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Yet another sunny day so another trip to Minsmere.

TJS
23/03/2022 16:52

Every day seems to be sunny at the moment, so a break from the garden and off to Minsmere for another look for the Smew.

From Island Mere Hide, a pair of courting Great Crested Grebes, they were some way off in the middle of the mere.

The pair of Smew were there from the start but way off to the far side. eventually they made their way to the middle for some half decent shots, but never any closer. At least it was better than the views I had the other day.

Singing Chiffchaff.

From South Hide a pair of Knots. It was a very still day so a chance of some good reflection shots.

Avocet.

What I assume are Black Tailed Godwits turning into their summer colours.

Suddenly everything took flight, I didn't see what caused it though.

Crow and Oyster Catcher getting in each others way.

A walk through the woods around the visitor centre is often rewarded with Treecreepers, this time there were at least three fitting about.

Some shots from a few days earlier, including the Lesser Yellow Legs which I didn't see this time.

Little Egret.

Some of the many Starlings that were about.

These are for anyone who didn't see the Lesser Yellow Legs I posted on the Minsmere Forum.

Best Wishes,

Trevor

  • 23/03/2022 16:59
    Fabulous set of photos Trevor and good to see so many species including the Lesser Yellow-legs and the Bk-tailed Godwits in flight clearly showing their legs extending beyond their tail ! Super photos of the little tree mouse too :) their camouflage is fantastic against the tree bark. So many species to take in I'm going back for another browse on full screen :) thanks for this interesting post.

    _____________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • 23/03/2022 18:18
    Incredible photos Trevor as always great selection of birds thanks for sharing.
  • 23/03/2022 18:20
    Super shots of the Great Crested Grebes counting Trevor....och they are all brilliant!

    (Pardon the Scottish Accent)

  • 24/03/2022 08:44

    Fabulous photos Trevor, and sooooo jealous of your GCG courtship photos.

    I've seen it many times, at a distance and through binoculars, but never really close enough to photograph, well, apart from the weed sharing, where I managed to get some photos a couple of years back, or should I say vegetation sharing! Scream  Grinning  

    Mike

    Flickr: Peak Rambler

  • 24/03/2022 20:20
    Enjoyed looking through those photos Trevor, GCG courting, Avocet, such clear photos, Treecreeper with the long claw showing so well, loved them all, haven't heard of Lesser Yellow Legs before, should be called Golden Legs such a deep colour, thanks so much for posting.

    Lot to learn

  • 24/03/2022 20:23 in reply to Mike B

    Hi Mike,

    Your comments about the Great Crested Grebes reminded me of some pictures I took in February 2019, the birds were on Alton Water a reservoir just outside Ipswich and displaying right beside a bridge and close enough that there's hardly any cropping. I keep forgetting to go back again, I only went on that occasion to see a Red Throated Diver, sadly in winter colours

    The Red Throated Diver that spent a lonely winter on the reservoir in 2019, it came quite close in to the bank on occasions.

    Best Wishes,

    Trevor

  • 24/03/2022 20:30 in reply to gaynorsl
    Hi gaynors,
    The Lesser Yellow Legs is an accidental visitor from North America, it travels between North and South America over the Atlantic. It appeared a couple of months ago after the succession of Atlantic storms, a few turn up in Britain every year, and this one seems quite settled at Minsmere and has been seen most days.
    Trevor
  • 24/03/2022 20:40 in reply to TJS

    GCG's must have a wide window for courtship, the best photos I managed were just the exchange of weed, back in July 2019, and were some of the first photos I took with the 5D4.

    The link below takes you to one of the photos:

    https://www.flickr.com/photos/peak-rambler/48402814582/in/album-72157709428270416/

    Mike

    Flickr: Peak Rambler

  • 24/03/2022 20:42
    Thanks Trevor, can't say I blame them enjoying Britain rather than over the Atlantic!!
    Fabulous shots of the GCG courtship dance, superb shots back in 2019, and the Red Throated Diver too, though can't find any sign of the red-throat, always very confusing these birds with their names that don't suit their plumage - though maybe they indeed do have that colour later on in the year.

    Lot to learn

  • 24/03/2022 20:54 in reply to gaynorsl
    Hi gaynor's,
    The Red Throated Diver lives up to it's name during the breeding season, unfortunately that takes place in Arctic waters so we never see the red throat unless they change colour early. They're worth a Google to see one in breeding plumage. In America they are known as Red Throated Loons and have a very special call, difficult to describe and well worth another Google.
    Trevor