Swifts.

Still chuffed at getting some decent Cetti's shots I thought I'd have a go at getting shots of another hard bird to get when I arrived at Marsh Lane early this morning.What are they : Swifts.A bird that zooms about at great speed but they do give you the opportunity of getting loads of empty sky shots.

Another Brandon Trip.

I went over to Brandon Marsh on Wednesday morning to see if the Black-tailed Godwits were still about.

Went straight to the Teal Pool hide where,although it was nice to meet up with two Warwickshire birding legends Bob Duckhouse and Kevin Grocock,I was told the Godwits had flown.Luckily a pair of Little Ringed Plovers flew in for a photo shoot to calm my mood.

As soon as I saw the Godwits land on the river pool I shot over to the hide where it was nice to meet up with Dave Hutton.The Godwits were a bit distant but it was nice to see all five.

Sorry but some more Cetti's shots but as I don't think I'll better these I promise not to post any more for a while.

A Grasshopper Warbler was reeling out on the Newlands not far from the bench.It remained a fair distance away and there were always twigs in the way so pics for record purposes only.The last shot is a cheat I took it in June 2008 at Marsh Lane but it shows what they look like.

Click on pics for a larger version.

Over to Marsh Lane again.

Popped over to Marsh Lane Tuesday lunchtime in warm sunshine.Didn't bother with the hides but headed for the causeway area which has been very good recently for getting shots.

Luckily after much chasing around I finally got some shots of one of the Cetti's Warblers that have been there for a week or two.Now these are not ordinary Cetti's they are Marsh Lane Cetti's which are very rare as they have not been seen there before.

Failed to get any shots of the Reed or Sedge Warblers and there was no sign of the Grasshopper Warbler.Did get some decent shots of a Whitethroat.

Some Kestrel shots.

Whilst on the Farborough Bank on Monday morning this Kestrel paid a visit.

The good news was that it stayed for a while hunting in a nearby field.The bad news was that the sun was right behind it and I failed to wind up the exposure compensation enough to get really good pics.

Some shots taken on Monday.

Whilst on the Farborough Bank at Draycote on Monday morning this Wagtail dropped down.It looked a bit different so although it was a bit far off I managed this shot.I'm told that it might be a female Blue-headed Wagtail.

Also in the same spot a Wheatear made an appearance which was my first of the year.

A quick visit to Marsh Lane on the way home was worthwhile as the causeway area was lively again with 2 Cetti's, several Sedgies, 2 Reed Warblers and best of all a Grasshopper Warbler was reeling away but not seen.Here are a few shots pity about the reeds.

Early Morning Trip to Marsh Lane.

Despite the threat of rain I went over to Marsh Lane early Sunday morning.A bit dull for getting any decent shots but it was nice to find the place pretty lively.

The causeway area was the best place with some Linnets, Willow Warblers and LT Tits on show.The best was several Sedge Warblers were flitting about on the reeds from both of the causeway screens enabling me to get my first shots of the year.

There are two Cetti's on site now and one showed very well on the bushes along the stream line.Too dull for any pics though and of course too damn quick.

There were six Common Terns on the railway pool which became very noisy when one of them caught a fish.

Here are a few pics taken this morning.

Brandon Marsh first then Marsh Lane.

It was sunny again on Friday morning I couldn't believe it !!!!! So I decided to shoot over to Brandon Marsh to have a go at some Warbler shots again.

Went for Willow Warbler shots first as they are easy as they come and pose for you.My type of bird.

Next I tried for some Whitethroat shots but the two I tracked down on the sheep field were too lively chasing each other around and all my shots were rubbish.

As I've been diagnosed as having Cetti-itis (a morbid desire to try and get a decent shot of a Cetti's Warbler) I had to have yet another go at my favourite spot.It is great fun but there is loads of swearing as you miss shot after shot.Here are my latest efforts most of them taken deep in the bushes (the bird not me).

Tried to get some shots in the carpark of a Swallow which was zooming around.Has this one got a broken streamer?

On the way home I called in at Marsh Lane to see if the Gropper was still about.It wasn't.

A Quick Visit to Brandon.

It was another nice morning so I shot off to Brandon Marsh to have a go at my favourite sport at the moment "Getting shots of Cetti's Warblers".

From my favourite viewing spot I was having trouble seeing them so I used a trick that never fails to get a bird you are after to come into view :- Put the camera down,get out a sandwich and take a big bite.The bird will appear it never fails.You won't get a shot though but you do see the bird.

The Cetti's did come pretty close but always deep in a bush which is hard to get a shot off.Here are my best of the day none of them better than last years effort plus a Willow Warbler shot which Cetti's should take posing lessons from.