Previously “Diary of a Birding Medic”; “Rugby Birder”; "Bempton Birder”. All views expressed in this blog are my OWN and do not represent the opinions or policies of any organisations or entities whatsoever with whom I have been, am now or will be affiliated. Reference to Bempton Cliffs in NO way promotes the organisation known as RSPB Bempton Cliffs, but rather the FREEdom of the cliffs.

Monday, 18 March 2019

Dalby Forest (An Enjoyable but Photographically Challenging Day!) - 18th March 2019

Crossbill

Today, I learned (again) that you can't have everything turning out right! A good weather forecast for sunshine following a heavy frost gave me the opportunity to head into the Dalby Forest in search of a Great Grey Shrike. With such weather my motivation was high as I commenced the walk to the clearing where the Shrike had been seen. Reports from previous observers had indicated that the Shrike remained distant and sometimes elusive. Arriving at the clearing under a bright blue sky the task was now to find the Shrike! As I walked around the area, it struck me that if I spotted the bird, I would be looking directly into the sun! It took a good hour before I spotted it high up on a dead tree, distant and directly into the sun! The little bugger would not come close and would not fly to a position where the sun was better positioned! Still, I had seen it and it was a two year tick for me!

The following images are not very good and heavily cropped and I feel rather embarrassed publishing them, but they are record shots of an enjoyable sighting!

An idea of distance even for my 300mm 2.8 with 2x converter!



Poor image but lunch appears to be a ? newt / lizard!




A supporting cast of other birds included a group of about twenty Crossbills, probably more difficult to photograph than the Shrike!



And a Coal Tit





And finally a Roe Deer



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