Aberrant Herring Gull on Worthing Seafront

Unusual looking Herring Gull on Worthing Seafront. Photos taken with smartphone (and zoom) so apologies for quality!

 

Sanderling

Thought I'd head to work a little early today, so could walk along the seafront (in hope of a few spring migrants). No spring migrants unfortunately but couldn't resist taken a few (well maybe more than a few) snaps of these Sanderling (Calidris alba). Found them fascinating to watch as they 'played' in the surf like children being chased by the waves. Here are a few of my favourites (please click to enlarge/view slides):

Adder that!

As the sun was shining, I headed up to Pulborough Brooks in the hope of seeing some Adders, which had been reported regularly over the last few weeks. Walking around the Brooks in glorious sunshine, my hopes were up and my luck was in, in more ways than I expected. Whilst standing reading the Adder information sign I noticed something out of the corner of my eye, on closer inspection, and to my delight, it was an Adder snakelet, only 20cm in length or so. I saw another 4-5 snakelets but alas no adults. However, these were not to be the highlight, rather a heaving ball of Grass Snakes in the brambles, containing both young and adult snakes. Have never seen anything quite like it. I reckon there were at least 6 snakes but probable more. Who could tell? Some photos below (please click on photo to enlarge/watch slideshow); unfortunately due to the thick bramble, in which the Grass Snakes were found, it was very difficult to get any decent shots for want of a stray twig etc.

Other sightings throughout the day, included a Common Lizard, a mouse of some description (very close to the Grass Snakes so possibly dinner), a bank vole, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock, and my first Brimstone of the year (year total now 5). Unfortunately no Firecrests again, next time maybe?

Walkabout

A few days off this week led to a fair amount of time pushing the girls around town - so I thought I'd take my camera with me and see what I could snap. Here are a few shots. Please click on image to enlarge/view slideshow.

Other sightings of interest, my first Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock of the year and a young adder at Mill Hill, Shoreham but alas too quick for a photo. Oh and bizarrly, I saw a male Pheasant fly low over the High Street, Worthing whilst watching the Yellow-browed Warbler!

Warnham LNR

After seeing some great photos from fellow wildlife enthusiasts taken at this site, I decided to pay a trip myself. A good opportunity to test my new lens out before I decide whether to keep it or not. Here are some of my favourite images from today. Unfortunately the Redpolls were not playing ball!

Please click on an image to enlarge/see slide show.

I love this shot of the Goldfinch, it has to be one of the most attractive birds in the UK; just wish the image was a little sharper :-(

Yellow-browed Warbler still lurking in the bushes

The Yellow-browed Warbler still lurking in the bushes - seen both during my lunchbreak (12-1PM) and on way home at 5:30PM on the 8th and again today, 9th March. It was quite active today between 07:45-9:00am, though the light wasn't great. Yesterday the light was great for photos but unfortunately it was behind the bird, and the bird didn't want to make an appearance for too long! Just a few fleeting glimpses. Typical! A few shots from today and yesterday below (please click on image to enlarge).

Also met Gary Faulkner, a fellow wildlife photographer. Gary has taken some great shots of wildlife all around the UK; a link to his flickr page is enclosed here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/gary-faulkner/sets/

Taken 09/03/12

Taken 09/03/12

Taken 08/03/12

Yellow-browed Warbler still pleasing the crowds

The Yellow-browed Warbler is still pleasing the crowds after over a week. This morning I was very lucky enough to get extremely close views for a reasonable amount of time, in the small blossom tree to the right of the entrance of my work. Furthermore, I managed to beat the bad weather by about 20 minutes! If you are coming to see the bird, it appears to like a regular early morning feed in the small conifer adjacent to the Swan Pub; I have seen it there everyday this week between 8-9am.

On Thursday I decided to purchase a longer lens to try and get some better shots of this fantastic little bird; however, with a limit budget I could only afford a second-hand Sigma 70-300mm DG lens.

Here are some of the best images from this am (all taken with a Nikon D300s). Unfortunately the light wasn't the best, so I had to crank up the ISO (up to 2500 on occasion!), lending a little bit of grain to to my shots. Overall though pretty pleased with these efforts (please click on an image to enlarge)!

Also on: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48896022@N08/