Monday 20 October 2008

Around and about.

The last few weeks have been spent trying to make the most of what good weather there has been along with all the other things that need to be done.

A trip to the other side of Gloucester on a cold grey morning with Andy C and Chris G produced this Black Redstart Juv. He didn't show too well and it was blooming cold so we gave up after about two hours.


Also present at the same site were Goldfinch, Greenfinch and this Yellow hammer.





A trip to Ross on Wye to get my car fixed gave me chance to visit St Mary's Church, I know that there are a good number of Squirrels there, I was also hoping to see Green Woodpeckers, which I also know frequent the area of the Prospect. Unfortunately there is a lot of archeology being done so there were tents and scaffolding so no Woodies.





A trip to Slimbridge with Chris Grady was a wash out, we had to satisfy ourselves with Bunny shots, There were a few waders present but the y were too far away.


A trip the same day to Frampton allowed us to get some shots of the much publicised Black Necked Grebe. The light was not brilliant but I'm pleased with this record shot.


Also present were a number of Great Crested Grebe, but not in their best plumage.






Some time later a trip to the Elan Valley was planned, the weather was forecast as good, but yet again they got it wrong, It rained and blew a gale and was very cold but there were patches of sun. This was the only shot I got that I'm prepared to put on here.





A trip to Chester to visit my mum was reason to stop and see what was on a village pond that we fed the ducks at when I was a kid. Surprise, surprise nothing unusual was seen but this opportunity presented itself.


I have spent a few hours driving around the lanes near me looking for Red legged Partridge, I know they are there I've seen them. Imagine the surprise when I came across some of the many Pheasants and found four Turkeys wandering around a field with them. The field was open and insecure, I couldn't believe my eyes.






It's getting nearer to Winter isn't it? The leaves are falling and the temperature has dropped. Lots of migrants to be found and photographed.