Birds Photographed in the UK in 2004
(Jan - April)

Jonathan Wasse

American Robin Turdus migratorius
Grimsby, Lincolnshire, Jan. 2004.

The second American Robin of the winter, following on
from a 1st Winter female (like the one here) seen in
Cornwall.

The bird fed on berries and worms on a Grimsby
Industrial Estate.

Apparently it was found by a birder looking for 3 Waxwings.
Not a bad New Year's surprise. (It was taken by a Sparrowhawk in March 2004).

Grey Seal Halichoerus grypus
Rimac, Lincs., Jan. 2004

How do? This magnificent bull showed well.

A pup resting on the saltmarsh

Many seals were on show, and were a lot closer than
the Snow Buntings, Shorelarks and Twites present.

Woodpigeon Columba palumbus
Elstree, Herts., Feb. 2004

My first digiscoped photo
(using Nikon EDIII 60mm with CP 4500).

Great Tit Parus major
Elstree, Herts., Feb. 2004

2nd digiscoped bird at Elstree. Singing in the early-spring sunshine.

Red-breasted Merganser Mergus serrator
Wombwell Ings, South Yorks., April 2004

A very infrequent visitor to the Wath area. Resting on the back of the Ings.

Wheatear Oenanthe oenanthe
Wombwell Ings, South Yorks., April 2004

Showing well in front of the hide at Wombwell Ings. A common passage migrant here.

Glaucous Gull Larus hyperboreus
Scalby Mills, Scarborough, North Yorks. April 2004

This 1st summer showed well on the rocks with Herring Gulls.

A typical pale individual, small pale tip to the bill just forming.

Will it be flying north soon, or oversummering on the North Sea coast?

Kittiwake
Scalby Mills, Scarborough, North Yorks. April 2004

Kitts. bathed in the rock pools. The large colony at Bempton Cliffs is only a short flight away.

Buffelhead Bucephala albeola
Pugneys CP, West Yorks., April 2004

Is it wild? The Nottingham drake of 10 or so years ago appeared at this time of the year.

A well marked bird that was very mobile commuting between the main and nature lakes.

Great Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbys. April 2004

One of a few birds moving back to northern Europe, typical at this time of the year. Compare this excubitor race bird, with the Swedish sibiricus type.

Present on wasteland on a grey and dull day.

Spoonbill Platalea leucorodia
Cley, Norfolk, April 2004

A typical sleeping bird!

Shorelark Eremophila alpestris
Cley, Norfolk, April 2004

I was lucky enough to find two Shorelarks late afternoon on St. George's Day.

The birds showed well on the shingle bank to the beach at the end of the East Bank.

Both birds frequently called to each other, giving a soft "seep".

20+ degrees watching Shorelarks in the UK! You must be mad?

Recurvirostra avosetta
Cley, Norfolk, April 2004

A nice selsction of waders on Arnold's Marsh included the local Avocets.

Black-tailed Godwit Limosa limosa
Cley, Norfolk, April 2004

Is this one of the islandica race? Many Black-tailed Godwits showing well at Cley and also at Titchwell.

Whimbrel Numenius phaeopus
Cley, Norfolk, April 2004

One of 2 present along the East Bank. Excellent comparison with nearby Curlew possible.