Mike Randall Bird Photography

Not much to show!

2012-01-22T19:52:00.004Z

I have drawn a bit of a blank this week photography wise.

Numerous visits to B&Q but whilst others have got sightings and even good pictures of the Waxwing flock that has been present for the last couple of weeks my visits have not coincided with there brief stays. The flock has varied, originally 7, slowly up to 12, 6 yesterday, I would be grateful of one!

I did add Mistle thrush to my year list today as I spent another half hour on the retail park.

A tour around local lanes today produced, not a lot but the early sun, followed by dark clouds (whilst at B&Q) transformed again to lovely afternoon sunshine.

My desperation for new blog pictures led to the local bird feeding station and these shots at high ISO when the sun started to brighten. Nothing out the ordinary but these common birds are still beauties.

Drake Goosander

2012-01-14T19:09:00.002Z

When I went to Scarborough Mere to view the Red Crested Pochard I was informed that Goosander was present, I did not have enough time after picturing the Pochard so on Thursday lunch time, my first chance, I went to take a peek.

Fortunately the Goosanders were still present, five birds in total, four of which were drakes. Goosanders are members of the saw bill family, the serrated edge of their bill enable them to hold onto oily fish underwater.

The pictures are purely record shots as the birds were always to distant but I like the size comparison in the shot with the Black Headed Gull.

Today (Saturday) we looked again for the Waxwings (10 were back at B & Q car park yesterday) but no sightings, we went for the Med Gulls at Holbeck car park, I threw my bread, no Med Gulls came. We went to a Barn Owl sight but did not see them but a fantastic male Hen Harrier went close by. Another first for the year was a male Bullfinch on the lane to our house.

Red Crested Pochard (Netta rufina)

2012-01-11T21:10:00.001Z

A male Red Crested Pochard has been reported on Scarborough's Mere on and off for a few weeks.

When Pat & myself visited last Saturday we got no joy. On Monday when I went to look at the Black Restart on the Castle Headland I was told the Red Crested Pochard fed with the ducks and geese and was pretty tame of dubious origin.

I went during my lunch hour on Tuesday and sure enough there it was feeding with the ducks on my offerings of bread. The sun was in the wrong direction and low making the lighting difficult but it is a lovely little bird, smaller than the mallards.

I am sure the exposures are not quite right but on the day and in 20 minutes it was the best I could achieve.

One of my books entry for these birds starts, 'irrespective of origins, Red Crested Pochards are exciting birds to find anywhere in Europe'. It also says mostly silent but this bird was making a delightful nasal whistling sound.

It is a diving duck that often feeds in the shallows, a good diver it often up ends like a Pintail or mallard to feed.

My book also says an isolated, extralimital bird (whatever that means), that is tolerant of people is likely to be an escapee.

The preferred habitat is fresh water with extensive cover, wintering on lakes and gravel pits.

They feed mostly on plant material and lay 8 to 10 pale green eggs.

The males bill will turn bright red in summer plumage.

A few additions _ _ _ _ _

2012-01-09T20:49:00.000Z

The last few days have seen only a few additions to our year list but they have been real treats.

On Saturday we went around Scarborough Mere but did not see the Red Crested Pochard that has been present over the last few weeks. From Friday I saw a report of 6 Waxwings outside Halfords, we tried a couple of times on Saturday, I went up and down the length of the retail park saw other birders but no Waxwings. Later that day Bird Guides said there were 7 Waxwings briefly outside B & Q at 2:00pm, we were around at that time.

Yesterday we went to an East Yorkshire reserve, the day produced only 13 additions to our measly year total. We seemed to bomb out as there were no waders other than Redshank. The additions though included Goldcrest, Tree Creeper, Smew (Red Headed), Short Eared Owl, Shoveller, Gadwell, Song Thrush.

Ironically the car park was the highlight as we got good views of Treecreepers going around the base of trees. Unfortunately, it was very dark for photography. A pair of Goldcrest were flitting around with the males crest looking dramatically orangy, a real treat, a record shot is posted to try and show the brilliant top knot.

I saw a Black Redstart was seen on North Marine Drive under the Castle Headland yesterday so I went for a quick look at lunchtime. I could not believe my luck as it was precisely in the same spot with a male Stonechat. The Redstart was flighty and I only got glimpses the Redstart showed a bit better, perching up on some big boulders from a recent rock fall. There is a big wall at the foot of the cliff (obviously designed to stop those rocks pitching into the road), birding is not easy peering over that!

No BTD but GCG

2012-01-04T21:12:00.000Z

I went down to the harbour at lunch time as a few divers have been around in the last few days and a Black Throated Diver reported in the harbour the last two mornings. Having checked its presence on Bird Guides I went down but having spoken to a few birders nobody had seen it. I had a scout around but drew a blank.

There was a Great Crested Grebe in the harbour, see record shot. Plus the usual suspects on the harbour piers, Turnstones.

Dunnock

2012-01-03T21:44:00.000Z

A few shots taken whilst visiting father-in-law. There are plenty of House Sparrows around the property, Robin, Wren and several Dunnock.

Whilst the light was good this Dunnock was in the shade on the ground, the pictures are noisy but I like Dunnock's so I thought I would share.

A very slow start

2012-01-02T17:47:00.000Z

Eleven days holidays, where as it all gone, back to work tomorrow. A combination of circumstances and very dark days has conspired against us for birding and photography.

Yesterday, first day of the year was no mad rush around to start the list the weather was awful and dark from early onwards. Surprise first bird of the year was a pheasant under our bird feeders, a new one in that place for we are in an enclosed yard in the middle of the village. Whilst, there has been a pair of pheasants around the area for sometime I have never seen one in the yard before. The best place for them too as all you heard here yesterday was the crack of damned shotguns from the surrounding fields.

I had to walk up to my father-in-laws flat and got a great view of a Sparrowhawk flying just over head which was a good start.

It has been nice light today and we had a short run out (jobs to get back to) but we saw a Red Breasted Goose with four Barnacle Geese amongst the Canada's and Greylag at Harwood Dale Lake.

This Marsh Tit was photographed at a local beauty spot. I am not happy with the result and aim to return and spend a bit of time there when the light is right and work permits. This location is no good once the leaves appear.

Merry Christmas Everyone.

2011-12-25T10:34:00.001Z

Merry Christmas everyone and have a great wildlife watching 2012.

Apologies for these two geese of a domesticated hybrid of some sort or other. I thought they were quite a charming sight to come across at the side of the road opposite a small farm holding.

We had a quick look on Scarborough Marine Drive yesterday, despite the mild temperature the wind made it decidedly chilly and we did not hang about but during that short spell we saw what I think was several Harbour Porpoise swimming quite close in to the sea wall, a great sight.

Have a good one.

Teal

2011-12-11T12:41:00.000Z

Its a gloomy morning and the forecast is poor so I am preparing this post thinking I will not get out. Oh, and I have to re-varnish a new internal door and get the christmas decorations out the loft and _ _ _ !

This teal was pictured a fortnight ago when we popped into Filey Dams on the way back from Bempton, it was swimming fairly close to the East Hide, the light was brilliant and low maybe too much so.

It's raining hard now so I figured right.

E Yorks SEO's

2011-12-04T20:46:00.000Z

I have been wanting to get over the Humber and into N Lincs to see the Short Eared Owls for sometime, recent weeks though have conspired against us so news of some nearer birds in E Yorks was too good an opportunity to miss.

We were very lucky as when we walked down to where the owls have been seen one birds was hunting around the field and then sat on a fence post.

They are fantastic birds to see, beautiful colour patterns. AS we got nearer the bird flew off but was soon back and this happened three or four times. I never got close so with my 500mm lens my photography was purely for the record. It was also very dull so to get the speed I needed I was on high ISO (3,200).

A great day though, we also saw the White Fronted Geese on site, a fox and Pat saw a Kingfisher flying along a ditch whilst I was driving.

Goldeneye (Bucephala clangula)

2011-11-30T19:50:00.000Z

This Goldeneye was swimming (and diving), diving as much as swimming as tghey do fairly close to the hide, but despite the bright morning at Mereshead RSPB, the water was in the shade of the hide and the wind was quite strong making the extremely tall reads in front of the hide waft very fast accross the bird all the time.

The first shot shows the problem, sometimes it was slightly brighter and the bird sometimes furter away above the reeds. Not the best you will ever see but I like these birds and one or two are ok. A juvenille male bird.

These birds breed in N Europe but only rarely in Scotland. They nest in down-lined tree holes and nest boxes laying 8 - 11 eggs. They have one brood a year between April and June. Thjese birds are widespread in winter on lakes, resevoirs and estuaries.

Desert Wheatear at Bempton

2011-11-27T19:12:00.002Z

I spent an hour just after midday today at Bempton RSPB, E Yorks (along with a good few others) admiring this beautiful bird. The second I have seen, the other being two or three years ago when we had one at Burniston just outside Scarborough.

My Readers Digest of British Birds (1st edition 1969, reproduced 2001) said there were 54 British records but only 8 before 1949. Things will have certainly moved on since that print but I use this to illustrate how visits are possibly increasing by this species. Another Desert Wheatear is in Shropshire at present.

As with my first experience this bird was extremely confiding.

These birds breed in a narrow band through N Africa, locally in the middle east and more extensively in western central Asia.

They are rare but regular vagrants to Europe. We are getting annual reports now in north western Europe and they are usually seen around now, late autumn early winter time.

It is described as an active feeder using low bushes or perches to scan for insects. It certainly seem to be flying up and catching insects oblivious to the small group of birders when it landed on occasion quite closely.

Pat, my wife observed large numbers of ladybirds in the vegetation, I mean thousands, any coincidence?

Blackbird & House Sparrow

2011-11-26T10:27:00.000Z

Also on the same pathway at Mereshead as the Yellow hammers featured in my previous post there were numerous Blackbirds. I have seen fairly large numbers of these birds in places this autumn and think certainly the British population has been increased by migrant birds.

I also liked this House Sparrow with the lichen on the twigs.

Yellowhammer (Emberiza citrinella)

2011-11-22T20:18:00.000Z

At Mereshead the approach to the first hide is down a widish path. There was a large number of Sparrows, Blackbirds and Yellowhammers. The ligh was great and this particular bird was quite confiding. Canon 40D with Sigma 50 -500mm lens on tripod.

These birds are abundant throughout the uk apart from some highland areas and north western parts of Scotland. Despite holding some 792,000 estimated territories Yellowhammers are red endangered status.

They can be seen all year round. Seed eaters their declining population gives them red list satus, a real worry.

I got loads of shots and a batch where the birds were more distant but with the lichen and berries I think they are very atmospheric.

On the Border (or in and out the fog)

2011-11-20T19:13:00.000Z

We intended to go further afield today but the early morning at home was very misty/foggy so we took our time and set off a bit later mid-morning.

Amazingly two miles up forge Valley and we emerged into sunshine, agh higher ground = sun, so we headed to the eastern entry to Dalby Forest. Near the entrance many chaffinch, sparrows and bullfinch. However, going west into the forest we encountered the mist again, so back we go North East towards the sun. I turned towards Langdale Forest, goldcrest and chaffinch here and a field past Bickley Gate of Fieldfares, Redwing and Starlings unfortunately directly looking into the sun, I spooked them into the trees where in the sunshine I could barely see them.

We turned around and headed east, Hackness Lake holds a Scaup at the moment and a quick look produced half decent views. You have to look over a small fence and through the trees, the Lord would get a better look of the birds on his ornamental lake. Not seen many Scaup before.

Lets go on the coast Long Nab, no Scarborough and Burniston are covered in thick fog and mist, so up to Harwood Dale.

Brilliant sunshine in Harwood although in woods only one side of the track is illuminated and then usually when the trees the other side are sparse but it was great light this afternoon.

Everything was high atop the trees so here for the record. Great flock of Crossbills with resplendent males, coal tits, goldcrest.

Shots of the Day (my!)

2011-11-19T20:01:00.000Z

Before resuming to publish pictures from our week-end last week in Dumfrieshire. A couple of shots from today.

On my blog I will show the warts and all of my photography not just the better efforts.

Today we had a walk around the 'top fields' from Filey Country Park.

Not a lot of birds seen. A Half dozen Whooper Swans coming in, great light beautiful day and guess what, my dial had moved from Av to manual, should be great shots but they were taken (or not as the case was) to 25th of second.

A Peregrine, swooping along the fields, but I was the other side the hedgerow, so best was a Blackbird in the hedgerow taken with spot focusing and a high Green Finch a top a tree.

Winter Spectacle

2011-11-17T20:12:00.001Z

We were privalged to go up to Dumfrieshire again last weekend. Traveling up early Sunday in mist and wet drizzly weather we were waiting to come out in the sun as per the weather forcast and we were not dissapointed.

North of Penrith we broke out into the brightness, ariving half ten'ish at Caerlaverock WWT we had a great day, I actually allowed the sun to burn out the highlights of a Whooper Swan (maybe in next post).

Monday morning we spent at Mereshead RSPB, the only people there for a time, great light. These shots are of Barnacle Geese at Mereshead.

The Solway Firth hosts the entire popultaion of Barnacle Geese from Svalbard. The numbers involved make it a wildlife spectacle and here in the uk.

The Sensible Couple

2011-10-29T20:09:00.000+01:00

I really like Red Legged Partridge but they are so skittish I never get close.

At Dunwich Heath one of our early morning walks set a pair of RL Partridge off in flight up the path ahead (see header). What great colours these birds have the deep russet colours on their backs as they fly was very much in keeping with the autumnal colours.

Sensible why? Because this pair live on National Trust land where at least they are safe.

On the morning we left as we were packing the car the pair were near the car park and I could use a gate post to stabilise the camera.

Suffolk Red Deer

2011-10-20T21:07:00.000+01:00

We love going to Dunwhich Heath in October when the deer rut is going on. Early mornings out before breakfast a walk across the heath, you can hear the stags bellowing and sometimes the crash of antlers. Females can be seen in the clearings and you might get a glimpse of a stag coming in to view. It is so evocative, a great atmosphere often (not this year) with hard frosts and then a full english breakfast to set you up for the day (I love cooked breakfasts).

Then another walk across the heath or through Minsmere. Very difficult to beat.

This year the weather was great, the deers bellowing, we saw females dashing in an opening. One afternoon we saw this fine fellow and his ladies relaxing close to Minsmere. The second shot was my SLR handheld, the first image my second ever digi shot, compact just held to scope. And the winner is _ _ _ not sure! I cannot admit its the first one!

Th RSPB do some great stuff, watch points for the rut, land rover safaris led by fellow blogger, one day perhaps I will attend.

Laying in the meadow its not quite Monarch of the Glen stuff but how many without an interest in wildlife know what goes on in darkest Suffolk, etc?

1. Digiscoped

2. SLR 500mm lens

A great looking stag with fine multi point antlers.

A Glossy Ibis and a new approach!

2011-10-17T20:40:00.000+01:00

We have just returned from a week in Suffolk at Dunwhich Heath, next door to Minsmere RSPB.

A first for us was not one but two Gloss Ibis on 9 October on the scrape from West Hide, always distant but very much a first. My shots are purely for the record, I want to record my photographic highs and lows and show my birding highlights on this blog. I am sorry you only get an idea of this bird in the location.

I have never (sorry to you digiscopers) thought of digiscoping but as the Ibis was so distant and looked good through the scope I hand held a compact to the scope, did'nt really work but that was due to me. The third image is my first digiscoped effort!

Kittiwake (it's a family affair) - looking back

2011-09-27T19:41:00.000+01:00

Since my previous post I have been to Top Hill Low, locally including Wykeham Forest, Flamborough Head with one common denominator, no pictures. Ruffs & Curlew Sand at THL, no pictures, Peregrine at Flamborough but dark weather so only silhouettes.

So I have had to go back to mid June and the Scottish Borders, well Dunbar to be precise to pictures of the many Kittiwakes nesting on the harbour cliff face for this post. Not to get too close here or you would find out to your cost.

Again, not fully satisfied with the pictures as the light was not great. I think Kittiwakes are very pretty gulls but the scowls here do not do them justice, there's a lot of white on these birds.

I have concentrated on the care of the youngsters here.

Ruffs

2011-09-12T21:05:00.000+01:00

At the same time as I photographed the Greenshank at Filey Dams in my last post I also managed some pictures of Ruffs when they landed in front of the East Hide. These shots are a few of my early processed pictures.

This is the first time I have pictured this species so I was pleased. The next day we went to Top Hill Low but whilst an identical number of Ruff were on South Marsh East Lagoon (3) they were too far off for decent pictures, there was also three Curlew Sandpipers. This last Friday we visited Potteric Carr but on a lovely day I got no decent pictures.

Greenshank & a Murder Suspect!

2011-09-04T19:48:00.001+01:00

A visit to Filey Dams yesterday afternoon and from the main pool hide (hope I have the right name) two Greenshank were at the furthest most point of the pool out front of the hide. Fortunately they began moving around the edge of the pool anti clockwise and went around the front of the pool in front of me. One then flew off but the other bird remained and came fairly close.

We then moved to the other hide and after all the birds on the reserve went up a Sparrowhawk sailed by and I missed it with the camera. A Little Stint was very distant and then we had a treat of three Ruff out front which I will post tomorrow.

A great hour. We then popped into the still newish Tesco's in Filey next door is the library. As we drove passed three or four police officers had a guy handcuffed, I wondered if it was the murder suspect from Northumberland who has been on the run a week or so (why I do not know). Yep, national news this morning said he had been apprehended in N Yorkshire in a Library.

Wheatear in its summer home

2011-08-12T20:35:00.000+01:00

One bird I have caught up with many times this year is the Wheatear. When on holiday in the Scottish Borders we found the wonderful moors around the Lammermuir Hills north of Longformacus which held Red Grouse, Meadow Pipits, Curlew, Stone Chats, Whin Chat and of course the Wheatear.

We spent a couple of days visiting this location and parked up close to where Wheatear dropped onto a fence post close too. I managed a good number of shots over the two days, overcast at times but the first day had bright periods, I find the second days pictures better with no bright sunlight causing hard reflections.

I have only processed a few pictures so far but despite the slightly dull light I am happy with the results.

Golden Ringed Dragonfly

2011-08-08T21:14:00.000+01:00

I took these pictures a week last Sunday in Harwood Dale. Having just started to walk from the barrier onto the forest track we soon came across certainly 3 maybe 4 of these dragonflies and this one set down for a good while.

The pictures were taken at the long end of my Sigma 50 - 500mm lens, and to be honest I am a tad disappointed certainly with the side views. From behind with the sun light over my shoulder the results are nicer.

I took pictures of this dragonfly a few years ago and perhaps the results using my prime 400mm lens, which supposedly is also macro were better.

These are certainly easily recognisable dragonflys being big (70 - 100mm), the black and yellow body pattern, the eyes just meeting in a point on the head. Apparently the male has an anal triangle at the base of the hindwing and auricles on section 2 but even zooming right in I cannot tell! Perhaps someone can help.

I would ask you to double click these pictures to look at them in a larger size.

On the door step! Little Egret

2011-07-30T20:17:00.000+01:00

We had a ride to the Yorkshire Dales yesterday and went up on the moor behind Masham just beyond Louthwaite Reservoir it was a lovely day, a bit breezy but we saw Peregrine, Wheatear, Meadow Pipits, Red Grouse, Kestrel, usual stalwarts of the moors. No photographs though.

Get home having my tea and someone comes to the door to say that there is a Little Egret on the weir on the River Derwent just 200 - 300 metres from home. I rushed my tea and got out to get relatively close whilst the Egret was on the weir, under trees this gave a nice black background against the white of the bird. It then flew in a tree which is a first for me and offered some different shots.

It just goes to show you can travel 130 miles only to find the best (only) shots of the day on the doorstep.

Young Reed Warblers - North Cave

2011-07-27T22:36:00.001+01:00

The other bird shots last Sunday at North Cave were off these young Reed Warblers.

They were in the hedgerow above a ditch and at least three of them were seen. I guess I would not be so lucky with adult birds. Carrying my tripod mostly on my shoulder on the circuit around the reserve paid off. They say you should always use a tripod for wildlife photography but its not always that convenient or easy. I have a Cley Spy Mule pack so it goes on my back but once the camera and lens is atop it goes on my shoulder which 3 days later is still sore. But its worth it.

Hope you like the shots.

Spoilt by vegetation

Fluffed up

Common Tern - North Cave YWT

2011-07-24T21:04:00.000+01:00

A good visit to North Cave Wetlands today where the temperature was 10 degrees more than at home and was lovely and sunny, seems a while since that was the case. Its that time of year when the birding scene is quieter but there was plenty of butterflies and we saw Peacocks, Red Admiral, Brimstone, Gatekeeper, Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood.

I got loads of shots of some young Reed Warblers which I will process and publish a few. Towards the end of the walk a Common Tern was fishing over the pool and when it came close I tried my luck for about five minutes most were to far off but I like the pictures in this sequence particularly the first shot.

Dragonfly Nymph

2011-07-18T21:49:00.001+01:00

I got these shots of Dragonfly Nymph on Friday extraordinarily as far as I am concerned in a neighbours garden pond, only, six foot long. They emerged up the lily stems But the Dragonfly's have not emerged in the cool, wet weather we have had over the weekend, I fear the worse.

Apologies for the lack of comments on the blogs I usually frequent, goggle has become hideous, I make a comment it wants my password, I enter my password, it makes the comment and then states the action could not be completed. Suggestions on a postcard, that's all I can use!

All shots taken with Sigma 50 - 500mm lens

Spot on black background!

2011-06-29T20:29:00.000+01:00

I spent a week in the Scottish Borders last week, a very nice varied area on the east coast. The area around St Abbs Head is lovely, great views, landscape, geology and plenty of sea birds of course. After a great walk where four Ravens were seen gorging a rabbit the barn next to the car park at the end of the walk gave me views of this Spotted Flycatcher.

It was flying into the barn catching insects and resting briefly on the gate or rails. The darkness of the barn gives a nice black back ground I believe.

Reed Bunting

2011-05-23T19:12:00.001+01:00

This bird was a real poser last Friday at Old Moor RSPB, the weather was sunny with heavy showers.

The Reed Bunting allowed me to get very close, pictures hand held I am afraid, the only problem was it was very breezy and that stem fairly light. The bunting was getting tossed around and the bird was not fully in frame in all the shots!

Five additions to year list.

2011-05-02T20:11:00.000+01:00

The approach to Top Hill Low holds several Oilseed rape fields at their brightest yellow hue and star bird today was a good number of Yellow Wagtails on the wall of the 'O' reservoir the male just as yellow as that oilseed rape.

Other birds for the year today were Swift, Sedge Warbler, Common Tern and Common Sandpiper.

Earlier we visited Filey Dams but no sighting of Wood Sandpipers where 4 were yesterday on East Lea, part of the reserve only available to Filey Ornithological Group members. Then to Bempton but the Wryneck seen yesterday apparently disappeared off the reserve early in the evening, so still a bird we have yet to see.

The Yellow Wagtails were crackers.

A lifer and its pellet!

2011-04-29T18:31:00.001+01:00

We finally got to Filey today to see the Woodchat Shrike that has been present for the last 4 days, a lifer for us and a cracking bird. It was approachable up to a point but flighty. I only got some record shots but what a pleasure.

A couple observing the bird which had been eating bees and caterpillars noticed it regurgitate a pellet, a bit of searching and the pellet was found which seemed to contain the bee stingers along with the other insect debris. The AA 'Birds of Britain & Europe' says, 'As with other shrikes indigestible food such as chitin, hair and bones is regurgitated in small, hard pellets'.

Record shots of a 'lifer'

That pellet

In it to win it_ _ _ Linnet!

2011-04-27T19:48:00.000+01:00

Sorry, abot the corny current Lottery show tittle but it rhymes!

I pictured this lovely Linnet on Sunday afternoon, pulling up the car on a lane and waiting a minute or two for the birds to return. There was also Goldfinch in this bush. Great little birds, I cannot imagine how anyone ever kept them as caged birds.

Down the Lane Osprey!

2011-04-25T18:53:00.000+01:00

We have a local treat at the moment an Osprey visiting nearby Wykeham Lakes where unfortunately you can only visit with a fishing permit.

Yesterday afternoon at 3:00pm I was down the lane on the west side of the lakes looking for Blackcaps, when I looked behind me and managed a couple of shots of a slow flying raptor, an Osprey. Checking Birdguides I found an Osprey reported at 11:30am at the Lakes.

This morning the Osprey was reported again at 9:00am so we went straight down the road that our cottage is off and at the bottom of the road a group of birders had the Osprey sighted on a telegraph pole.

All shots very much record shots, I do not remember that the telegraph pole was leaning, oh well must hold the camera straight!

The light hood(y) bandits!

2011-04-24T19:15:00.000+01:00

I have never seen as many Wheatears as this year.

Firstly in Dorset on Portland, then last weekend at Ravenscar quite a few birds (suppose to have been 15+), one down the lane near home on Friday just gone and then yesterday on the light canopies (hoods) at Seamer Tip Pools. Fleetingly there was three on the same hood, I only captured two on picture but I did get closer and closer! They are real stars!

Local today

2011-04-22T19:04:00.000+01:00

Stayed local today and after he cloud burned back early afternoon it was a great day.

In Wykeham Forst we saw Common Crossbill and Redpoll, first for the year.

Than down Wykeham Ings there were Blackcaps together with Willow Warblers. The Blackcap pictures are into the sun, I hope to go early one morning over the break and try to get some better shots. Also plenty of fast moving Orange Tips in this location.

Little & Little at Top Hill Low

2011-04-17T20:06:00.000+01:00

A fairly short time at Top Hill Low yesterday so no prospect of the Purple Heron (it was not seen yesterday and seems to have moved on) but I did see two beauties.

A bit distant but the distinctive flight of a Little Gull over 'D' reservoir followed by a very close (too close under the hide at one point) Little Grebe. It caught two fish (Sticklebacks?), the second capture being in front of the hide which I managed to picture.

Waters Edge & Far Ings

2011-04-11T20:08:00.000+01:00

The Slavonian Grebe had left Waters Edge but we had a good day yesterday in really special weather there and at Far Ings. The post is a few of the characters I captured, you will know them well!

Female Mallard

Another Chiffchaff!

Great Crested Grebe

Mute Swan

Canada Goose

Dorset in reverse part 3 _ _ _ _ _Sikas & Starlings!

2011-04-07T20:38:00.000+01:00

Moving back through our week in Dorset, we visited Arne RSPB on Monday 28 March. always a great place, a lovely sunny day we missed any birding highlights, no Dartford Warblers (it was a bit windy), no Great Grey Shrike that was certainly seen the next day, nothing much really but plenty of Green & Great Spotted Woodpeckers.

A highlight was the Sika deer with a buck peering out of a very small clearing at us, followed by the family group. In a meadow there was a load of Sika's and two bucks had a testing tussle. For the first time I noticed a flock of starlings with the deer, some were on the backs of the deers but most were on the ground, do the deer disturb insects for them to feed on?

Dorset in reverse part 2 _ _ _ Portland Migrants and one that got away!!!

2011-04-05T20:06:00.003+01:00

We visited Portland Bill last Tuesday, I wanted to go as the day before a Firecrest and Hoopoe were reported.

The weather was good and bright and immediately on embarking from the car and walking towards a gully near the lighthouse a couple of birders told us that the distant group of birders were looking at three Black Redstart and a couple of Wheatears.

The B Redstart were always distant and I spent an age picturing them (over optimistic) hoping the would get nearer. The results are very much record shots, I then saw at least 5 Wheatears but no pictures.

Having walked up near the bird observatory we look for the Firecrest of the day before but no joy, I did manage Linnet, and Willow Warbler pictures.

The Hoopoe? Well we were told it was at a place called Grove on Portland, dropping into a car park near a playing field. We found the place and I was dispatched from the car by Pat amd sister Sue to have a look around.

I walked onto the small parking area for about 6 cars, these were birders cars (having spoken to some earlier) as I moved around the front edge of the first car the Hoopoe took flight from under a birders car down the adjacent path never to be seen again despite an hours searching, one day I will get a proper look at this brilliant visitor, but when! It's on my year list now a lifer too, but I want a proper sighting!!!

Female Black Redstart

Linnet

Willow Warbler

My birding week (in Dorset) in reverse.

2011-04-03T17:11:00.000+01:00

We have just got back from Dorset and i have decided to work backwards back through the week! Why well primarily on our last day, Thursday I got some closer shots of a Chiffchaff to contrast with the more distant location shots of this bird in my last post.

On Thursday we traveled down to Durlston Country Park near Swanage where the day before Firecrest and Black Redstatrt had been seen. We got out the car had a coffee, got our boots and coats on and set off and then turned back, the mist was thick, it was windy and cold we were not going to find anything.

We traveled back to Wareham Forest where it was cloudy but brighter and went on the 'Sika Trail', so far into the walk it brightened a bit, to the edge of the walk was a small copse of trees in a wet swampy area, here we saw Siskins, Long Tailed Tits, Chaffinch, Green Finch, Gold Finch, a pair of Wrens, Tree Creepers and a quite confiding Chiffchaff that kept flying low down and even on the ground once or twice, not great light but quite a nice photographic opportunity.

Chiffchaffs

2011-03-27T18:16:00.001+01:00

I saw my first Chiffchaff of the year last Sunday at North Cave YWT, one yesterday in my sister-in-law's neighbours garden in Dorset, and pictured this one high up in amonst the 'pussy willow' at Garton Woods RSPB in Dorset where there were a few chaffys around.

A case of less is more, as I like the 'pussy willow'

The distinctive call!

Through the centre door!

2011-03-20T20:48:00.000Z

For those that have not been to Bempton Cliffs RSPB or not for a long time a visit always produces Tree Sparrows which are frequently in the hedge row and bushes immediately outside the door of the visitors centre leading onto the reserve.

There are now a number of birds feeders in this location, and nesting boxes which seems to make the presence of these birds even more certain.

Yesterday was a nice bright sunny day, less so at Bempton but a nice bit of light at the right time gave me these shots. Tree Sparrows always seem such characters. Maybe a strange posting from England's premier mainland sea bird colony.

Busy time!

2011-01-30T21:20:00.000Z

I face a busy month, my father-in-law is moving and I am decorating his new flat and assisting.

My course faces a conclusion, an assignment to be completed by March, a presentation to be done by March! Oh, why did I not get on with my assignment earlier.

Anyway one of my resolutions is to blog more (that's what a blogger should do), but be on notice I may struggle for the next four weeks.

So lets start with some I took earlier.

Moor Rainbow

2011-01-27T18:48:00.001Z

A gloomy day last Sunday the one spot of brightness we encountered on our travels was on Wheeldale Road between Pickering and Whitby, North York Moors. I jumped out the car and grabbed these shots but not much more.

Only a couple of additions to our year list, Red Grouse including a fantastic male with bright red wattles and a Pintail at Scaling Dam.

I have added some distant Goosanders at Castle Howard Lake from two weeks ago, about six of these birds were present.

Great Northern Diver

2011-01-20T20:57:00.000Z

Well its been around along time , I have been down to the harbour once or twice, seen the Iceland, seen the Merganser and now at last I have got myself the G N Diver.

There are some great pictures of this bird on the web , I had 30 minutes in my lunch hour, shots into the sun but I have seen it! Cracking bird.

Great big Diver I will be back soon, stick around.

Red Breasted Merganser

2011-01-19T20:27:00.002Z

I popped down to Scarborough Harbour at lunch time in the hope of seeing the Red Breasted Merganser. Two birders by the lighthouse were looking for the Iceland Gull that has been about a few weeks, they told me that the Merganser was seen ten minutes before at the front of the harbour escaping the gulls.
They shouted as they spotted the Iceland but I made my way quickly to the harbour front and after a few minutes spotted the sawbill, a little distant, cloudy skies and into the light but worth the quick search.

I hope to see this bird again in better lighting.

Good size comparison!

silhouette in the light, dig the spikey crown!

From the office window!

2011-01-17T18:51:00.001Z

The last two weekends have been very gloomy weather wise so not many pictures.

Looking out my office window this afternoon a flock of Starlings kept growing bigger and weaving their magic before dusk. They were over the centre of town something I have not spotted before although we had a roost at Brompton 6 miles out of town a couple of years ago.

I had my camera as I was hoping a brighter lunch time might give me chance to get out to see what was about, something I am vowing to do this new year, work provided no chance today so the Starlings were a great bonus.

I only looked for two minutes, honest!!!

Apple Fest

2011-01-09T19:06:00.000Z

Pictures from Boxing Day one of the few times we had good light during Christmas week. I was there as a Fieldfare was present but very skitish and made off as soon as it detected me leaving me with just the Blackbirds. One day I will get close to a Fieldfare.

At least 18+ Blackbirds were present making hay on the fallen apples at the back of the local pub car park in our village. The number will have been considerably more in the vicinity.

Harbourside Turnstones

2011-01-05T20:24:00.000Z

Whilst down at Scarborough harbour on Monday I spotted this Turnstone near to in very good light and could not resist a few shots.

We have a good number of these birds resident and they are easy to picture as they are used to people and almost get under your feet, they are such characters though.

I also wanted to share one or two more shots of the Iceland Gull as it was great to get some good shots using the benefit of the light.

No.48 Iceland Gull

2011-01-03T19:56:00.001Z

A modest start to our birding year, after the 25 species along the lanes on New Years day we went to Top Hill Low yesterday and only increased to 43 species as a lot of the water was frozen, not one wader included.

Today we got to Scarborough Harbour and picked up the Iceland Gull that has been present the last four days. As usual I was a bit later than the other local bird photographers but the light was great.

Start to our Birding Year

2011-01-01T18:08:00.000Z

We had a ride around some of the lanes near home today before returning to watch the football (well I did), after 8 species on our feeders at home we amassed a small total of 24 but the highlight was a Common Buzzard mobbed by two crows but then sitting on a distant telegraph post.

Shortly after there was a number of Fieldfare and Redwings in a field bathing and eating near the large puddles, the shots are for record purposes.

Female House Sparrow

2010-12-26T15:58:00.000Z

Pictured from the short session a week ago when the snow made us return home. Car used as hide, our bird feeders the nearby attraction.

Merry Christmas Everyone!

2010-12-24T16:05:00.000Z

To all followers of this blog and visitors regular or otherwise Merry Christmas from me and Pat. Have a great break.

Every weekend we have been out of late it has statrted snowing, last weekend was no different when we beat a retreat for tyhe supermarket and then home. The Blackbird header was taken in the falling snow from my car outside the house.

It's hard being a small wader!

2010-12-06T11:00:00.000Z

I went up to Filey Country Park yesterday as 11 Woodcock had been spotted a few days before.

I did see a couple of Woodcock flying and plenty of gulls.

Waders were feeding on the grass in the centre of the park, although there was a good couple of inches covering of snow. The pictures depict the probing where the grass is visible.

Cold, hard work indeed. I love this small wader although common and in its winter plumage, they look so small alongside the Oystercatchers.

Thinking about it.

Not too sure.

Why not!

Spangled Lady, pretty baby!

2010-11-23T19:22:00.000Z

Further up Bransdale on Sunday we saw plenty of Red Grouse, most seemed to be males and they were usually elusive in the pretty poor light, it was raining most of the time.

I thought I saw a Grouse sitting in the heather, pulled up sharply, but could not find it!. Finally, after searching it was there. Pat could not see it which is unusual its normally the other way around (there's an admission).

I took a good few shots, it was at some distance, it sat tight, it was raining, the male was pulling at the heather some way behind, what eye wattles, didn't sit up for any pictures, too far off. The lady did move in the end.

What weather must they tolerate in the winter, too say nothing of _ _ _ _!

Road side snack bar!

2010-11-21T19:44:00.000Z

We took a trip up Bransdale today went through Kirbymoorside up to the Dale. There have been Waxwings in the town these last few weeks and a few miles up the road before we got into the dale two birds were spotted by Pat at the top of conifers in a farm garden. By the roadside was a small ornamental berry tree that seems to be favoured by these birds and sure enough after a few minutes they flew down into the berry tree.

This happened twice whilst we waited in the car at the other side of the road. The light was poor, so the pictures are noisy, it was raining but a great treat again.

Finally _ _ _ Waxwings

2010-11-14T16:15:00.001Z

Sorry for the lack of recent posts, I have been out and about the last few week-ends but keep missing out on the birds I have targetted. It also seems we have spurned some cracking light traveling in the car and by the time we arrive its clouded over, or the quick shopping trip to be followed by birding that becomes a long shopping trip!

Anyway following the influx of Waxwings into the uk and particularly in a number of spots in N Yorks nearby like Kirbymoorside 20 miles away and even in East/West Ayton where I live (whilst I am stuck at work) I read of 17 birds at Malton about 16 miles away yesterday morning and within 90 minutes we were there and soon located 6 birds on the edge of a car park and feeding on berries to the back of the George Hotel.

They were a little high most of the time and fed briefly a couple of times on the berries before flying off after I had spent 30-40 minutes with them. So off to the supermarket and by the time I am out again its clouded over!

Brilliant birds, great light, my best shots to date of this species, I hope to catch up again with Waxwings before too long.

Suffolk Bugs (Part 1)

2010-10-13T21:16:00.001+01:00

As I mentioned in an earlier post our recent holiday to Suffolk produced more bugs than birds so I need to make use of the pictures I obtained.

Firstly on a walk at Dunwich Heath we spotted the big impressive beetle shown below. My field guide (Complete British Wildlife by Paul Sterry - Published by Collins) says this is a Great Diving Beetle. The margins of the electra and thorax are marked orange-brown. The male has a smooth shiny electra where the females is grooved both the adults and larvae are fearsome predators.

Secondly, the next two bugs were at Snape Warren RSPB which you access by walking down the north side of the River Alde estuary from Snape Maltings, through the reed beds and along the bank of the estuary where the wildlife possibilities are great. The header shot shows the path away from the famous Snape Maltings and the Concert Hall.

The first up I think is a Forest Bug which has an almost rectangular pronotum and broad square shoulders which come to a point. The pale spot at the tip of the scutellum is often orange as in this case. They feed on the sap of a wide range of trees and sometimes damage fruit. They also feed on small caterpillars and other insects.

Then one of the various crickets/grasshoppers on the warren not sure what this is, answers on a postcard to Mike unsprung! Off to get a cricket /grasshopper guide. I would appreciate advice!

Answers on a postcard to _____?

2010-10-11T21:45:00.001+01:00

A walk around Snape Warren RSPB produced this hoard an heather plant, we thought it was some form of eggs, do any of the naturalists out there know. I feel like autumn watch unsprung!

Nice area this where we did see a Dartford Warbler moving away from the invaders.

I would appreciate any comments because I am drawing a blank at the moment.

Goldcrest at Flamborough

2010-10-10T18:58:00.000+01:00

Not quite true what they said on tonight's weather forecast that the east coast of Whitby, Scarborough, Filey was covered in cloud and sea fret all day we had a few glorious hours in the morning at Flamborough Lighthouse.

We went hoping perhaps for Ring Ouzel and maybe Barred Warbler seen today in the area, apparently the later at North Landing with the majority of Ring Ouzels although one had been seen at the Lighthouse site.

The light was difficult but glorious for two hours, a break for lunch left us in cloud but a nice morning. Lots of thrush family, Song, Blackbirds and the beautiful Redwing. a couple of Brambling, Linnets, Tree Sparrows. A Wren in the hedgerow and then a pair of Goldcrests, real beauties, one of my favourites. I missed the magic shot of one hovering like a hummingbird of the saplings but managed these shots which made my day.

The true Magpies!!!

2010-10-07T20:43:00.000+01:00

I read today that the head of England's 2018 World Cup bid stated in a speach yesterday that Juventus' famous black and white striped shirts were inspired by the Magpies the nickname of Newcastle United unfortunately he got it wrong as they were inspired by the Magpies of Notts County. Yes, we have two football teams in England with the Magpie as their nick name. Notts are the oldest football league club in the land.

All this reminded me of my only other decent bird pictures from last week in Suffolk of the Magpie pictured at Minsmere where I guess they are use to plenty of people. The true Magpie.

Grey day, Grey Heron

2010-10-04T19:50:00.002+01:00

Our first days holiday was a wet Sunday, dashing between hides when the rain abated.

My only decent shot was this Grey Heron which landed in a nearby ditch on Minsmeres scrapes and next appeared walking fairly closely pat the hide. It was a very grey day and this was the bright spot!

A week in Suffolk

2010-10-03T20:45:00.000+01:00

We have just got back from a week down in Suffolk, if you are a UK resident I am sure you will realise that the weather has been mixed although we probably did better than in some parts of the UK and Thursday and a few other half days were glorious.

This was the second time that we have stayed on the Alde estuary which is a glorious spot especially for short walks before breakfast on the river side. There was many Curlews, Black Headed Gulls, Herring Gulls, Common Gulls with a small number of Black Tailed Godwits.

Many, many Mallard Ducks a few Widgeon and a good number of Shell ducks.

One morning there was a seal in the middle of the mud flats in the river, no otter this year though as we had two years ago.

Curlew spooked by my approach!

For a week my bird picture highlights were few and posts will follow, but if anything it was a 'Bugs Life' with pictures of dragonflies, butterflies and crickets.

PS. Thge header shot is of the Aulde estuary, this is only 100 yards from the accommodation, a beautiful location.

Radipole RSPB and Portland Bill

2010-09-03T20:38:00.000+01:00

A week last Thursday was fine and dry although breezy. We visited Radipole in the morning, Martins and Swallows were flying low over the shrubs and trees, Swans and Coots on the pools and not much else. A Marsh Harrier flew across the water, by the time we got to North Hide a gentleman was able to tell us that the bird was sat on a fence post to the rear.

I was photographing Common Terns flying, a little distant and then there was two Marsh Harriers flying over the water in the distance. These are my images from the visit.

We then went to Portland Bill which was recently bright but very windy. The Great Black Backed Gull was near the cafe, I bet it usually is, made a change from the usual scrounging Herring Gulls. The 1st winter? Common Gull was on the rocks nearby, if my gull id is wrong on the later please put me right!

Morden Bog

2010-08-31T20:33:00.000+01:00

After a poor morning last Monday we visited the above site for the first time in the hope of seeing a few Dragonflies and Butterflies.

The weather brightened and it was quite nice although a little windy so I did fear that we would see nothing but there was a pair of darters ovipositing in a smallish puddle and I saw blue damselflies.

Then a Hobby flew over a lifer for Sue, Pat's sister. I photographed a Grayling (not sure I have ever seen one before).

There wasn't many birds around, wren, blackbird, blue tits, splendid Stonechat and a young Yellow Hammer.

After the morning it was a really nice walk, maybe rarer species of insect another time.

Grayling

Very much record shot of Juvenile Yellow Hammer

Record shot of Hobby

A week in Dorset

2010-08-29T16:27:00.000+01:00

We have just returned from the south, unfortunately the weather was rather disappointing and I did not get as many photographs as I hoped but when it was fine the weather was quite pleasant and never cold.

We visited Arne one of our favourite RSPB reserves twice, Tuesday and Friday morning and these pictures are from the first visit. I did find out something about Arne and that is families go for walks in the holidays hence the earlier than anticipated departure on the second day, really its good that they take the kids out but I am not sure how much they see!

The Tuesday produced large numbers of Sika Deer near the north hide (hope I have the name right), the males are fantastic looking at the moment but the angles were wrong for photography, apart from one inquisitive doe who again was partly hidden but I could not resist the shot with its mouth open even though some vegetation does spoil slightly the top of the shot. A Little Egret was out front and flew closer obligingly fluffing its feathers for a slightly different couple of pictures. We saw Raft Spiders for the first time, famous from BBC's Springwatch (please see previous post).

The RSPB guy at the information point said up to 3 Ospreys were present on site, they visit Poole Harbour at this time each year and fuel up before their long migration, they had been seen feeding and one bird catching a fish earlier in the morning. They were frequently in some dead trees that you could not see from the hide but were often seen from Shipstall View Point a little further away. Whilst we were there a large flock of Curlew went up and Pat saw a buzzard sized bird, dark on top and white underneath which could definitely have been an Osprey moving them. Me I was looking the other way!

I also saw a female Black Darter, which I photographed, definitely a highlight though was on the walk back to the car park where we saw a young small grass snake making its way across the path, unmistakable with its yellow band around its neck. It went under a log where we did not disturb it.

The photograph tally was poor but I will post from visits to RSPB Radipole, Portland Bill and Morden Bog.

The Raft Spider

2010-08-26T21:10:00.000+01:00

We have been to Arne in Dorset this week and I photographed this beastie for the first time. Partly obscured by a Pine Cone but it helps give a size to the spider.

This is the uk's largest spider with the female very much larger than the male who has more distinctive markings. They will eat large flies, damselflies and even very small fish!
The female is up to 22mm whilst the male 10-13mm.
The female lays up to 1,000 eggs in two or more greenish sacs, the spiderlings are brownish at first but get darker as they grow.

Mating Common Emerald Damselfly (Lestes sponsa)

2010-08-19T22:21:00.000+01:00

I pictured these mating damselflies at the weekend which I believe are Common emeralds, please feel free to leave a comment if I have this wrong.

Dragonflies have a unique way of copulating for which the males have specialised secondary genitalia, they have indirectt insemination and delayed fertilisation. The males sperm is passed from the abdomen tip to the secondary genitalia where it is passed onto the female.

On closer inspection the tip of the abdomen tip seems to be seen under the thorax of the higher damselfly or am I getting carried away?

Black Darter (Sympetrum danae)

2010-08-18T22:02:00.000+01:00

On a walk at the weekend we saw several species of Dragonfly including, Golden Ringed and a hawker species high in the top of some small birch trees, in the bright sun all were flying fast except for the Black Darters which we found in the snme place as previous years.

The male is especially difficult to photograph being almost totally black on the light sandy earthen bank and this years efforts seem a little better. The female was on a grass stem, a little difficult difficult for other stems, the wings looked as if they were still forming but that might just be the light reflections on them.

Goshawk

2010-08-15T15:54:00.000+01:00

A superb walk yesterday but the highlight had to be seeing this beautiful hawk.

We heard a raptor species that was slightly different to us, several birds calling to one another, we presume a nest site was close. Then on a number of occasions one of the birds flew over the track way in the distance and we were pretty sure they were Goshawks.

The chance for a picture came when two birds flew over the top of the trees and above our heads for a short distance. These birds have regular slow wing beats followed by a glide where they do not loose height unlike a Sparrowhawk. They were flying low over the tree tops, calling to one another, as these birds are in the habit of.

I was chuffed to get the shots, you can always do better and I had difficulty locating in the view finder when directly overhead, and one or two were out of focus but these two are not too bad with a bit of sharpening.

I believe there was at least three Goshawks in this area because there was the two that flew over plus one calling to them, I suspect in this vicinity there was more than three. Excellent.

A little smidgen of colour and not much more!

2010-08-10T21:36:00.000+01:00

I have had a couple of days off to do an assignment for a course I am doing for work but yesterday morning was nice and bright so I set off for Filey Brigg.

I did not have a lot of time and did not get too far, there were lots of Swallows and Martins flying low over the Brigg collecting insects just above the grasses and seed heads. Lots of Linnets about in the gulley's but so skittish one movement from me and they were gone. Not to successful a morning I only managed this young Grey Wagtail with a splash of yellow and a distant male Linnet showing a smidgen of orange.

Afterwards I popped into Filey Dams and got a young House Sparrow, Pigeon and young Cormorant, the browns and greys _ _ _ _

Kingfisher x2 (Converter)

2010-08-04T20:04:00.000+01:00

These shots of the male King fisher were taken when I had removed my lens from the camera, fixed my 2 x converter on, refixed lens. All shots are manually focused.

Not a great success as doing this I missed the action shots when a fish was caught. My advice is to concentrate and get the best shots you can with the gear in use. I then finally changed back and removed the converter and obtained some better shots.

Electric Blue (Kingfisher at Top Hill Low)

2010-08-02T21:24:00.000+01:00

We visited THL yesterday and in the morning visited North Marsh East Hide a new replacement hide last year and where work has been undertaken to attract King Fishers. We have spent 30 - 40 minutes previously hoping to see a KF. Yesterday after 10 minutes I was looking out the south facing window trying to see Reed warblers when I turned round and saw this on one of the perching rails.

We then got treated to about 30 minutes of this male KF perching in the same spot, listening to overhead aircraft (really), catching and dispatching a fish before moving onto another pole briefly before flying away a real treat. Well done to the warden and staff at THL who have made such great improvements these last couple of years.

I had time to fit my 2x converter, and remove it again as the bird was slightly too far of for my lens at 500mm, my converter means you have to manually focus, unfortunately when the fish was being dealt with I had the converter on and had the shutter speed far too slow. These first shots are at 500mm, I will post the 'better' of my pictures through the converter separately but the sharpest were those at 500mm, the camera on the tripod for the best part of the time. This was a great experience and opportunities like this are all too rare.

Thistle Eaters

2010-07-25T17:14:00.000+01:00

I manged these pictures of Goldfinch today eating seed heads at the side of Castle Howard Lake, I some how do not fancy sticking my head in a load of fluff to eat but this Goldfinch thought nothing of it.

Terradactyl Gannets!

2010-07-13T20:36:00.000+01:00

I took many shots on Sunday and am still processing them. They are almost exclusively Gannets, I thought the pictures of the young bird with its bill open was prehistoric, I can't resist another post or two!

Bempton Gannets

2010-07-12T20:45:00.000+01:00

We visited Bempton yesterday in fairly ideal conditions for photography. The Gannets were hanging up in the wind to land and flying off along the cliff top. The conditions were bright and sunny, particularly in the morning. It was a superb day.

Roses grow on you!

2010-07-10T18:45:00.000+01:00

Or in this case the young Gold Finch is looking to grow on these rose buds, I was surprised to see it eating these.

My neighbour likes his roses but they are going to a good cause!

Collared Dove - on the up!

2010-07-08T21:11:00.000+01:00

I have been away for a couple of days on a course that I am attending this year. I took this picture earlier in the week of one of the Collared Doves that visit our feeders, just as it took off.

We also have two delightful Wood Pigeons as well as a pair of Collared Doves so you can imagine how the feed goes down!

From The Reed Bed

2010-07-04T16:15:00.000+01:00

The small birds of Kent Proved elusive. At Dungeness there were loads of warblers, Sedge, Reed, Whitethroat, Cettie's plus Linnets, Wren, Reed Bunting.

Similarly on some of the other reserves we visited. I spent a few hours gazing into reed beds but everything flew off before I managed any decent shots. The one exception was the Sedge pictured here and then I only got one click of the shutter before it thought better of it. The Reed Bunting was slightly hidden by Reeds but it proves it was in the right setting. The female Bearded Tit was quite a distance away from my lens at 500mm, where there was a little group, but too far of for decent shots so I post purely for the record, my first actual shot of Bearded Tit.

Close encounter with cute aliens.

2010-06-30T22:01:00.000+01:00

We had a strange encounter in darkest Kent, we discovered a family of Mink and went to see them several times as the young were so cute, typical youngsters climbing and falling a real delight.

Now I know this is controversial and that they shouldn't be here but that of course is man's fault.

The strange thing is the young had no fear, the parent we saw (keeping a respectful distance) just went about their business. But the youngsters were inquisitive standing on their hind legs to see who it was making a noise.

I have to admit we visited a few times but were careful not to disrupt, but the youngsters hadn't a care in the world, you could move the grass to view them which I thought to be very strange, that wild animals would grant you such access a real privilege.

I have to temper the above with the following extract from 'The Natural History of the British Isles by Mike & Peggy Briggs, Parragon Press'

the mink is a pest we could well do without, but will never be rid of. Beautiful as it is, it is also an indiscriminate wanton killer of wild birds, fish, small mammals and domestic poultry. The mink escaped from fur farms from the 1950's onwards and has thrived. With no natural predators, this great survivor has oustead the otter from many areas and devastated ground nesting birds, particularly in the Scottish Highlands and Islands'

Body 40cm, tail 20cm.

Parent below

RSPB Dungeness

2010-06-29T21:26:00.003+01:00

We visited this reserve for the first time a week ago and as the brochure says its a little weird, great big open spaces at the end of nowhere. Great big shingle, vast area but I was surprised by the size of some of the areas of water.

A nice bright plant was the Yellow Horned Poppy.

This post contains no bird pictures from the day, I will put these in my next post.

The next bright sighting was a number of these lovely Mullein moth caterpillars

I think from the second hide we entered we heard a very close to Marsh Frog just to the rear and approaching steadily I managed shots of this beauty in a small nearby pool.

Kent

2010-06-27T12:01:00.004+01:00

We have just returned from a week in Kent a new county for us and an enjoyable weeks stay.

At a well known destination in the county we saw Peregrine falcon flying, we were high above on the cliffs and dropped down to see if I could get any flight shots. We did not see them again flying level with the cliff tops but from afar I saw one bird eating on a ledge, I did not have my converter so the shots are 500mm focal length, much zoomed and cropped. The vertical shot is to give a bit of perspective to the height of the cliff behind.

We then saw three falcons on a shoreline rock and I managed to get one flying out over the shore line, it gives an impression of scale against the sea.

Fleeting picture shoot!

2010-06-15T20:56:00.001+01:00

After a dire couple of weeks weather wise, Saturday was sunny, but cold.

We had a brief walk around Seamer tip pools and I snatched these shots of a Meadow Pipit. I then tried to get shots of the House Martins flying over the water at great speed, and was only moderately successful, the pictures needed more speed , I had to zoom in and crop quite dramatically, I need to go back and sit there for a few hours some time.

Black Tailed Skimer

2010-06-07T18:29:00.003+01:00

A family visit on Saturday (great weather), a miserable Sunday first it drizzled but then it got heavier and havier throughout the day. So a few shots from a week ago of a female Black Tailed Skimmer.

Four Spot Chaser

2010-06-01T20:29:00.003+01:00

I just love this dragonfly which looks bejewelled with the black triangles on its hind wings, they look so sparkly in bright sun light.

There was good numbers of this species at Messingham Sand Quarry on Sunday.

For the record

2010-05-31T17:10:00.004+01:00

Turtle Dove - record shot today on the edge of Dalby, The Great
Yorkshire Forest, several birds 'Prrring'.

Record shot of elusive Spotted Flycatcher photographed just outside Reeth in the Yorkshire Dales last Sunday.

Willow Warbler

2010-05-30T21:35:00.003+01:00

We had a second visit to Messingham Sand Quarry in just over a fortnight due to a family visit to Scunthorpe (more of that later).

The cold weather continues and when we first arrived the skies were black and we stayed in the car whilst we had a heavy shower which turned to sizable hail. We then set off and got only two hundred yards when it started again and we retreated to the car and decided to have lunch early. Whilst there it cleared and a Willow Warbler flew highish into the adjacent tree allowing me to get some shots, so this was an advantage over the last visit when we heard Willow Warblers everywhere but could not see them.

More of this visit later, we were down to Scunthorpe again so soon as Pat's son and partner Pauline have just had a little girl our first grandchild, she's a little beauty!

Common Swift (High Flyers!)

2010-05-24T18:36:00.004+01:00

I had the good fortune to go to Borrowdale in the Lake District last week on a training course and in the beautiful setting of that dale got great views of a Cuckoo, on a wall being attacked by smaller birds and flying close by. It was calling all morning long. It's great to record this as I know these birds are not as plentiful as they once were.

Closer to home we had Swifts over the village where I live two days earlier than last year, on 4 May when two birds were flying high. There are good numbers now but I can not get decent close shot so I got this one flying to the moon! I might try this again for a better composition.

Messingham Sand Quarry

2010-05-17T21:17:00.003+01:00

During our brief visit on Saturday I was privliged to see these fledged Long Tail Tits in a close to a waymark path. The shots are a bit noisy due to the high ISO under the trees but they are beautiful little characters. I love the red eye ring.

Also record shot of a bat flying at noon feeding on insects, I am not sure what species, do you know? I have never seen them flying in the day although a chap says it is not uncommon when they are hungry after a cold spell. Not a great shot, I had a few goes and it got straight over head many times. It's a tatty character with the hole in its wing.

Brimstone Butterfly

2010-05-16T16:43:00.002+01:00

For the first time I managed pictures of a Brimstone Butterfly yesterday.

We were visiting at Scunthorpe and went to Messingham Sand Quarry (LWT) for the first time.

A super little reserve, we saw Brimstones early on our walk and one dropped near brambles for me to get some shots.

Brimstones were mating and during our walk we also saw Speckled Wood and Orange Tip. Pictures taken hand held.

Near on 'O' res

2010-05-10T21:51:00.003+01:00

Where did that weekend go! It was so cold, we didn't get too far so a couple of shots from two weeks ago at Top Hill. I was intent on trying to shoot hirundines, ha impossible. They were flying low over 'O' res at Top Hill but I nearly missed the GC Grebe in very close to the viewing platform but in difficult light and shooting into the sun.

The Wheatear and the Lapwing Chicks

2010-05-04T20:02:00.006+01:00

Yesterday, we set of for the coastline to see if we might find a Ring Ouzel but it was so cold that I suggested going up to Danby Beacon to see what moorland birds we might find.

We got there (Danby Beacon) and it was dark and raining for a short while but soon brightened. I ventured out the car for two minutes but it was bitter. We set of slowly downhill in the car and sent up two waders, not sure what. I pulled into a pull in and we looked out over the moor, there was a few Red Grouse around (of course) then Pat spotted a distant female Wheatear, then a pair and after an exasperating 10 minutes (with me) I spotted them!

We drove further down hill and the road actually had a small pull in for one car at the bottom of a slope where we had excellent views of a pair of Wheatear. The female actually flew down the slope perched 20' in front of the car and then landed below the car bonnet where we could not see it. It then appeared just to the rear of the car giving excellent views.

When it moved further away I got in the back of the car and whilst I got these pictures it was never quite near enough again apart from when it flew the other side of the car and I was stuck in the back. Whilst I love our Nissan X Trail, why do the back windows only go half way down! It's dam difficult to rest a 500mm lens on.

Driving round the bottom of this hill there was good numbers of Wheatear. We saw a stonking male with a lovely peachy coloured chest. I parked up and walked back along the road but it had gone, the Lapwings were vocal but I thought the young were in the field over the stone wall.

As I walked back I was amazed to see three chicks running on the grass verge, one was in the road as two scooter boys (40 somethings) went past, the grey in the shots are road chippings. Why can't wildlife stay in the fields, I think they like the toxins on the verge!

Also saw a Stoat in this area and rabbits of course!

Record of Male Marsh Harrier at Top Hill Low

2010-05-03T16:51:00.003+01:00

We visited Top Hill Low yesterday and were delighted to see all the hirundines flying low over the reservoirs. I tried in vain to take pictures of the Swifts and Martins but failed miserably, perhaps I might post a silhouette of a Swift or three as they are not yet over our cottage in Ayton.

They normally appear around 19th or 20th of the month, last year I think it was about 9th . If they are 30miles away this bodes well for an early arrival. Someone said some were seen over Scarborough last week. As soon as they arrive summer begins, its the sound of their chattering and that iconic anchor shape.

I took loads of pictures in difficult light, into the sun etc. you get them on the computer and what a disappointment, but the good ones more than make up for the flops.

Record shots of male Marsh Harrier hunting along the back of South East Marsh Lagoon, we were alone in the hide watching this bird on a cold day for the time of year. I hope others spotted this bird.

Mr & Mrs (Bullfinch) Part 2

2010-04-27T21:36:00.003+01:00

Continuation of my last post, given my chosen title I just had to show Missus Bullfinch, plus a few more of the male.

Some of my bird books state never seen on garden feeders but do enter gardens to eat new buds on shrubs. These birds love all manner of bird feeders!

Mr & Mrs (Bullfinch)

2010-04-26T20:25:00.003+01:00

We had a trip to Dorset this weekend for Pat's nieces wedding which was fabulous on a glorious day that could not have been bettered.

On Saturday morning I got time to sit in the garden and wait for the resident pair of Bullfinches, you know the ones that do not feed on bird feeders!!! This is a lie.

What a treat, such beautiful birds. Over this weekend in an average size estate garden, not far from countryside we had Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Coal Tit, Blackbirds, Wood Pigeon, Collared Dove, Robin, Dunnock, House, Sparrow, oh and I could not believe a Whitethroat bathing vigorously in the bird bath! Plus a Common Buzzard in the trees at the bottom of the neighbours garden and a lost racing pigeon.

Sanderling (Calidris alba)

2010-04-18T19:33:00.006+01:00

I have not got any pictures these last three weeks, Easter was dark, we are
decorating and it seems to be on the bright days, the days off (decorating) have
been less so.

I am therefore posting Sanderling seen on the beach at Bransacster, Norfolk on a
lovely morning, not many people about and about a dozen of these birds on the
shore line.

They allowed me to approach reasonably close to and whilst the light wasn't the best
I was pleased to get these shots.

They didn't do so much of the running very fast in a clockwork fashion but were
busy probing the sands for breakfast.

This is a member of the Sandpiper family and in winter is by far the whitest, they
snatch marine worms, crustaceans, molluscs, sandhoppers and other similar beach food.

They often mix with Dunlins.

The Norfolk Enquirer

2010-04-08T20:26:00.003+01:00

Whilst in Pats Pool Hide at Cley this fellow dropped in and
strolled over for a look. He came close to the hide and was interested in me whilst the shuttter was firing.

I took loads of pictures of this bird who was very interested in the water and vegetation there in, it did'nt look too nutritious to me.

What struck me was the lovely orange eye ring, no drab goose.

Avocet Flight Patterns

2010-04-03T19:44:00.003+01:00

As I stated in my preevious post there seemed to be large
numbers of Avocets in Norfolk, everywhere we went,
Snettisahm, Tichwell, Holme Dunes, Cley, Brancaster
The following pictures show some of the flight patterns over
Cley.

In the final picture Black tail Godwit join in the fun, the black
background dots are Brents I believe.