But I'm open to debate.
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| Chiffchaff - it's all in the legs! |
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
Q: When is a willow warbler not a willow warbler?
A. When it's a chiffchaff. When these two birds don't sing they are very difficult to tell apart (for me at least). I usually rely on leg colour and the dark colour of this birds legs tell me it's a chiffchaff.
But I'm open to debate.
But I'm open to debate.
Sunday, 30 March 2014
30 March 2014
It's been a while since I had a good mooch around The Orchard Centre at Hartpury and I had a feeling in my water today so I got myself down there pronto.
Right decision (and not just a bladder infection).
A patch first today: Green Sandpiper. Unmistakable with that white rump. The only downside was that when I flushed it, it flew off so fast that I didn't get time for a photo. No matter, I'll have a look again later in the week. See if I can sneak up on the little blighter and get a couple of polaroids for the family album.
Still, all was not lost. I managed a few shots of some of the "regulars" and great to see that the Mallards had produced a first brood too.
It's been a while since I had a good mooch around The Orchard Centre at Hartpury and I had a feeling in my water today so I got myself down there pronto.
Right decision (and not just a bladder infection).
A patch first today: Green Sandpiper. Unmistakable with that white rump. The only downside was that when I flushed it, it flew off so fast that I didn't get time for a photo. No matter, I'll have a look again later in the week. See if I can sneak up on the little blighter and get a couple of polaroids for the family album.
Still, all was not lost. I managed a few shots of some of the "regulars" and great to see that the Mallards had produced a first brood too.
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| Well it is Mother's day! |
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| Mallard Chick |
From ducks to raptors: and what a devilishly handsome brute that buzzard is!
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| Buzzard |
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| Kestrel |
Stock doves can be somewhat overlooked, but in truth they too are quite handsome birds (no idea why this one is rolling his eyes though. Makes him look slightly simple).
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| Stock dove |
Saturday 29th March 2014 Ashleworth Ham
A late afternoon visit resulted in a couple of photos.
Firstly, a group of Little Egrets. Thee were nine in all but I only managed to get 5 in the photo.
Three Grey Herons were also in attendance and this one delighted me with a fly-past.
A late afternoon visit resulted in a couple of photos.
Firstly, a group of Little Egrets. Thee were nine in all but I only managed to get 5 in the photo.
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| Little Egrets |
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| Grey Heron |
Other birds seen; 6 Lapwing, 18 Shovelers, 40+ Wigeon and around 30 Linnets coming into roost with a small flock of Chaffinches.
Monday, 24 March 2014
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| Mute Swan |
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| Chaffinch |
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| Black-tailed Godwits |
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| Black-tailed Godwits |
Tuesday, 31 December 2013
Sunday, 29 December 2013
and 5 months later......
To say I've had a bit of a hiatus is probably an understatement!
I'm afraid that I rather lost focus during the summer and became "otherwise engaged". Well no matter, I'm back now and just in time for a new year by the look of it!
I've decided to change the name of the blog. Limiting myself to just the Orchard Centre is also limiting my bird list. I'm unlikely to get more than 70 off this small patch.
From here on in I'll be vising 3 or 4 local sites regularly and updating the blog from all locations.
Today however, I returned to the Orchard Centre hoping to see a few migratory ducks but alas the waters were bereft of birds of the quacking variety.
No matter, it was a good day for bullfinches - 8 in all. A very good number for such an elusive and beautiful bird.
A small group of Long Tailed Tits were also making their way down one of the hedgerows, allowing me time to fire off a couple of shots:
Good to be back!
I'm afraid that I rather lost focus during the summer and became "otherwise engaged". Well no matter, I'm back now and just in time for a new year by the look of it!
I've decided to change the name of the blog. Limiting myself to just the Orchard Centre is also limiting my bird list. I'm unlikely to get more than 70 off this small patch.
From here on in I'll be vising 3 or 4 local sites regularly and updating the blog from all locations.
Today however, I returned to the Orchard Centre hoping to see a few migratory ducks but alas the waters were bereft of birds of the quacking variety.
No matter, it was a good day for bullfinches - 8 in all. A very good number for such an elusive and beautiful bird.
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| click on image to enlarge |
Sunday, 14 July 2013
A man needs a hobby
It's been a couple of weeks since I visited the patch - work commitments and this insufferable heat keeping me at bay.
Despite the hot weather, I thought I'd take a walk this afternoon. I reasoned that whilst the hot summer sun might not bring out many birds, I may get some good photos of the butterflies and dragonflies.
I'm glad I made the effort!
I had barely set foot onto the field leading to the hide when I saw a gorgeous Hobby swooping low over the water. As usual, I was unprepared and by the time I'd made made a cack handed effort to get my camera ready he was gone. He made a couple of return fly pasts at high altitude but the photographs that I did manage to get were little more than shaky silhouettes.
No matter, No. 61 is in the bag! (and about time).
It's a good job the Hobby did put in an appearance because there was very little other bird life around. A few Swallows and House Martins, a Tufted Duck and a family of Mallards. Otherwise, nothing to report.
Butterlies were plentiful. At least Meadow Browns and Small Whites were. A few Tortoiseshells were also on the wing. Good news as apparently this once common butterfly is now in sharp decline.
I could see why the Hobby was so interested in swooping over the water. There was an explosion of dragonflies. Mainly Broad Bodied Chasers and Black Tailed Skimmers but also a few very large green/blue individuals that I think may have been Emperor Dragonflies. No photographs today though as they all seemed to be engaged in a frenzy of activity and wouldn't stay still.
However, a couple of other insect shots to round the day off:
Despite the hot weather, I thought I'd take a walk this afternoon. I reasoned that whilst the hot summer sun might not bring out many birds, I may get some good photos of the butterflies and dragonflies.
I'm glad I made the effort!
I had barely set foot onto the field leading to the hide when I saw a gorgeous Hobby swooping low over the water. As usual, I was unprepared and by the time I'd made made a cack handed effort to get my camera ready he was gone. He made a couple of return fly pasts at high altitude but the photographs that I did manage to get were little more than shaky silhouettes.
No matter, No. 61 is in the bag! (and about time).
It's a good job the Hobby did put in an appearance because there was very little other bird life around. A few Swallows and House Martins, a Tufted Duck and a family of Mallards. Otherwise, nothing to report.
Butterlies were plentiful. At least Meadow Browns and Small Whites were. A few Tortoiseshells were also on the wing. Good news as apparently this once common butterfly is now in sharp decline.
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| Small Tortoiseshell |
However, a couple of other insect shots to round the day off:
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| Bumble Bee |
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| Six Spot Burnet Moth |
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