Birding Braunie

September was a month spent almost entirely wandering about in the brooms and woods on Wanstead Flats (There are other men doing this who don’t do it for the birds so one has to be careful). It was a special time as the place appeared to become a magnet for our more regular migrants and they didn’t disappoint. Otherwise it was the Lee Valley that took up my time. Need to go further-afield come October! September 29th 2015 – Chingford Plain/Connaught Water Chingford Plain is an old haunt of mine with some cracking birds seen in days gone past; Ring Ouzel, Richard’s Pipit, Short-eared Owl to name the few. Today it was nice if not totally unexpected to happen upon a pair of Whinchat – they’re getting everywhere this autumn. Connaught Water was just a bit of fun with trying out a few flight shot tips. Ring-necked Parakeet Whinchat September 26th 2015 – Lee Valley Park Nice sunny day and a casual walk around the park before volunteer duty at the Bittern Watchpoin

29th August 2015, Wanstead Flats A lunchtime sortie to the flats looking for Redstart and Spot Flycatchers. I had no luck there but managed a nice Tree Pipit and a distant pair of Whinchats. I was happy. 28th August 2015, Lee Valley Waterworks NR Much indebted to Brenda for giving me the opportunity to follow her around as she conducted a reptile survey for the park. It’s not often I let the lady do all the lifting but Brenda knows how to lift a corrugated sheet you know! I was the lucky one who had the job of photographing what we found. God these snakes move fast for an animal with no legs. Anyway after a few missed opportunities I finally got to grips with 'just shoot as the lid comes off but sometimes you just don’t have time. Well, that’s my excuse. Grass Snake Grass Snake Grass Snake Devil’s Coach Horse Common Darter Common Blue 26th August 2015, North Norfolk So a man gets a day at his leisure to bird in the hall