Its been snowing!

Its not everyones cup of tea but me I love the snow. Hours of ends playing with the white fluffy stuff that just floats down from the air. Took a this photo my bedroom window and tried a few photos of the snow falling but didn't have much luck :(

Matthew Foakes

Ill call it artistic

Hi all,

Just a quick one today because have not got much time on my hands as I have just come back from an explorer camp at thriftwood brentwood. The site was holding its annual pedal car olympics and our unit thought we would give it a go. Whilst I was not racing we were wondering taking part in the other activities laid on for us. I then took the smart move on saying I was going back to camp to put another layer of clothing on and then for reason got "lost" which lead me all around the lakes seeing a hand full of mandarin duck out on one of the smaller fishing lakes. It was a nice trip seeing all the common woodland birder woodpecker a long tailed tit flock and caught a glimps a Sparrowhawk gliding through the trees. When I got back they were all very concerned about me as I had been "lost" for some  time. They actually believed me even though I did have my gps and map on me. Oh well they didn't know that.

I enjoyed the event and  finished first in the pursuit. I would defiantly go back next year given the chance :)

Matthew Foakes

Im back! I say "Im" because through what I can gather Jamie Croft won't be blogging anytime in the future due to change of interests so its just me for now. I supposed it should be young birder now rather than plural, (I will try and get that changed) I have created to flickr account which I have put some photos I have taken whilst I have been not blogging.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/63549038@N02/with/8334699474/#photo_8334699474

I know have bike now so will be able to bird with out relaying on my Mum and Dad taking me everywhere. If you don't already know my parents are not naturally wildlife people so it takes a lot of nagging to get them out.

Here are few photos that I have taken over the last year. Sorry theres quite a few

nearly at the end...

one more to go...

Finished!

As you can tell my love of macro photography have increased :)

I would like to thank follower "Early Worm"for reminding me to do a blog so if you liked this then thank early worm. 

Matthew Foakes

Rainham Marshes

I took a trip down to RSPB Rainham Marshes today. It was a bit chillier than the recent whether we have experienced over the last week after the snow but still a mild day to be out in. Walking through the woodland area it sounded like spring with the air filled with bird song and plenty of tit flocks around. There large numbers of Lapwing still around but the real bonus was the excellent views a very close Reed Bunting that was feeding on the bull rushes. 

Over all rather a good walk round I just hope the weather keeps this way. 

Matthew Foakes

(M.F)

All photos by M.F

Lackford Lakes

On the weekend we went with the RSPB Havering Local Group to Lackford Lakes in Suffolk. After an early start and a short 2 hour conch journey we had arrived. But to our dismay we were greeted by fog, thick fog. Thankfully this soon cleared and as we looked out over the lakes we could see up to 11 golden eye present on some along with other winter wild foul.

There were 4 tundra bean geese and a large collection of gulls settling down roost. We really enjoyed the day and would go back if the opportunity came again.

Young birders.

Matthew Foakes(M.F) Jamie Croft (J.C)

Robin (M.F)

Greylag geese (M.F)

Blackbird (M.F)

Mute Swan (M.F)

Frozen Rainham

Today I braved the cold weather and went down to Rainham Marshes. The frost looked wonderful covering basically anything it could. With the brilliant still winds it meant that you could see anything in the reeds which come in handy finding a few reed bunting and 2 beaded tits! Really good views I got at a close range. It was a fantastic day out.

Matthew Foakes (M.F)

M.F

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M.F

We made it

Happy new year everyone. At the begging of the year we said that together we would try to reach 150 birds by the end of the year. And I am pleased to  say that we managed to gain 152 birds between us which may not seem a lot however we did not do any twitching just visiting various places around britain. 

Good luck in the new year and we will continue posting through out the year.

Young Birders,

(M.F) (J.C)

Boxing Day Birding

Hello readers I hope you all had a great Christmas and ready to burn of all those mince pies with a bit of birding. It is a family tradition to go to Southend on boxing day so for me it was taking some shots of the turnstones and sanderlings on the beach. Normally we take a stroll along the pier but due to engineering works to is out of use. I only took a few snaps but I hope you enjoy looking at them.

Matthew Foakes (M.F)

Turnstone (M.F)

Sanderling (M.F)

Too many late nights(M.F)

Leigh on sea

Hello readers


Sorry for the lack of information recently but other events got in the way but we are back in full spirit. Today I went to leigh on sea near southend really just to see the turnstones. These are fantastic small birds that run so fast with there tiny little legs. I took full benefit of the weather trying to use the blue sky as a back drop were possible. I had a close in counter with a sanderling too which in some case came too close to focus.


I really enjoyed and would recommend on a nice afternoon/morning taking a trip that way. But make sure you take the thermals as it can be could in some parts.


Matthew Foakes (M.F)

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Titchwell Marsh

Yesterday we went on a days coach outing with the RSPB Havering group to Titchwell marsh in Norfolk. After a long journey we arrived at the reserve. The place was under going some management at the time so one of the paths was close. Walking from the Centre to the two new hides we saw 1 hunting Marsh Harrier, 2 kestrels and a hobby. Along with a few stonechat and whinchat. In the hide we found rock and meadow pipits bathing in front of us along with a few goldfinches and pied wagtails.

But for us the best was the beach. Sea watchers found us great skua, gannets, a guillemot and a red throated diver. Along with these there were many waders including oystercatcher, knot, grey plover, ringed plover, sanderling, turnstone and oystercatcher. We really enjoyed the day would rank it in one of the best we have ever visited.

Young Birders

M.F

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M.F