'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!

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).

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.

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!

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!

'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!

'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

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