Norwich Cathedral Peregrines

The Norwich Cathedral Peregrines provided enjoyment to many visitors again during the breeding season. This year four young again hatched successfully on their high spire ledge and so far, fingers crossed (unless you are a Pigeon) three still survive. As the adult Peregrines become more experienced it seems they are also becoming used to all the excitement. They even fed the young on the lower roofs despite the audience and a film crew building sets for a period drama in the cathedral cloisters.

Constant updates via the Hawk and Owl Trust media feeds ensured that those interested, including photographers, could keep finely tuned to on-going events, to maximise their chance of witnessing the best action. This constant supply of news ensured a continually stream of people visiting the site. Happily the Peregrines have become so used to the noises of a large vibrant city that all the extra visitors attracted to the cathedral by the Hawk and Owl Trust would seem to have little or no effect on their breeding success. 

Spectacled Warbler (Sylvia conspicillata) Norfolk June 2014

This male Spectacled Warbler established a territory for a few weeks at Burnham Overy Dunes and was pretty tame in that it would forage and sing unconcernedly just feet away. More photos to be uploaded at www.birdlineeastanglia.co.uk. Please click on the Norfolk bird news section.

Limosa tour Lesbos Greece April 2014

Some photos from the recent tour to Lesbos.

Eastern Subalpine Warbler Sylvia cantillans

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

Turtle Dove Streptopelia turtur

Little Crake Porzana parva

Black-winged Stilt Himantopus himantopus

Ruppell’s Warbler Sylvia rueppelli

Cleopatra Gonepteryx cleopatra

Whiskered Tern Chlidonias hybrida

Black-headed Bunting Emberiza melanocephala

Black Stork Ciconia nigra

Trinidad & Tobago March-April 2014

Wildlife sightings from Limosa Holidays tour to Trinidad & Tobago.

Spectacled Caiman (Caiman crocodilus crocodilus)

Wattled Jacana (Jacana jacana)

White-tailed Sabrewing (Campylopterus ensipennis)

Mangrove Cuckoo (Coccyzus minor)

Common Potoo (Nyctibius griseus)

Tufted Coquette (Lophornis ornata)

Ruschenberg's Tree Boa (Corallus ruschenbergeri)

Tufted Coquette (Lophornis ornata)

White-tailed Nightjar (Caprimulgas cayennensis)

Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)

Clapper Rail (Rallus longirostris)

Bay-headed Tanager (Tangara gyrola)

Pinnated Bittern (Botaurus pinnatus)

Trinidad Piping Guan (Pipile pipile)

Trinidad Piping Guan (Pipile pipile)

Audubon’s Shearwater (Puffinus lherminieri)

Glossy Ibises near Martham Ferry

The two Glossy Ibisis that spent time in Mr Goose's wet meadows.

Limosa Norfolk tour February 2014

Some of the birds we saw on a recent weekend break in Norfolk. Highlights on the tour included Parrot Crossbills, Velvet Scoters, five Long-tailed Ducks, Hen Harriers and Snow Buntings.

Bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula)

Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)

Black-tailed Godwit (Limosa limosa islandica)

Teal (Anas crecca)

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Suffolk birds January 2014

Seemed to get lucky on a rare photographic visit to the Ipswich area.

Great Northern Diver (Gavia imme)

 Waxwing (Bombycilla garrulus)

Another front cover

Would you believe it another of my photos on front cover of British Birds. Two in a row is unprecedented (well for me at least).

White-crowned Sparrow Cley February 2008

Front Cover

Always happy to see my photographs published, particular if a front cover. Wasn't expecting this one to make it. Mute Swans at Cley-next-the-Sea swimming east along the A149 during the sea surge and spring high tide in December.

Some recent photos from Norfolk

Glossy Ibis (Plegadis falcinellus) Norfolk November 2013

Rose-coloured Starling (Sturnus roseus) Norfolk October 2013

Grey Seal

Always good to get a photo published on a front cover.

Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra)

Taken at West Stow CP.  Notice how a water drop makes the lower mandible look interestingly large. At least that is what I think is causing the bulge.

Humpback Whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) Norfolk October 2013

A Humpback Whale or two (or perhaps even three) lingered off east Norfolk, especially off Sea Palling. This photo was taken on first day seen off Norfolk at Waxham.

Migrants on Norfolk coast

You can't see too many of these.

Long-eared Owl (Asio otus)

Limosa tour Portugal October 2013

Some photos from a recent tour to Portugal..more to be added later.

European Storm-petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus)

Zitting Cisticola (Cisticola juncidis)

Willow Warbler (Phylloscopus trochilus)

Curlew Sandpiper (Calidris ferruginea)

Great Shearwater (Ardenna gravis)

Grey Phalarope (Phalaropus fulicarius)

Hybrid Little/Western Reef Egret  (Egretta garzetta/gularis)

Praying Mantis (Mantis religiosa)