Return to the Wetland Centre

I was recently back down in London and ahd some free time to pay a brief return visit to the London Wetland Centre. When I arrived it was quiet on the wild bird side of things so I decided to spend a bit of time with some of the captive waterfowl collection.

Long-tailed duck

Goldeneye
Smew

and a couple of the captive birds bathing.

Having had my fill of the captive birds I decided to move on to try and find some wild birds.

Feeding coot Tufted duck

Gadwall ShovelerLittle grebe in breeding plumage

Taking another dive To finish off I decided to have another go at the Ring-necked parakeets
As I was leaving I got up really close to a parakeet on a feeder.

and so decided to take the opportunity to take a close-up head shot.

Howling Winds

Its been a difficult week for bird photography with the UK being battered with high winds. Up until Sunday the week had been lean with only the dipper in the last post to show for my efforts. I went back out on Sunday morning and ended up at Crosby Marine Park as I had some reports of some unseasonal Litle Gull being present. I really wanted some flight shots but that was not going to happen in the raging winds.

However, I did manage to get a flight shot of a passing cormorant.

I went for a wander towards the dunes to see if there was anything there and nearly stepped on a Grey Partridge and managed to get my first shot of one before it rapidly disappeared.

Walking back to the car I noticed that one of the Goldeneye drake, that were so elusive the week before was close in. So using a litter bin for cover I managed to get some shots on the rough water,

Crosby First Light

Went over to Crosby Marine Lake at first light on Sunday morning to mainly see if there were any unusual gulls to photograph. However, I got quickly distracted and decided to concentrate on some other birds on the small lake in some very good early morning light.

Started off with some coot which is something I normally overlook but they were lighting up well with the low sun

A cormorant came in to dry off a little

Some Goldeneye caught my eye but the drakes remainded elusive and distant. An immature bird and a female were more accomodating.

and the female

and some Tufted duck to finish off an enjoyable morning in some sun for a change.

Start the Year

After the terrible weather over Christmas, I was determined to get out on New Years Day. The light however was still not great and the wind blowing well. I went over to Pennington Flash and found some Goldeneye in close. A good way to start the year as they are so often out of range and one of my favourite ducks.

Unfortunately the light was to poor for some close encounters with both Shoveler and Gadwall. The place got busy really quickly and a stop a short while at the feeding station.

A bullfinch eating sunflower seed.

A Blue tit

and a female Reed Bunting

Overall an enjoyable start to 2007, and I wish you all a very Happy New Year.

Goldeneye duck have remained elusive to me. These shy birds I have always seen at a distance, except in waterfowl collections, out in the middle of a large lake or far off the beach. I came across a bird at relatively close quarters at the local marine lake which gave the first opportunity to take some photos of a wild bird. Fortunately it was a beautifully marked drake, the only downside was the light conditions were very poor.