PHOTOS of INTEREST from 2021-on

Our most up to date shots of rare, scarce and interesting wildlife in Britain.
2022 was the storm after the lull, visiting Arizona and Colorado, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica and Bermuda, and I still had time for a couple of weeks on Shetland with Mike, where I finally caught up with my bogey bird in the shape of Pechora Pipit, unfortunately it eluded the camera, but it was my fourth UK tick this year. Moths have been quiet, partly due to the drought, when we were in Costa Rica anyway, but I did have a little success after returning from Shetland.

As we now do relatively little twitching this section now covers a variety of wildlife, not all of it rare, but it's for interest's sake rather than selling photos, which has almost become a thing of the past with digiscoping and downloading. We will of course still sell photos if anyone does want them, as the quality of downloaded images isn't great, especially if you want an enlargement. Please e-mail to contact us if you want to order, or for any other reason
Last updated November 2022
e-mail:-aabirdpix@btinternet.com

Alpine Accentor Slaughden October
Needing to stay put for a few weeks I decided not to go to Scilly, but couldn't resist a day out to see this, actually my second in Suffolk. First winters are in fresh plumage in autumn, and more or less indistinguishable from adults, very smart.

Alpine Accentor Slaughden October
Proving unusually difficult to get good views due to the rough tall grass where it was feeding, it did come out onto the beach area occasionally. Unfortunately it was a "gone Friday" bird, but it (or another) turned up on Blakeney Point. Glad I saw it in Suffolk!

Merveille-du-jour Sutton Bridge October
One of my moth ticks was one of the most hoped-for species in anyone's trap. It's only taken ten years. Obviously fresh, two days later it was sat outside the trap and had faded noticeably. Presumably the pattern is a form of camouflage on lichen covered surfaces but it doesn't seem to work too well.

Dusky-lemon Sallow Sutton Bridge October
Having done very little moth trapping during the year, I put the trap out quite a lot during what remained of October. This proved to be a good move, since I had three new moths, this one being rather worn as you can see.

Glaucous Gull Lerwick Harbour October
Present most of the time we were on Shetland, this 2nd year bird was often to be found on the roof of the fish factory. It often wasn't also, and it was near the end of our stay when I managed a photo. Let's face it, when you're on Shetland Lerwick Harbour isn't usually the place to be!

King Eider Scalloway October
The usual view of a King Eider on Shetland is of a distant bird in a voe which has to be found in a large flock of Common Eider. This bird was in a harbour with a small flock of Eider, and gave much better views, plus a Slavonian Grebe as a bonus.

Myrtle Warbler Shetland October
Just as we were due to return home TWO Myrtle Warblers dropped in. We only managed the first, unfortunately, as the second bird showed better apparently. There's always next year!

Twite Uyeasound October
A large flock of Twite was accompanied by a few Redpolls, which as far as we could tell consisted of an Arctic, a Greenland and several Lessers. However all the birds were very flighty, but the Twite in particular posed in front of the camera on occasion.

Great Grey Shrike Hillwick October
Thought by most, and looking like, a homeyeri this bird had a long stay but took to hiding in a private garden at times. Having travelled back to Mainland to see it we then had to repeat the journey when a Pechora Pipit turned up about 100m away.

Hornemanns Arctic Redpoll Mid Yell October
One of the Arctic Redpolls at Mid Yell, looking very white and frosty, but then so did the Mealy! The flock flew around the village, never in one spot for long, this was taken behind the community centre.

Mealy Redpoll Mid Yell Shetland October
The redpoll "problem" in a photo. This bird looked like an Arctic, indeed there were two around, different from the earlier single bird at Mid Yell. But look at the undertail coverts. The bill also doesn't appear to be the stubby bill of Arctic.

Redpolls Voe Shetland October
A visit to Voe for yet another Hornemanni gave me a nice comparison shot with a Lesser Redpoll. Any Redpoll being quite scarce where I live nowadays, it was interesting to see all the (sub)species, although we didn't confirm an exilipes Arctic.

Red-backed Shrike Unst September
Missed the Woodchat this year, but this Red-backed Shrike showed well on the other side of the trees holding the Yellow-browed.

Yellow-browed Warbler Shetland October
A few more than last year, but nowhere near the numbers that will show after prolonged easterlies. However, the change in weather patterns is bringing more Yanks to us, so we shouldn't complain.

Swainson's Thrush West Yell October
Rarities are relatively uncommon on Yell, but this seems to be gradually changing, which suits us because we stay on Yell. Initially quite flighty and disappearing for long periods, it showed well at times during its stay.

Swainson's Thrush West Yell October
Although showing well from time to time, appearences were often brief, and due to its situation it was best seen from the main road which was rather distant. It was first seen on a fencepost at the side of the road, but obviously never returned there as there were two nice gardens below.

Blyth's Reed Warbler Shetland October
Found whilst waiting for the previous bird, there was some dispute about it's ID because the legs were quite pale. It did on occasion exhibit the "banana" posture, and as it wasn't a Marsh and Reed is a real rarity on Shetland, we are happy. We saw another later anyway.

Eastern Yellow Wagtail Shetland October
Another repeat from last year, but this one did stay in one area during its stay. Unfortunately most of that area was out of view, but patience rewarded everyone eventually.

Hornemann's Arctic Redpoll Mid Yell October
Lots of these on Shetland, this wasn't the first we saw but it was the most photogenic. A beautiful little bird, found in our friend's garden.

Common Rosefinch Shetland October
Norwick always seems to attract this species, this year there were four which were easily photographed when we went. A bit different to last year when all I managed was a beady eye in a weedy field

Pectoral Sandpiper Shetland October
I had a tick on Shetland this year but couldn't photograph it. This bird which was unusually flighty and actually changed locations several times, was one of two Pecs, also proving difficult to capture on pixel. I did manage a couple of shots.

Baird's Sandpiper Meikle Loch September
At last a decent photo of one, taken on our way to Shetland. Despite negative reports the bird showed very well on occasion, it took us much longer to find the Loch than the bird. It's hidden from the road but once on site we were rewarded with Red and Black-necked Grebes in addition to the Baird's.

Red-backed Shrike Kessingland September
My first decent find at Kessingland which lingered for a few days, just before we returned to Lincolnshire.

Lesser Whitethroat Kessingland September
A few good migration days, an Iccy, and five Pied Flycatchers in one bush, plus large numbers of Whitethroats and Lesser Whitethroats, but photography proved difficult.

Kingfisher Kessingland September
Having been abroad for several weeks this year, we only had a short period at Kessingland before going to Shetland. Several migrants, but finally got a shot of the local Kingfisher, which is often flushed by dogwalkers.

Small Copper Frampton September
A pair mating on a convenient broken stem. Unusually common at Frampton on this visit.

Cape (Kelp) Gull Graffham Water August
Long predicted following records in France and Western Sahara, this came as a complete surprise one Sunday afternoon. A good find, often close, enabling the bare parts, which are the main identifying features, to be easily seen.

Black-Medded Gull Norfolk May
Mediterranean/Black-headed Gull hybrids are becoming more common as numbers of Med Gulls increase. A quiet spring this year saw us photographing this whilst seeing nothing else in particular.

White-tailed Lapwing Frampton March
Starting to moult in to summer plumage and better than when it was at Blacktoft, this was a Frampton wader tick for me so I had to go. I didn't have to go three times, but it was worth it eventually when it settled close to a hide.

Great Bustard Salisbury Plain March
Whether you choose to tick them or not, the re-introduction scheme gives an opportunity to see displaying males at the right time of year. We saw 35 birds in total, about a third of the current population.

Belted Kingfisher River Darwen March
Amid stories of mud like The Somme, and people getting very brief views after several visits, the bird started to be seen regularly after a period of disappearence, so we made the pilgrimage. Not only did we get good views but due to the recent no-shows the entrance fee to the field was suspended. It soon went back though, wonder how much went to charity?

Stone Curlew Norfolk March
We stopped off in the Brecks on our way to somewhere else, and found at least six Stone-curlews in a field, there were probably more. A few Tree Sparrows were also around, and our first Willow Warbler.

American Robin Eastbourne February
Another which probably arrived long before its discovery, on the edge of a housing estate. A lot easier than the nearby Hume's Warbler which was difficult to see, let alone photograph.

Purple Sandpiper Lowestoft Ness February
Nice to see a small flock of these, which have wintered at the Ness for many years. Numbers are down obviously over the long term but have been about the same since the millenium.

Red-breasted Goose Cley February
Like buses, you wait ages and then three come along together. Not absolutely certain whether it's two or three, as the Lincolnshire bird seems to have disappeared, but was there when this arrived, although the Essex bird wasn't.

Green Woodpecker Dersingham February
How do you when it's time to cut the lawn? When it hides most of a woodpecker. Driving to see another Red-breasted Goose this was on a verge at the side of the road.

Goosander-Deeping Lakes January
If owls aren't showing, a visit usually produces at least a few Goosanders and Goldeneye. This pair looks as if they've fallen out, at least four birds were seemingly paired up.

Common Buzzard Deeping January
Buzzards are far more numerous in the Fens now, when we first moved here they were a rarity, now I can see twelve in a day. Red Kites also, but this must affect populations of other species.

Long-eared-Owl Deeping Lakes January
Fairly close to home, a return visit found two owls roosting in a visible place. One was deep in and not really photographable, this one did at least move its head occasionally. It was a very pale bird for a Leo.

Little Owl Deeping Lakes January
A well-known winter roost of Leos, initial failure turned to success in this Little Owl nearby, a species which is becoming more difficult, certainly in Norfolk and South Lincolnshire.

Dartford Warbler Norfolk January
Sunshine recently has seen a lot of activity from these often elusive birds, not yet singing but it won't be long. At least two pairs seemed to be following the feeding activities of Stonechats.

Red-flanked-Bluetail Durham January
Although it's been reported as a 1st-winter, this is the first record of a bird wintering in the UK. I think it could be a prospecting adult as the species is spreading westwards.

Red-flanked Bluetail Durham January
Haven't seen one for years, although an annual visitor now. A very different scenario from 1992 when the Winspit bird filled a small valley with twitchers, but it was a convenient stopover on our way home.

Velvet Scoters Musselburgh January
The long-staying White-winged Scoter attracted us, and we found it immediately we arrived, also a male & female Surf Scoter. Sadly six hours on the rising tide didn't bring anything closer.

Water Pipit Welney January
A bit of sunshine makes all the difference, although this bird can be elusive in reedy tufts. Spent most of my time putting recently fledged birders on to it, the sunny weather having bought them out in numbers.

Tundra Bean Goose Welney January
Had to go twice for these, but it's not far. Weather/visibility poor on first visit, when I also dipped the Water Pipit, but there's always something to see (Great White Egret, Tree Sparrow, Short-eared Owl).

Red-breasted Goose Butterwick January
Hiding in plain sight, the flock also contained up to six Pale-bellied Brents and a Black Brant. The Brant's been in the area years, some say it's a hybrid but it looks like a Brant, albeit a little pale on the mantle.

Red-breasted Goose Butterwick January
A far less common sight nowadays, but we went to play "hunt the redbreast" In a large flock of Brents, they only have to put their head down or turn away to become elusive. In a large field, our quarry remained distant.

Glossy Ibis Slimbridge January
Calling in at Slimbridge after an abortive attempt to photograph the Pacific Diver, this juvenile was in a field just south of the reserve. My visit co-incided with the first break in the rain for 24 hours.

Bewick's Swan Slimbridge January
Despite a seemingly large flock being mis-identified Whoopers, there do seem to be good numbers of Bewick's in the country this year. Ist year birds are also in evidence, always a good sign.

Smew Eyebrook Resevoir January
Always good for Smew at Eyebrook, this "punky" adult male was accompanied by five other males and two redheads, but numbers vary as the area is large and birds move to other waters in the region such as Rutland.

Tufted Duck Eyebrook Resevoir January
There was a Greater Scaup at Eyebrook but it was asleep. Photographing Smew, I thought another had appeared in the corner of the viewfinder so I took it. When downloaded I realised it was the pitfall for the unwary, white-faced Tuftie.

Iceland-Gull Cley January
Having waited till New Year to go and see this, I was very lucky as it didn't wander far from the seal carcasses. At one point it landed on the sea right in front of me.

Short-eared Owl Eldernell January
This bird has apparently roosted in the same spot for several weeks, and had its ear-tufts up most of the time we were there, which is unusual. I wonder whether a report of a Long-eared Owl was in fact this bird, since it's not really Leo habitat.

Short-eared Owl Eldernell January
There are probably several Short-eared Owls in the area, but two were visible at the start of the year, along with distant Cranes and a Peregrine for good measure.

Great Northern Diver Pentney January
January 1st birding started with this, which was a good choice because it departed soon after. There was also a Black-necked Grebe on the same pit.

Kestrel Frampton November
A visit to Frampton saw my quest for a decent shot of the male Hen Harrier thwarted again, I had to make do with sightings only, also saw Merlin, Peregrine and several Kestrels.

Mallow Sutton Bridge October
My last decent trap of the year produced this which I had trapped before but never at home.

Gem Sutton Bridge October
A migrant mostly on the south coast, the second I've trapped at home. This is a male, the species is sexually dimorphic.

Long-toed Stint Swillington Ings October
My only tick of the year, sadly conditions weren't right for a decent photo. I've twitched two (one on the Outer Hebrides) which turned out not to be genuine so this was a real bonus a couple of days after returning from Shetland.

Shorelark Grutness Shetland October
Scarce on Shetland, two of these had us chasing around Grutness in a gale. There was an added bonus of a Jack Snipe, which had been sitting tight until someone inadvertantly flushed it.

Barred Warbler Wester-Quarff October
Several around, but this one proved particularly obliging when the sun came out, not always the case on Shetland.

Barred Warbler Wester-Quarff October
Not often seen foraging on the ground, true to type it did disappear at times but usually re-appeared given time.

Red-breasted Flycatcher Girlsta October
We saw five R-B Flys, one of which we found. This one was at the back of a small quarry area at the side of the road, and spent long periods in the bushes there, often out of view.

Western Bonelli's Warbler Easter Quarff October
A classic example, heard to call and showed well. I hadn't seen one for many years.

Western Bonelli's Warbler Easter Quarff October
No apologies for a second shot of this bird, a species often difficult to get good views of and high in trees.

Hooded Crow Brae Shetland October
Common on Shetland but tend to be near human habitation, as opposed to Ravens. This one was possibly what kept the Red-eyed Vireo hiding, as we only had a couple of brief views.

Semi-palmated Sandpiper Pool of Virkie October
A long time since I've seen one of these in UK too. A howling gale was the order of the day, but we managed to find the closest point to the pool which afforded some shelter.