Male Common Redstart.

During a recent visit to Thursley Common I spent some time in a small area of deciduous woodland listening to the soft but melancholy, high pitched song of the [Common] Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) high in the overhead canopy. One of the more colourful visitors during April to September that migrates to the UK from Africa to breed.

After a while one male decided to descend nearly to my level and briefly perched before disappearing behind a nearby tree trunk only to reappear a few minutes later and burst into song.

Not the sharpest of images but they will do for now.   FAB.

Stonechat.

After a lot of head scratching I very recently raided the savings and upgraded my cheaper Cannon 70-300mm 'kit' lens to the EF70-300mm  f4-5.6L IS USM lens and tested it out during a very brief walk at Witley Common. 

There was unfortunately very little bird life on view apart from a distant perched Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus). Above is the original shot taken hand-held as usual and below is a more detailed crop.

So am I pleased with the performance so far ..... definitely yes.  FAB.

Dabchick.

A Little Grebe that for once came close enough during a visit to WWT Barnes during early March ....FAB.

Sedge Warbler.

A few images of Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) photographed during a stroll around Dungeness RSPB. (See the post on my main blog)

Check out its red gape as it utters its distinctive call.

Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Curlew.

A chance shot of a Curlew in flight taken at Thursley Common at the end of February......FAB