Summer birds.

So much happened bird-wise in the USA, and Elis took so many photos that it is proving a long business to get them all organised and blogs written. We'll be feeding stuff on these birds and places in dribs and drabs.

Mourning Dove, Milford, CT, USA

Since we got back to the UK we have not however just been stuck behind the computers but have been out and about a bit looking for, and at, summer migrants and other local breeding birds.

Skylark in song flight over Bury Field

A short walk in Bury Field behind the house brought our first, if not unexpected, Common Whitethroat of the year.

Whitethroat at Bury Field

At Sandy RSPB reserve we found another new year species, a pair of Spotted Flycatchers in the process of building a nest.

Spotted Flycatcher at Sandy RSPB

Also there we had excellent views of both Great Spotted and Green  Woodpeckers.

Great Spotted and ...

... Green Woodpeckers at Sandy RSPB

A whizz over to Calvert to see this duck, which, those who know more than I about these things, seem to think is a first winter Greater Scaup. I'm prepared to take their word for it as it is a tick for Elis.


1st summer Greater Scaup

Common Tern is a regular breeding bird at Calvert.

Summer plumage Common Tern

A short stop over at Willen lake on the way to town produced photographs of two skulking warblers, Reed and Cetti's whilst the Pied Wagtail collecting food for its nestlings was much more obliging.

Reed Warbler

Cetti's Warbler

Pied Wagtail