Microbirdology

The Red-footed Falcon ( Falco vespertinus ) is a small migratory bird of prey that occasionally visits the UK. It breeds in Eastern Europe and Asia and migrates to sub-Saharan Africa for the winter. In the UK, it is considered a rare vagrant, typically seen during spring and autumn migration periods. The species does not winter in the UK. This bird has showed very well at Elmley NR for the last few days. Its hunting pattern is fast and 'darting', so all of my close up shoots were out of focus as the camera did not have time to track and focus the bird!

  Temminck's Stint on the east scrape at Oare Temminck's Stint is a small wader that migrates to the UK mainly during spring and autumn as it travels between its Arctic breeding grounds and wintering areas in Africa. It is a scarce visitor in the UK, often spotted at coastal wetlands and freshwater habitats. In winter, very few individuals remain in the UK, with only a handful (typically fewer than 10 birds) observed each year.  This was probably the bird also seen at Elmley. Wryneck at Swalecliffe The Wryneck is a migratory woodpecker that passes through the UK during its spring and autumn migrations between its breeding grounds in Europe and Asia and its wintering areas in Africa. It is now a rare visitor in the UK, primarily seen on the south and east coasts. The Wryneck no longer breeds in the UK, and very few, if any, are present in the country during winter.

Brief but close views of a Bittern at Elmley, plus Cattle Egret, Whinchat and even a slightly distant Kingfisher from the drive to the car park Whinchat The Whinchat ( Saxicola rubetra ) is a small, migratory passerine bird found in the UK, favoring open habitats such as upland meadows, heathlands, and grasslands with scattered shrubs during the breeding season. The Whinchat is often spotted perched on low shrubs or tall plants, using elevated viewpoints to catch insects. In the UK, the breeding population of Whinchats is estimated to be around 47,000 pairs. This species is a long-distance migrant, wintering in sub-Saharan Africa, with individuals departing the UK in late summer and returning in spring to breed.  Cattle Egret The Cattle Egret ( Bubulcus ibis ) is a white heron increasingly seen in the UK, primarily in wetland areas, farmland, and around grazing livestock, with which it has a close ecological relationship. Distinguished by its compact size, yellow bill, and in breed...

I spend a pleasant couple of hours with a few birds from the Joe Bows Falconry centre at Belmont House, which is only a few miles from our house. It was a photograph session, but I was the only one booked in, or at least the only one who turned up! The birds were handled and displayed by Joe Raines and Megan, so my thanks to them for the evening.  The weather was not the best with cloud cover regularly pushing ISO's up to 12.5k and upwards. Burrowing Owl Athene cunicularia (Burrowing Owl) is a small, ground-dwelling owl native to the Americas, recognized for its long legs, bright yellow eyes, and distinctive white “eyebrows.” Unlike most owls, burrowing owls are active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk, and they inhabit open landscapes such as grasslands, deserts, and agricultural areas. They often take over burrows made by mammals like prairie dogs for nesting and shelter. The global population of burrowing owls is estimated to be between 2 to 3 million birds....