With a late start and arriving later than 7am this morning to meet Stephen Harper at 6.30am at Island mere hide, Minsmere. I was pleased to see one of the male Bitterns already in front of the hide, the light was lovely and it was wind still. 😊Pleased to have had a good morning and the company👍

Thank you tom, much appreciated, sorry for late reply 🙂👍

Finally got around to more photos from my trip to Spain a few weeks ago. This time Ravens on our first day out, you can see just how bad the weahter was with non stop raining and no sunshine nearly all day. We did get more birds and fox's later in the afternoon thank goodness.😉

Thank you Sarah 😀

Out of bed at 4.30am, a quick breakfast then an 1.5 hour drive to Great Yarmouth at first light for the SEO's some good views but no photos. So, had some quality time with these lovely little Ringed Plovers. They were a joy to watch, photograph and the weather was brilliant. 😊

Had a trip over to Great Yarmouth today, unexpected and pleased I went. Weather was very cold and windy, the SEO's were sitting all day in the dunes grasses trying to stay warm and out of the wind. It was only at the end of the day, they started to move about if only for a while.

After a four hour session for the Bitterns at Island mere hide with again a no show day, I am for the first time thinking this a very slow start this year. So, a quick up the road to the heath, was a nice few hours watching Dartford warbler males feeding up nicely for the spring.

Thank you for sharing this, as I am in my 8th year with my Bittern surveys and studies. The question most ask is, how far do the migrate and which countries. Just how many more have gone further without us knowing it ??

Here is proof that more and more Bitterns are moving further out into northern and southern areas. I had evidense sent to me that a dutch bittern was tracked all the way to Ghana, that is an epic journey for any bird.

Hamlet the Golden Eagle being released into the wild after recovering from being shot

We’re relieved to hear that Hamlet, a 4-year-old Golden Eagle, has recovered from his injuries and been released back into the wild after being shot in the Borders.

It comes after the suspicious disappearance of two other Golden Eagles, Tarras and Wren, in the south of Scotland in August.

🧵

Thanks Pete, I really enjoyed seeing so many other species while in Spain, especially the Goshawks 😊

Thank you that is kind of you, yes I will soon 👍

Many thanks 😉👍

One of the most unusual and beautiful sights we had were the Buzzards, some of them had this amazing plumage and markings. Although we saw the most common type we have here in the UK, this one was in my eyes something special. It could be a young Buzzard but I am not sure. 😉😊 @rspb.bsky.social

Another nice surprise while in Spain was to see Fox's not far from where the Imperial Eagles came to their perching area high up in the hills. Sat in a small hide gave us a chance to see them up close as they came over the ridge. Poor light and rain was heavy at times but useful and atmospheric 😉

🙂👍👍

Photographing Goshawks in Spain was no1 on my list. Having never seen one before in the wild, was an experience never to be forgotten. Their behaviour when eating prey was amazing to witness, especially when other raptors came close they would encompass the prey with their wings to protect it.

A quick introduction to my trip of Spain which I got home on Saturday evening. I am now now downloading around 5000 images of many species of raptors like these Imperial Eagles, Goshawks and many more like the Iberian Lynk. I will post other images once I have oprocessed them including more raptors.

One of the lovely smaller birds we encountered in Spain was the Azure magpies (Iberian Magpies) by a reflection pool. They are beautifully coloured and their calls/song is sweet, cheerful and totally different from our common Magpies here in the UK. They can be feisty as well when together 😂

Thanks Rob, yes it was and my pleasure to share the experience. 😉👍

Thanks Rob 👍

The third day in spain for the Iberian Lynx was a perfect start in the morning when a stunning male appeared out of the forest. Then a female arrived, he promptly followed her about and was interested in her as they are mates. She climbed a tree with the male below scent marking.

Goshawk. I Spent the day downloading and filing the images with still more to do. I can say the trip was brilliant and many new species/lifers for me. Weather in Spain was the worst winter they had seen for years with storms and flooding and only the one afternoon of sunshine.😊

Thank you Lori 😊

Two White Tailed Sea Eagles in a dispute over territory on Mull july 2023. Something that was a wonderful experience to see, witness and full of excitement. @rspbscotland.bsky.social @rspb.bsky.social @ailiswatt.bsky.social

From green to grey: why ‘growth at all costs’ is threatening British wildlife This weekend amateur naturalists will spend an hour logging the birds that visit their gardens to contribute to national data

As the Big Garden Birdwatch returns tomorrow, the grim reality of our "nature-depleted" country hits home.

Citizen science provides vital data, but is it ignored by a government prioritising concrete over conservation?

David Jobbins with a personal plea.

One of our visitors a couple of years ago, a Sparrowhawk used an old baking tray full of water as a bath we put out for the birds to drink, he did this on most days for a few weeks. We do get them most years, so hopefully not on our RSPB garden bird watch. Still something to see and enjoy 😊👍

"10 Birds You’d Be Lucky to Spot on Your Big Garden Birdwatch" features ten bird species. Top row: Hawfinch with a large bill and chestnut plumage, Corn Bunting with streaked brown feathers, and Skylark with a crest and buff colouring. Middle row: Linnet with a red breast and brown wings, Lesser Redpoll hanging upside down with a red cap, and Brambling with a striking orange chest. Bottom row: Marsh Tit with a black cap and pale underparts, a male Yellowhammer with bright yellow plumage and a female with streaked brown, a Green Woodpecker with a red crown and green body, and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker with black and white markings and a red patch on the male’s head.

The countdown is on and our final ‘10 birds’ guide is here...

Spotting these on your patch? Now that’s lucky! 😍

Don't forget to sign up: www.rspb.org.uk/whats-happen...

#BigGardenBirdwatch

This is very good news.

I finally finished my Crested tit Blog and it is ready for viewing on my website, mywildlifeimages.com
@rspb.bsky.social