Wrench Green

Siskins pictured just a little way along the river at Wrench Green, adjacent to the garden of the large property nearest the river. The garden was full of bird song, Blue Tits, Long Tailed Tits, Great Tits, Blackbirds as well as Crows, Pigeons and Wrens along the river bank. A wonderful spot in the nice early afternoon sun.

Then found two Common Toads mating along the footpath back to the car.

Harwood Dale Today

Chiffchaff

Smooth Newt?

Did the regular short walk in Harwood Dale today.

On the circular route we normally take we found what we believe to be two Smooth Newts in large puddles on the footpath. It will be hard to tell from the picture posted but anyone who can provide any other information please post a note.

Birds on the walk included Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blackbird, and at least a pair of Chiffchaff at the T junction opposite the 'new pond'. A posting of a couple of record shots has been made.

Norfolk Miscellany

Dunlin and Turnstone pictured at Salthouse Marshes. Long Tailed Tit at Holkham Pines.

















Few more shots from earlier in the month in Norfolk.

The Barn Owl was pictured at Holkham Pines and Lapwing at Cley Marshes NWT.

It will be nice when the weather enables us to get out there and find something new. Maybe one of the birds we have been for a few times and keep missing.

Wykeham Crossbills

Extreme good fortune this morning having visited High Moor Feeding Station I was turning the car around to leave and spotted a pair of Crossbills.

I manged two poor record shots before the birds flew to small trees nearer to the car. I cannot believe my good fortune. All the pictures that were taken were of the male bird in beautiful bright plumage.

Pictured with Canon 40D and Sigma 50-500mm lens, f6.3 at 500mm with +.3 exposure compensation.

Filey Dabs

A selection of pictures taken of Little Grebe (Dab Chicks) at Filey Dams YWT pictured in lovely bright conditions.

There was no one else present on the reserve and I found that when quietly lifting the hide hatches that a few birds were close to.

At the second hide (is it main pool?) a Dab Chick was really close to enabling me to get good shots.

A number of Wrens are in the woods at the entrance to the site and I managed one or two pictures although I can never get focused quickly enough when the bird is nearest to me!

Ducks and Geese

Teal





Widgeon





Brent Goose


Pink Footed Goose

Having missed out today on the long staying Black Bellied Dipper at Whatton, East Yorkshire went too see Red Kites on the Yorkshire Wolds and saw four in flight but too distant for pictures.

Another Red Kite not far out of Driffield on the return journey.

So having to resort to the recent 'library' of pictures of some Ducks and Geese. The pictures were taken at Holkham, Norfolk apart from the Teal which was pictured in good light last Friday at Filey Dams YWT.

Holkham is great for Geese numbers and hundreds of Widgeon were present a fortnight ago when we were there although by then some of the Geese may have already left.

Close and Personal with a Brown Rat

What comes out of a hole like this!

Whilst again viewing the Brown Hares seen yesterday (always too distant) I found a Brown Rat only about six feet from the car.

It dissapeared at the back of a clump of dry grass but I could hear it nibbling away and occasionally snuffling.

A hole then appeared at the front of the grasses and out comes Ratty to hide under the cover of a clump of overhanging grass this time 3- 4 feet from the car. It just illustrates how creatures can so easily hide out of sight.

After a while the rat goes back into the first clump and repeats the exercise.

I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Ratty at such close quareters. Thank you.

Birds in the area were Pheasant, Red Legged Partridge, Yellow Hammer, Reed Bunting, Chaffinch.

I will never get closer shots than this, some focusing at as little as 100mm.

Hila Green

Grey Wagtail

Siskin

Spent a short time around Hila Green today and came across a Siskin singing loudly from the front of a small tree.

As the picture shows by the time the tripod and camera were adjusted it put a small branch between us.

Moved across to the other side of the bridge and found this grey wagtail on a stoney bank, soon away when it spotted me so I tried a tip from the books and sat quietly for 20 minutes and only got cold!

I am pleased to say a bit of time closer to home produced a maximum (at any onetime ) 3 Brown Hares. One captured in picture for the record.

All picture taken with Canon 40D & Sigma 50-500mm lens at 500mm.

Peregrine Falcon

Three flight shots of the Scarborough Peregrines that were showing quite well in the early sun.

Hope to return soon for another session to see these wonderful birds.

Taken with Canon 40D & Sigma 400 fixed focal length lens.

Mediterranean Gulls

Mediterranean Gulls

Black Headed Gull

Ended up at Holbeck yesterday and was well pleased I took up Dave Mansell's recommendation to see the adult birds in close to summer plumage.

Started talking to a fellow photographer and the conversation turned to RAW v JPEG and lo and behold it's Darrell Prest who leaves messages on Dave's Blog. Nice to meet you Darrell. a link to Darrel's site has been entered under Green Withens Birding.

What a fine bird the Med Gull is, it has made me realise I need to gen up on gulls especially given where I live!

Thrown in the Blackheaded Gull to show the contrast in some birds at present, this particular BHG obviously without it's chocolate coloured hood.

A few flight shots were ok, hope to try a few more during my remaining time off this week, weather permitting. Anyone know how to erase bread!