Thursday 28 March 2019

Kingfisher finally this year

After several visits to Morden Hall Park, I finally met up with the kingfisher. He didn't just treat me to a flash of blue as he powered past me (though he did do that once or twice) but he sat nicely for a couple of minutes so I could get some photos. It's a shame about the branch in front, but, hey, you can't have everything!


Kingfisher - male. I only had my walkabout lens with me.

Sunday 10 March 2019

A day in Newhaven and Cuckmere Haven


Went down to the South coast yesterday  to see Purple Sandpipers. I went with Naveen, whom I met a few weeks ago, and who is a fellow birdwatcher and keen photographer.

We went first to Newhaven East Pier to find Purple Sandpipers. They are passage migrants, so they would be around for only a few weeks each year.

On arrival at the pier it was incredibly windy. We could see a group of birds about halfway along. As we approached, it was a small flock of Purple Sandpipers and Turnstones. The light was against us, so we needed to be on the other side of them. As we tried to inch past, we flushed them and they flew to the beach. Fortunately, a couple of walkers with a dog  flushed them again and they came back to the pier. We were  able to take as many shots as we wanted as they were now comfortable with our presence.
Purple Sandpiper


Purple Sandpiper

Turnstone

Naveen getting down for the perfect shot!

We then moved on to Cuckmere Haven where I had heard there was a Glossy Ibis. As we parked, another birdwatcher told us where the ibis was and we found it very easily. It was fairly distant but there were a few other interesting birds around including a gorgeous Mediterranean Gull in full breeding plumage.


Glossy Ibis

Little Egret


Common Gull - They're not that common! 
Mediterranean Gull taking off