Some of the Locals

Its entering a quiet time of year for the birds locally. There are still some to be photographed though, although the warm bright weather has not created the best light during the day for photography, with high contrats conditions.

There are still some skylarks to be found. There is something about this species that holds my facination. They may not be the most visually colourful but they make up for that in their behaviour and song.

Its not often you see them perched on plants or singing when not in flight.

Pairs of stonechats are still to be found amongst the dunes along the coast. For some reason this year I seem to be photographing many females, which are usually the more wary. I found a solitary Knot, a reminder that some of the waders will be returning from the north soon. Unusually, considering its June, it was already in full winter plumage.

This is probably the worst time of year to photograph waterfowl which are in eclipse plumage. However, this passing shelduck caught my eye.

The other birds gathering locally at the moment are Sandwich Terns that roost on some of the local beaches at high tide. However, they are difficult to photograph and it a case of hoping for a close fly-by, as they move around the beach.

Some of the birds turning into winter plumage with the black cap turning to white.

Down South

I have just come back from a week's holiday with my better half in Lymington, at the bottom end of the New Forest. I didn't get much time to get out with camera but managed a couple of short sessions on some saline lagoons that run along the coast. A few oystercatchers were present that allowed fairly close approach but I thought I would concentrate on some fly shots.

There were quit a few terns moving between the lagoons' islands, where they were nesting, and the Solent where they were going on fishing expeditions. Sandwich Tern (although I only saw one), Common Tern and Little Tern were all to be seen. The Little Terns were out of range so I concentrated on the Common Terns. Fortunately one bird landed by my feet which allowed a potrait.

Even though I was a very distant from the nesting islands, birds will still come over to warn me off. A screaming fly-by

The main problem I encountered was wind and light being in opposite directions but a few shots were still to be had.

I managed a photo of the solitary passing sandwich tern

The highlight of the trip was a very close encounter with a Little Egret which allowed a very close approach, to the extent I had to keep backing away to fit the bird in frame.

A moment of self-reflection.

The spines on this stickleback did not help it from an inevitable fate.

Heading North For Seabirds - Onwards to Inner Farne

The second island to be visited on the Farnes Islands trip is Inner Farne Island. This is my favourite of the two due to the large numbers of arctic and sandwich terns. Still the misty conditions preveiled. For those of you that have not visited Inner Farne an essential piece of equipment is a good hat, to repel the sustained attacks of the arctic terns as soon as you step from the boat. This recommendation should not be taken lighty as I have seen blood drawn from those without headwear. The attack of the terns offers some good opportunity for getting some close up flight shots. With the misty conditions all flight shots were going to be against a white sky but I think arctic terns are one of the few species for which this high key effect works, given their translucent wings and colouring.

To give you an impression of the tern attacks this is a photo of my friend Steve in the process of being dive bombed.

Starting the dive of the next attack

They are very elegant birds despite the aggression

and they look so innocent when perched. As you move up the path it is almost a relief to move away from the attacks and up to the area of the Sandwich Tern colony. I was really hoping to get some good photos of the sandwich terns but the misty conditions was making life difficult, especially with the birds being more distant. I didn't really get the photos I was after so looks like a returm trip next year maybe be required. A bird came in and two of them immediately started strutting in unison.Another bird coming in to land at the colony. I got so preoccupied by the terns that before I knew it it was time to head back to the jetty for the boat, so half the island didn't really get much attention.

However, the day was not over yet.... :)

Seabird Tour - Sandwich Tern and Puffin

On reaching the top of the island the path past a Sandwich Tern colony and I spent a while trying to get some shots of them.

Looking for the right place to land

They are a graceful sight when flying. While trying to get some shots of them I noticed I seemed to be in-line with a puffin flying route with a constant stream of birds flying towards and past me. Many of the birds were carrying beaks full of sandeels. I always forget what small birds and fast fliers puffins are.

I became so adsorbed in the terns and puffins that before I knew it and hour had already passed and I had only managed to get about 300 metres from the landing jetty!!! It was time to see what else the island offered.