Poland. White Winged Terns.

Such elegant birds.

Poland. Black Terns.

Just come back from an enjoyable week in Poland, visiting the Biebraza National Park and the Bialowieza forest areas. Lots of great species seen , but I think my favourites were the Marsh Terns, with both Black nad White Winged at close quarters. Here are a few Black Tern photos to go on with.

Common Sandpipers

I went over to Tamar Lakes to look for Green Sandpiper which are found feeding on the weir, no joy with them but five Common Sandpipers entertained me with close views. A shame the weather was pretty dire but thats how it is sometimes.

Little Grebes

Cromford canal in Derbyshire must be one of the best locations to see Little Grebes at close hand, being used to people walking the canal path they go about their business without fear. ( Its meant to be a top site for Water Voles as well , but I've yet to see one ). This pair were I think starting to look for nest sites as they were taking material to a couple of differant locations beside the waters edge.

Bramblings

In some years Bramblings arrive in their hundreds and in other years they seem to be very few and far between. This year has been the latter with only a few records locally, so four feeding from a bird table in a Dartmoor garden was good to see, and that included this sparkling male.

Sparrowhawk.

I placed a perch near my bird feeders a couple of years ago knowing that the local Sparrowhawks were regular visitors, thinking it would be perfect for them to land on. In all the times I've sat in my hideout (shed)I'd not had one land there, untill the other day when this immaculate male bird suddenly appeared in front of me, staying and eying up the small birds for about five minutes. It did'nt catch any so not had to have the mixed emotions of predator and prey.

Song Thrush

People always say that they have'nt see a Song Thrush for ages, and this is sadly true,they do seem to be have declined over the years. Although I still see them every now and then, I've been delighted to have a quite tame individual visiting our garden for some time and even more delighted to watch it pulling worms from the back lawn and obviously feeding nearby young. This was on 29th March so quite early to have young in the nest. I just sat on the grass and it came closer and closer, often too close for my lens. Hopefully the young will survive all this rain and the parents will go on and have a second brood.