Cleethorpes Boating Lake 05/11/2012

With the Purple Sandpiper not staying more than one day at Covenham Res, I felt it would be a waste not to take advantage of some nice light. So I took the camera down to Cleethorpes Boating Lake for 2 hours and rattled off some shots.

Pochard

Tufted Duck

Fast food. "i'm lovin it"

Male Sparrowhawk

Black-headed Gulls

Black-headed Gull

Purple Sandpiper 04/11/2012

A text from Dean Eades alerting me of a Purple Sandpiper at Covenham and I was on my way without a second thought. Arriving in dire light with Mark Johnson already on scene. The Purple Sandpiper showed really well just a shame about the light conditions. A Lincs, Year and Covenham Tick for myself, so I was well chuffed. Also 1 Grey Wagtail and 1 Male Goosander.

  

Red Deer Bradgate Park Leics

With the Red Deer rut in full flow, I wanted to photograph them. Before this I had never even seen a Red Deer and it would be my first real attempt at photographing Deer, apart from chance encounters. Dean Eades messaged me offering a place to do them on Friday morning. Obviously I took up his very kind offer. So I set my alarm for 4:30 to be at Dean's house at 5:45. I had a great day even if conditions for photography were shall we say tricky. No doubt I will go next year and the year after. A big thank you to Dean for driving, for getting me a Tripod, for putting me onto Decent birds and getting me a lincs tick in the form of Gannet.

Red Deer

Am I bothered?

Fallow Deer

Playfull rutting between Fallow Deer

Red Deer

Great Crested Grebe and Pheasant

Recently the Grebes at Covenham Reservoir have been showing quite well so I gave them a go for the last few visits although sometimes the light hasnt been great I was happy with how close I got to the birds. The Grebes have been acting a little strange dropping in numbers, confirmed by finding 12 dead on Sunday.

Donna Nook Grey Seals

My first attempt at Photographing the Donna Nook Seals out on the tideline was very enjoyable and I'm happy with the results learning a fair bit aswell. Forgot my boots so my feet got soaked cold feet for 6 hours, A mistake I won't be making again. Bird wise 2 Red-breasted Merganser north which were Lifers for me and Gannet moving north and south throughout the day were Lincs ticks for myself. 20 Pink Footed geese in off. Teal, Tufted Duck, Wigeon and Common Scooter moving on the sea. 25 Common Terns and 1 Sandwich Tern aswell.

Red-necked Phalarope at West Ashby

After being given permission to go onto the private land I visted the site on Thursday morning arriving at 09:30, meeting up with Dean Eades and RussTelfer. The field was very wet and forgeting my boots was the theme of this week which you will also find out about when I went to Donna Nook on Saturday. The Phalarope showed well and is a stunning bird. I feel priviledged to have spent time and to photograph this beauty. The site is now shut down no acces to the field as there are Cattle in it. Viewing from the road is allowed.