Author Archives: pnbrown13blog
Red Necked Grebe
Pitsford Reservoir 23/3/2014
The Red Necked Grebe was seen off the dam. I also saw my first Sand Martins for the year and a Great Northern Diver.
A weekend in Norfolk
Several Parrot Crossbills were seen at Holt where there have been up to 20 over the last few months. Sunday was a nice sunny day and a Common Crane was seen to fly over Titchwell RSPB whilst we were there. We also visited Happisburgh Lighthouse and East Bank Lighthouse at Sutton Bridge where Sir Peter Scott used to live.
Water Pipit
There has been a wintering Water Pipit at Wilstone Reservoir for a few years now. Whether it is the same individual each year I am not sure but I did manage a few pictures of it today.
**MEGA** Myrtle Warbler
15/2/2013 Myrtle Warbler aka Yellow Rumped Warbler seen today at High Shincliffe near Durham. This meant an early morning start and quite a long drive. Seen fairly soon after arrival but always quite elusive. I did manage a few pictures when it perched in the open for a few seconds. We then went to Sunderland to see the Roker Lighthouse. We stayed in Hull for the night so we could meet up with Danny for few beers and a curry.
Red Flanked Bluetail & Stonehenge
09/02/2014 On a day that started with strong winds and plenty of rain we went to Gloucestershire to see the Red Flanked Bluetail that was near Marshfield. I managed to get a few photos in a brief spell when the sun came out between showers. We then went to Salisbury Plain and happened to come across Stonehenge by accident not realising we were anywhere near it. There is a new visitor centre there.
Sparrowhawk
I got a new camera and lens today. Whilst I was charging the battery for the first time I noticed a Sparrowhawk perched at the bottom of the garden. I managed to put the partly charged battery in the camera and rattled a few shots off. Quite pleased with them for a first attempt.
The Lowest Place in Britain
I went to Holme Fen NNR in Cambridgeshire on 2/2/2014 to see a Great Grey Shrike. The bird was seen rather distantly. It was only when I got home and googled Holme Fen that I realised I had just visited the lowest point in Britain. The lowest point on the Fen is marked with two green posts and is about 9 feet below sea level.
Gosport, Lepe & New Forest 19/1/2014
A nice day on the South Coast. Gosport was the first destination where the Ring Billed Gull was seen early morning. Then it was on to Lepe for the Lesser Yellowlegs and Beaulieu Lighthouse. Blashford Lakes where a Black Necked Grebe was seen was the next destination and then on to the New Forest, ending with a Hawfinch sighting at Blackwater Arboretum.
Ramsgate & Dungeness 12/1/2013
A trip out to Ramsgate Cemetery for the Hume’s Warbler and then on to Dungeness. The first six photo’s were taken by my son Michael. We also saw the Denge Acoustic Mirrors which were a type of reflector used to listen for approaching aircraft as an early warning system. They were made obsolete by the invention of radar.
Brunsblog 