Snow Bunting........

23 Nov - A brief morning visit to Wilstone near Aylesbury, and the early morning sun revealed the Snow Bunting to still be present I spent quite some time watching this very confiding and charismatic bird feeding on the reservoir edge, unafraid of me and a few other birders watching at close quarters. Tricky to photograph due to the sloping terrain, but watching this lone migrant from northern regions always makes me think of the Arctic terrain where it breeds, an evocative reminder of wilderness. A first winter male by plumage, with a lot of white in the wing and tail, as well as the characteristic gentle facial expression of this species. Well worth the early morning trip. Also a flock of Golden Plover present at the reservoir.