Yesterday afternoon, around 14.00 hrs, whilst acting as a taxi service for my grand-daughter, I watched a group of eighteen Waxwings flying north along the Ramsgate Road, skimming low over the Dumpton Park Nissan garage. I have absolutely no idea if they dropped down onto the various local berry sources, yet knowing there were birds on the move I decided to take a wander around the local area, on foot, this morning. I left home around 08.00 hrs and was at the Park Avenue site, where I photographed them yesterday, within twelve minutes. No sign, so I continued on my way, via the network of Public Footpaths and roadways, down to Dumpton Gap.
I walked the coastal path, opposed to the beach, all the way to Viking Bay before heading back past Broadstairs College and onwards towards home, again via Park Avenue. I didn't see anything particularly noteworthy, yet had a fabulous time playing with the new lens as I pointed it in the direction of (three) Rock Pipits I encountered along the way. Two Pied Wagtails and four Linnets about sums up the passerines, whilst a scan of a flock of loafing gulls failed to produce anything other than Herring and Great Black-backed!
As I made my way back along Park Avenue, there were a few "toggers" gathered, chatting noisily, yet no sign of any Waxwings. I didn't even bother crossing the road and was back home within fifteen minutes, the second coffee of the morning in hand.
Good pics Dyl. One can almost read the rings on the leg (s)
ReplyDeleteIt is the same bird in the last two images. I have done my best to get the ring details from the series of photos I obtained, but have failed to get the entire sequence thus unable to use the sighting to assist "people science". The picture quality, obtained by the new camera/lens combo, is light years ahead of what I'm used to, so a big thanks for that comment way back in October! - Dyl
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