I needed a fast jet fix, so headed over to RAF Valley to catch the locals in action. Gambling on RWY31, I was pretty much the only person there from 09:00 until 15:00, and managed to try out a few different locations and get some different shots. Also managed my first ever Texan T1
Since lockdown ended i’ve spent a lot of my birding time at RPSB Burton Mere Wetlands trying to grab a picture of the Bearded Tits. As they are only giving very brief glimpses as they flit between the reeds i’ve had to make do with photographing whatever else is around.
Here are the last few months worth of pictures
Sightings include
A close in Great Egret a very late Reed Warbler, and an amazing experience with a Great Bittern which flew in, then crashed about in one reedbed before flying across to another, and then perched at the top of the reeds for about 20 minutes before skulking off.
The Common Blackbird is my favorite garden bird. They can be a bit skitty and hard to photograph, but when they aren’t, they provide you great opportunities. This Male was feeding at least two youngsters, and when they weren’t underneath the undergrowth, gave fantasic views
House Sparrows are so underrated. They have a lot of character, and the Males are quite stunning.
A juvenile Dunnock was also skulking around
The coronavirus lockdown has meant no getting out and about. Garden birds have been few and far between, but this weekend, a few adult Common Starlings discovered my feeders, and a day later, they brought their recently fledged youngsters
Plenty of colour, noise and antics. The youngsters seem to like the pond
Due to high crosswinds preventing landings at their home base of RAF Valley, Hawk T2’s of 4 and 25sqn were diverted to Hawarden and stayed overnight. I managed to capture some departures and the usual belugas.
March high tides can bring some interesting birds close in to the hides at Connah’s Quay.
With the 10m plus high tide, the bunded pools were completely flooded, and this forced some of the usually shy and reclusive over-wintering Common Snipe close in to one of the hides.
After what seemed like endless wind and horrible weather, it was nice to get out in the sunshide. It was still a bit windy, which kept most birds down, however, a little bit of shelter from the wind and good light meant the Inner Marsh Farm hide was perfect for photography.
Wigeon, Teal, Black-Tailed Godwit and Coot were all feeding close in, and a Great Egret made a brief stop.
