EIGHT DAYS IN

Well,  it's eight days into the new year and I thought it was about time that I did a post ( I don't know how some of you guys manage to post almost every day, I wish I could be as organised!)

So far it's been a good year for getting out and about and teaming up with Keith I've managed to visit, and squelch my way around in the mud and the puddles, a good few of the local birding spots.

The mostly dull and damp conditions have not been good for photography but here are a few of the better  images that I've managed to capture.

Nuthatch

Robin

Some of the stunning Waxwings seen in the car park at Central Milton Keynes shopping centre

Common Snipe

Water Pipit

Blue Tit

Dunnock

Marsh Tit

My personal bird count for the year has now reached  66 species seen and I hope to add a good few more tomorrow when  Keith and I plan to visit RSPB Frampton Marsh in Lincolnshire and (time permitting)  RSPB Titchwell Marsh in Norfolk. The weather prediction is for a cold and sunny day so hopefully I'll see, and photograph, a good selection of birds.

A VISIT TO WILSTONE RESERVOIR

Last Friday  (27-01-12) I went on a visit to Wilstone Reservoir, part of the Tring Reservoirs in Hertfordshire.  The sun was shining in a bright blue sky unfortunately there was a strong, bitterly cold, NW wind blowing.

A quick scan across the water revealed all the usual suspects, Mallard, Coot, G C Grebe and Pochard all in varying amounts, accompanied by small groups of Teal and Wigeon and of course the ever present Black-Headed Gulls!

Over the last few weeks there have been two long staying 'celebrities' a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Water Pipit. After a short walk, to its regularly reported favourite spot, I soon caught a rather fleeting glimpse of the Water Pipit, just enough time to grab a couple of quick record shots before it was gone!

 

Pied Wagtails were constantly flitting along the shore line accompanied by a single Grey Wagtail and, by the Reed beds in the far corner, a flock of around thirty Linnets.

Grey Wagtail

Linnet (female)

 

I then spotted  the other Wilstone 'celebrity'  the Dark-bellied Brent Goose just as it took off from the water to make a series of close fly by's before landing in its normal grazing field, soon to be joined by Canada and Greylag Geese.

 

Then there was a quick visit by two Red Kites who made a few lazy circles overhead before being 'seen off' by a group of Jackdaws that had until then been noisily minding their own business in the nearby tree tops.

There were also quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare busily looking for food in surrounding meadows and also searching the hedgerows for any remaining berries.

Redwing

Fieldfare (he thinks I can't see him!)

And finally I spent some time watching the Teal and Wigeon 'dabbling' in the shallows.

Wigeon (male)

 The video...