MICHAEL NORFOLK

There seems to have been a distinct lack of berries available for winter visitors such as the Redwing and Fieldfare this year and most of the photographs I've taken of them have been while they've been searching for food on the ground.

It's said that Redwing depart our shores, heading back to their breeding grounds in Northern Europe, by mid-april, and so this year I intend keeping a close look out for sightings. There are still plenty of Redwing to be seen in this area at this time with flocks of around 20 birds.

Canon R7, Rf200-800mm, 1/1000sec, f9.0, ISO 6400.

A Redwing searching out food on the paddock, 25th March 2025

One of numerous Dunnock to be seen

Over recent days I have encountered an increasing number of Dunnock singing away, shuffling their way along branches and with their characteristic wing-flicking. Until recently it hasn't been a bird that I have photographed that often as it has always seemed plain and ordinary as opposed to the more unusual and extraordinary species that most photographers strive for. However, along with several other more common birds I have decided to make an extra effort to include them in my 'photographic journey'.

Canon R7, Rf200-800mm, 1/1000sec, f8.0, ISO 6400.

Being one of the first 'unusual' birds I ever photographed when starting out in bird photography I have a special fondness for the Black-tailed Godwit although if I am perfectly honest, much like many other species, I know very little about them. Being a relatively large wading bird they are generally tolerant of a distant lens and are an ideal subject to photograph.

This particular bird was actually one of a small group of 4 Black-tailed Godwits to be seen at the waters edge but my preference is for photographing isolated subjects and so I utilised the full 800mm focal length to achieve that.

Canon R7, Rf200-800mm, 1/1000sec, f9.0, ISO 1250.

One of a group of 4 Black-tailed Godwit to be seen