After a couple of days with no birding I returned to the fray this morning. But if the birding is a little quiet the current sunny days do at least give a few photo opportunities when birds cooperate.
When I arrived at Conder a juvenile Grey Heron stood waiting for a chance to go fishing. After what seemed ages it finally took the plunge and entered the water as I took several pictures, hoping to get one of the bird grabbing a meal. The heron tried really hard to catch breakfast but I didn't see it take anything from the water; when a car and occupants drew noisily up it fled off over to the creek to try its luck there.
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
Grey Heron
The Oystercatchers are as aggressive as ever now, even though their chicks are very big, and I watched the adults chasing off a Black-tailed Godwit, a Redshank and then a Lapwing.
Lapwing
Things were much the same on the pool and the creek with 7 Dunlin, 6 Common Sandpiper, 2 Greenshank and 2 Black-tailed Godwits the “cream” of the autumn waders while 70+ Redshank, 21 Lapwing and 4 Curlew made up the numbers. The waders and wildfowl are somewhat repetitive at the moment with just small variations on a daily basis. But hey, no one ever found a bird by staying at home and I need to see birds most days, even though I saw plenty on the other 364 days. After all, “finding comes from seeking”.
Dunlin
Teal increased to 4 today, plus an overflying drake Goosander, the all alone Goldeneye still in-situ, plus 2 Tufted Duck and a single Little Grebe.
Tufted Duck
“Small” and “other” stuff today – 2 Sedge Warbler, 2 Reed Bunting, 6 Linnet, 3 Meadow Pipit, 1 Pied Wagtail, 5 Greenfinch.
Stay tuned to Another Bird Blog - who knows what you might find soon.
Linking this weekend to Camera Critters and Anni's Birding Blog .
Linking this weekend to Camera Critters and Anni's Birding Blog .
15 comments:
Lovely Grey heron pictures. They are quite regal aren't they? You always manage to find a nice list and the dunlin and lapwing pics are quite colourful in the summer lighting.
Oh, I miss the herons on the coast. We were out there recently, but didn't see any. Usually they're in the tidal rivers.
I love these bird photos, Phil. The lapwing and the others whose names I've now forgotten because your comment page is separate from your blog. LOL
K
I knowI will find interesting birds here!
Cheers from Cottage Country!
Love the Heron shots, Phil And the Lapwing is my favorite, what a pretty bird. Great post, happy birding!
the dunlin really takes my eye Phil
Stunning, brilliant, grand are you Heron images Phil. These are really wonderful! That juvie is really quite the heart taker. I have never gotten to see one of our young Great Blue Herons before.
On FB, I belong to a couple of birding groups and one newly formed one is just for Heron images...you may want to check that out. Have a happy weekend~
Buenas capturas.Un abrazo
Love the little tuft on the head of the cute lapwing! The dunlin seems to have a touch of dark green on its wing feathers. And the heron seems so graceful no matter what the pose! Lovely photos!
Great heron captures!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
Beautiful birds. Grey Heron seems to be very proud.
Beautiful birds. Grey Heron seems to be very proud.
Wonderful post. Those grey herons almost look silver in the light!
Beautiful birds.
very pretty! i like the sharp eye of the herons.
The heat and humidity here in Florida are oppressive, and the birds are mostly inactive, but you did much better than me! Nice images!
Well, you took nice advantage of the sunny day. Superb photographs!
The heron reminds me of how I fish - lots of patience with precious little results.
Thank you for a very "comfortable" post!
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