day had started with a Peregrine at Hunstanton and by the end of the day the Holme area had produced 95 Species, including Black Throated Diver, Velvet Scoter and Red Necked Grebe on the sea, Short Eared Owl Hunting over the Marsh, a Firecrest neasr the Observatory and 3 Lapland Buntings in flight at Thornham Harbour

Shorelarks Holme Beach 30 0ctober

Difficult birds to see in recent years, but 3 present and showing well

Shorelarks on the Beach and a Beardie out of the net

Shorelark Holme 30 October.

Nice to catch up with the 3 birds present after several failed attempts to see the birds at Titchwell. Followed up the next day with a spectacular arrival of thousands of Starlings, and lesser numbers of Blackbirds and thrushes - as well as 3 Bewick Swans and 2 Short Eared Owls coming in off the sea

Bearded Tit Holme 30 October the first ringed at the Observatory since 2004

Redwing Holme 30 0ctober