All things bright and beautiful.

I say it every year, because its true. I love this time of year. I love Spring. I love the extra birdsong, the emerging colours, the critters that we've missed for the winter.

I am trying to lose the weight that I put on over xmas, so in an effort to boost my chances I have been doing a lot more walking. I have been out and about with big lenses and small lenses in an effort to get some different shots. I have, for the first time ever, been paying a lot more atttention to the plants that I have been seeing. I have posted a Lesser celandine shot recently but want to add the following, I am struggling with the identity of the first two, my Observer book of wild flowers isnt brilliant for a complete numpty like me.

I know this is a violet (I think), but am not sure if its a "Common Dog" or a "Hairy" I'm guessing Common.

I have no idea what this next one is, I cant find a picture that matches.

I'd be grateful for a pointer.

This next one is Daisy.

and this next is a Dandelion Clock.

Finally Wood Anemones..

In addtion to the flowers I've seen a fair few Butterflies. Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Orange tip, Brimstone, Peacock, and what I thought was a green veined white but I couldn't be sure as I only got a glance. I have got a couple of shots but they were taken with my 600 lens so maybe not as good as I'd like.

Comma.

Peacock.



Small Tortoiseshell.

I've had a few close encounters with other stuff too, this was the first Wasp I saw.

and this Red tailed Bee was a delight, is it asleep do you think?

This Flesh Fly sat still long enough for me to get a shot.

and this Spider wasn't the easiest to catch.

But the most amazing thing were the Wood Ants I saw when I went to Haugh Woods, I saw a few nests with what looked like millions of the ants scurrying around, again I apologise for the lack of detail but sitting and watching them was mind blowing, some were carrying bits of leaf litter and wood that were much bigger than themselves.

So, I think it's obvious that I've been enjoying the unusually warm weather and that once again I'm enjoying lugging a camera around too.

Land of the Pasty (Pastie).

I have been waiting for the opportunity to visit my mate Andy Carey since he moved to Fowey in Cornwall. Well  this last week it happened. I travelled down Monday morning arriving at lunchtime. The journey down had been through varying thickness of fog, but when I hit the A30 it got brighter and brighter. I was encouraged.

Unfortunately with the exception of the odd break here and there the next 3 days were mostly foggy. That however was only a small setback in what was an otherwise good week. Andy's place is lovely, set in countryside and surrounded by fields and farm buildings. Pheasants, Squirrels and Woodpeckers in his garden and at his feeders. Lambs in the field next to it. I slept with the curtains open for 2 of the three nights so that I could see what was at the feeder as soon as I woke.

I increased my year list and added a lifetime first to my life list. I saw....Ring necked Duck (lifer), Purple Sandpiper, Turnstone, Little Egret, Cormorant, Dipper, Skylark, Pheasant, Rock Pipit, Raven, Stonechat, Lesser Black Backed Gull, and Great Black Backed Gull. Forgive me Andy if I've missed any.  We didnt see some stuff that we hoped too but I'm not complaining. The Purple Sandpiper I've seen before but I had never been close enough to photograph one. We saw a flock of at least 16 at Penzance along with Turnstone. I would have happily killed for some light but it wasn't to be, still I got a couple of record shots.

Purple Sandpiper

Turnstone

The Rock Pipit was a nice surprise, It was in a beautiful coastal location the name of which I've forgotten. We were quite lucky in so much that it was quite an obliging bird. The sun was out too, an added bonus.

Those were the only birds I got to photograph but what I did see were some Fallow Deer. Okay they were in a deer park, but still worth a quick photo or two.

Andy has an amazing patch but in addition to showing me the local bits he also drove me over most of Cornwall, you won't need me to tell you its a beautiful place. The none birding highlight of the trip was the visit to the location where they film Doc Martin- Port Wen. I saw the Docs surgery and some other bits and was blown away by it. I always enjoy being able to say I've seen this or that. We also saw what was at one time the deepest quarry in the world but typical me I cannot recall what it was called, but it too was an amazing sight. the water at the bottom of it was the most fantastic blue colour.

All in all I really enjoyed my stay, and am so looking forward to another trip later in the year. Thank you Andy and Kim.

Back at home I'd done a little exploring when the sun was out, There are nowhere near as many frogs and toads in the pond up the road as last year. I could only many a couple of shots and not from very good vantage points.

Two were under the water.

and these two were partially hidden.

The three Long tailed tit nests I have been watching are all complete. Its a waiting game now until feeding of the chicks begins. My nest boxes are still being visited but no sign of nesting material being taken in yet. I had the Sparrowhawk in the garden again the other day. She sat on the feeder tray for almost a minute facing me, she really is a perfect bird, but as always, as soon as I moved she was off.

I did something this last week that I very rarely do, I took a picture of a plant. I had no idea what it was, but I have identified it as a lesser Celandine. Its not a particularly great shot but I amazed myself that a) I liked it enough to photograph it and b) bothered to identify it.

I am definately getting the bug again, I hope it lasts.

Tits and things.

There's been a fair bit of sun this week and I have spent a chunk of time out with the camera as well as walking my dog and making and putting up 3 more nest boxes in the wood up the road. I am still seeing Blue tits at the boxes I put up earlier so I am hopeful that some, if not all, of the boxes will be used.

The time spent out and about has been lovely as it has allowed me to observe my local birds, especially the Long Tailed tits. I have so far located 3 nests being constructed. I have observed the patterns of the birds, watching where they land prior to going to the nest and have set myself up to try and get pictures as they come to or away from the nests. These images were taken over a few days.

However, my best discovery was completely by accident. I have also observed a large number of frogs and toads making their way to the pond and decided the one morning to take the 70-200mm lens and see if I could get some at the waters edge. I was on my hands and knees in one spot watching a pair of frogs and could hear LTT's in a bush to my right. When i decided I wasn't going to get a decent shot of the frogs I knelt up and looked to my right. This next shot is a grabbed shot, hand held. I took only the one frame before standing and moving away, I was about 6-8 feet from the nest.

I am pleased to report that the birds were not disturbed by me and have continued to build the nest. I am amazed by how much effort goes in to building their nest, they must use huge amounts of energy during the nesting season, its no wonder they look so ragged at the end of it.

I have also had the opportunity to grab a few shots of other stuff around the lake. The mallards are a constant opportunity.

This Moorhen was not happy with something, possibly me, and was displaying a lovely set of tail feathers.

and highlight of the week were 3 Buzzards that came circling over the pool, I think it was two adults seeing off a juvenile form last year as they were chasing it all around and making a racket. This shot is not good quality as it was handheld but it shows the one bird calling. Its a large crop too.

Its not just the birds that are of interest. Whilst scanning the lake with my big lens I saw that the terrapins are already out sunning themselves when they get the opportunity.

This again is a large crop as I was on the other side of the lake. I have also been told that last year there were a pair of adders in the undergrowth on one side of the lake so I am keeping an eye out for them. The only other highlight has been regular sightings of the Kingfisher on the other lake, never close enough or still enough to get shots of though.

Thanks for looking.

Recent Activity

I have reason to be cheerful and reason to be disappointed. Lets get the negative out of the way first. Today (thurs 23rd) I had to go to Gloucester Hospital to the sleep clinic. I had hoped for a nice day so I could go to Slimbridge beforehand, I've not been for ages. I watched the weather on line at about 8pm weds and the woman said it was going to be a cloudy misty day. So I made up my mind that I would save the petrol and wait for a better day, so I went to bed late and rose at 8.00am, The morning turned out to be a corker and the day just got better. So I was ever so slightly miffed. However I turned wasted into different and don't regret it. I'll come back to that in a minute.

Before that though I have had a mixed few weeks since my last post. The weather has been changeable hasn't it and I had to shoot up to Chester as my mum had a visit to hospital in an ambulance with chest pain. That though turned out to be fortuitous. Whilst waiting to hear if mum would be released on the sunday afternoon I suggested a trip to the new RSPB wetland reserve at Burton Mere with my brother. It opened last autumn and was previously a fishery. I have to say I was impressed. The visitor centre is basic but well set out with huge glass frontage and an outlook over one of the mere's. There are two other main hides to either side of the visitor centre and both have the facility for large lens photography. There are a number of smaller lakes set aside for dragonflies and pond type stuff which will keep visitors interested throughout the year, There are two feeder stations with photo opportunities for smaller lens work. I added over 11 birds to my list for this year including BT Godwit, Redshank, Shelduck, Gadwall and Lapwing. The reserve is about a mile or so from RSPB Inner Marsh Farm and will eventually be connected via a footpath around the reserve. If you find yourself up there then I would strongly suggest a detour to visit the new reserve at Burton. We had stunning views of a Kestrel through the scope provided by the RSPB in the visitor centre. A great way to spend a few hours.

Whilst in Chester I visted the little pond I often look at at Christleton and got a couple of Gull shots.

As you can see it was iced over and not a particularly brilliant day. Nice to get the camera out though.
During the trip to Chester whilst driving along the A49 I had been amazed to see a Red Kite flying low over a field at Onibury. I pulled off the road and watched it, never once thinking to get the camera out of the boot. Isnt it funny how we can sometimes get so engrossed in watching stuff that we forget that a photographic record would be very useful. A good early tick for the year there though.

Driving back from Chester and with the camera and lens on the passenger seat I did not get a repeat unfortunately but as I drove into Hereford there was this Buzzard sitting on a street lamp.

again not a brilliant picture due to grey skies, but a nice record.

I think I may have mentioned that I have been asked to get involved with the idea of having a bird hide/ screen on the ponds above my house, that unfortunately has hit a stumbling block but will hopefully go ahead in 12 months or so. The "wildlife pond" is getting regular visits from a Kingfisher and now has a resident pair of Mandarin Ducks. I'm hoping they will nest and fledge young.
I have also made and located 6 nest boxes in the wood where I walk with Roxy. I had previously been given permission by the council and park ranger. Imagine my delight when only the day after I had put them up I saw a pair of Blue tits at the entrance to one of them, showing great interest. I watched them flitting back and too from a branch to the opening for 5 minutes and am hopeful that they, or another pair, will use it.
You will remember last year I mentioned how the wood had come alive with birdsong, well its happening again. I cannot believe the difference a bit of warm weather makes. I have already found one Long tailed tit, nest site and again stood and watched the pair of birds constructing the nest, I hope they fledge succesfully.

Now to finish off, I will return to today. As it turned out to be such a stunning day I decided that on route to Glos I would call in at the RSPB reserve at Highnam. I took my big lens and walked to the hide which was already occupied by a couple and joined them whilst they watched all the usual suspects feeding at the feeders. I was disappointed to see that the posts on which the feeders used to hang had been vandalised. The feeders were rather disappointedly hanging in the small bushes and trees. I relocated one of them immediately, with the agreement of the other people. I saw a Marsh Tit, another first for the year and a Sparrowhawk which glided across the front of the hide without stopping. The highlight of the day though was a little Rat that kept us entertained. It kept creeping out and collecting seeds displaced off the table by the birds. I dont want them around my house but they are cute.

A cheeky little chap or chapess. The usual suspects showed well too.

This Great tit below isn't actually singing, as it looks, it was actually having a good scratch, if you look you will see only one leg.

All in all a great reminder of why I got into photography in the first place and just the tonic I needed. It was also great to bump into a friend and fellow photographer, albeit in his work capacity on this occasion, Lewis Thomson. Lewis is a Warden for the RSPB and was there to fill the feeders with his boss. It was nice to catch up and congratulate Lewis on some of his recent stuff on his Blog and website, (in my links, check him out).
I think I have the bug again now and will be out and about as much as finances will allow so keep coming back to check on my progress. Thanks for your patience.

Happy New Year!

Yes I know we're already a long way into the month. I havent done much photography since my last posting. I spent a morning trying to get near the Goosander that have been frequenting the lake up the road, with no joy. Other than that its been quiet.

Last year was probably my worse year of both bird recording and photography since I started in 2007. I only saw 109 different species last year, which is very poor. I should try and improve it this year. I didnt get a trip to Norfolk or Scotland in either which is even more disappointing. I have considered giving up photography.

I have only three shots to show you. First was a fleeting shot of a Long tailed Tit.

and second was a Robin that perched obligingly for me whilst I was sitting waiting for the Goosander to come near.

I wasnt going to add this one as its only a shot of Mallards, but its a pic for you to look at so here it is.

Some good news is that there has been a Kingfisher on the two lakes. I've seen it on more than one occasion flashing across the water. This morning (sat 21st) there were also a pair of Mandarin Ducks on what has become known as the nature lake. I have been undertaking a feasibility study of putting either a hide or screens on the nature lake for the local council. I was asked to help by another resident nearby. The long term plan is to clean the lake up, and make it more attractive to wildlife. It could be a great idea. Watch this space.

Anyway thats about it for now.

Thanks for looking, oh and if you are not already aware there is still a lot of good stuff being put on to a few of my links, in particular, the two Bobs, Bushell and Jones and Lewis Thomson. Lewis and Bob Bushell have both had notables on Birdguides Website for their shots of a Crossbill and Buzzard. Check them out.

Oh and one more thing Dave Slater and his friends have done some great work in securing a closed season in relation to the Wild Boar in the Forest of Dean. Check out the Friends of the boar link in Daves Website which you will find in my links.

Happy New Year.