Male Hawfinch, taken last year in Suffolk.

In the spring and summer the Hawfinch’s bill is grey-blue and in the winter it is grey-yellow. Not sure why but it might have something to do with diet - in winter predominantly seeds and in summer insects, especially when feeding young. Perhaps the yellow version is stronger to crack those seeds?

Tags:   Coccothraustes Coccothraustes Male Hawfinch Suffolk Bill Beack Stone Cracker

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Long Tailed Tit, possibly the cutest UK bird?

Overcast day at Sculthorpe Moor, but the highlight being a roving excitable flock of these pink and black lollipops. Very hard to get a clear shot through the tangle of branches and they certainly don't hang around either.

Pushed the ISO quite high on this one due to the low light.

For best view hit 'L' for large on black.

Tags:   Aegithalos Caudatus Long Tailed Tit Sculthorpe Moor

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Didn't manage too many shots which isolated the background. Stunning bird, could easily spend all day watching him hunt.

Tags:   Red Backed Shrike

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I haven't really appreciated how beautiful the Golden Plover plumage is before, but it was wonderful to see this flock at fairly close quarters. Most of the time they were resting on a mud bar in the lagoon, but every hour or so they would take flight for a few minutes.

Taken in Norfolk.

Tags:   Pluvialis apricaria Golden Plover flock flight Norfolk

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Drove to the North Norfolk coast this afternoon and visited one of my favourite 'hidden' reserves. Sadly the kingfisher hide was very overgrown so no joy. This was more than made up for by a very close (for a Marsh Harrier!) fly past by this female carrying her Rabbit lunch. She was then joined by another female (I am assuming her daughter) who appeared to be begging for the food. I have never seen this behaviour before or 2 Harriers so close, couldn't believe it! Challenging light and focus (quite a few shots of the bushes rather than birds). Will post some of the chase shortly!

Tags:   Female Marsh Harrier

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