We'd originally planned to go further afield - that was before I massively overslept and woke up ten minutes after we needed to be out of the house! Not wishing to run our backsides off on a Saturday we decided to head to Abberton as it's not far away and there's always something to see there. It was a good decision:
I enjoy seeing all of our regular gulls but it's a nice change to see a common gull.
Good to see a youngster as well.
This greylag goose is clearly an expert at shaking his tail feathers!
'OK, show's over.'
A beautiful male goldeneye preparing to dive.
I loved the nervous expression on the male mallard's face as he flees from the determined female! I'm guessing that this isn't the pair who were rampantly mating on New Year's Day.
Great crested grebes are so striking.
Time for a preen.
This lone cormorant was energetically swimming about.
'Look at me! I'm Nessie!'
This little egret tried lurking in the background ......... no chance, with those lovely white feathers.
A gorgeous male smew!
A pretty dunnock.
The Canada geese pile in.
The thing about being out with Limpy is that you can virtually guarantee a kestrel sighting.
An immature black-headed gull.
I know chaffinches are very common birds but they are lovely to look at.
Even the more subtly coloured female.
I might have mentioned before that I love seeing flying geese.
Off they go!
The sheen on the cormorant's feathers is apparent even in these grey conditions.
The causeway entertainment was on fine form!
A black-headed gull flies past gracefully.
Coming in to land ............
........... and splashdown!
I hope you all enjoy these.
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Clare Thank you so much for sharing your lovely days out, I have mentioned previously, it is so educating to see all the different species, makes one so much more aware, when out and about.
So pleased that both you and Limpy are enjoying the photgraphy club,and then you both get to share your knowledge learnt, by showing us these beautiful captures.
Thanks again.
Thank you Clare. A good decision indeed.
Birdies LG DU update.
Great day out and photos Clare, always good to see a wide range of birds and what a bonus to see the Smew too ! Send Limpy and yourself up here, I haven't seen a Kestrel for ages lol
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Regards, Hazel
Lovely to see the Smew, the waggling Greylag and Nessie, amongst all the others. I keep trying to get a Goldeneye to come close, but they just won't have it!
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Nige Flickr
Worth going just to see the Goldeye and the stunning Smew.
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Tony
My Flickr Photostream