My blog is mostly about wildlife, particularly birds, walking, days out, all growing things and anything else that comes to mind.
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Monday, 2 November 2009

The Bittern IS at Barnes!

Today was wonderful - the sun shone and the skies were blue - pity it had to wait until today and miss out on the weekend though.

I headed off for Barnes this morning hoping for the Bittern. On arrival the message was that neither of the two had been seen yesterday and so far, not today either.

I had a wander about. Very very few small birds but did manage a friendly Robin - who sang nicely :D But this was to be the best picture of the day.



From this point on, the pictures aren't really even up to record shots, but here goes anyway..

From one of the hides, I managed to spot 8 Common Snipe - but they were all so far away



And then finally, word was out that the Bittern had been seen. It was on a very far bank for a long time and had someone not pointed it out to me I wouldn't have seen it through the binoculars! Eventually it made a very short flight to this island where it was easier to see it. However, the camera (and I) struggled to get a shot of it, and this was the best!!

You'll need to click on it to see the Bittern and it's in the centre!!

Finally it flew into the Reeds much nearer but went right into the reeds an disappeared. Hey ho. Another day perhaps......

It was lovely to enjoy the sun again though :D

15 comments:

mick said...

A beautiful bright day from your photos - and how nice that you saw the Bittern even if only distantly.

Warren Baker said...

saw it nicely Tricia - also lots of Coots, they are almost as rare on my patch!

Midmarsh John said...

You are getting a bit nearer each time Tricia. Was it a male and did it boom for you?

It has been lovely to see the Sun again but what a difference in temperature from last week.

The Quacks of Life said...

nice spot!

holdingmoments said...

Congratulations on seeing, and photographing the Bittern Tricia.
He's really posing in the first shot.

Anonymous said...

Well at least you did get to see it Tricia.
Next time, fingers crossed.

Jan said...

Well done on getting the bittern, and I love your Robin photo of course, my favourite birdy.

FAB said...

Well done Tricia. Persistence paid off for you with views that many would die for. I'll be 'free' soon, so we could go hunting together. FAB.

Tricia Ryder said...

Mick - It was lovely to see and feel the Autumn sun - but there's a distinct drop in temperature tonight!

Warren - Coots are everywhere down my way. In fact they seem to have taken over every available strip of water. They'll be colonizing the puddles in the road before too long!!!

John - yes, closer and closer! I don't know the gender and will have to look up how one identifies the male and female. No - regrettably it didn't boom for me :) - but I've heard them further north and it's the most amazing sound!

Pete - thanks - I shall keep up the spotting..

Keith - He was coming out and showing well; preening at one time too. Wonderful sight and then to see it fly was amazing.

Roy - yes. Each time it gets a bit better so.....

Jan - thank you. The robin was rather the star of the day in terms of pictures too.

Frank - thank you. When you are free we will definitely go hunting together :D Last year the bittern was walking in full view on the ice. Now I don't particularly want freezing temperatures but if the bittern's about then.....

Alcester nature photography. said...

Great Robin pic, and well done on your Bittern Sighting, I am very envious.
Cheers Colin.

Wilma said...

You caught it in a typical bittern pose with bill pointed straight up into the air; well done!

cheers,
Wilma

Eagleseagles said...

Well done Tricia - tricky at that distance to see properly without a scope.

Lovely to have Bittern's back at Barnes - wonder if they will stay for the winter?

I have added you to my links - again - dont know where you went! Only realised you weren't there when I was adding Hugh Harrop (see his blog for photo's to make your toes curl!)and Shetland Wildlife.
I usually just use bookmarks to read blogs!

C

neil said...

Nice photos - I look forward to your photos of the bittern when you get it to pose for you!

Janine said...

Nice job spotting the bittern! Thats a great robin shot too.

Tricia Ryder said...

Colin - many thanks :D

Wilma - lol, yes this is the pose of all pictures of Bitterns I think!

C - yes very tricky - just as well someone put me on to it!!

Neil - I wish!!

Janine - Thank you - Robins come up trumps most times :D

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