Blue Rock thingy

it was a social event really not a challenging bird ID trip -- misty and dank for the most part so not great contrast -- to be or not to be etched in pencil -- certainly no shortage of bird fodder in this particular garden; clearly the key to attracting exotic waifs to your small patch of England

appalling Pallid Harrier shots

I suppose atmospheric distortion was bad but the camera also did not do well on what is always a distant bird -- cracking scope views though particularly perched --

male Marsh Harrier a bit better

a lot of atmospheric distortion today with the sun and cold air but the local male was close enough for some better images -- at one point when a juv passed over high up he sat calling with wings and tail lowered in threat display

Waxwings in dullness

was passing having been to the city of culture (less) station so dropped in as the low cloud obliterated the sun; birds were incredibly skittish as well only down for a few seconds at a time but the first I have seen well this year - I do like these yellow rowan berries though

its all in the iris - male Marsh Harrier

harriers are wise to avoid close encounters with human beings and getting close enough is usually a case of a well appointed hide or using the car -- this wintering male has a territory based on a breeding site way from the communal roosts -- while sitting in the car a cracking Water Pipit landed on a pool nearby but didn't linger long enough; a known wintering site but seeing them in the saltmarsh is always a real problem