UKC

From yesterday, in Lancashire. They were catching sticklebacks I think, in very shallow water, almost 100% catch rate. 

A white stork has been seen over the last few days, and whilst I failed to see it, I did have a hobby do a fly past 30 feet away and 3 foot off the ground. Amazing. 

I think I saw one of these hunting in the canal near me last year? It too was diving into the water (which is what made me take notice).

When my hip gets better, can I take you up on your kind offer of photographing Barn Owls later in the year?

Lovely pics.  They look like such elegant, delicate little birds don't they?  Deceptive innit - tough as old boots!  Its wonderful watching them fish, plunging straight down vertically into the water like miniature gannets.  

I haven't seen any Arctic terns yet this year, but I saw a few sandwich terns (I think) diving a couple of weeks ago.

Lovely shots.

A sparrowhawk was within 3 metres of me this afternoon in the garden, living up to its name. It gave me a hard stare for disturbing its hunting and then floated off over the wall. Beautiful bird.

Funnily enough, I have literally just come back this evening (to where we're staying) from the Arctic Tern colony in Beadnell Bay Northumberland, Little Terns there as well so that's all 5 terns this weekend.

Am on 80 species for the weekend but it's all from near the coast. If I'd really tried for some different habitats then I think I'd be close to the 100. For instance I've not seen any tits, the only BoP is a Marsh Harrier, and I'd seen over 70 species before I saw a Robin.

Highlight was probably the Dotterel (in a grassy field, easily seen, making a mockery of me slogging up Pendle Hill two times) but also some great views of warblers (especially Sedge) and various waders (I didn't realise that Purple Sandpipers weren't just winter visitors).

Back home tomorrow.

Beautiful pictures!

Of course. And hope your recovery goes well. 

Fabulous photos, BC. In the second one, the eyes staring is so intense - locked onto the next meal no doubt. 

Have only seen a few A terns this year so far.

That’s a good number of different species. I’ve never seen roseate terns, but had a common tern that got me thinking a bit. And I’ve never seen a dotterel. 

Here's one, on Mullach Clach a'Bhlair in the Cairngorms, 7/5/2000

Nice, looks like a female, one of the few UK species where the female is more brightly coloured than the male.

Roseate terns - go to Amble, get on boat that does trips round Coquet Island, see Roseate Terns - and lots of other things.

At this time of year when the bills are all black, they're easier to distinguish than Arctic,  or at least that's what it felt like with the boat rocking.

Dotterel was unexpected bonus new tick.

Great pictures BC, always something special about terns.

I bet you're loving the new camera and lens. (IIRC you upgraded ???)

Can't help posting a tern picture I took a few years back....

One good tern deserves another

I was going to say "it was my tern" ....but didn't.

Did you invite one of them to grab some German sausage for dinner?