Birding Days Out

Hillers Garden Centre, Alcester, Warks.

Getting used to the intricacies of my new camera body slowly but surely. It's been...

 

Six hours to wait for a train...what to do???

Six hours to wait for the train home, after attending a wedding in London.The wedding...

 

Photo session in Gloucestershire

Last Saturday I attended a photographic day at the Barn Owl Centre on the edge of...

 

"Yet more Pompey pics"

Wednesday at the beach.I am not sure what this juvenille G.B.B.gull was eating but...

 

"It's that man again" not Tommy Handley from I.T.M.A."

Went back to Budds farm to see if the Longtail duck was still there but she had...

 

A brilliant birding Sunday

Hi everyone, here is a blog- my first go at it, hope you enjoy! A 6am alarm is fine...

 

Icy Saturday at Abberton Reservoir

Hi all, I had a few hours a Abberton yesterday before the snow came, it was -2 but...

 

Martin Mere

Had a great day, thought I had lost the photos when my card played up, but I got...

 

Thanks to the ISB communiuty and a day out in Northumberland.

Firstly thanks to everyone for making a newcomer to the community so welcome. Your...

 

"Baffins Pond & Eastney Beach"

The pond has been given an award for one of the most favourite spots in Portsmouth...

 

Hillers Farm Shop/ Garden Center

Hi,decided to visit Hillers to-day,the weather wasnt promising,but still decided...

 

Just a few more from Martin Mere Trip - A range I guess.

A mixed bag of pictures-to give more of a taster-hope you enjoy.

 

Ospreys

Have just returned from a short break in the Aviemore area, a highlight of which...

 

814 Photos!!

I was lucky enough recently to make a first visit to Slimbridge in Gloucestershire....

 

Lady luck and the Golden plovers

For the last week not only has the sun been shining, producing the most stunning...

 

Two hours at Hillers

Only had a couple of hours to spare yesterday so I wasn't expecting too much but...

 

The Canadian Regiment at The Battle of Upton Warren 2012.

I don't very often bother with these birds but as there wasn't much going on today...

 

Belvide Reservoir, Brewood, Staffs.

I've been a member of the West Midlands Bird Club for a few years but had never visited...

 

A trip out

I decided to make the most of a bright, sunny morning by taking a trip to one of...

 

Purple Sandies 18/12/2011

As the weather was pretty good today I decided to take Jess to Ogmore for a quick...

 

A Day at Barnes

I had planned to visit the London Wetlands Centre on Sunday 11th December 2011 notwithstanding...

 

PEACE in the camp

It is fun to sometimes watch nature. At Martin Mere there are a number of flamingoes...

 

A bus ride to Coltishall

I live near the Norfolk Broads, but I do not have a car, so I have to try and get...

 

PUFFIN FANTASTIC

Hi All I am new to this site, I would like to share some photos taken recently on...

 

On "Seafari"

On Saturday 24 March, the final day of my 4-day "DIY" birdwatching break, I arrived...

 

A rare sunny day - part one - "Never shy"

The weather men once again promised wall to wall sunshine, so 9am found me on the...

 

The family, Black swan

It is ten years since I first visited Martinmere and I have seen some wonderful sights....

 

Martin Mere Saturday 25th

Not a bad day at all except in the swan hide when the windows were open-arctic winds...

 

A Morning at Arne

After spending time photographing books and book-worm holes for a private library...

 

More from Sunny Martin Mere

The light really was friendly as you have seen on an earlier blog with the swans....

 

Happy New Year to you ALL

Hi there-been away quite a while. A mixture of Holidays and illness but both seemed...

 

Whitacre Heath Nature Reserve, North Warks.

Haven't been here for more than a year but a couple of visits this week were well...

 

Wat Tyler Country park, Essex

Well...been thinking about starting a blog for some time now to try & capture...

 

EYEBROOK....... A LITTLE HIDDEN GEM.

The Eyebrook fishing reservoir is a little trout fishing reservoir situated on the...

 

Middleton RSPB-Revisited....Again!

As the weather was good this morning I visited Middleton RSPB,mainly to try out my...

 

Slimbridge WWT Visit

Having had to go down to Surrey last weekend for a few days, Jess and I decided to...

 

Martin Mere 30 Oct 2011

Having looked at Malcolm's recent blog I thought a day at Martin Mere would be worthwhile...

 

Coming in to Roost at Martin Mere

Sunday 16th October 2011 I managed to get to Martin Mere late this afternoon, just...

 

Our Day Out

Mike, Phil, Mark and myself met up at Martin Mere yesterday (Saturday). It was a...

 

Knypersley reservoir [what's left of it!]

Alan and myself paid a visit to Knypersley reservoir near Biddulph,Staffs,this afternoon,in...

 

Early February with the Herons at Verulamium

First February visit to see how the Herons are progressing. The Abbey at St Albans...

 

22 Hides and Nature Trails.....

I,d like to take you for a walk around Rutland Water my favourite place and where...

 

Missed opportunities!

Evening fellow bird lovers! I thought I would share my despair with you all! during...

 

Greenwich Peninsula Ecology Park

This bank holiday Monday we has a walk around the Greenwich Peninsula Ecology park...

 

Hares looking at you...

An early start at Martinmere meant that we arrived before closing. It was a bright...

 

A good day out

In between showers this weekend I had a flying visit to a local place, The Wolseley...

 

Chiffs n' Willows

Hi everyone, just a quick blog to share some escapades from Easter Sunday. In between...

 

Upton Warren in the wind and rain.

The rain was forecast but I hadn't expected the wind and cold. I spent two hours...

 

"Langstone Harbour"

Langstone harbour lies between Portsmouth and Hayling island and during the winter...

 

A rare sunny day - part 2 "Once Bittern"

Mere sands wood is a reserve owned by the Wildlife trust and lies approximately two...

 

A Very Grey Day At Upton Warren

After the warm sunny day on Sunday we are back to the overcast and very grey. This...

 

Martin Mere with Psilo 19/02/12

I met up with Psilo (Annette) for a few hours last Sunday to photograph the birds...

 

Wonderful mooch around Whitacre Heath reserve

It was 1pm, cold & overcast but a last minute decision was made by the other...

 

Just a few more fill ins from that Martin Mere trip

Various pics :-)

 

Fishers Green Lee Valley

I managed to get out for a couple of hours this afternoon, and went down to fishers...

 

Hillers in January

Another trip to Hillers on a sunny January morning. Chaffinch. Blue Tit. Chaffinch. Male...

 

Slapton Ley Devon.

Hi all, Today was a bit dull and dismal so we decided on a drive out in the car....

 

Boxing Day at Blashford

The water was very quiet, but there was plenty activity in the woods. Unfortunately...

 

Walk out

I thought I'd have a walk around Westport Lake this morning, 1) while the sun was...

 

A look back over the year

There's been some highlights over the last year, Some great days out and some nice...

 

Slimbridge Wetlands Centre

I went to Slimbridge last Saturday with the aim of capturing some images of the recently...

 

A tantalising glimpse

Took a trip up to Whitfield valley nature reserve near to Smallthorne,Staffs,just...

 

Forest Farm 17/10/2011

Just a short Forest Farm blog for you all today. The forest was alive in comparison...

 

Upton Warren-Water Rail Hide

Due to work commitments havnt been around for 3 weeks,so the camera has lay dormant,However...

 

"The old shingle jetty again".

Arrived as the tide was on the ebb and within half an hour the mud banks were exposed.It's...

 

Kenfig Nature Reserve Visit 23/09/2011

Having never been to the nature reserve at Kenfig and having heard good things, not...

 

Hillers Farm Shop/ Garden Center

Apart from going to Upton Warren another place i visit is Hillers.Hillers is a Farm...

 

Upton Warren-Water Rail Hide

Had a couple of hours to spare.went down to UW.popped into the carpark hide,the work...

 

"Escape from the Jungle"

Getting ready to leave the "jungle" Cameras' ready,all in a bundle. I'm walking down...

 

Stanborough Lakes 16 Feb 2011

First trip out for almost a week ... #01 #02 #03 #04 #05 #06 #07 #08 #09

 

My first bird hide visit of 2011

I have decided I will get out and about more this year and visit the local bird hides.....The...

 

Pelicans in St James's park

I have seen the Pelicans in St James’s park before, but they have always been...

 

What I see when walking my Dog!

Inspired by sixpence, I thought I would do a walk through with photos,of the sites...

 

My recent canal walk in Stoke on Trent

I live about half a mile walk from a canal and last week I decided to walk along...

 

An urban landscape teeming with amazing wildlife

Hi All Had an amazing afternoon at RSPB Dearne Valley – Old Moor Just thought...

 

Taking Toil

Having arrived at work to find there was very little for me to do, which is very...

 

Middleton RSPB

Had an un-expected 1/2 day from work today,so decided to go to Middleton. Not expecting...

 

Greylake 12 Apr 2012

I woke up early, so I went out early. My destination was the RSPB reserve at Greylake...

 

Easter Date with a Grand Old Lady

I set off early yesterday morning (Easter Sunday) to the Scottish Wildlife Trust's...

 

Seabird Cities - A Day Out with Guillemots at St Abbs Head

During a recent 4-day break, I spent a marvellous day along the clifftops of this...

 

New reserve.

Went to a nature reserve which was new to me & was not disapointed.Heres just...

 

More from Upton Warren

Saturday promised a change from fog to sunny intervals but never managed better than...

 

Hillers - South Midlands

I have seen so many great photos, submitted by our Midlands friends, and taken from...

 

Not only swans fly at Martin Mere

Whilst the swans took up the space at feeding time-the Common Shelduck also tried...

 

More Martin Mere

Well it was a great day, like Mike said, the light wansn't the best, so we made use...

 

Upton Warren 26th and 27th December 2011 - Cetti's Warbler again!

I found this interesting site when I typed Upton Warren into Google and have seen...

 

A day at the Mere , Scarborough

A popular spot in summer and in the lea of Olivers Mount Motorcycle circuit the winter...

 

A grand day out

Spent a great day yesterday with Alan,Mike and Muddy at Martin Mere.A smashing place,made...

 

Martin Mere October 1st - Red Crested Pochard

There is quite a bit to put in after yesterdays trip so I will start off with these...

 

Marsh Harrier at Marshside

After spending a couple of hours at RSPB Marshside, I was heading back to the car...

 

Upton Warren-Water Rail Hide

Hi,went down to Upton Warren this morning.walked up from carpark to the Water Rail...

 

"A good day at the old jetty"

A lovely sunny day and good birding at the old shingle jetty in Langstone harbour....

 

RSPB Cymru Reserves Roadtrip (22nd-24th July 2011) Part Three

We awoke on the third day to the gorgeous views of the bay at Borth-y-Gest, and after...

 

Tardibigge Locks

For only the second time in the four years that I have lived in this area I walked...

 

Waders galore at Blacktoftsands Hi

Hi had a busy start to the week,so just got round to doing this blog & uploading...

 

Visit to Berry Head

Hi my friend and i decided to visit Berry Head to try and catch the Guillemots. The...

 

How about a few Owls and friend

At Martin Mere the Raptor people had a show going which included a few owls and also...

 

Westport lake

I am taking advice from some of my learned friends on the site and sticking a few...

 

Martin Mere day out July 23rd

A great day it was-weather beautiful-Company Great (Muddy, Alan-a friend of ours...

 

RSPB Reserve Fairburn Ings , Yorkshire.

Have intended to visit many times as we drive up and down A1 and pass the large cooling...

 

Two days with the Herons, both less than 15 minutes from home.

Over the years my hobbies and interests have changed while my 55 year interest in...

 

Ospreys at Loch DOON

Our local newspaper has reported the sighting of an osprey at Loch Doon which is...

 

Hot House Slimbridge

 

"Chick Flicks"

Have been posting some bird pics from a wildlife centre we visited yesterday. This...

 

visit to new galloway forest

spent a great day in the forest.the bird variety is astounding.we saw buzzards,crossbills,great...

 

A Tail from the Riverbank

The Riverside Cafe was a scene of tranquility…......... ..That is, until...

 

Seabirds at Bempton Cliffs RSPB Reserve , East Yorks.

Arrived hoping to see Puffins as they return to breed from May to July their colourful...

 

Return to Upton Warren to check the Grebe nest.

Despite the recent wind, rain and rising water levels the Great Crested Grebe was...

 

Getting bigger

Last Sunday I was itching to go back and see how all the youngsters were doing at...

 

Spring

The sun is out i must leave work and meet Simon, Lee, Tony and Derek at Fort Hommet....

 

26th February 2012 - Rousse and Grande Havre, Guernsey

These dawn starts are getting earlier by the week- excellent! This Sunday we meet...

 

A good day for obliging birds ?

Went out yesterday to a new resrve but could not find it,so decided to go to the...

 

Snettisham Lagoons

My first birding blogg. OH and I have just had a short three day break in Norfolk....

 

A day out at Kingsbury Water Park

Just a few pics from my day out at KWP. Last but not least................... Taken...

 

Birding in Burnham

After what appears to be a long spell quiet on the birding front, I had a weekend...

 

Bank Holiday Birding in Exeter, August 27-30th 2011

For bank-holiday weekend Jess and I stayed at her parent's in Exeter. Luckily for...

 

Upton Warren Nature Reserve

This nature reserve is situated on the A38,just out side Bromsgrove,it is opposite...

 

PART TWO OF Westport - a Dull Day

Photos do not always have to be great or even good. As long as they provoke a memory...

 

RSPB Cymru Reserves Roadtrip (22nd-24th July 2011) Part One

Knowing that we were unlikely to be going abroad this year for holidays I convinced...

 

Borrowpit Lake.

All quite today,not much going on.Decided to have a go at practicing fast shutter...

 

Our time has come !

We have a favourite spot on the River Derwent as it drops off the North York moor...

 

Tameside Nature Reserve,Tamworth.

A trip around a nature reserve which is a few yards from a busy by-pass and a housing...

 

Titchfield Haven,Hill Head,Hampshire.24-06-11

Visitors Centre. The first of three hides on the west side of the reserve. Pumfrett...

 

"Lay, Lady, Lay"

Yesterday, I drove up to the Scottish Wildlife Trust's reserve at Loch of the Lowes,...

 

Chance to watch Herons

The pictures are mine from an earlier visit. The text is from BBC Herts & Beds. http://tinyurl.com/5w9z53g The...

 

Death on the Canal

Sorry, but, unlike Bulbaholic, cannot report from the Nile, hence the title! :-) On...

 

A winters day at Westport Lake

Westport Lake is just 15 minutes from where I live so its a great place to nip to...

 

A Favourite Place

I thought that I would share with you my favourite local spot for walking, nature-watching,...

 

Claythorpe Mill

After spending Thursday with my son who was on holiday at Saltfleet near Mablethorpe,...

 

A place to go

I recommend Rainham Marshes for all you twitters. Easy to get to and parking no problem...

 

West Hagley Falconry

On a recent dismal afternoon I decided to visit the Falconry at West Hagley. I had...

 

Geese in flight

I wanted to put in some practice ahead of my trip to NW England next week. I've...

 

Shapwick Heath

I went to Shapwick Heath, on the Somerset Levels, this morning and braved the chilling...

 

The Red Kite Feeding and Rehabilitation Centre.

http://www.gigrin.co.uk/index.html Last weekend we joined up with some MG friends...

 

August bank holiday 2011

We took advantage of the good weather and headed to Barton broad, it took a while...

 

frampton marsh

just a few photos taken outside vistor centre at frampton marsh rspb on 24th aug...

 

SLIMBRIDGE

I recently had the pleasure of visiting this location. Here are a few snaps and my...

 

Egrets R Us

Sorry I haven't yet managed to get round to putting part 3 of the RSPB Reserves road...

 

RSPB Cymru Reserves Roadtrip (22nd-24th July 2011) Part Two

We set out from staying the night in Colwn Bay early the next morning and headed...

 

Whitby,North Yorkshire.

Again,putting piccies on blog. Not many birdy pics,but they do need ID'ing lol. I've...

 

Adventures in Birding

I recently popped into the Gilfach Reserve just up past Rhayader, and within ten...

 

Titchfield Haven.29-06-11

"Reflections" "Take a second look." "Nest Box" "The Young Ones" Mediterranean...

 

White Crowned Sparrow

We frequently visit the small village of Cley next the sea on the coast mainly because...

 

Birds on the Norfolk broads

We had a day out on the broads.I was so pleased to see so many young birds this year

 

Middleton Lakes RSPB Reserve.

Hi Everyone, This site was opened on the weekend of 14/15 may. it was kept low-key...

 

Middleton Lakes Nature Reserve

Hi all ISAB's ,Just a quick blog tosay that the above reserve is now open!! It is...

 

Me & Mikes day out

A little blog to brighten up your day This is how Mike gets his close up head shots.... He's...

 

Shelducks in Flight

When I arrived at Martin Mere last Wednesday my first thoughts were to call Muddy...

 

Martin Mere -= Red Crested Pochard

It was a great Sunny day last Sunday and with Alan and Mark for company it was pleasurable...

 

Martin Mere Wildlife Photography Course

A while ago I booked myself onto a 6 hour Wildlife Photography course at Martin Mere,...

 

Lunch at Martin Mere.

I spent a couple of hours at Martin Mere this afternoon, getting to grips (photographically)...

 

Nostalgic photos for Bonkersbon

A very cold windy day in Northumberland BB....all the ponds still frozen and not...

 

Walk in the Culbins

Friends from Edinburgh stayed with us overnight and before they went home we took...

 

A Trip Along The Basinstoke Canal

I live very close to the Basingstoke Canal and go along it several times a week....

 

Farlington Marshes.

All the usual birds there today, the Pintails have moved onto the reserve on the...

 

Trip to Ireland

Hi Gang, I've just returned from a trip to Ireland to visit my Wife's family and...

 

Patience IS a virtue!!

Went out today,in between showers!! I know we need the rain,but it does hold up photo...

 

Yesterday at Doxey

It was a lovely afternoon but a busy one and it would have been 6pm turned by the...

 

"The Egret has landed"

Just one has returned so far to Baffins pond,but always great to see them perched...

 

Upton Warren, The Moors Pool.

Decided to try my luck at the Moors Pool today and wasn't disappointed. Although...

 

Gannet City - Troup Head

I am sure I posted a blog about the RSPB reserve at Troup Head in Aberdeenshire last...

 

Upton Warren Flashes again

It's been a very successful breeding season for the Avocets this year with more than...

 

Day Out

I hope the Kingfishers are out....... I am off down the M6 and M5 on Saturday (weather...

 

Birds of Prey centre.

Hi all, We all went out to Fermoys garden centre this afternoon, this is on the Newton...

 

A walk round Stover park.

Hi, Recently Sue and i drove the 5 miles or so to Stover Country park.This park is...

 

The Thames at low tide

Hello, We have just come back from a short walk along the Thames and am going to...

 

Little Walk

The sun came out around 6pm so I thought I'd take a walk around Westport Lake. I...

 

Some Birds from yesterdays trip with Alan

The trip was a great and fun trip. I expected far more seabirds at South Stack (they...

 

Upton Warren N.R., Wychbold, North Worcs.

I thought some of you might be interested to know more about this splendid site so...

 

This weekend day out

Saturday. Myself, Mike and Phil are looking for a venue. Looking at maybe Middleton...

 

A day out - if you fancy it

Alan T and I have been talking for some time as to how good it would be if a "few"...

 

Alan has a day out in Anglesea

Beautiful day and more photos to follow but this is a record of Alan's day out. NOW...

 

Best time for waders at Blacktoft sands.

Hi Mike sorry i ommitted to tell u when the photographs were taken 31/07/2011,But...