View allAll Photos Tagged migration
*** PHOTOSHOP ENHANCED ***
These hummingbirds were all on this stick individually during a 5 - 10 minute period. As I saw the individual pictures I thought it would be interesting to see them all on the same photograph.
From left to right: Female Calliope, Female Rufous, Male Rufous, Male Calliope.
The photographs that made this picture we all taken in May 2014 at the Bull River Guest Ranch at the Gerlach Nature Photography Hummingbird workshop.
This is the time of year we will see this species on our beaches as they are ,staging, feeding up and preparing to continue to migrate to nesting grounds in Alaska and the Arctic.
Black Brant BLBR (Branta bernicla nigricans)
Island View Beach Park
Central Saanich BC
DSCN3360
IVB
Despite a fine cloudless day, today's photo excursion was not very inspiring… lots of common residents such as geese and robins, but little else. As I was getting ready to head home from one of our waterfront parks a distinctive call exchange and activity in a nearby tree yielded a pair of Yellow-bellied Sapsuckers…. a lifer species! :-)
I have already posted several pictures of the Semipalmated Sandpipers I captured in Grand-Pré, Nova Scotia. These images were taken in the Bay of Fundy at Johnson's Mills, New Brunswick where I headed after Sackville, only a 30 minute drive. This is where you will find the greatest numbers of these shorebirds during their migration between mid-July to mid-August. I spent two days observing them and this is the biggest flock for me which was approximately 45,000. Much greater than in Grand Pré. In this case, the Peregrine Falcon flew over the flock at rest on the beach and picked one up. Needless to say the entire flock took off..... the view and sound cannot be described, just spectacular.
As they travel the northern part of their route, the path is cut many times by the Mara River – a dangerous obstacle not only for its swift current but also for the predators that are concealed within it.
Read the story behind the image:
annemckinnell.com/2015/06/08/the-wildebeest-migration-a-p...
www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/find-a-reserve/reserv...
This popular reserve on the north Norfolk coast has something for everyone. A walk from the visitor centre down to the sandy beach takes you past reedbeds and shallow lagoons, which are often full of birds. You can sit on benches or watch from spacious, wheelchair-accessible hides.
In summer, marsh harriers float over the reeds, where bearded tits nest. On the lagoons are avocets, gulls and terns. In autumn and winter you can see up to 20 species of wading birds and lots of ducks and geese.
A well-stocked shop has a wide range of RSPB gifts and books and a large selection of telescopes and binoculars. We have a servery and inside eating area selling a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, as well as snacks and locally-made cakes.
Opening times
The reserve is open every day of the year. The visitor centre and shop are open daily from 10.00 am to 5 pm (closing at 4 pm from November to February). They're closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The cafe is open daily from 10.00 am to 4.30 pm (closing at 4 pm from November to February). It's also closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Entrance charges
There is a charge of £5 per car for non members.
Information for families
There are lots of exciting activities for families to do during the school holidays. Call the visitor centre on 01485 210779 to find out what is happening today.
Information for dog owners
Dogs are only permitted on the west bank path, which is a public right of way. They must be kept on a lead and under close control.
For more information
Contact us
Tel: 01485 210779
E-mail:
titchwell@rspb.org.uk
Star species
Our star species are some of the most interesting birds you may see on your visit to the reserve.
Marsh harrier
Look for marsh harriers gliding over the reedbed with their wings held upwards in a shallow 'v'. In spring, pairs perform their breathtaking 'skydancing' displays high in the sky.
Bittern
Keep your eyes peeled for bitterns making short, low flights over the freshwater reedbed. You may be lucky enough to find one fishing on the edge of a channel. In late winter and spring, listen out for the mating call: a deep, resonant 'boom'.
Bearded tit
You will often hear bearded tits before you see them. Listen for their bell-like 'pinging' calls, then watch them whizzing across the tops of the reeds. They perch up on the stems in calm weather and feed on fallen seeds on the mud at the base of the reeds.
Avocet
Watch elegant avocets 'scooping up' microscopic, aquatic life in their amazing, sickle shaped beaks. They nest in mini colonies on the islands of the brackish marsh.
Redshank
You can see redshanks wading in fresh and salt water throughout the year at Titchwell. Watch for their towering display flights over the saltmarsh as you walk along the main path in spring.
Seasonal highlights
Each season brings a different experience at our nature reserves. In spring, the air is filled with birdsong as they compete to establish territories and attract a mate. In summer, look out for young birds making their first venture into the outside world. Autumn brings large movements of migrating birds - some heading south to a warmer climate, others seeking refuge in the UK from the cold Arctic winter. In winter, look out for large flocks of birds gathering to feed, or flying at dusk to form large roosts to keep warm.
Spring
This is one of the most exciting times of the year. The first spring migrants, such as swallows and sand martins, can be seen over the lagoons with wheatears along the beach. In April and May, the lagoons can be full of migrating waders, including ruffs, black tailed godwits, spotted redshanks and dunlins. Marsh harriers can be seen performing their 'sky dancing' display and the reedbeds are alive with singing reed and sedge warblers. If you are lucky, you may also hear the 'booming' of the bittern, which has recently returned to breed at Titchwell.
Summer
Mid-summer is the quietest time for birds but the best for some of the more elusive reserve species. It is possible to see the rare water vole on the pools around the meadow trail and, if the conditions are suitable, up to ten species of dragonfly and damselfly. By mid-July, the breeding marsh harriers will have flying young and up to 15 birds have been seen in a day. In these quiet months, the reserve staff carry out essential management work on the lagoons. While every effort is made to avoid disturbance, it may sometimes be encountered during a visit.
Autumn
Autumn is the time for waders when, with luck, over 20 species could be seen around the reserve. Species such as curlew sandpiper, little stint and black-tailed godwit stop on the lagoons to feed on their return migration from their Arctic breeding grounds to their African wintering grounds. With the high spring tides, large numbers of waders can often be seen roosting on the lagoons. September is one of the best months to view bearded tits. The young gather in small flocks and can show very well feeding on seeds blown onto the mud near the Island Hide.
Winter
Winter is the time for wildfowl at Titchwell. Large numbers of ducks and geese winter in North Norfolk and most of these species can be seen on the lagoons. The commonest species are teal, wigeon, mallard, gadwall and shoveler, with smaller numbers of pintails and goldeneyes. Offshore from the reserve, large 'rafts' of common scoters, long tailed ducks and eiders can be seen. In the evenings, thousands of pink-footed geese can be seen flying to their roost sites along the coast. Hen harriers, marsh harriers and occasionally barn owls can be seen over the reedbed at dusk. In the evenings, thousands of pink-footed geese may be seen flying to their roost sites along the coast.
Facilities
Visitor centre
Information centre
Car park
Toilets
Disabled toilets
Picnic area
Binocular hire
Group bookings accepted
Guided walks available
Good for walking
Pushchair friendly
Viewing points
The viewing platform on the edge of the dunes is an excellent spot from which to watch an array of waders on the beach and fishing terns, migrating skuas and wintering sea ducks, divers and grebes at sea.
Island Hide gives views over the bird-filled freshwater marsh and along the edge of the freshwater reedbed where you can watch bearded tits and water rails feeding.
We now have a new Parrinder Hide as part of this project.
Fen hide overlooks the freshwater reedbed and is the perfect spot from which to see bitterns, bearded tits and marsh harriers.
Nature trails
There are three trails on the reserve and all are accessible to wheelchairs/pushchairs.
The main path is approximately 1 km long and runs from the visitor centre to the beach.
The Fen Trail was extended in September 2012, along with the East Trail and Autumn Trail. To the end of the East Trail is 700 m and to the end of the Autumn Trail is 1.2 km.
Please note that the Autumn trail is only open between 1 August to 31 October to avoid disturbing the marsh harrier roost.
Coming back from these trails you can rejoin the main path via the Meadow Trail, which is 100 m long.
Sorry, dogs are only allowed on the main path (a public right of way).
Tearoom
We have a servery and inside eating area selling a selection of hot and cold food and drinks, as well as snacks and locally-made cakes.
Refreshments available
Hot drinks
Cold drinks
Hot meals
Cold meals
Snacks
Shop
There is a large selection of optics and books, plus daily optics demonstrations.
The shop stocks:
Binoculars and telescopes
Books
Bird food
Bird feeders
Outdoor clothing
Gifts
Accessibility
10 September 2014
This is a Summary Access Statement. A full access statement is available to download from this page.
Before you visit
Entry to the reserve and the hides is free. Parking charges apply for non-members. Free parking for carer or essential companion with disabled visitor
The visitor centre and shop are open daily from 9.30 am to 5 pm (November to February closes at 4 pm) except Christmas Day and Boxing Day. The cafe is open daily from 9.30 am to 4.30 pm (November to February closes 4 pm) except Christmas Day and Boxing Day
Registered Assistance Dogs welcome. Other dogs are only permitted on the west bank path, which is a public right of way. They must be kept on a lead and under close control
Two pushed wheelchairs for hire free of charge
Check accessibility for events and activities.
How to get here
King's Lynn Railway Station is 22 miles (35 km away)
Bus stop outside the reserve.
Car parking
Eight Blue Badge spaces 130 metres from visitor centre entrance
120 spaces and a short walk along a gravel path from the visitor centre
Surface is bonded gravel
No lighting
No formal drop off point
No height restriction
Visitor centre and shop
Entry by double doors and a shallow slope. There is an entrance at the front and back to the visitor centre - both have shallow slopes. The entrance doors are manual, outward-opening light doors without a threshold.
Level, tiled floor throughout. No seating. Good lighting. Magnifying glasses, pens and paper available. Binoculars hire. Small children’s binoculars free hire. Information displayed in clear print format. Staff available to assist. Shop is in the visitor centre. Level throughout. Some tall or deep displays. Staff available to assist.
Nature trails
Three signposted trails. Mostly flat, boardwalks and rolled sand and gravel surface. A short, steep slope over the sea defence bank near the beach.
Viewing facilities
Four hides. Ramp or slope access with a mix of large windows or solid wood viewing slots which require opening - can be difficult as they are stiff. The new Parrinder Hides are spacious modern and all level throughout.
Toilets and baby changing facilities
A unisex accessible toilet in the main toilet block near car park 200 metres from the visitor centre.
Catering
Café serving hot and cold food and drinks, snacks and locally-made cakes. Step-free entry. Level throughout. Non-slip flooring. Colour-contrasted crockery. Staff available to assist. Nearest accessible toilet is 200 m from café in the car park.
Picnic area
Two picnic areas, five tables and one bench outside the visitor centre one bench with all tables having wheelchair spaces. 60m from the visitor centre toward the car park is a second picnic area with four benches and three tables with space for wheelchair access. Visitors are welcome to consume their own food and drink here.
Education facilities
No dedicated provision
Help us improve accessibility by sending feedback to the Site Manager.
For more information
Titchwell Marsh Visitor Centre
E-mail: titchwell@rspb.org.uk
Telephone:01485 210779
Cafe
The 'feeding station' is warm and friendly with a reasonably-priced menu. We serve a wide selection of hot and cold snacks and light lunches. Takeaway drinks and food also available. Freshly-baked home-made scones daily. Locally-made ice-creams.
We serve our own exclusive coffee that is grown, imported and roasted by us. It's Fairtrade, organic and certified bird-friendly by the Smithsonian Institute, so now you can help save nature simply by enjoying a great cup of coffee!
Opening hours
10 am to 4.30 pm (we close at 4 pm from November to February)
Highlights from our menu
A selection of cold, filled wraps
Freshly-made sandwiches
Our famous bacon baps
Home-made cheese and fruit scones
Carrot and walnut cake, made by our local bakers, Krusty Loaf
Access to the cafe
Our cafe is on the ground floor - no stairs and easy access for wheelchairs.
Children welcome
We have two highchairs available. Children’s corner selection on the menu.
We use local ingredients
We sell locally-made Norfolk ice-creams. We use Fair Trade products where possible.
Dietary requirements
There are vegetarian, vegan, wheat-free and gluten-free options.
How to get here
By bicycle (Sustrans cycle route)
National route number 1 is within two miles of the reserve.
By train
King's Lynn - 22 miles.
By bus
On the main road outside the reserve.
By road
Take the first left after driving eastwards along the A149 through Thornham village. The reserve is signposted with a brown tourist sign.
Archaeology and history
Titchwell Marsh is a wonderful place for wildlife today but there is fascinating story to tell about how the landscape has evolved. Visitors can see remains that illustrate the two major events that have shaped the landscape - sea level rise after the last ice age and military use during the Second World War.
The advance of the sea
It wasn't always open marsh at Titchwell - there was a time more than 9,000 years ago when this area was covered in forest and was part of coastal plain that stretched out into what is now the North Sea.
Flint artefacts from this Mesolithic era have been found on the reserve, evidence that people were hunting and gathering, probably following animal herds for long distances. It has been suggested that at this time they could have walked as far as Denmark whilst staying on dry land!
A wetter climate led to the formation of peat, causing the trees to fall and be preserved in the wetland deposits. Gradual sea level rises throughout this post-glacial period then inundated and preserved the peat beds. Today the remains of the trees and peat beds can be seen eroding on the coastal foreshore at low tide.
Once the sea level rose, the coastal plains were inundated and by the Late Bronze Age, around 3,000 years ago, sea levels would have been much the same as today. Archaeologists have found evidence that people were living on the edge of the wetland at this time so there must already have been a settled community here - it would have been a good location to farm the dry land and exploit wetlands for fishing and fowling.
Today the challenges of climate change mean we expect more coastal inundation and our engineering works will ensure the preservation of important wildlife and cultural heritage for the future.
The Second World War
These wetland and intertidal areas would have been exploited by human communities for millennia for hunting and farming, but it is the 20th century that has seen the biggest changes at Titchwell and left an indelible mark on the reserve that can be seen during your visit.
During the Second World War, the quiet marshes were turned into a firing range
During the Second World War, the quiet marshes were turned into an Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) firing range and the coast was reinforced against invasion. Part of these defences would have included a reversal of drainage and encouraging flooding as a defence against invasion - helping to re-establish wetland biodiversity.
The main banks, including the Parrinder bank were constructed for firing practice, with targets set at 1,000 yard intervals. Today these banks ensure that freshwater wildlife can be protected from inundation by saltwater. Rare breeding species such as the bittern, bearded tit and marsh harrier rely on freshwater reedbeds for there continued existence in the UK.
The remains of a 'firing loop' where tanks drove up to fire at the targets is still preserved as well as pillboxes where machine gun practice was also taking place. Many of the islands in the marsh were built to house 'pop-up' targets for gunnery practice and today these are important for breeding and roosting birds.
Occasionally the remains of two Covenanter tanks can be seen at low tide on the foreshore, their appearance depending on the shifting sands. These two were probably used for target practice.
More information about these heritage sites can be obtained from reserve staff during your visit.
Metal detecting and the collection and removal of objects from the reserve is not permitted.
Our work here
Titchwell Marsh is specially protected as part of the North Norfolk Coast Area of Outstanding Natural beauty.
The RSPB has helped create a mosaic of wetland and coastal habitats on the reserve in order to attract a diversity of bird species. These include nationally important numbers of avocets, bearded tits, marsh harriers and bitterns, and internationally important populations of wintering waders.
We are working to keep these habitats in good condition, and also to provide a key visitor attraction and a good example of our management practices.
Reedbed success
Our freshwater reedbed is important for threatened wildlife such as bitterns, bearded tits, marsh harriers and water voles.
In 2005 our three-year project to rehabilitate the reedbed for bitterns proved successful when the first pair bred on the reserve for 18 years.
Living lagoons
We are managing the freshwater lagoon and its islands for the benefit of breeding and wintering waders and wildfowl, among other wildlife.
We are also managing the brackish marsh as a saline lagoon. This provides suitable breeding conditions for avocets, as well as feeding grounds for other waders and wildfowl.
Natural habitats
We are allowing natural processes to maintain other coastal habitats, including saltmarsh, shingle and sand dunes. This provides habitat for a variety of birds, including wintering brent geese and wigeon, breeding little terns and redshanks, and high tide wader roosts.
We are also managing woodland and grassland areas around the reserve for their wildlife.
Rising tide
The coastline at Titchwell is eroding and we know that the site is becoming more vulnerable to damage caused by surge tides and storms. The RSPB is working to ensure the freshwater habitats are protected and will continue to support species such as the bittern and bearded tit.
We are examining options for flood defences at the seaward end of the reserve and will provide further information as soon as it becomes available.
Reaching people
Titchwell is one of the most-visited RSPB reserves. We will continue to maintain and improve our facilities. We will also use the reserve to demonstrate our management practices, and will continue to develop our positive relationships with key audiences and local communities.
Coastal Change Project
Titchwell Marsh is an exceptional nature reserve in a special area. It is part of a network of outstanding wildlife sites across Europe called Natura 2000.
The nature reserve has been under threat from the effects of coastal change, the impact of sea level rise and increasing storm events. The Titchwell Coastal Change Project was designed to save the reserve from the effect of these coastal changes.
We are pleased to say we have now successfully completed the project.
We have realigned the sea defences to the north and reinforced the sea banks around parts of the reserve to the west and east. The future of the reserve and its wildlife is assured for at least the next fifty years.
We could not have achieved this without support and funding received from the EU Life+ Nature Fund, WREN, The SITA Trust, Marine Communities Fund, and the many individuals and RSPB supporters who donated and enabled this project to take place.
The project took several years to plan and three years to deliver. A summary of what has been achieved appears below:
A new northern sea defence was built along the line of the Parrinder wall. The completed Parrinder wall will protect the reserve’s freshwater habitats to the south
The sea wall and west bank path were re-built and improved from the visitor centre northwards to the Parrinder wall. This sea wall will protect the freshwater habitats for years to come
Improvements were made to the freshwater marsh islands and reed bed to benefit nesting birds such as avocet and bittern
The fabulous new Parrinder hides opened in December 2010
A breach was made in the east bank to the north of the new Parrinder wall. This has allowed saltwater on to the brackish marsh which will change over time into tidal saltmarsh. The new saltmarsh will in turn protect the new Parrinder wall. This new marsh will be known as Volunteer Marsh
A section of the south-east corner of the east bank was improved, enabling it to better protect the freshwater habitats which lie to the west
The sluice on the east bank, which lets freshwater off the marsh, was replaced. This will enable us to control water levels on the freshwater marsh more effectively than we can at present
A new reedbed area was shaped and formed in the grazing meadow east of Fen hide
Two new trails were developed to the east of Fen hide. These trails will open in 2012.
The project has protected and improved the conservation value of the reserve and has ensured that it will remain one of the most outstanding and valuable wildlife sites in Europe.
Hundreds if not thousands of monarch butterflies were gathering on the Spit today before crossing Lake Ontario during their migration south to Mexico.
Grand Island, Nebraska
Another photo from last weekend watching the Sandhill Cranes in central Nebraska, during their annual spring migration.
Piraeus port, Syria war refugees, little boy and a woman holding a kid
It's been, for long now, a common daily activity where hundreds of Syria War refugees along with illegal & undocumented Asian and African migrants are smuggled (in unseaworthy rubber boats and perilous conditions in the Aegean sea) from the Asian coast of Turkey to the Greek islands, by conveniently operating and hugely profiting traffickers (selling out even fake, water-absorbent life-jackets, to migrants), under the nose, if not guidance and pressure, of the Turkish coast guard, and despite the EU-Turkey Migration treaty.
Migrants arriving to Greek islands are then transferred by ferryboats to Piraeus with the prospect to be dispersed to "temporary" camps all over the Greek mainland, but most likely to remain "trapped" for undisclosed time, if not for ever, as far as the key migrant "European corridor" remains closed-down at the borders in the north region of Macedonia(Greece) with FYROM* in order to protect the rest of EU states (uneager to accept but a tiny number of documented refugees) and also discourage future migrants from heading to Europe.....
Meanwhile in Greece, migration inflow steadily surpasses outflow, as far as the war in Syria continues and Turkey capitalizes not only on Syrian refugees but on all its Asian and African migrants reaching swiftly (with cheap TurkishAirlines fare & e-visa) Istanbul, Europe's backdoor, by smuggling them to Greece so assisting its expansionist policy through the ethnological, cultural and economic destabilization of the small communities in the islands and (given the huge influx and the border blockage), all over Greece, while generating also an instability potential of the status quo in the Aegean Sea that Turkey's "deep state" would like to change by dividing it in the middle (if not by taking over whatever Greek land) at a given opportunity, alike with the Invasion of Cyprus in 1974 ...
Consequently, Greece, already suffering a deep socio-economic & political crisis under its divisive, incompetent and obsessed neo-communist leadership, is turned into a de facto European "migrant buffer zone", and has to manage alone, just with EU "technical assistance", the unstoppable migration influx from Turkey and an additional, social crisis. It looks as if Greece is declining into a state of uncontrolled anarchy (UPDATE MAR31 less than 24hrs after OP) while EU is imploding and fragmenting from the backlash of its own misdeeds and consequent crises ....
Crises that emerged from the geopolitical games and the wars imposed and/or exploited by the .... Great European Powers ( UK, France, Germany), along with the USA, NATO, as well as the Sunni Islamists of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and, last but not least, Turkey and its neo-ottoman styled leadership that promoted the war in Syria and cooperated undercover with ISIS, further escalating its own undeclared (civil) war against the Kurds, not just within Turkey, but also in Syria
Wars fancily dubbed as "against tyranny and terror", have in fact caused by far more misery, terror and havoc with the disintegration of Iraq, Libya and Syria, the eventual creation of Al-Qaeda, ISIS and the other jihadist organizations that preach and exercise blind hatred, and terrorism against the West, while they impose their domain and Brutal Rule of Terror on a number of regions across Middle East, Asia, and Africa.
UPDATES
MAR.31 : Migrants Clash at Pireus Port
APR .. 1 : Violence at Chios Island Migrant Camp
APR . 4 : First Deportations to Turkey While Migrant Boats Continue Ariving to Greek Islands
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*FYROM, (originally Vardarska or Vardar Banovina), a landlocked country and non EU member state, is usually referred as "Macedonia" in the "narrative overlay" of media such as CNN, BBC etc that systematically defy the only officially recognized (by UN, EU, NATO, IOC, IAAF etc. etc) name "Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM), for their very own reasons. if not for assisting the agenda of specific interests (of USA, NATO, UK, certain EU member states and, as usual, Turkey) in the allready quite broken apart and multi-divided, Balkans ...
FYROM also should not be confused, with the historical region of Macedonia in Greece as the later incorporates the whole area where Ancient Macedonian People firstly appeared and lived more than 2500 years ago, that is about 1000 years earlier than the arrival of the Slavs in the Balkans....
Musée des Confluences Lyon
Hema Upadhyay, Mute migration, 2008 (245 x 612,5 cm Matériaux composites, objets de récupération.
Palm Warbler,early spring during migration, Western Pennsylvania.
My Nature Photography Website: jheintzphotography.zenfolio.com/
View my Blog at: jheintzphotography.zenfolio.com/blog
All Rights Reserved
Daily sight along my commute across the DelMarVa peninsula every day. I love my drives. I get to see beautiful nature every day.
#ABFAV_FAVOURITE_SPRING_THEME
Why can we not be like birds eh? LOL.
Well, they do ADAPT to their environment, a big must for ‘migrants’?
Bird migration is the regular seasonal movement, often north and south along a flyway, between breeding and wintering grounds.
Many species of bird migrate.
Migration carries high costs in predation and mortality, including from hunting by humans, and is driven primarily by availability of food.
It occurs mainly in the northern hemisphere, where birds are funnelled on to specific routes by natural barriers such as the Mediterranean Sea or the Caribbean Sea.
Have a bright day and thanx, M, (*_*)
And for more of my other work or if you want to purchase, visit here: www.indigo2photography.com
IT IS STRICTLY FORBIDDEN (BY LAW!!!) TO USE ANY OF MY image or TEXT on websites, blogs or any other media without my explicit permission. © All rights reserved
Its the goose migration time at Cat Tourmente. I never reaaly took the time to try to do those landing shots of the geese. So there you have my first one ever.
The Walk Back Home
This camel trader begins his journey back home with his herd.
After three long days in Pushkar for the fair, the walk back home is a longer one.
Sometimes, even hundreds of kilometers and several days through the desert
and the jungle before they are back.
Presenting in 'highkey' style.
#PushkarMela
#PushkarSeries