16/04/06
This is my first entry to my dairy and I will endeavour to update it
whenever I’ve been out or have a trip or outing coming up.
Today Adrian and I set off about 6am to Dunwich Heath to try and a capture
a shot or two of Dartford Warbler, to start with it was misty and a
little grey but we lived in hope of it clearing up as the sun rose which
it did to some degree but it wasn’t to last and remained overcast
for much of the time that we were there. We had seen about a dozen or
so birds and had several chances of shots but they weren’t interested
in sitting up and singing for us so it was a little hit and miss so
we’ll have to have another go up there in a week or two’s
time, so a little disappointing really. While we were in the area Adrian
found me my first Adder, how he even saw it amazed me! So that was a
good start we ended up seeing 14 in the area and also Common
Lizard which I managed to get a few shots of but I wasn’t
carrying the right equipment to do any more really but was pleased with
the shots I got for now.
All in all an interesting day out if not very productive photographically
bird it was good to be out and about as always
22/04/06 Dunwich Heath, thought I’d have another go up on the
heath for Dartford Warbler again, I met up with about Kelvin up 7am
and I’d already been out on the path for a while to see if there
were any early rises but all was quiet, Dartford wise but there was
plenty about first thing, a nice male Ring Ouzel, my first Whitethroat,
plenty of Sand Martins and a few more Swallows now and the more commoner
birds busy getting sorted for the breeding season with plenty of bird
song to liven everywhere up, so all in all a pleasant start to the morning.
After listening for Dartford’s for a while and catching up with
a few distant birds calling we decided to keep on the move which resulted
in plenty of sightings, some nice birds but to distant for DSLR work
but lovely through the bins. Plenty of Stonechats in full summer plumage
and displaying Marsh Harriers and after walking round the footpaths
and taking in a tea and bacon roll on the way we had one more look along
the main path where we meet the warden who we chatted with for a while
and we were treated to a Common Buzzard circling quite low over us so
a nice morning out but still no decent shots of the elusive Dartford
Warbler! I’ll keep trying!
27/04/06 Well after many hours I’ve finally got a decent shot
of the Dartford Warblers which I will process very soon along with all
the other pics that I keep meaning to put on here! I have enjoyed all
the time I’ve spent on the heath, having to be there to shoot
a particular species has made me look harder for everything else that
is also there, we’ve had good views of Ring Ouzel, Northern Wheatear,
Short Eared Owl and Cuckoo’s rushing about the heath desperate
it seems to get on with the breeding season in their own particular
way and all the other summer migrants that seem to be in in some numbers
now having appeared to be a little late arriving due to the cool winds
blowing from the north. Now its bank holiday weekend I shall get out
and about and try avoid the more commercial areas as I think there is
some nice weather due, let’s hope so!
18/05/06 Hello again, its been a while now since I’ve updated
my side of the site, I’ve been very busy one way or another with
work and trips here and there taking pic’s and not having any
time to process them!
I went for a weeks photography with my friend Kelvin to Lesvos, his
first trip and I’ve lost count how many times I’ve been
but the long and short of it is that we had a great time with some good
pics I hope! I haven’t dared download mine as yet as I have so
much business to take care of and it’ll only distract me once
I start looking through them! So for now its work, work and more work
till next weekend when we go up to the Farnes for along weekend! I will
be doing a full trip report on Lesvos soon and adding a few more species
to the website, mainly Dartford Warbler and Whitethroat for UK species
and some more African birds
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