What have you seen

15859616364163

Comments

  • mickysf
    mickysf Forum Participant Posts: 6,474 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1802

    Aren't they just lovely! No geckos here but we know just where to look for the local common lizards. It's been good latey as they have been out catching those last rays of sunshine on these warm October days. Was over in Denmark a few years ago and saw lots of sand lizards in the dunes, wonder why we don't see them here on the Lincolnshire coast, just directly across the waters of the North Sea.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1803

    Still around....just got the camera back.  The engineer said that the lens has gone through all of their tests and is 'pin sharp'.  He did find some gunge on the sensor which is now clean...just waiting for some nice weather.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1804

    BM.......At 16.30 this afternoon my wife said to me, 'Why don't you buy yourself a new lens'!

    Swiftly tried to turn her away from spending £1900............

    She then forced me to inquire about trade-in value for my lens....story might might continue.

  • cyberyacht
    cyberyacht Forum Participant Posts: 10,218
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1805

    Is this pending lens purchase dependant on a Dior dress/ home improvement?

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1806

    When I was faffing about trying to convince myself the problem was with me or the weather or anything else I could think of, my wife reminded me there are no pockets in a shroud and if I did not spend my hard earned cash on something that would give me the pleasure and satisfaction I craved, my son in laws would be buying their yerned for toys and getting the pleasure I should have had.

    Now returning to your hearts desire, it ain't the lens that will give you what you want but a NIKON D500 orD850 and whatever lens you desire.

    We are hoping to take a last trip of the year over to your way some time next week. If it would help you to decide, I would be happy to meet up and let you put your SD Card in my camera and give it a try.

    To re-enforce this view, 2 more of our local togs have traded Canon for Nikon.

    What lens do you use at present?

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1807

    BM I’m up in North Norfolk from this Friday until the following Thursday, so if your around we might meet up.  BTW I think there are up to 3 hen harriers at Wareham Greens so I will be spending time there

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1808

    That sounds good OP we discussed Hen Harriers last year I recall. Hope we can make it happen.

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1809

    Bm....at present I use the Mk 1 100/400 Canon.  

    I quite agree about spending your money on yourself....

    As our house is paid off, we have decided not to worry about leaving funds for the kids, they will share the value from the house.

    So you are correct in your statement about spending while you can.

    Whereabouts in Norfolk are you going to be?

    If you checkout this website, shows what's around.

    http://www.norfolkbirds.com/News.aspx

    Sitting here waiting for carpet fitters to arrive....may search the web....

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1810

    Hi GL

    We have not picked a site yet, keeping an eye on the website you mention above for where the birds are and the weather which seems good.

    The Harriers that Oneput mentioned are definitely one I do not want to miss.

    We usually pick a central site to where we want to visit and had looked at Deers Mead near Erffingham but noticed it was alongside the A140

    If you are interested in trying the Nikon before deciding on your proposed purchase, I would be happy to meet up if you can suggest a suitable venue.

    I made a very expensive mistake in sticking with Canon after 30 years and buying better lenses only to find no improvement until my switch. 

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1811

    Don't know if anyone has heard the news but there's a Catbird has been spotted on Treeve Moor near Land's End. It was first spotted on Monday, and is believed to have been carried here on the low pressure system following the storms in America. 

    www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cornwall-45888326

    I've only just found this out and that's a shame as we head further north tomorrow.

  • ValDa
    ValDa Forum Participant Posts: 3,004
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1812

    What sort of catbird?  There are lots of different ones.  

     

  • nelliethehooker
    nelliethehooker Club Member Posts: 13,644 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1813

    All it says is it's a grey catbird. No latin name given, sorry. Perhaps one of the "twitcher" sites will have a proper discription.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1814

    Its a Grey Catbird. Looks like a  larger blackcap with a red bum. Put the name in google and the bird comes up on rare bird alert. Must admit I had never heard of this before.

     

     

     

     

  • Tinwheeler
    Tinwheeler Forum Participant Posts: 23,146 ✭✭✭
    10,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1815
  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1816

    Dumetella carolinensis

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1817

    Haven’t seen any reports that they are still around but will check tomorrow late afternoon.  Will also have a look at Holkham Pines where there are a couple of rarities including a Red Flanked Bluetail and Barred Greenish Warblers.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1818

    Have been checking the websites for sightings as GL suggested.

    We will be at a site near Erpingham from Saturday for 8 nights hope we can meet up and see some interesting birds. There is very little around these parts at present.

     

  • greylag
    greylag Club Member Posts: 585
    Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1819

    Bm

     

    Many thanks for the offer(really generous) of using your camera with my cards, but I think I must stay with the Canon outfit.  I have just looked at the prices for the Nikon equipment and it is eye watering.  For my level of expertise, Nikon would be a waste.  I don't do competitions, I don't upload to the net, I really only put them on the PC for me to look at.

    The only time outsiders see my pictures is at the local annual exhibition.

    WEX have made me an offer to P/X my lens that I really can't pass up....I think they have made a mistake.  The lens is in for them to inspect, lets wait and see, 11.15 tomorrow.

    If you are coming down towards Cromer, give Horsey a look, at this time of year, you should be able to get up close to the seals.

     

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1820

    I was very fortunate that an acquaintance of mine extended me the same offer that I made to you of a loan. This followed my continued unhappiness with my pics even though I had upgraded my camera then replaced the 100/400 mk1 with a Mk2 version then a super telephoto. All this did not improve my wildlife pics although I had many years experience with Canon.

    Like you my pics are no longer used for anything other than my own pleasure and those that I bump into on my ventures who also share their pics with each other via Flickr.

    As your lens has been passed as pin sharp, perhaps the lens is not the problem

    Again you were most welcome to try my Nikon, but may I also offer you the opportunity of trying out my Canon Mk2 lens or a Canon 300mm 2.8 lens with a converter in order to ensure your choice is the correct one.

    I will not be offended if you wish to decline and hope you resolve your issue and enjoy the results.

    If you wish to try the Canon lenses, I will need to know by tomorrow so that I can pack them.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1821

    Great day for Raptors here in North Norfolk,

    Perigine Falcon, Marsh Harrier, Sparrow Hawk, Kestrel, Hen Harrier, Barn Owl and Short Eared Owl.  Most too far away for meaningful photos but a cracking day.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1822

    Hi Op

    Arrived in North Norfolk today after an eventful trip. Jocky wheel unwound itself and touched down on a stretch of the A11 without hard shoulder but no damage. Then smashed my sidestep on a log at Cley.

    Countless geese arrived as the sun set and a local advised they were pink footed geese.

    where were the raptors I will try to get over tomorrow. Directions would help if not signposted. Good luck tomorrow.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1823

    Hey BM,

    You head towards Sheringham from Wells, after 2 miles there is a turning on the right (ignore it) as opposite there is a track opposite on the left.  It has a no overnight camping signs.  The track is narrow and pretty rough and after about three quarters of mile ends in a tiny car park for 3 cars.  Just go through the gate and the marsh/sea is in front of you.  We will be there about 4pm.

     

     

    https://getoutside.ordnancesurvey.co.uk/local/warham-greens-north-norfolk

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1824

    Thanks OP

    The AA will be attending to the car in the morning so should be good for 4.00. I will have a photo waistcoat with Canon on with a Nikon camera which gets me a lot of stick.

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1825

    Ok thanks BM.  Hope the car gets fixed ok.  If you email me on dtl@lineone.net I will give you my mobile number.

    I usually stop by the gate as you head through it from the car park.  I have a blue Honda CRV. Might have my scope and probably a Panasonic bridge camera.  

    Fingers crossed for some good sightings.

    Was woken at 6 this morning by a Twany Owl just behind the vanlaughing

  • brue
    brue Forum Participant Posts: 21,176 ✭✭✭✭✭
    1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1826

    An early morning visit to NT Barrington Court today, first a coffee and then the Autumn colours and the pumpkin patch. The Liquid Amber and the Tulip tree were the stars of the show.

  • RedKite
    RedKite Club Member Posts: 1,717 ✭✭
    500 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper Photogenic
    edited October 2018 #1827

    Saw 4 Cirl Buntings outside the kitchen window in our plot also whilst out having a late picnic near St Cirq Lapopie saw about 50 crag mrtins flying around the cliffs next to the river Lot and a Peregrine Falcon flying around very good and last evening before it got dark saw this dark moving plume above a oak tree got the bins out and all I could see was thousands of small insects flying around like the starling mumurations  I used to see in Somerset, it was about 20 feet long from one side of the tree to the other side never see so many as this before and this time of year.

    Great photos Brue long time since we went to Barrington, as the weather has been so dry here a lot of trees are dropping leaves early so not to much Autumn colour as previous years.

     

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1828

    Looks like we missed out BL, 3 x Hen Harriers at Blankney Point and 1 where were yesterday.  Still got to keep trying, will probably go back to Wareham Greens this evening

  • Oneputt
    Oneputt Club Member Posts: 9,145 ✭✭✭
    2,500 Likes 1000 Comments
    edited October 2018 #1829

    Great sightings at Wareham Greens this evening.  Marsh Harrier, Male Hen Harrier, Merlin, Barn Owl, lots of curlew and a largish flock Golden Plover

  • Wherenext
    Wherenext Club Member Posts: 10,607 ✭✭✭
    5,000 Likes 1000 Comments Name Dropper
    edited October 2018 #1830

    Beautiful photos Brue. Wonderful colours.

  • Bluemalaga
    Bluemalaga Forum Participant Posts: 936
    edited October 2018 #1831

    Good to meet up yesterday, we went to Hicklong Broad today, not much about, several distant Marsh Harrier a couple of kestrel and a rear view of a Bittern.

    However, taking GL's suggestion, we stopped off at Horsey and had very close encounter with a hundred ir so Seals. As the tide came in, the Seals lumbered up the beach and an enquisetive youngster came to within 10 feet of me and settled down gazing toward me with massive black eyes. Thanks GL wonderful sight.

    OP, we will be looking in to Blakeny tomorrow evening if you are about.

    Lovely pics Brue, must get over to Westonburt.