Re: "Snow Joke" Snow Buntings" "But No Snow"

Hi Folks OK bad pun but I have not posted for a while.

The sun was out I had the morning to myself so I jumped in the motor and headed for the South Coast, well Wide Water Lagoon, Lancing Sussex to be exact in the hope of spotting the Snow Buntings that have been there for a few weeks. The first ime I went looking for them before Christmas I was lucky but that's where my luck ran out until today that is. I walked westward and on the way I bumped (not literally) into a pleasant lady photogra[her who said she had a fleeting glimpse of them but then they flew off. She headed East and I continued West, i had gone past the point where they had been reported as being seen most of the times so I turned around to go back to this point. I noticed the lady i had just met was taking photos of something so I slowly headed towards her looking in the shingle all the time but i could not see any thing. I slowed right up and the kind lady pointed out the birds on the beach for me, I got quite close but I didn't want to scare them after all she had been first to see them and had an enormous camera to get closer shots. Any way we bother got within 6 metres or so and the birds were busy feeding and were not bothered by us, after about 30 minutes the lady said she had enough shots and was moving off so I moved in closer. After another 10 minutes or so I noticed some people approaching along the beach walking some dogs so i thought I had nothing to lose and slowly moved towards the birds seeing how close I could get before the dogs or I scared them off.

I managed to get within 6 feet before they flew towards the sea and then westward down the beach, I was happy to say the least even with the 60 mile round trip, any way enough chatter from me here's some shots.

The above shot shows how well they blend in and this was fairly close.

Anyway hope you like them, it was a great 40 minutes sitting on the beach with some very friendly little birds

Shane 

Well done Shane a lovely set of photos.

I wonder how many times you can walk past them without seeing them.

Hi Alan

Thanks matey and your right, Im guessing I had already walked past them without noticing and they didnt scare easily, a guy walked right past them as we were taking pictures and they just kept on feeding.

Shane

Only ever seen them once myself, quite trusting little birds. Nice set of photos Shane.

Hi MrsT

Thank you and ss you say, they were trusting little birds which made all the more enjoyable getting so close to them.

Shane

Hi Shane

Nice to see you again

lovely pics of these gorgeous little birds

they are such beautiful, friendly little birds

thanks for sharing them

Great little birds and cracking shots. I'm quite envious, Shane, I've never seen them in this country in their winter plumage. My round trip to Lancing would be a lot more than 60 miles so I'll just enjoy your pictures instead.

Hi sugar. It's good to feel like getting out again and to get a result today made it worthwhile. Shane

Lovely photos, have never seen them either.

Hi Shane, you've got some lovely shots of the snow buntings there. Well done.

I saw 70 plus in November down Norfolk, but they weren't so friendly, they wouldn't let anyone get near.Suffice to say, my photos aren't brilliant.

Viv.

Hi TJ  shame its w bit far but you have the red kites so I am also envious but thank you anyway. Shane

Hi pudwenna hopefully the pics will make up in some way for not having seen them yourself . Shane

Hi viv wow 70 puts my 2 to shame but as you said these two were a bit more friendly and loved the attention. Shane