North Norfolk, 9th January

A selection of pics from North Norfolk including Titchwell.  A bitterly cold northerly breeze, although once the sun shone it wasn't too bad.  The Golden Plovers at Titchwell at dusk were superb - worthy of more time and more painting.

Thetford, Jan 2013

Spent a recent Sunday out painting the Black-bellied Dipper again, and also a flock of rather mobile Waxwings at dusk on this foggy day.

Christmas and New Year 2013

Christmas and the New Year 2013 saw more Waxwings around Thetford (two different groups were present): 35 on Christmas Day and then a flock of 20 in January 2013.

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll in Suffolk

Some pics of the Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll at Aldeborough in late Nov/ early Dec 2012...
Bitterly cold there, although it must have been pleasantly warm for this bird compared to Greenland.

The humble Wood Pigeon

Well it might not be a great rarity but it's still a stunning bird and never fails to make a good subject to paint, alive or dead.  I found this dead one next to where I park my car - it's unclear how it died; it was under a roost tree, so perhaps of natural causes?  It seems unlikely to be cold weather as it's been relatively mild, and this bird is quite fat.  It hadn't been predated either - no signs of blood, and nor was it a road traffic victim.  A window collision isn't possible either.  I've just been so busy all week I've not had time to paint it until this morning.  I quite enjoyed doing it.  And then I wanted to paint it again but I was running out of time so I just did a few quick sketches instead.  Once you get started there's no limit to getting on with painting.

Grey Phal!

I just about managed to connect with this Grey Phalarope at Livermere - a superb record and a great find by Pete Wilson!  All the tracks at Livermere have been churned up by vehicles carrying wildfowlers.  The ducks were all very wary.  I was doubtful of seeing the phalarope - there was already a c.10,000 strong roost of mainly Black-headed Gulls.  I'd already scanned the lake three times with my scope, when suddenly I spotted it in the far NE corner at 4.23pm.  It was spinning like crazy and did a couple of short sallying flights over the surface.  I watched it a short while then headed to the NE corner trying to beat the fading light.  The light had faded further by the time I was closer, so I wasn't able to see all the plumage details.  It flew out of my scope view at 4.37pm by which time it was rather dark, and I could not pick it up again.  I wasn't sure how far it had gone, just a few feet, or further.  Unfortunately it was not seen the next norning, so it looks like it's gone.  Ah well, I did well to see it.

Mon 26th Nov, Dipper again

Just as I arrived the Dipper was back at the Bridge, I'd not expected to see it.  I watched it for maybe 5 minutes and then it suddenly flew strongly downstream and disappeared around the bend in the river.  I suspect that will be it for a while.  I immediately set to and got on with filling in the sketch below.  There was also an Otter which I had a brief view of.  Always nice to see, but I worry for them, they are so vulnerable to persecution.