SHETLAND EXPOSURE

2012-02-07T21:00:00.009Z

Winter Woodcock . . .

The chase was on - for the last two days Phil and I have attempted to track down and photograph one of Britain's most iconic bird species in Suffolk - the Woodcock! We searched for Woodcock in open areas of sparse broad-leaved woodland, with the sudden snow fall on Saturday night Woodcock were tamer than usual and not hard to find. Once we found some (8+ in total) it was a case of getting into various freezing cold positions (hoping they didn't fly off as we approached - 70% did) and then waiting silently as they fed and came closer. Of course 75% of shots were of unfavourable light direction, obligatory twigs between me and the bird etc etc the usual stuff, but we were pretty pleased with the 25% achieved - a small selection of which is here. We also scraped areas, removing the snow so the Woodcock could feed more easily, which they did. They consumed large quantities of earthworms and it was a real insight into their feeding behaviour and movements! I've never seen Woodcock so well and indeed it is a dream bird for me and one i've always wanted to photograph so it really was a red letter day!

2012-02-05T22:58:00.007Z

Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Last night, after a Winter lacking in the magic white stuff, 6 inches of snow fell on Suffolk! So of course the day involved ringing and photography. Phil spring trapped a Black-headed Gull and Common Gull on our shed roof and then we spent time out locally where I photographed Yellowhammers and a good thrush mix of Song Thrush, Redwing, Blackbird and Fieldfare. The sudden harsh weather conditions forced these birds onto garden berry bushes where they frantically removed hundreds of berries, totally unfazed by humans walking past along the pavements and thankfully - me with my lens! A great snow day!

2012-02-05T22:22:00.008Z

'Up Helly Aa' 2012

On the 31st January I enjoyed a special event in Lerwick, that of the famous 'Up Helly Aa' fire festival, a real taste of Shetland which attracts folk from all over the world on the last Tuesday of January each year. . .here are a few of the many images I took during the evening procession through the streets of Lerwick, starting yards from my front door! I look forward to many more Up Helly Aa's in the future! If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend it.

2012-02-03T23:41:00.010Z

Icelandic Invasion!
A few images from Lerwick harbour where I had at least 46 Iceland Gulls,2 Glaucs and 2 Kumliens Gulls. Great to be able to enjoy some of the recent unpresidented influx of White Winged Gulls in Shetland this Winter. . . .

Iceland Gull

Above: A Kumliens Gull . . . .

More Icelands . . . .

Glaucous Gull in Flight . . .

2012-01-23T13:12:00.003Z

'A Fair Isle Season' Illustrated talk . . . .

Huntingdonshire Local RSPB Group 'A Fair Isle Season' illustrated talk by Rebecca Nason.

When?

25th January 2012

Where?

The Free Church, Market Hill, St Ives, Cambridgeshire

What time?

7:30pm

Adults £3.00 Group Members Free

Please do come along! The slideshow presentation lasts for approximately 2 hours with a tea/coffee break half way through . . .. . .mounted prints and greeting cards available as well as a raffle . . . . . .

2012-01-18T22:44:00.003Z

I will be giving a talk: 'A Fair Isle Season' - working, birding and photography at Britain's premier birding hotspot - tomorrow night!

When?

19th January 2012

Where?

Woodbridge Community Hall - Woodbridge - Suffolk

What time?

7.30pm start

Please do come along - all welcome! £2 adults, children under 16 free . . . .

Tea & Coffee, Raffle, Greeting Cards & Print Sales . . . .

2012-01-12T16:56:00.005Z

Well Hampshire has been kind to us since the new year, providing us with 2 extremely attractive birds to add to our British Lists (making January a 3 tick month!) - the American Dark-eyed Junco which we saw in the New Forest a few days ago & the long staying Spanish Sparrow we enjoyed yesterday in a dense hedge in Calshot! So the year has got off to a cracking start, we can only wish it carries on like this throughout the Winter and into the Spring! What will be next!? A few record shots taken shown here..............

2012-01-02T11:52:00.005Z

Rebecca Nason Photography Feature - Birdwatch Magazine

January 2012

I am delighted to be the 'Featured Photographer' in the 'Bird Art & Photography' section of Birdwatch magazine - January issue 235, a lavish 5 page article with some of my latest artistic photographic work with accompanying descriptions & tales from the field!

2012-01-02T11:32:00.007Z

1st January 2012

Western Sandpiper

What better way to see in the new year than a trip to Norfolk for a British tick - the long staying Western Sandpiper (pictured). The weather was dreary and overcast but it was refreshing to be out in the coastal air and with our successful tick under our belts along with a host of year ticks, we enjoyed lunch in the visitor centre before returning home. It was good to see so many familiar faces in the hide too! Happy New Year! ;-)

2011-12-20T22:04:00.004Z

MERRY CHRISTMAS

BEST WISHES

FROM

REBECCA NASON

2011-11-26T12:13:00.004Z

Thank you to the Chelmsford - Essex Wildlife Trust group for inviting me to give my 'A Fair Isle Season' talk on the 24th November and for such a warm welcome and large turn out (after a less than enjoyable journey there!) . . . . a great evening . . . .

2011-11-24T15:23:00.005Z

Thank you to all from the 'Wensum Valley Birdwatching Society' who came to my first talk of the winter 'A Fair Isle Season - working and birding at Britain's premier birding hotspot' at Weston Longville Village Hall in Norfolk on the 17th November. A great turn out and very warm welcome! THANK YOU!

2011-11-24T15:08:00.006Z

On a recent trip to London and with dull, overcast skies, I headed into a couple of parks near Richmond for some opportunistic shots! I was not disappointed with the outcome as the parks were alive with wildlife! I took some pleasing images of Red Deer, including a few frisky looking rutting stags with bracken on their enormous antlers, Fallow Deer, Ring-necked Parakeets & Grey Heron to name a few! I look forward to returning here when the weather conditions improve, perhaps in snow or a misty morning for more dramatic atmospheric shots . . . .

2011-10-20T08:10:00.003+01:00

Fair Isle Farewell

A very tame Lapland Bunting spent a good few days around the plantation area, joined by Meadow Pipits and Skylarks after I put some grain down. . . . .these are a few of the shots I took before we departed back to the mainland for a couple of days in our house, followed by Glasgow and then back to Suffolk . . . . .;-(

2011-10-09T16:13:00.014+01:00

LESSER SCAUP

A First for Fair Isle!

07/10/11

2011-10-06T10:13:00.008+01:00

High Flyers . . . .

Strong winds and rain have made birding and photography somewhat difficult on Fair Isle for the last couple of days. However Wednesday saw the Hawfinch still at The Haa, a smart Yellow Wagtail with Turnstones on fields adjacent to South Harbour and several flocks of Whooper Swans battling the elements over the Island, along with Greylags, Pink-feet and Barnacle Geese. A highlight was watching a Short-eared Owl in Da Water which flew over the sea before landing to roost in long grasses below the school. Other birds included a Yellow-browed Warbler, Whinchat, Northern Wheatear, Dunlin and 4 Red-breasted Mergansers. The Island is generally very quiet for migrants! We need a change in wind and birding fortune this week! However it's great just being here with friends, enjoying crofting life at Burkle with fresh eggs daily, homemade soups and baking, pig slaughtering and butchery, getting cuddles from George the cat (who hates going outside luckily!), lots of tea drinking and the odd Tennants!

2011-10-04T13:02:00.008+01:00

Autumn Platinum . . . .

The weather continued to be uncharacteristically 'summery' on Shetland & we spent many hours eagerly notching up more and more garden ticks in our new Lerwick garden! The list now stands at a modest 54. . . . . 1st October started incredibly well with not 1 but 3 Hawfinch appearing in the Hawthorn tree before breakfast followed by a Yellow-browed Warbler and then a Barred Warbler - not a bad start and above our Autumn hopes of what the garden might produce! However the best was yet to come on the 2nd with a very brief appearance of an Olive-backed Pipit on the freshly mowed lawn thanks to Chas & Alan who saw it drop in from the living room window! Chas later had an OBP at Helendale & Phil & I had a smart Citrine Wagtail overhead during a walk about or new 'Lerwick circuit'. Later that evening we also had presumably the same bird over the garden . . .taking our garden list to dizzy rarity heights we had not anticipated. It just makes us think . . . what else is to come!!? and if we are getting these birds in one Lerwick garden, what's dropping in or passing through so many others . . .

A trip to Bressay on Sunday morning produced 8 Yellow-browed Warblers. We dipped the Alpine Swift on several occasions but caught up with the Isabelline Shrike at Levenwick with 2 Yellow-browed Warblers nearby. We are now on Fair Isle staying with Hollie & Deryk at Burkle along with Micky Maher - it's great to be back!. The flight in was touch and go with increasing winds and driving rain but somehow we did make it in, even though it was the rockiest Fair Isle descent to the airstrip we've ever experienced. I photographed a very approachable Hawfinch at The Haa in the later afternoon gales but birding is pretty difficult as it standing up right now in those winds . . . .

Below are a few images from our Autumn adventures so far . . . .

Below: RIP: Siberian Blue Robin (from Foula) Hawfinch, View from North Shetland, Pallid Harrier, Rough Fair Isle sea, Grey Seal, Black-headed Bunting.

2011-09-29T18:07:00.007+01:00

SHETLAND - AUTUMN 2011
Autumn Gold . . . .

Last week saw us gain an unexpected 'large' British tick during our stay with friends in Glasgow - we caught up with the Sandhill Crane near Fraserburgh some 4 hr drive further north - quite a bird! Blackdog on the beautiful Aberdeenshire coast saw us scan and eventually catch up with the Black Scoter as well as Surf Scoter, Arctic Skua and Little Gull. Our first day on Shetland saw us catch up with the Pallid Harrier near Quendale, this 'oiled' bird flew a few feet over our car at one point giving superb views! We are currently enjoying our new house and garden in Lerwick and birding around Shetland. Our garden list now stands at a modest 40 and we have ringed several Garden Warblers and Blackcaps! Today we headed over to Unst and caught up with the Black-headed Bunting as well as going to view the Lesser Grey Shrike a second time on the mainland. A couple of Yellow-browed Warblers during our many hours searching in the field and a few Mealy Redpoll keep things ticking over nicely in what has been a gorgeously warm Autumn day. . . . .

Below: Surf scoter first left, Black Scoter far right.

Sandhill Crane.

2011-08-22T16:08:00.007+01:00

BIRDFAIR 2011

REBECCA NASON PHOTOGRAPHY
I have just returned home after what turned out to be a very enjoyable & highly successful British Birdwatching Fair 2011. I once again held a stand - Rebecca Nason Photography - AM 9 in the Art Marquee displaying many new images & older favourites, both mounted & framed alongside new style canvases and large photo-boards. Thank you to all those who popped in over the 3 days! I am now going through photo orders this week before preparing for another photo-based trip to Shetland & another exhibition in Norfolk. If you have any queries regarding Rebecca Nason Photography images or wish to purchase prints seen at the Birdfair or on my website, please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be updating my website over the next few days, including the Birdfair 2011 category.

Very best wishes, Rebecca ;-)

2011-07-08T11:55:00.002+01:00

MINI MOUSE!

A little 'Harvest Mouse' . . . .a recent image taken before another Shetland bound adventure!

2011-07-08T10:08:00.004+01:00

July 'Marsh Frog' Photo Shoot . . . . . .

2011-06-24T08:21:00.007+01:00

June Chicks

It has been a busy month with travels between Suffolk and Shetland as we get to grips with our amazing new Shetland house and new life to come! Alongside our Shetland visit and busy photographic commissions, we have had a large number of Suffolk birds to ring with many nests reaching the 'ring-able chick stage' in the last 2 weeks. . . .oh and of course there was the White-throated Robin 'twitch' which saw me parachute down from the Air Canada flight from Manitoba and land jet-lagged but happy in Hartlepool . . . .

Photo's here show 2 tiny Reed Warbler chicks, an 'unusual' Barn Swallow angle, a Sand Martin, House Martin (a ringing tick for me!), me with an adult Little Owl (a chick I ringed yesterday was another ringing tick for me!) a dodgy shot of the White-throated Robin and one of my favourite 'Bison' shots from Manitoba!

2011-06-12T00:23:00.003+01:00

Magic Manitoba!

I have just returned from an incredible week of birds and mammals in the prairie lands and mountains of Manitoba - Canada. The whole trip exceeded my highest expectations and I would highly recommend this superb location for birding and photographic holidays ;-) We had 161 species throughout the week and a good number of mammals including Bison, Black Bear, Moose, Elk, Beaver, Musk Rat, 13 Striped Ground Squirrel . . the list goes on. . . .here are a few of my favourite shots from my Canadian experience.

to be continued . . . . .

2011-05-23T20:56:00.006+01:00

Shetland Exposure takes on a whole new meaning!

Phil and I are delighted to be the proud owners of a superb house in Shetland! We can't wait to make it our permanent abode sometime soon . . . . . . .;-)

2011-05-13T19:34:00.014+01:00

Lesvos - May 2011

Travelling Naturalist Wildlife Holidays

Phil and I have just returned from an excellent week in Lesvos leading a group of 6 for the Travelling Naturalist. We think this year's trip was the best to date with the West coast dripping in migrants, the salt-pans teeming with marsh terns and waders, the hills scattered with numerous Orchids just in flower & the quality and time spent out birding and sharing these delights with 6 happy clients was a real treat. Thanks to Jed, Margaret, John, Pam, Angie & Trevor for making the trip such a fun and successful one. Here are some of the images taken on this year's Lesvos tour. . . . .

Red-rumped Swallow & a Ruff, Little Ringed Plover, Squacco Heron, Yellow Bee Orchid, Wild Orange Tulip, Hobby, Great Reed Warbler & a Crown Anemone.

2011-04-29T21:43:00.003+01:00

LIFE: BIRDS 'N' FOOD

Advert below taken from the FIBO wardens blog - come on what could be better than cooking meals for FIBO staff, hungry happy birders and Island visitors, then birding Fair Isle on your days off!
'Cook Wanted

The new season is almost upon us and the staff are all in place, almost. Although we are being superbly fed by Chris, Becki, Lindsey and Susannah (and apologies to anyone I've missed off the list), we still need a full time cook for the season.
Duties for this post include preparing menus, ordering stock, managing staff and cooking for up to 40 people on a set-time, set-menu basis.
The rewards are a modest salary, (board and lodgings and some transport costs to and from the island are met) and the opportunity to work in a fantasic environment in a friendly team. We require somebody with cooking experience, who is friendly, hard working and aware of the demands of living and working on a remote island.
If you would like to apply, or have any questions about the post, please contact Susannah at the observatory on fibo@btconnect.com or 01595 760258.

2011-04-29T19:16:00.006+01:00

A Tree Trunk Delivery!

More nest highlights, here with a very wide angle view down a tree trunk cavity to a nesting Tawny Owl which has just had 2 fluffy white chicks! You can see one chick clearly visible here. Also of note in the moth trap the other night, 2 Hawkmoths, a Lime and an Elephant, both the smallest I have ever seen!

2011-04-28T09:50:00.002+01:00

A lot of nest hunting going on at the moment! Nests found and being monitored so far include Tawny Owl, Little Owl, Robin, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff, Whitethroat, Linnet and as of yesterday, a Nightingale! Here are images of a brood of Robins which we ringed in their tree trunk nest cavity and a beautiful clutch of Blue Tit eggs. . . . . .

2011-04-13T09:28:00.011+01:00

'Two Men in a . . . . . . .Zodiac'

I visited Minsmere late afternoon yesterday for a long walk and it turned out, a spot of bird photography! It was a little windy but bright spells broke through the cloud briefly enabling me to get a few nice 'duck' shots. I was particularly pleased to see Shoveler, Teal and Gadwall move in to feed very close in to one of the hides, so after a short wait, I was full framing these gorgeous birds in warm afternoon sun with a constant Bittern booming backdrop.

The images of 'two men in a boat' just about tie in with the 'duck' theme. This is my partner Phil and our good friend Deryk attempting to catch ducks (well one in particular but we won't go there!) a couple of years ago in North Haven, Fair Isle. Deryk has a great new blog - post FIBO and here is the link so you can follow his new birding, family and crofting exploits! The Burkle Birder

2011-04-11T20:11:00.000+01:00

2011-04-11T18:21:00.007+01:00

Staying Local

Here on the Suffolk coast the weather has really changed over the last week producing borderline 'balmy' T-shirt & BBQ April days and clear blue skies. Winter seemed to last sooooo long, I don't think I've noticed the change to Spring so dramatically or enjoyed it so much before! The 3 Blackbird chicks have now fledged and often come into the garden for food fully independent of their parents and of course sporting the BTO bling they were given as nestlings. One of our ringing site Nightingales has returned, being re-trapped on the 10th April a day later than it was seen and re-trapped on it's return last Spring. An Osprey floated over the Deben Estuary this morning being chased by every Wader frequenting the estuary it seemed! (Phil). We now have over 50 nests being monitored locally, mainly Blackbird and Song Thrush but with the odd Chaffinch, Long-tailed Tit, Tawny Owl and Buzzard boosting the nesting species find list! Moth trapping began at the end of March with the usual suspects including small numbers of Common Quaker, Powdered Quaker, Hebrew Character, Herald, Early Grey, Satellite. . .still the cold nights are keeping the numbers down for now. The images shown here are of a Herald and Early Thorn.

The image of the helmet above is from the local Sutton Hoo Anglo-Saxon King Burial treasure, found in one of the burial mounds over looking the Deben Estuary back in 1939.

"The Sutton Hoo helmet has become possibly the most enigmatic and well known image of Anglo-Saxon Warrior Kingship. It was discovered in 1939 within the Mound 1 ship burial chamber and lay broadly level with the dead man's head. When the chamber roof collapsed the helmet shattered into tiny pieces. Its construction and design suggest it was a battle helmet capable of protecting its wearer from blows to the head. Attached to the iron skull cap is a face mask, with hinged cheek pieces and neck guard. The decorative feature on the front of the mask is made of gilded bronze in the form of a bird or dragon with outstretched wings (which cover the wearer's eyebrows)and tipped with gold and garnets. The body of the bird lies over the nose-piece, with tail feathers above the mouthpiece".

2011-03-28T18:18:00.010+01:00

'A Fair Isle Season' Illustrated Talk

by Rebecca Nason

Date:

29th March 2011

Place:

Nar Valley Ornithological Society

Barn Theatre

Sacred Heart Convent School

SWAFFHAM

Norfolk - PE37 7QW

Time:

7.30 -9.30pm

ALL WELCOME!

Look forward to seeing you there!

2011-03-26T21:56:00.005Z

Local Magic . . .

Caught up with a couple of very good birds locally on Friday 25th March. The highlight was seeing the Short-toed Treecreeper at Landguard amongst the Holme Oaks in the compound. Photography was difficult so only managed very brief record shots, but it was great to see it busily feeding and even calling a couple of times. Also got my first Wheatear of the Spring (saw 3 at Landguard) so pleased to get one in before April! Before Landguard we popped to Hollesley and saw the Great Grey Shrike. Also of note, on the 24th I got us another garden tick as a Yellowhammer flew calling overhead late afternoon . . .total still a fairly low 74 (since Jan 2009).

2011-03-20T23:13:00.002Z

Scallop Sculpture - Aldeburgh Beach

I came across some shots I took one very cold November day back in 2009 whilst out birding with my Auntie along the Suffolk coast. I really like this huge 4.1 x 4.6 x 4.25 metre stainless steel sculpture by Maggi Hambling which stands proudly as a permanent feature along Aldeburgh Beach between Thorpeness and Aldeburgh. It occasionally gets graffitied by idiots which is a shame, luckily it was at it's best in gorgeous warm November light when I saw it for the first time.

2011-03-19T15:31:00.011Z

Minsmere Magic

Yesterday Phil and I visited Minsmere RSPB reserve to see the adult Caspian Gull which had been reportedly frequenting the scrape area. Eventually we had good scope views of both an adult and 2nd year Caspian Gull before heading to the cafe for a cuppa and toasted sandwiches. Later we headed back onto the reserve where we had a smart male Hen Harrier towards Sizewell, several Marsh Tits in the woods and half a dozen Red-throated Divers at sea. I also photographed a few Common Snipe which came in shooting distance, I really love photographing these birds. The highlight of the day however, came with a large male Bittern who silently appeared through the reeds next to one of the hides and spent 20 minutes or so totally out in the open hunting for fish. Although it was a cold, overcast day and the light was fading in the late afternoon, the conditions made for more pleasing natural tones in both the reed habitat and the cracking Bittern plumage. I was pleased with the results. A first for me was seeing this Bittern drop into the water and swim off to fish in another area once he had worked the area near us. . . .quite something!

Also of note yesterday (18th March) we ringed 3 Blackbird chicks in the nest we have been monitoring in Woodbridge, Suffolk. The chicks were 9 days old and perfect for ringing. Quite an early nest and both the male and female (see previous post about 'our' ringed garden Blackbirds) have been frantically feeding the chicks on soaked mealworms we've been sprinkling about the patio. . . . .nothing like a bit of supplementary feeding to help these early birds!

2011-03-11T20:35:00.004Z

Felixstowe - Suffolk Sunset.

Thank you to the 70+ members and guests of the NW Bucks RSPB group who turned out last night to see my 'A Fair Isle Season' illustrated talk near Milton Keynes. I had a great night and was delighted with the turn out and so many positive comments made - a warm, friendly group who made me feel very welcome! I look forward to seeing some of you on Fair Isle sometime!

2011-03-09T07:51:00.003Z

'Totally Photographic'

I have a good selection of both framed and mounted images on display in the latest exhibition 'Totally Photographic' at the stunning 'Sea Pictures Gallery' in Clare, Suffolk.

"In line with the latest trends in the art world our first ever TOTALLY PHOTOGRAPHIC exhibition is now on and runs until 11th April. We have been selling photographs since we began but have not until now held an entire show devoted to this art. We hope you will enjoy it and that you will find the time to come in and see the works on display. They look stunning hung in the gallery and we have tried hard to give you space to stand and stare so you can lose yourself in the images."

Sarah & Alaric Pugh

To View Gallery Website Please Click Here!

2011-03-03T15:27:00.005Z

'A FAIR ISLE SEASON' - ILLUSTRATED TALK

I am delighted to be giving a talk to the Buckinghamshire RSPB group . . .please feel free to come along to listen to my Fair Isle tales . . .

Date

Thursday 10 March

Location

The Cruck Barn, City Discovery Centre, Bradwell Abbey, Milton Keynes

Time

Doors open 7.30 pm for 8 pm start

Price

Group Members £2.50, Non-Members £3.50, Children £1

For more information about this event

Telephone: 01908 669448

2011-03-03T15:24:00.001Z

www.birdingblogs.com

My latest post on birdingblogs showcases some of my Tawny Frogmouth images from Broome, Australia back in 2006. Do take a look . . . .

2011-02-23T21:54:00.011Z

Gettin Ratty . . .
The last few weeks have unfortunately seen very little time spent out in the field as I concentrate on a couple of commissions, some ecology work in the West country and a mound of computer work. However there have been a few interesting days of note. On the 14th Feb spring had sprung as we noted one of our garden Blackbirds (we ringed her in 2009) collecting nest material, quite a good early record! Here is a dodgy shot of her taken through the kitchen window. Unfortunately she is not nesting in our garden but was regularly coming in to collect vegetation. Phil later found her nest in Ivy against a wall of a driveway a few doors up from ours (Phil is a top nest finder!). On the 22nd February she had laid her first egg, probably during the night of the 21/22nd and in temperatures around 2 degrees celsius!

I have also been on a couple of 2011 twitches, one successful and the other a fine tip dip. I caught up with the Chipping Norton Oriental Turtle Dove, my first tick of the year, going two days in a row and seeing the bird on both occasions. I'd love to be posting some cracking full framers of this bird but I can't! I didn't get an opportunity at all to photograph it, managing okay binocular views on the first day and poor scope views on the second!

On Monday this week Phil and I casually made our way to Rainham Marshes hoping to jam in on the Slaty-backed Gull but it was not to be. After several hours scouring the HUGE area along the Thames and hundreds of gulls on the river, marsh and tip we realised we had indeed DIPPED. We met fellow Shetland/Manchester birder Jason Atkinson (gripping OTD pics on his blog at2h.blogspot.com!) whilst I was photographing some tidal rats (!) and fellow 'birdingblogs' author Martin Garner who kindly pointed out a few different ages of Yellow-legged Gulls present ;-)

A few flighty Water Pipits were also noted.

I love this last photo of the rat, look at his little token grey whisker on each cheek....ahhh.

2011-02-11T09:34:00.001Z

'A Taiwan Taster'

Check out my latest post on . . . . www.birdingblogs.com

2011-02-07T13:00:00.005Z

'British Birds'

Front Cover - February 2011

I have just received my February copy of 'British Birds' and was really thrilled to see my Long-eared Owl, taken on Fair Isle during October 2010 on the front cover! I have been busy of late producing work for a forthcoming exhibition (Sea Pictures Gallery, Suffolk) as well as 2 large photographic commissions based on Shetland. I have also been bird ringing locally with Phil and we have had a good success rate catching Redpolls with approx 100 birds caught since the new year. This year a good mix of Mealies and Lessers as well as a few British controls. Phil also ringed 5 Waxwings from a flock of 50+ in Melton.

2011-01-14T20:12:00.006Z

More Swedish Pics from my 2 days in the wonderful Black River Valley area of Svartådalen

2011-01-13T11:31:00.004Z

Sweden - Vastmanland

for 2 days!

I am just back from a superb last minute visit to Vastmanland in Sweden where I met up with good friend Swedish guide Daniel Green and spent all daylight hours photographing a variety of Swedish birds over just 2 days! I spent one day at a forest feeding station and then a full days hide work the second day for finches and my most wanted - the illusive Hawfinch. Here are a couple images 'hot' out of the memory cards after a very successful trip. I have a good number to go through over the next couple of days . . . . .thank you Daniel for another excellent visit to a wonderful part of Sweden!

2011-01-06T16:53:00.004Z

'Glorious Twelfth'

HOT BIRDING PURSUITS in 2010

By Rebecca Nason.

Latest posting now on the popular multi-authored blog below, please click to view!

www.birdingblogs.com

2011-01-06T16:38:00.005Z

2010-12-29T23:41:00.005Z

Next Talk . . . . 'A Fair Isle Season'

January 13th 2011 - RSPB Ipswich - Suffolk

Sidgate Lane Primary School @ 7.30pm

All Welcome ;-)

*Thank you to the RSPB Ipswich group for a warm welcome at last night's meeting and to over 100 people who came to see my talk. Many thanks!

2010-12-10T14:17:00.009Z

'A Fair Isle Season'

An illustrated talk for the Suffolk Wildlife Trust in Felixstowe. Life working at the Observatory as an Assistant Warden . . . .on Britain's remotest inhabited Island and birding mecca.

CANCELLED

Date:

21st December 2010

Location:

Broadway House, Orwell Road, Felixstowe, Suffolk

Time:

7.30pm

Cost:

£2.00 Entry Fee.

Contact:
Felixstowe Local Group 01394 670879

"Rebecca worked as Assistant Warden/Seabird Monitoring Officer on Fair Isle for the 2003 and 2004 season before returning to Cambridge and then Suffolk to continue working as a Freelance Bird Photographer, Tour Leader and Ecologist. Rebecca returns to Fair Isle, her second home, 2 or 3 times a year, in Spring and Autumn for migration and in the Summer to help with seabird ringing. Find out what life working at the famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory is like on Britain's remotest inhabited Island"

2010-12-10T14:13:00.002Z

Addicted to . . . Bird Art.

I have just uploaded my weekly blog posting to www.birdingblogs.com. This week I discuss my love of Morris prints and my latest purchase! Do take a look! www.birdingblogs.com

2010-12-04T18:08:00.003Z

BLOG POSTING - 4th DECEMBER 2010

I have just uploaded my belated weekly blog post to the NEW www.birdingblogs.com

This week I discuss some garden ringing exploits in 'Gull-ty Pleasure' - do take a look!

2010-12-04T18:00:00.009Z

Owls About That!

SOLD OUT

I was thrilled to have my image of a Barn Owl in flight used by the RSPB for one of their Christmas Cards this Winter. These festive cards are available in all RSPB shops and online in packs of 3 or 12 . www.rspb.org.uk

2010-11-26T11:48:00.004Z

MIDWINTER MAGIC

Sea Pictures Gallery - Clare - Suffolk

28th October - 24th December 2010

Throughout the last year or so I have been represented by 'Sea Pictures Gallery' run by Sarah & Alaric Pugh in the delightful village of Clare, Suffolk. There is currently an exciting Winter exhibition on in their warm, attractive gallery in the heart of Clare, Suffolk, of which I am one of a dozen or so artists whose work is currently being shown. 'Midwinter Magic' is running until Christmas, so please do pop in or see the gallery website here:

www.seapicturesgallery.com

2010-11-25T19:05:00.003Z

Leo Musings . . . I was recently asked to join a new & exciting multi-authored birding blog: www.birdingblogs.com

This highly successful world bird blog has been a real HIT during the first month of it's launch . . . I have just uploaded my 5th article called 'Leo Musings' please do take a look! I feel humbled to be a part of such an exciting project alongside other birding blog members from the bird world: Gunnar Engblom, Kenn Kaufman, Dawn Fine, Jeff Gordon, Rich Hoyer, Dale Forbes, Tom McKinney, Martin Garner, Gyorgy Szimuly & Susan Myers. . .

2010-11-13T17:02:00.008Z

'A FAIR ISLE SEASON' - ILLUSTRATED TALK by Rebecca Nason
DATE: 15th November
VENUE: The Bungay & District Sports Association Ground, Pirnhow Street, Ditchingham, SUFFOLK NR35 2RU
TIME: 7.00 p.m.

Rebecca worked as Assistant Warden/Seabird Monitoring Officer on Fair Isle for the 2003 and 2004 season before returning to Cambridge and then Suffolk to continue working as a Freelance Bird Photographer, Tour Leader and Ecologist. Rebecca returns to Fair Isle, her second home, 2 or 3 times a year, in Spring and Autumn for migration and in the Summer to help with seabird ringing. Find out what life working at the famous Fair Isle Bird Observatory is like on Britain's remotest inhabited Island!

2010-10-25T18:56:00.006+01:00

Arctic Trill

Today saw the arrival of more superb Waxwings which trilled over the Island & many filtered down to the Obs plantation in still, cool conditions this morning. With various trapping devices set up (thanks to Phil) & the shop cleaned out of apples, it was not long before the ringers amongst us were enjoying a good number of these birds in the hand - the days ringing total reached a very respectable 23! There must have been around 40+ Waxwing overall with a dozen or so at the Haa in the south. All these birds have been extremely confiding & have even been coming down to apples in the hand!

I went South after breakfast & reconnected with the Arctic Redpoll which was at the shop & then the School briefly where I obtained a few more pleasing pics. Alan Bull & Mark Newell left on the afternoon plane after their Autumn visit :-( & Simon returned from his day trip to the hospital following his fall during 'rough dancing' at the end of season/H&D retirement party. He has broken his foot in 3 places! Nasty! & is now sporting a very clean white cast which is crying out for graffiti - tomorrow if the Waxwings are about we will place Simon outside with an apple skewered on his big toe for the Waxwings to devour, I'm sure we'll have a Jackson Pollock masterpiece in no time! Talking of masterpieces I am now the proud owner of a Jack Ashton-Booth after he kindly drew me a cracking ittle Radde's Warbler following my find earlier this month - to see some of this talented, up & coming artists work please click on Jack Ashton-Booth's blog title from my list of blogs! I think Jack will have a busy Winter with various commissions he has recently taken on!

The other event of the day was that my 200-400mm VR Nikon which has rarely leaves my side these days has broken whilst photographing the Waxwings. The AF motor drive has bust meaning I can now only manually focus! Not good! But at least it's happened in the last third of the trip & not at the beginning!

2010-10-24T19:39:00.005+01:00

Mealy Magic - & that Horny Man!
Today (24th) started very slowly as it was the day after the night before - Hollie & Deryk's leaving/retirement party which went on until the early hours. It was a very enjoyable event with a lot of Islanders joining the Obs crowd for alcohol, alcohol, alcohol, dancing & merriment, coupled with a deep underlying sadness & much musing of the many good times had over the past 10 years with H&D at the helm. AW Simon managed to dance so hard he broke his foot - so it's not looking like a great end of the season for him! However we wheeled him into the ringing room for a smart adult Waxwing after breakfast & he is getting a good dose of pampering before going off for an Xray tomorrow (poor Simon!). Waxwings were shrilling outside the Obs at first light today & Phil mananged to trap 10 of them during the morning with walk in traps & apples (it was too windy for the nets). Several Northern Bullfinch were also seen & a smart male ringed. The Black-throated Thrush was present now in the company of a Ring Ouzel (pictured). Mealy Redpolls are still in residence in the south & this afternoon I finally managed to catch up with the snowball of an Arctic Redpoll at Shirva & then the shop - at last!! - though photographing it in strengthening NW winds was not the easiest!

2010-10-24T19:17:00.004+01:00

A Touch of Thrush
Yesterday seemed a quiet day with very few migrants on the Island. I headed south ahead of 'Sheep Hill' (rounding up all the hill sheep) to try & relocate the Arctic Redpoll (which I failed to do!). Mid-morning however, news filtered through that Deryk had just scored with a fine Black-throated Thrush near the Obs which was seen briefly but had flown off! This was greeted with much enthusiasm & hope of what else might have come in on the light Northerly winds, but more searching before lunch didn't bare more eastern fruit. I was just heading back to the Obs for lunch when I got a call from Phil to say he had relocated the Thrush near Double Dyke. After more searching, as it again was only seen briefly, the bird eventually gave itself up near finniquoy for the remaining Obs staff & guests to enjoy - a cracking 1st Winter male Black-throated Thrush (see record shots below). After lunch it was found in the Gully & was trapped, being brought back to the Obs for ringing & processing,. It was a lot smaller in the hand than in the field where it looks & holds itself more like a Fieldfare, it took a 'CC' ring, the same as a Redwing as the 'C' was too big! This handsome individual was seen again feeding alongside Meadow Pipits on the cliff-top grazing area around duckfield late afternoon & was still around today (24th).

2010-10-22T20:39:00.005+01:00

Arctic Dip . . .

I have managed to dip the Arctic Redpoll which has been showing on & off at the Haa & Utra on several occasions including this afternoon. In the face of defeat I concentrated on other key Fair Isle species including a perky Fair Isle Wren & more Mealy & Lesser Redpolls . Today saw the departure of our quiz master extraordinaire friend Martin & the Obs is now housing but a handful of birders, mainly staff & past ex-staff clinging onto a hopeful repeat of 2004 . . . . ;-) the autumn is surely not yet over . . . .

2010-10-22T11:58:00.004+01:00

A Perfect Storm . .
Birding has been quiet the last few days with daily reductions in common migrants & only a couple of elusive Arctic Redpolls giving a rarer flare to the mixed flocks of Common (Mealy) & Lesser Redpolls. Increasing northerly winds produced a scattering of northern Redwing & a few Waxwing but surely the highlight came on the 20th with the most incredible weather conditions I have ever experienced on Fair Isle! The day started very cold with purple-grey clouds building up out to sea, followed with a prolonged heavy burst of pea-sized hail & the odd bolt of lightning & thunder. In the afternoon, the Island still covered in hail stones, was shrowded in darkness as high winds & a full-on blizzard
arrived! Not very productive birding & photography weather! This extreme weather continued with a spectacular highlight in the form of 3-4 tornado style huge 'Water Spouts' seen out to sea from the South! These monster formations lasted for some minutes & you could see the water being whipped up & rotated a few hundred feet through binoculars. . . . .

2010-10-18T20:11:00.003+01:00

2010-10-17T09:45:00.010+01:00

A Rough Day in Paradise .
Friday saw intermittent showers & a cooler feel to the Island. Numbers of birds were down but the Little Bunting still frequented the Iris-filled ditches around the Haa & the Blyth's Reed Warbler was still enjoying the feeding frenzy with Chiffchaffs on South harbour beach. Friday also saw the arrival of friend's Lois, Martin Culshaw & Alan Bull :-)
Saturday was a superb day. It started with Phil tape luring in a whopping 67 Redpolls, the majority of which were Mealy but there were 8 Lessers amongst them. After ringing these fabulous birds the day progressed with a probable flyover OBP at double dyke just before news & then views of a harassed Rough-legged Buzzard which at one point hovered 15 ft above Phil at Setter! After lunch & photographing my first Waxwing of the Autumn along with a Yellow-browed Warbler in the Obs plantation, I walked to the back of Buness where I caught up with the King Eider ( a Fair Isle tick) before getting a lift to the south for the 2nd Rough-legged Buzzard of the day! I photographed a small flock of Siskin late afternoon which were very approachable & in beautiful light before heading to Busta for a smart Black Redstart. The highlight of the day however came with Simon's find of a stunning Red-flanked Bluetail between the airstrip & the mast! A knackering hike up the hill soon saw the assembled crowd enjoying great scope views as it sat looking back at us with the odd tail quiver & yawn on the hillside. A great way to the end day!

2010-10-14T20:15:00.004+01:00

Blyth's on the Beach

A fairly quiet & often overcast day but the highlight was spending time sat in South Harbour beach watching & photographing this smart Blyth's Reed Warbler as it fed up on insects on the seaweed with numerous Chiffchaffs (including at least 2 Tristis types). After the crowds had dispersed, I also had a brief moment with the Radde's, this time in much better light showing the apricot undertail coverts off nicely & the general warm plumage tones. Other notable birds today included 2 Slav Grebes in South Harbour, lots of Lap Bunts & a Little bunting. The Barred Warbler is still tucking into apples at the Haa.

2010-10-13T20:05:00.011+01:00

Tarts Tick!
Today has turned out to be a brilliant one for me. Firstly I enjoyed fabulous views of a superb Long-eared Owl in the shop garden. I had wanted to photograph another Long-eared Owl since 2004 when I was AW & had several sat about in the open during the season. This one today was my first photographable bird since that time! I photographed it firstly on the window sill of the shop greenhouse & after lunch returned to see it had moved to an attractive lichen covered rock outside the garden walls. Apart from getting irritated at a sheep which got a little too close for comfort, the owl sat fully exposed on the rock all afternoon, it's ears getting buffeted by the increasing winds. Delighted at the owl encounter I decided to head south & work a few crofts. I was soon at Schoolton & seeing the garden was being watched by a birder, moved along the outside of the garden to the crop below. As I worked through the crop I was nearly at the end when a small warbler flew up & landed for a second or two on a fence wire. With this brief view I knew at once I had a Dusky or Radde's, though I thought at that time it was more likely a Dusky. It flew fast towards Quoy and dropped into grass & out of view near the road. I called Phil who was with Deryk & beckoned over 3 birders (including Gary Taylor :-) I could see not far away. On arrival of Deryk & Phil we searched for the bird again. After a few minutes I relocated it at the back of Quoy. I had another brief view on a fence & this second glance gave better views to deduce that it was in fact a Radde's, something then confirmed by Deryk & Phil as it showed again for another brief moment behind quoy. This was a British tick for me & a bird I had wanted to see for a long time! Fantastic! Twenty or so birders saw this elusive bird throughout the late afternoon as it moved over towards Kennaby & adjacent fields before the light rain set in & the light conditions started to fade. I don't think there can be a better feeling than finding my own British tick & photographing a LEO all in one afternoon.

2010-10-13T09:42:00.005+01:00

Tuesday 12th October -

A much quieter day for birds as the winds veered a cooler NE, though it was a calm, enjoyable day to work the Island. I searched for Simon's Arctic Redpoll for sometime but to no avail. However this smart Mealy Redpoll was at South Light and I photographed another large NW type at Burkle. Good numbers of Lapland Bunting are still roaming the Island & after photographing 1 from a flock of 20 near Utra, I spent time in South Harbour photographing a dozen or so Chiffchaffs frantically feeding up on flies on tideline seaweed. The Scaup which was at Field Pond late afternoon was later 'dazzled', caught & ringed, an incredible duck to see in the hand!

2010-10-13T09:30:00.003+01:00

Monday 11th - OBP day. . . .

The new week dawned with a fine OBP in the south, found my Jack. This particularly unconfiding bird was briefly seen at Quoy & Schoolton throughout the day. Several Yellow-browed Warblers were a welcome sight along with the over-tame Barred Warbler which sits on Tommy's window sill at the Haa, feeding on peaches & apples. Brief views of a Blyth's Reed Warbler in Iris beds south of the Haa livened up our possible vagrant optimism! . . . .

2010-10-13T09:14:00.002+01:00

Fair Isle - Autumn 2010

2010-10-11T10:46:00.004+01:00

Shetland - October 2010
Our annual and long awaited Autumn trip to Shetland is now underway! After 3 hours sleep in a Luton airport hotel and 2 flights we were at Sumburgh breathing in the sea air and heading off to see our first rarity of the Autumn - the Syke's Warbler at Channerwick. This was a tick for me and although a very elusive individual, good views were eventually obtained. A great start! We stayed with Paul Harvey & were soon back in the Sumburgh Hotel catching up with Helen, Newton, Rob Fray & Mark Reeder.
We spent the 7th and 8th on Unst staying with Brydon, Vaila & little Casey in their new home. I really loved Unst, a place Phil used to live, and the birding was fine with good numbers of common migrants & a few rares. An unexpected encounter with a big male Otter at Haroldswick one evening was just magic! Birds of note included 2 Little Bunting, 1 Lanceolated Warbler, 1 Richard's Pipit, 1 Arctic Redpoll, 1 Pallas's Warbler & our first Yellow-browed warblers of the Autumn.
We left our Unst friends on Saturday morning to catch our Sumburgh flight to Fair Isle - where we are to be until the end of the Obs season :-) superb . . . . .

2010-10-05T10:02:00.005+01:00

Traill's Flycatcher - Blakeney Point - Norfolk - 26th September.
On Saturday 25th September I was in Covent Garden, London, catching up with girlfriends from my university days. Although a great day, a voicemail from Phil slightly hampered my enjoyment - he was on his way to Blakeney Point for a Alder/Willow Flycatcher! I was delighted for Phil when I heard he had seen the bird although the mammoth trek out to see it did not sound very tempting. I decided to wait for news the next morning once I was back in Woodbridge and had the day free. I was half expecting it to have gone although I guess the torrential rain and storm force winds were likely to put off the movement of any small passerine which had only just touched land and was busy feeding up in the Blakeney 'plantation'. I felt highly motivated on Sunday morning and on news, soon had the 2 hour drive behind me and the 3 mile hike ahead. The weather conditions were even worse than the previous day with horizontal rain and high winds lashing in off the sea, my calf muscles got a serious shingle workout! Drenched to the skin and with boots full of water it was a real relief to finally get to the 'Point' and within a few minutes I was watching this superb flycatcher flitting about in bramble scrub and a sycamore - a fabulous bird! I braved getting my camera gear out and soaked but was happy with the record shots I obtained considering the conditions. A Garden Warbler and a male Brambling were also present and feeding up.
The 3 mile walk back to the car park was in constrast an enjoyable experience with no pressure and sticking to the beach paid off with a Grey Phalarope whizzing past as few feet above my head and a nice Little Gull and Arctic Skua heading up the coast.

2010-09-30T08:52:00.014+01:00

TAIWAN TRIP - Update
I visited Taiwan in September for 9 days on behalf of the Taiwanese Tourist Board - I was not to be disappointed. Taiwan or 'Ilha Formosa' means the 'beautiful Island' and indeed it is, from lowlands to high mountain peaks up to 3000m and many large scale national parks offering a wealth of bird life including over 24 Endemics and numerous Island subspecies. I was surprised just how intact the majority of Taiwan's natural habitat still is and the warm, friendly Taiwanese people who seem to have a good grip on conservation and the importance of the habitat, wildlife and bird life the country has to offer. We started in Taipei, the countries capital in the North and travelled through the central and West parts of Taiwan to the Southern tip before returning to Taipei. Our first and last mornings at Wulai not far from Taipei and the Taipei botanical gardens were great locations to get stuck into the birds, with nearly every species a new one for me on day one I did not put my bins down for a second! Wandering through the Shilin Night market was an incredible sight and smell and real eye opener to the Taiwanse culture and love of food (the second best thing about Taiwan after the birds!). Highlights included visiting the Daxueshan National Forest and Mt Anmashan area and Huisun Forest Station. Here we tasted true Taiwanese mountainous forested habitat and the unforgettable Swinhoe's Pheasant and several Mikado Pheasants.

The true highlight for me however came with finding my own most wanted bird of the trip, the 'Flamecrest', surely the king of all 'Regulus' species in the world! flitting about within trees drenched in lichen and with wisps of cloud floating through the canopy - (just my kind of habitat) in the Yushan National Park area. The South saw us on the wooded and scrub dense coastline, on raptor platforms, where we were surrounded by Taiwanese raptor counters. Here we had a taste of migration as over 450 Chinese Goshawk in various groups, circled on thermals overhead, a male Eastern Marsh Harrier cruised past us at eye level, a Besra made an appearance along with a Dollarbird and butterflies the size of dinner plates floated past. In all we saw over 130 species in 8 full days, 22 of which are Endemic to Taiwan and many more Endemic subspecies with further splits in the pipeline. I will be making a full report of this extraordinary trip and will be running future bird tours to what was an exciting new location and one I can't wait to return to . . . .here are a few more images from a great many taken!

2010-09-23T14:31:00.003+01:00

2010-09-08T20:11:00.003+01:00

In Pursuit of East Rares . . . .

I am extremely excited to be going on a birding and photographic trip to Taiwan for 10 days on behalf of the Taiwan Tourist Board. It is set to be a packed trip covering the major nature reserves the Island has to offer as well as numerous endemic species! I may well not have internet access during my expedition but will catch up with my blog and Taiwan news on my return . . . . and before we head up to Shetland for a month! Can't wait!

2010-09-08T00:04:00.006+01:00

Top New Publications Out Now . . .

At the Birdfair I received copies of two superb, long-awaited new publications of which I am proud to be a contributing photographer for. The first is 'Facing Extinction - The World's Rarest Birds' a T & A D Poyser publication by Donald, Collar et al. The second is a breathtaking photographic guide 'Nightjars of the World', a Wildguides publication by Nigel Cleere.

2010-09-07T23:35:00.004+01:00

Summer Catch Up!

Where have the last 2 months gone!? I can't believe how quickly the Summer seems to race along and before long, we are heading into another exciting Autumn with migrants dotted along the east coast.

This Summer has been particularly busy, mainly due to the Birdfair in mid-August where I again had a highly successful and enjoyable 'Rebecca Nason Photography' stand in the Art marquee. Thanks go to the hundreds of people who popped in to say hello over a mad 3 days and especially those who purchased some of my prints, canvases, framed work & greeting cards!

Before the Birdfair preparations began, in early July, we ringed numerous Swallow chicks locally (now standing at 145 this Summer at one location!) and caught a fine, healthy adult Swift in the roof next door! This was a ringing tick for Phil as we did not ring the injured bird Phil freed from meshing earlier in the Summer (which incidentally after a good feed and a little time, took off and disappeared into the horizon! after we had placed it in a hanging basket in the garden!).

It is not every month I get both a British mammal and butterfly tick - however I saw both during July. I saw a beautiful little Dormouse in Surrey and a stunning White Letter Hairstreak. I found and photographed this uncommon and striking species whilst out walking along a field margin near Bath!

2010-07-04T18:47:00.009+01:00

More Memorable Moths - Early July 2010.

This weekend saw us 'lure' in 2 more species of Clearwing, Red-belted & Yellow-legged! Around 6 of each came to the pheromones within 5 minutes of airing, the Red-belted in an old Apple Orchard & the Yellow-legged at our local Deben ringing site. . . .fantastic moths & so delighted the 'lures' have worked so well, both in such close proximity to Woodbridge. I also ticked 'Blotched Emerald', a species I had really wanted to see!

Also of interest, Phil noticed a Swift (bird not moth) hanging strangely from a roof guttering in Woodbridge this afternoon. On closer inspection it was trapped in some way and had been there hanging from near it's nest since yesterday at least. Phil called on his firefighter colleagues & took the fire engine which obviously has a huge ladder to access the poor bird. The Swift had been caught up around it's neck with nest material & was literally hanging itself. It is alive but not looking too sharp having been hanging for some time in high temperatures . It is now in the kitchen & I have to admit to having fed it a few of last nights moth catches (though not the Clearwings!). We are not holding up high hopes for a happy outcome but will keep it & feed it until (if!) it seems more lively & capable of managing if released. It is a shame to see much a stunning bird in such a state. It was only on Friday that we caught our first healthy adult Swift in Angel Lane, at the nest, a ringing tick for Phil & such a great bird to see in the hand.

2010-07-02T23:07:00.002+01:00

Of Mice & Moths

2010-06-29T18:16:00.004+01:00

Top Publication uses RN Images . . . .
Before the new 'Fair Isle' publication (see previous blog entry below) which I was thrilled to be a part of & supply images for, I also supplied images for another exciting Collins, 'New Naturalist' title, this time: 'Bird Migration' by well known author Ian Newton. . . .

"The phenomenon of bird migration has fascinated people since time immemorial: the arrivals and departures of different species marked the seasons, heralding spring and autumn, and providing a reliable calendar long before anything better became available. Centuries ago, when people first noticed that birds disappeared in winter, it was believed that summer-visiting Barn Swallows buried themselves in the mud at the bottom of ponds, while winter-visiting Barnacle Geese were thought to turn into gooseneck barnacles for the summer, living submerged in the shallow seas.

The truth, however, is more awe-inspiring than even the most intriguing folk tales. The collective travel routes of birds span almost the entire globe, with some extreme return journeys covering more than 30,000 km every year. The tiny Willow Warbler, a delicate 8 g bird, undertakes some of the longest and most arduous journeys of any land bird, and the extraordinarily long-lived Manx Shearwater is known to fly over 8 million km during its lifetime.

In this seminal new book, Ian Newton provides an in-depth study of the different types of bird movements along with their main migration patterns. He focuses on the process of migration, which includes timing, energy needs, weather effects and navigation, and he explores evolution and change in migratory behaviour, as well as geographical and ecological patterns. Professor Newton's absorbing account of an extraordinary phenomenon which does not cease to amaze us offers a wealth of information which will be read and enjoyed by expert and amateur alike." . . . . .

2010-06-23T09:07:00.006+01:00

June Bugs

June is always a busy month & this year has been no exception with ecological work in Surrey, moth trapping & bird ringing (lots of pulli) in Woodbridge, gallery photographic work & a book review taking up a lot of time. The tiny garden is once again alive, especially in the evenings with our annual invasion of Stag Beetles cruising over like drone aircraft, a family of Wood Mice that feast during the night & broad daylight on the peanut feeders & of course the nightly moth trapping sessions are now bringing in high numbers of many species. We have also be attempting to lure the much sort after 'Clearwing' moths & have managed to attract 6+ Currant Clearwing at a local small fruit farm on our first go, a great start!

2010-06-18T16:40:00.003+01:00

Seabird Spectacular

Just received the latest 'July' issue of Birdwatch Magazine and am delighted to see I have my favourite Fair Isle Puffin shot on the front cover! Superb! A couple of very smart moths in the garden trap over the last few days included the large and rarely trapped 'Goat Moth' and a beautiful 'Green Silverlines'. . . . more images to follow shortly!

2010-06-02T20:19:00.007+01:00

Fair Isle - through the seasons

I felt really privileged to have been asked to provide a good selection of photographs for the publication 'Fair Isle' through the seasons, a beautiful NEW publication by Roger Riddington & Malachy Tallack out this week! I was one of only a small selection of photographers who were asked to take part in this special publication, timed perfectly to coincide with the same month as the opening of the New Fair Isle Bird Observatory. Photographers include Dave Wheeler with his incredible Fair Isle landscapes, Deryk Shaw, David Gifford & Mark Breaks. This delightful & unique Fair Isle book will no doubt be a huge success & an invaluable asset to any Fair Isle visitor's coffee table, past, future or present. . . . the UK birding mecca, beautifully illustrated & described.

'A tiny piece of land, halfway between Orkney & Shetland, Fair Isle is the most remote inhabited Island in the United Kingdom. Yet it is a place that inspires endless fascination.'

'This book gathers together photographs of Fair Isle's spectacular scenery, its wildlife and birds, and the life and work of the community . . . . .this is the story of a unique place, told through the turning of a year'.

2010-06-02T19:43:00.006+01:00

Spring Watch

Just back from a superb Spring week on Fair Isle & Shetland. It was great to catch up with friends & see the 'New' Bird Observatory in it's nearly completed state - it does look incredible! Birds were fairly quiet this week but a cracking male Red-backed Shrike, Icterine Warbler, Marsh Warbler, Common Rosefinch & the Red-throated Pipit shown here were all very welcome scarce Spring migrants. Again as is always the way these days, we were torn when departure day came, but a technical fault with the plane saw us stranded on Fair Isle for one more day ;-) & we missed our other 2 connecting flights back to Luton . . . However this twist of fate saw me take the best photographs of the trip during our 'extra' day followed by another great evening with Hollie & Deryk so all was not lost! We also jammed in on an extra day on Shetland at the weekend where we drank tea with Helen & Paul H in the Shetland sunshine, had fillet steak & Lobster at the Sumburgh Hotel & managed to photograph Skua's & a smart Osprey being attacked over Virkie. Quite a trip!

2010-05-16T15:28:00.003+01:00

In the Middle - Spot

More Lesvos Highlights . . .

2010-05-15T13:26:00.004+01:00

Some Lesvos 2010 Highlights

2010-05-15T13:12:00.003+01:00

NIKON - NATURALLY !

I was extremely keen to purchase the new pro Nikon D3s camera body - and managed to get my hands on one just before I headed out to Lesvos at the end of April. This really is a superb camera and has already superseded my highest expectations! Lesvos - with constant good light and excellent bird photographic opportunities was the perfect place to get to grips with and enjoy some of the new capabilities this awesome piece of equipment has to offer . . . . can't wait to get back up to Shetland next week to enjoy it even more ;-)

2010-05-14T22:20:00.005+01:00

BRITISH BIRDS - Front Cover
Delighted to return from Lesvos and find the latest British Birds on the door mat with my shot of a Red Grouse on the front cover.

2010-04-18T23:10:00.004+01:00

A Little Quite Late . . .

Late afternoon & we headed out to ring our first pulli of the season - 4 Song Thrush chicks, quite big & constantly open-mouthed & begging for food - fantastic! After ringing these & on the way back home, we came across a pair of Little Owl - sat perfectly poised on an old branch next to the road - what an unexpected photographic opportunity - glad I had my big lens as well as my macro!

2010-04-12T22:24:00.004+01:00

'Spring Ash in the Air' 18.04.10

The last couple of weeks saw the departure of the last of the Lesser Redpolls at our local feeding station & the start of some serious nest finding sessions both locally and at Wicken Fen. Having been ill for the last few weeks with a flu type bug and chest infection, time out in the field has been sporadic to say the least! However I did get my first Wheatear (2) & Swallow (1) on the 4th April at Landguard, along with 2 fabulous Firecrest bathing in small puddle just before dusk. My first Sand Martins (2) and a Sedge Warbler (1) were on the 8th at Martlesham Creek. On the 7th April Phil had 2 Great-white Egrets over the car near the BT Building in Martlesham on the way home from work! I have also been photographing early spring insects . . . .

2010-03-28T23:47:00.004+01:00

Weekend Hat-trick!

After my great afternoon at Cromer yesterday & my Alpine tick, I was not even thinking of birding today. However, hearing that the another Alpine Swift was in Kessingland, WITH the Pallid Swift I dipped yesterday was too much. Before long I was heading back through familiar territory & this time with Phil who was off work & Savannah. This time the birds were obvious as soon as we arrived & although the Pallid remained high, both showed well above the caravan park & coastal houses. We returned to Woodbridge for lunch & then to our local ringing site for an hour or so quite contented. After catching a few Lesser Redpoll, a text message on my phone alerted us that there was something we were clearly not aware of! A dash for the pager & the jaw-dropping news 'Lesser Kestrel at Minsmere'! The nets were furled in haste & then a mad rush back to the house for optics, then a petrol stop before we were racing towards Minsmere. Upon arrival with the masses it was clear that the male (!) Lesser Kestrel had been showing beautifully but had been chased off by (amongst other factors) a Kestrel & headed NW. I was further gripped by meeting the finder & his amazing images of it! We had a frantic search for about an hour before the bird was relocated on Westleton Heath. How the car was not damaged I don't know in the car grid-lock mayhem during that hour. After a sprint across the heath - finally we had the bird, distant but fine enough scope views - phewwwww! We watched it come in & out of view as it hunted on the wing & perched occasionally on gorse bushes before it seemed to go up into trees & possibly to roost. Quite a day! Quite a weekend! No pics but a fine British tick! Hope it hangs around a while!

2010-03-27T21:16:00.011Z

A Swift Decision . .

With a nasty hangover from an enjoyable friday evenings entertainment, I decided to get some air and try for the Pallid Swift in Kessingland, Suffolk this afternoon. However upon arrival at the sewage works the bird was not to be seen & had apparently departed NE an hour or so before. After some optimistic scanning I began to feel a dip coming on so thought of another coastal option - the Alpine Swift at Cromer! I might just make it before it went to roost in the church . . .

I arrived in Cromer as the sun broke through what had been a very grey day. I had heard the bird was showing well at the lighthouse so had a frantic time in the town trying to find where the lighthouse was and how I could get to it, not knowing Cromer at all. By 4pm I was stood at the lighthouse & met a local birder who pointed out the Alpine Swift to me, some distance away between the lighthouse and the church, feeding high & fast over the sea & coastal woodland. I was delighted as this was a British tick for me! I walked down from the lighthouse & up a small hill where I enjoyed this large swift for over an hour before it went to roost in the church. I left attractive, sun-drenched Cromer very happy & with a few record shots of my first 2010 British tick!

2010-03-23T21:49:00.010Z

All Fired Up . .

A memorable morning ringing in Woodbridge today with two superb female Firecrests being trapped & ringed. There are good numbers of these beautiful birds turning up along the east coast at the moment & it was great to get a sense of this spring movement further inland along the estuary here. Another highlight was flushing up & managing to catch by hand, a Woodcock, without damage to human or bird! Also controlled a Robin today & 3 Lesser Redpoll yesterday, so look forward to getting information back on these from the BTO at a later date. Popped to East Lane, Bawdsey in the early afternoon looking for my first Wheatear of the Spring, but found a nice Black Redstart instead - in the carpark. . . .

2010-03-22T21:46:00.005Z

March Moths - An Update . . .

As of today our March garden Moth list stands at 14. The Plume moth below 1. A.acanthadactyla is the only micro of note, others have been: 2. Yellow Horned (which was a tick!), 3. Clouded Drab, 4. Twin-spotted Quaker, 5. Dotted Border, 6. Hebrew Character, 7. Chestnut, 8. Dark Chestnut, 9. Common Quaker, 10. March Moth, 11. Oak Beauty, 12. Pale Brindled Beauty, 13. Grey Shoulder Knot & 14. Satellite. . . .

2010-03-22T18:55:00.007Z

Minsmere in March

Saturday saw an enjoyable few hours spent at Minsmere RSPB Reserve in sunny, mild conditions. Black-headed Gull's filled the scrape Islands with noisy interactions and courtships, 12+ smart Med Gulls were noted amongst them, most now in full summer plumage. Island Mere hide did not give us the Penduline Tits we hoped for but the sight of a Bittern, fully visible out in front of the hide was compensation enough! I got a few shots of it hunting and feeding - a real treat! A Jack Snipe bobbed about nearby too & Marsh Harriers jostled with each other & dived down into their reedbed nest sites. On the way back to the main cafe building for lunch we heard a Firecrest in deep scrub. I managed a few record shots of this little gem . . .

2010-03-21T20:49:00.011Z

The Moths are Back in Town . . .

Moth trapping has begun again in earnest in our Woodbridge - Suffolk garden. Here are a few of our March moths so far, low in numbers and species but great to be Moth trapping again and for the first time in 2010!