It was quite a grey day today but still far too nice to spend it indoors. We eventually decided to head to Abberton, and it was a good decision! Lots of birds were in the mood to be captured in flight:
Another birder in Gwen's Hide alerted us to this marsh harrier - looks like a male.
The wigeon weren't happy about the harrier's appearance!
One of many rooks flies across.
The Godfather makes sure he's not left out.
More incoming wigeon!
I was just coming up to Island Hide when these mute swans flew across. Beautiful!
The rather odd sight of a herring gull chasing two great black-backs!
Off they pile, catching up with the herring gull which had been in front of the black-backs.
A splashy take-off for this cormorant.
A pair of mallards fly over the Layer Breton causeway.
A lovely young black-headed gull shows off!
Finishing with this Canada goose at the head of a charge.
Enjoy!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Great in flight shots Clare and a great start to 2018, your "list" has got off to a flying start lol
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Regards, Hazel
Very nice Clare, even on what looks like a cold a dull day you got some nice pictures.
Jim
My Pictures
My Fbook Group
I did manage to snap a few birds which weren't in flight:
I failed to snap the Dartford warbler which had been teasing people in front of Gwen's hide, but the stonechats made up for it.
I love stonechats!
A distant tufted duck. Still lovely, though.
I really hope this is a pair of goldeneye because if it is then it's the first time I've managed to snap a pair of them!
The Four Cormorants of the Apocalypse.
This glossy rook was in a field near the path to the Hide Bay Hide.
I couldn't resist snapping his glossy behind!
A distant view of the goosander pair.
A dunnock near the Visitor Centre.
At the Layer Breton causeway we were treated to this mute swan in battleship mode!
Even the mallards are fleeing.
A moorhen stays clear of the action.
Ooer ........... a very happy New Year to you both!
It's impossible to come here and not see greylag geese.
A coot gets stuck in to this apple.
This black-headed gull is showing early signs of breeding plumage.
Two beautiful female smews. Sadly, no male.
Finishing with this lovely pied wagtail.
That's all of it! Hope you all like these.
Pretty good start to 2018!
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
Very nice and I love your 1st stonechat picture.
What a nice way to start the New Year. A lovely set of photos Clare - I just love the Stonechats.
See my Flickr photos here
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Clare, A wonderful start to the new year! I especially love the Stonechats, the Greylags, the territorial Swan, the Coot with the apple, and the Wagtail at the end.
Kind regards, Ann
What a great set of photos Clare, love the Stonechats and some great flight shots too.
Lot to learn
i love stonechats too Clare, wonderful sightings and pics, thanks for the update, always lovely to see. Better luck with the Dartford next time, it's a bird on my wish list !
Great shots on both posts Claire, I bet the wind was wishtling across the water there its so open. I must get out this week.
Tony
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherryman/