This Week

Monday afternoon found me down at Welwick. I arrived at 3 and stayed till dusk. The first hour was uneventful bar the usual suspects. Using the car as a Hide I drove slowly back and forward every so often to very my viewing angles. A traditional Site for Owls and Harriers, I didn't see any of the former BUT...

...A brief but welcome pass at distance just below the flood Bank. Very pleased with the image considering the light and distance.

Tuesday at Duff produced the fine sight of thousands of Ducks that had now (thankfully) re-located here after the thaw. It was marvellous to see the Carrs crammed with Wildfowl...

A Red Kite flew West at mid-distance. Again pleased with the image being in focus considering it was a "late grab". Living on the Coast a sighting of this Species is always noteworthy...

The water level was still significant and had attracted a Species I was hoping for...

Goldeneye

No Raptor action at during a return visit to Welwick late Wednesday but a cracking Stonechat and Yellowhammer were adequate compensation...

Yesterday involved my second trip of the week to NDC. As I left home a Red-legged Partridge was posing nicely in the sun on Snakey...

I arrived at 1 and had a pleasant couple of hours enjoying the view...

Landmark Poplars in the Distance...

15

Whooper Swans in the extreme distance on Ellerton Ings...

Three Shelduck powered North along Bubwith Ings and over Aughton Church...

It was now 3pm. A message form Richard...

Little Grebe on Broadland Pool

A potential Holmpton Tick!? I ruminated for a few minutes....

Could I make it back before dark?

Would it be there tomorrow - probably?

I decided to give it a go. I arrived back on Snakey at 4.50, Parked up and walked with Bud to the Pond. The sun had almost set but there was still enough light...

The pond was tough to view being partially obscured by Reeds and Grasses. I was going to need some luck...quickly! A pair of Mallards were present and a single Moorhen but no sign of the Grebe as it approached 5! My hopes weer fading with the light. Then a ripple...

Try not to laugh. I wouldn't even dare to call it a record shot but there it was...honest!! Just a bit of fum but I enjoyed the chase and obviously the result. This was my 197th Species for the Village if my calculations are correct and an excellent find by Richard as there are hardly any Ponds in the Village...unfortunately.

This morning I had a walk down again with Bud. After some 45 minutes I managed a better pic in the gloom...

In context...a Mega!