red-breasted merganser at Mistley

Well, it's common, but I don't see them every day. Photo could be better, was not really melding with the 400 lens today

This flock of pintail were nice

Minsmere Konik Pony

Visited Minsmere after a bit of a break. It was raining the sort of light but determined drizzle that eventually soaks through, but at times it seemed like I had the reserve to myself. Good for ducks, teal, wigeon, shelduck. The wind was down and the sounds were classic winter Minsmere, with some of the Lapwing calling and the babbling almoust laughing sound of shelduck in the distance. A bit of a surprise to see the horses out in the rain, the above specimen feeding with about five others near South Hide.

Shoveler

I don't normally do ducks, but today is the weather for them, and even I can call these ones, due to their massive bills.

Little Egret

A Little Egret added a dash of brightness - they're becoming two a penny down here but you still have to admire such a handsome bird.

RSPB Lakenheath

Saw this snail hanging on a piece of grass - quite colourful for a snail. Scored lucky on the Cranes - got here a bit late (9am). Worked slowly along to the end via the path near the railway line. Lots of whitethroats, marsh warblers, the odd sedge, several reed buntings and finally got to the crane watchpoint about 11. Saw a hobby hunting, and good views of a marsh harrier. About 11:30 the cranes took off near the corugated iron hut about a mile away, rose majestically in the air, did one loop and then descended into the reeds again.

Fritillary

at SWT St Martin's Wood.

Bats - pipistrelle social calls

searching - third sound is a social call. Thanks to David from the Bat Conservation Trust forum for educating me as to what the strange call was

Bats

They're too high for us to hear normally, so this recording is slowed 10x to become audible

Homing in and taking out an insect

Orange Tip

Orange Tip butterfly, Bradfield Woods. Reasonably co-operative to being photographed, unlike the cabbage whites. I haven't yet got close enough to one of them for a shot