A Berry Good Sunday . . .

Considering it did not stop raining all day and dark clouds swept over Suffolk from dawn until dusk, I was pleased to get another opportunity to photograph more local Waxwings at Rendlesham. Numbers here now stand at 17 whilst there is a larger flock of approximately 50 birds at Kesgrave. Both colour ringed birds from Aberdeen are still present in the flock at Rendlesham (see details on older posts below). 

Felixstowe Gulls . . .

The weather in the last few days has been gusty, rainy and generally dark, so little opportunity to get out in the field and have a break from sorting through tax returns! However this afternoon, with bright spells and a drop in the wind I headed to Landguard Viewpoint for fresh air and gull photography. There were at least 4 Med Gulls close in, dwarfed by the biggest container ship I've ever seen!  Later I headed to Felixstowe, a great place I had never explored until today! On finding a coastal car park full of gulls, I enjoyed some Black-headed Gull reflection photography in a nearby pool.

What a Trill . . . 

More fabulous local Waxwings today to keep me happy! 

Waxwings at Rendlesham - Suffolk. 4th January.

Following on from an unproductive mornings ringing, we decided to go and try for  the Waxwings which had been on the pager as being present in Rendlesham for the last few days but not today. After about  half an hours searching we successfully refound the flock of over 35 roaming individuals. What a pleasure to see such a good flock of these very vocal and stunningly beautiful birds just outside Woodbridge. The flock would not settle and proved difficult for photos as they roamed the urban gardens, though a few quick shots were obtainable. Of particular note and interest was the realisation that two of the birds had colour rings on, very likely from the Aberdeen/BTO Waxwing ringing project currently taking place.  Another bird also had a foreign ring on, but we could not see the ring details. . . . . a very enjoyable afternoons birding. Other colour ringed Waxwing records should be sent to: raymond@waxwing.fsnet.co.uk. . . . . 

RSPB Guide to Birdwatching . . . .
I was pleased to supply the front cover images for the NEW 'RSPB Guide to Birdwatching' publication shown below. This book is now available from all good book shops! I have also been involved with several other major publications over the last year, including being the commissioned photographer for the 'New Naturalist' title: 'A History of Ornithology' by Peter Bircham, one of the top ten contributing photographers for the two volume SOC 'Birds of Scotland' by Ron Forrester and Ian Andrews and a contributing photographer for 'Petrels night and Day' by Magnus Rob and Killian Mullarney.

SOUTHERN EXPOSURE . . .

My 'Shetland Exposure' Blog will be 'Southern Exposure' whilst I'm not on Shetland/Fair Isle. . . . Yesterday, on the 18th November, Phil and I successfully twitched the Steppe Grey Shrike on the  Lincolnshire coast. A great bird and extremely tame. High quality, pin-sharp colour prints available from 6 x 4" to A3 ! Please email me with requests: rebecca@rebeccanason.com

Sibe Sunday at Quendale - 2nd November . . .

Birding at Quendale on Sunday gave us some great views of 3 Siberian (Tristis) Chiffchaff which showed well for photos.  After catching up with Roger R who was also at Quendale & had been grilling the Sibe Chiffs earlier that morning, we headed back to Toab & then out for a late lunch with Helen at Bonhoga Gallery at Weisdale Mill. The evening was spent packing as our Autumn on Shetland has come to an end! This blog will now be 'Southern Exposure' until the Spring when we return!