TonyQ's Year (A beginner's tale)

[TonyQ]

While we were looking up the road at the Grey Partridges, I caught a glimpse of something out of the corner of my eye

A stoat

It is a bit of an "Every Stoat Counts" - but it is the only one I have ever seen!

 

[TonyQ]

228. (UK.126). Grey Plover Pluvialis squatarola

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

229. (UK.127). Common Gull Larus canus

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

230. (UK.128). Sanderling Calidris alba

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

231. (UK.129). Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

232. (UK.130). Barn Owl Tyto alba

Holme, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Holme, Norfolk 16.11.2016

We were just driving back to our apartment as it was getting dark when MrsQ saw this flying over a field to the left of the road. We stopped quickly and I took a few shots out of the car window. Very little light - but I think you can see it is a Barn Owl. It was a real treat to see it!

[PeterHG]

Simply love your Barn Owl shots @@TonyQ!

[TonyQ]

@@PeterHG

Thank you!

[TonyQ]

233. (UK.131). Brent Goose Branta bernicla

Morston Quay, Norfolk 15.11.2016

Cley Marshes, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

234. (UK.132). Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 14.11.2016

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

 

[TonyQ]

235. (UK.133). Bean Goose Anser fabalis

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

A small group of Bean Goose were amongst a large flock of Pink-footed Goose.

[TonyQ]

236. (UK.134). Stonechat Saxicola torquata

Salthouse Marshes, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Morston Quay, Norfolk 15.11.2016

[TonyQ]

237. (UK.135). Red-legged Partridge Alectoris rufa

Titchwell Marsh, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

238. (UK.136). Shorelark Eremophila alpestris

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 14.11.2016

Very small numbers of Shore Larks spend winter in Britain (my book says usually less than 100) - so we were delighted to see them on two days - and there were about 30 of them on the first sighting!)

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Feeding on the Salt Marsh, Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Holkham Pines NNR, Norfolk 17.11.2016

[TonyQ]

239. (UK.137). Bearded Tit Panurus biarmicus

Cley Marshes, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Cley Marshes, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Cley Marshes, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Bearded Tits are only found in a small number of areas in the UK. We were thrilled to get such a good sighting of this beautiful bird.

[xelas]

Excellent finds, @@TonyQ ! Bearded Tit is such an awesome looking bird.

[TonyQ]

@@xelas

Thank you - it is an amazing looking bird.

[TonyQ]

240. (UK.138). Goldeneye Bucephala clangula

Upton Warren, Worcestershire 19.11.2016

Upton Warren, Worcestershire 19.11.2016

 

[TonyQ]

I don't have anymore new birds, but I have a few better photos (I think) of birds already posted

 

Greenshank, Norfolk 15.11.2016

Skylark, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Starling, Norfolk 11.11.2016

 

I think the Starling is surprisingly beautiful when in good light

Starling, Norfolk 11.11.2016

Sparrowhawk, Norfolk 17.11.2016

Still not great! - it flew over us, scttered a flock of Shore Larks and then rapidly left

 

[TonyQ]

Black-tailed Godwit, Norfolk 13.11.2016

Snipe, Upton Warren, 21.10.2016

Snipe, Upton Warren, 19.11.2016

Snipe, Upton Warren, 19.11.2016

[TonyQ]

Kestrel, Norfolk 15.11.2016

Kestrel, Norfolk 16.11.2016

Kestrel, Norfolk 16.11.2016

[TonyQ]

And possibly my favourite bird - this time in Winter Plumage

Great Crested Grebe, Earlswood 30.11.2016

Great Crested Grebe, Earlswood 30.11.2016

[Peter Connan]

Stunning shots of the Harrier and Grebe Tony!

[Geoff]

@@TonyQ Yes, it's amazing what your find on your own patch once you start having a close look. You've been racking up the number of species since I last peeked at your thread. Your photography is improving too.

 

What species of snipe is that in post #420? In my experience snipe are extremely difficult to approach (well the ones we get in Australia anyway).

[michael-ibk]

Great additions Tony! Especially love the Kingfisher and Bearded Reedling photos - and how awesome you saw a Barn Owl (and a Stoat)!