Hogz!

While photographing the 'Blue Moon' yesterday, I realised I was sharing the garden with two (a pair?) of Hedgehogs: always a delight to encounter!

Gull-billed Tern at Minsmere

...and lots more besides! Just Brian and me today - Norman has a bad back - so I decided to head down to Suffolk for a bash at the recently-present rare terns. First stop was the East Hide (pausing to admire a somewhat obscured Grasshopper Warbler) where I found a delightful Little Gull. It was obvious all the Terns were on the next scrape, so we moved to the public viewing platform, from where a delightful newly-local birder picked out a couple of distant Roseate Terns. He informed us that the Suffolk Whatsapp group were reporting the Gull-billed Tern over at Island Mere - a fair old hike! Nevertheless, we made good time and were soon enjoying fabulous views of this rarity - only my second in fifty-plus years of birding! Fleeting views of a Bittern before we adjourned for coffee and snacks and a move up on to Dunwich Heath. No Dartfords, but some interesting dragons and damsels: Magnum ice creams and then home!
(Shout out to the charming and friendly Suffolk-American birder David we met in Island Mere Hide!)

Up early for a Blue Moon...

I don't recall ever managing to photograph two full Moons in one month before, so I was determined to have a go. It was quite tricky to capture this morning's 'Blue' Moon, because it never rose very high above the southern horizon: nevertheless an early rise gave me a couple of photos of  May's second full Moon peeping through the trees.

Below is the result, together with the  'Flower Moon' of May 1st: I've also added views of Venus and Jupiter taken from my garage door to show how bright - and close together - they were at sunset.

'Flower Moon'

Blue Moon

A welcome year tick!

Long overdue: I zipped across to Strumpshaw before breakfast and finally managed to connect with a Barn Owl - albeit at extreme range! I was very much time constrained, so couldn't try to get closer: hopefully Brian & I will catch up with the species at Bempton in June! Also saw a couple of Twayblades: probably the least impressive of our wild orchids!

Raptors over the garden

I was delighted to discover that 'our' striking white male Buzzard is still in the area: he's been a regular visitor for five years or more. Last night, while Linda and I were enjoying a glass of fizz on the patio, another handsome male raptor flew over - this time a Marsh Harrier.

Kingfisher at Strumpshaw Fen

Hoping for a Barn Owl (a species I still haven't seen this year!) I arrived at the Fen at 04.45 to find the meadows bathed in a glorious golden light, but obscured by ground mist. I walked around to the pumphouse, checking out both nest boxes and all the usual perches, but not a sign, unfortunately.

Plenty of Reed and Sedge Warblers, as well as at least four booming Bitterns and three calling Cuckoos. I finished the session in a surprisingly busy Fen Hide, where we all enjoyed close views of a very obliging Kingfisher, as well as Bittern, Cuckoo and Bearded Tit.

The night sky in June (And ISS passes)

Just finished chatting with Jules Button on her very entertaining 'Suffolk Sound' radio show: as promised, here's the information about what you can expect to see next month..

Once in a Blue Moon!

On Sunday night the second full Moon of the month will rise just after sunset: when this happens it's popularly referred to as a Blue Moon (Although it will actually look pinkish!) In the summer months the Moon is lower in the sky, so you'll need a clear south eastern horizon to see moonrise at around 10.00pm

Meanwhile, at 3.20 this afternoon, I'll be talking with Jules Button on Suffolk Sound radio about what you might see in the June night sky.

Loch Ness Enigma

My latest book has had its first print-run! It won't be on Amazon (or the usual outlets) for a week, but you could buy a copy (signed if you'd like!) for £15. Contact me on:

david_bryant51@hotmail.com

Jupiter and Venus moving together

On June 9th these two planets will appear side by side in the sunset sky, a spectacular conjunction which becomes even more impressive a week later when the thin crescent Moon and Mercury join the party! 

Swallowtails at Strumpshaw

What a difference a couple of hours make! The second visit to the Fen was much more fruitful, with ridiculously close views of a number of Swallowtails around the Reception area. Paul was like a puppy with two tails!