I have learned over the years (I’m a slow learner) that if you want decent photos you need decent light. Well today I went down to the Severn Estuary in the most dismal light because I had seen reported that there was a Little Ringed Plover on the Pilning Wetlands; and LRPs are one of my favourite birds. Although, I’m probably going to change my mind about “favourite birds” as a fellow birder said that to me this morning that his favourite bird was “the next one” – a very good adage indeed.
Well I did manage to see it but, not surprisingly, I did struggle to get a decent photo.
Little ringed plover
Little ringed plover
I started at Aust Warth to see if I could see a short eared owl but had no luck. There was a kestrel but it only ever showed me a rear view.
Rear view of kestrel
When I arrived at New Passage the tide had already gone too far out for me to really record anything of interest. I could see redshank, black-tailed godwits and turnstones. Others saw a ruff.
I’ve included this photo of redshank to show how dismal it was!
Redshank
I walked out to Pilning Wetlands and soon saw my little ringed plover. I also enjoyed watching pied wagtails flit about and I made feeble attempts to photograph them at a distance in poor light.
Pied wagtail
The previously mentioned birder helpfully pointed out with his telescope a male merlin and, although it was quite some way away, I did manage to get some shots.
Merlin after heavy cropping
In fact this is what it looked like (if you look hard) with 800 mm lens:
Little grebe
Shoveler
Teal with pied wagtail for size comparison
Meadow pipts having a bath
Not a brilliant day for photographs but I met several friendly birders and saw quite a few birds; and so, quite a successful morning.
Martin's Bird Blog & Nature Photos 