Back to Linford Arboretum in Norfolk.

We returned to Linford Arboretum on the first sunny day after our last visit to try again for the Hawfinches. That trip turned into a celebration of Gold and Firecrests, today started out about Nuthatches.

If you missed my other Linford post it's here.

community.rspb.org.uk/.../lynford-arboretum-norfolk-in-search-of-hawfinches

Happily singing away.

A lot of activity in an Ivy covered tree, Blackbirds, Song Thrushes and Redwings feasting on Ivy berries.

One of a few pairs of Gadwall.

Treecreeper doing it's stuff.

Then another Nuthatch who sat on the side of this tree for a few minutes even taking time for a preen.

Male Reed Bunting.

At last a Goldcrest that stayed still long enough for a photo, but not quite as cooperative as last weeks birds.

Another Nuthatch, these are mostly different birds around the woods.

Female Reed Bunting

Bramblings near some bird feeders

The following two photos I nearly deleted, I had to use a slow shutter speed because of the deep shade but found I liked the affect it had on the birds taking off.

Yellowhammer posing wonderfully for a reflection shot.

The Brambling sat on the wrong side for a reflection shot.

A bit more variety spot the Siskin.

Even when we stopped for lunch at the outside tea hut there was a Nuthatch.

On the way back to the car, what else, and the bark was worth a photo in itself.

While walking around the woodland two chaps told us where they had seen some Woodlarks that morning a few miles away, so went to try our luck. We didn't see them on the ground as they had but found them hovering, fortunately not as high as a Skylark.

It was late afternoon now but we found time for a walk along a nearby river. Walking a long we met two ladies coming the other way and they asked if were looking for Otters, we weren't until they told us they had seen two yesterday but not today but told us where they had seen them. Despite the failing light, the sun had just gone down, we carried on with fingers crossed. Just as we were about to give up there was a some splashes in the water right next to us then some chattering noises, a pair of Otters, and they swam up and down beside us for some time until we had to leave before it got too dark for the walk back. The following pictures were taken at ISO 12800 then 25600, which is extreme for micro four thirds, and a lot of work with noise reduction has been done on them, but at least it shows what we saw.

These last images were taken from a video I took , the Otter on the right caught a fish.

What a disappointing day, no Hawfinches, or were we just extremely lucky with some rather exciting substitutes.

Best Wishes,

Trevor