Very nice photos. Are you sure about the Hobby? As a migratory species it really should have left by now. Lakenheath is a good spot for Merlin; might that have been what you saw? Or Peregrine?
"Shooting" British Birds
- Thread starter Prochilodus246
- Start date
Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Yes, they start to depart from late August, with them practically gone by October. A wet Merlin once almost tricked me at Elmley NNR so this could be the case.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Thanks was a good day. Probably something else as you say though they were late around this year. It was a remarkably long way off. I didn't think it was a Peregrine though that's a good shout... was too small for a Marsh harrier and I have zero luck with Merlin!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Looks more like a Kestrel
Lafone
Well-Known Member
I'd certainly have had more luck seeing a Kestrel than anything else that's come up so far! It reinforces the point there wasn't much to see effectively through the lens around the rest of the reserve (though it was a nice walk!).
Lafone
Well-Known Member
It was a nearly all the weather in one day experience at Slimbridge on 22nd December. Strong winds meant the Cranes came off the estuary to feed, with 10 on Tack Piece.
It was nice to see the growing juveniles with their parents.
A mute swan was blown off their group and made a brief landing before taking off again, the later light giving them a faint glow
and the Black headed gulls in their winter plumage spent time perching around the main ponds
Shelducks were in and out, held up off the water as they came into land
and there were lots of Pintails
with breeding going on for them
and the Mallards
There were good numbers of small birds around the feeders as usual
and some handsome robins on the path
It was also a good day for flight shots of Greylags
including ringed bird NA6 who, according to the sightings site, was c4 years old when ringed in 2018 and has been sighted as far North in the UK as Strathclyde.
It was nice to see the growing juveniles with their parents.
A mute swan was blown off their group and made a brief landing before taking off again, the later light giving them a faint glow
and the Black headed gulls in their winter plumage spent time perching around the main ponds
Shelducks were in and out, held up off the water as they came into land
and there were lots of Pintails
with breeding going on for them
and the Mallards
There were good numbers of small birds around the feeders as usual
and some handsome robins on the path
It was also a good day for flight shots of Greylags
including ringed bird NA6 who, according to the sightings site, was c4 years old when ringed in 2018 and has been sighted as far North in the UK as Strathclyde.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Welney on 23rd December didn't yield a lot of good shots, though there were some nice views of Short Eared owls, Roe and Chinese water deer and a few hares, all from quite a distance. It was a fairly gloomy day but it didn't rain. The Lady Fen trail and main observatory were open but much of the rest of the area was flooded out; my muckboots allowed wading through ankle deep water to the open hide though a few people were cursing not having arrived with wellies.
Sometimes you don't get many shots but it's great to see the wildlife anyway.
It was good to finally grab a couple of shots of Tree Sparrows. I have looked for these over the course of the year and had no luck. It was a little dark but I got a few
of the little flock active around the bushes at the start of the Lady Fen trail
Aside from that there was a nice Kestrel sitting on the electricity pylon in the farm yard behind the trail.
Sometimes you don't get many shots but it's great to see the wildlife anyway.
It was good to finally grab a couple of shots of Tree Sparrows. I have looked for these over the course of the year and had no luck. It was a little dark but I got a few
of the little flock active around the bushes at the start of the Lady Fen trail
Aside from that there was a nice Kestrel sitting on the electricity pylon in the farm yard behind the trail.
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Dr. Loxodonta
Well-Known Member
Brilliant shots of the Tree Sparrows, sounds like a nice day at WWT Welney.
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
Prochilodus246
Well-Known Member
For the last 2 days I have been on the Isle of Angelsey in North Wales. Given the large size of Anglesey it has many locations that are great birding although many of the sites don't allow for very much for decent photography.
Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Redshank & Curlew at RSPB Conwy
An appearance from the elusive Water Rail
Greylag Goose
Mallards in the fading light at RSPB Cors Ddyga
The last of the evening sun over Malltraeth Estuary
Ruddy Turnstone feeding at Cemlyn Bay
Oystercatchers, Dunlin, Redshank & Curlew at RSPB Conwy
An appearance from the elusive Water Rail
Greylag Goose
Mallards in the fading light at RSPB Cors Ddyga
The last of the evening sun over Malltraeth Estuary
Ruddy Turnstone feeding at Cemlyn Bay
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
Nice sunset! What a lovely Ruddy Turnstone. Great view of all the waders together too. That looks a great trip.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Following @Prochilodus246 's example at Donna Nook I headed over to Horsey Gap on the Norfolk coast; the largest colony of grey seals in the UK with 2-3,000 or more pups born over the course of a season.
I arrived very early as later on the car parks get mobbed and there can be a lot of people.
There are a couple of viewing points, the closest ones to the car park offer a 'top down' view of the seals which, while nice, gets a bit bargy and doesn't make for good photos. Out of pupping season you can get onto the beach and fairly near the seals (at a safe distance!) but in season there are clear ropes and barriers to stop pups and mothers being alarmed by visitors.
The colony has seal wardens, all volunteers from the Friends of Horsey Seals who try and ensure people don't go on restricted paths and don't get too near the seals. During my visit a bloke was wandering on the beach (madness) and a few people tried to hop the fence and stand right near the pups resting up against it, but most people were just enjoying the beautiful views and lovely animals.
The furthest viewpoint offers the best views, as long as you are happy to walk a few km. Being early there were only a few people to start with though by the time I got back to the car park at the end of my visit both extension fields were open and it was a bit of a scrum. Dawn rising recommended! If you are intending to visit do be aware there are no toilets so a bit of planning is required.
The adults as well as pups were all over the beach and up in the dunes
and being near the end of the season there were pups at all stages from the classic furry white fat nap version
through the starting moulting on a bed of fluff
to the more mature coat
and in between
The huge scarred adults yelling at each other (and the big males fighting further down on the beach) put straight any notion of 'cuteness' - these are big impressive animals when fully grown
and speedy when seeing each other off near the pups
I do enjoy this later part of the season with the variety of pup growth. Lots had grown and left already (only 27 were born in the week I visited compared to over 700 in a week in early December). There were a few unlucky heaps on the beach with gulls dining on the remains, but apparently its been a good year pup wise.
Early in the morning was also a nice time for a few birds with a showy robin
and a pretty Stonechat in the perfect place for a photo
In the dunes there was a small bird which I thought might be a Meadow pipit? Didn't appear to have a crest from a Skylark point of view but they look similar to me, though this does have a more streaky breast. If a Meadow Pipit my only one in 2024! But nice either way.
I arrived very early as later on the car parks get mobbed and there can be a lot of people.
There are a couple of viewing points, the closest ones to the car park offer a 'top down' view of the seals which, while nice, gets a bit bargy and doesn't make for good photos. Out of pupping season you can get onto the beach and fairly near the seals (at a safe distance!) but in season there are clear ropes and barriers to stop pups and mothers being alarmed by visitors.
The colony has seal wardens, all volunteers from the Friends of Horsey Seals who try and ensure people don't go on restricted paths and don't get too near the seals. During my visit a bloke was wandering on the beach (madness) and a few people tried to hop the fence and stand right near the pups resting up against it, but most people were just enjoying the beautiful views and lovely animals.
The furthest viewpoint offers the best views, as long as you are happy to walk a few km. Being early there were only a few people to start with though by the time I got back to the car park at the end of my visit both extension fields were open and it was a bit of a scrum. Dawn rising recommended! If you are intending to visit do be aware there are no toilets so a bit of planning is required.
The adults as well as pups were all over the beach and up in the dunes
and being near the end of the season there were pups at all stages from the classic furry white fat nap version
through the starting moulting on a bed of fluff
to the more mature coat
and in between
The huge scarred adults yelling at each other (and the big males fighting further down on the beach) put straight any notion of 'cuteness' - these are big impressive animals when fully grown
and speedy when seeing each other off near the pups
I do enjoy this later part of the season with the variety of pup growth. Lots had grown and left already (only 27 were born in the week I visited compared to over 700 in a week in early December). There were a few unlucky heaps on the beach with gulls dining on the remains, but apparently its been a good year pup wise.
Early in the morning was also a nice time for a few birds with a showy robin
and a pretty Stonechat in the perfect place for a photo
In the dunes there was a small bird which I thought might be a Meadow pipit? Didn't appear to have a crest from a Skylark point of view but they look similar to me, though this does have a more streaky breast. If a Meadow Pipit my only one in 2024! But nice either way.
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Meadow Pipit it is, look at the extremely long hind claws!
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Excellent! Thanks, much appreciate the expertise. That's a great thing to look out for in future.
Lafone
Well-Known Member
Hamerton at the end of December offered it's usual excellent mix of wild Red Kites, soaring about looking to steal the food from the stork enclosure
and landing in the trees to call out to each other
and eat a chick while keeping an eye on photographers
their main competition for food were 10 wild herons in the White Stork enclosure who got down as many chicks as possible, more in competition with each other than the Storks who didn't seem very interested.
and landing in the trees to call out to each other
and eat a chick while keeping an eye on photographers
their main competition for food were 10 wild herons in the White Stork enclosure who got down as many chicks as possible, more in competition with each other than the Storks who didn't seem very interested.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
End of December found a few wild birds among zoo visits finishing off the year with some nice Robins at Whipsnade in the rain
and active black headed gulls swooping around the Flamingo lake at Twycross
Birds started 2025 off with a bright and chilly visit to Frampton Marsh on 2nd Jan.
Hundreds of Geese were on the site, with active Brents
and large groups of Greylags flying back and forth to feed
landing in noisy groups
I always find it impressive that they don't all land on each other; great spacial awareness extending from the air to the ground. As well as offering fun flying displays they certainly were the soundtrack of the day as their honking and cackling could be heard all over the reserve.
Some Curlew and Dunlin were also on the marsh, though at a bit of a distance,
with Wigeon a little closer
Around the Reedbed hide there were some pretty female Stonechats, which made the day even better
and I was able to get some nice shots as they fed up and down the fenceline.
and active black headed gulls swooping around the Flamingo lake at Twycross
Birds started 2025 off with a bright and chilly visit to Frampton Marsh on 2nd Jan.
Hundreds of Geese were on the site, with active Brents
and large groups of Greylags flying back and forth to feed
landing in noisy groups
I always find it impressive that they don't all land on each other; great spacial awareness extending from the air to the ground. As well as offering fun flying displays they certainly were the soundtrack of the day as their honking and cackling could be heard all over the reserve.
Some Curlew and Dunlin were also on the marsh, though at a bit of a distance,
with Wigeon a little closer
Around the Reedbed hide there were some pretty female Stonechats, which made the day even better
and I was able to get some nice shots as they fed up and down the fenceline.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
An equally cold day out at Slimbridge, the day after my visit to Frampton. It was certainly a day for insulated boots! The shallow side of the Rushy was mostly frozen over with lots of Lapwing and Dunlin resting on the ice
and foraging on the frozen grass near the bird hides along with some pretty Pied Wagtails
Near the shore where the ice had melted a solitary Redshank was busy foraging
The ice seemed to have driven the Cranes inland and there were 10 on Tack Piece, including the two (Ruby and Wilde) I had photographed with their juveniles back in the summer. They flew past the tower, offering some closer views of the maturing youngsters who are both still with their parents.
There was a good mix of small birds on the feeders, from a solitary Coal tit
to a busy flock of the always lovely Long Tailed tits
and Dunnock picking up seeds on the ice and demonstrating their camoflague
There were also a good numbers of swans to admire. More than 60 Bewicks were on site, including the ringed female Demidov, female (white ring BPD) who had arrived back at Slimbridge on 1/12/24.
I'd seen a pair of vagrant Black Swans across the Slimbridge site on various visits in 2024. Another vagrant, perhaps one of those two, was spending time on this day on one of the ponds claimed by a pair of Mutes.
The Mute swans were obviously not keen and went for a few defensive float bys, trying to herd the intruder away. After a while the Black Swan took the hint and flew off in the direction of the Kingfisher hide.
Speaking of Kingfishers, there was a good looking male Kingfisher fishing from the willows above the main captive bird lake - rather a treat on one of the first bird days of the New Year.
and foraging on the frozen grass near the bird hides along with some pretty Pied Wagtails
Near the shore where the ice had melted a solitary Redshank was busy foraging
The ice seemed to have driven the Cranes inland and there were 10 on Tack Piece, including the two (Ruby and Wilde) I had photographed with their juveniles back in the summer. They flew past the tower, offering some closer views of the maturing youngsters who are both still with their parents.
There was a good mix of small birds on the feeders, from a solitary Coal tit
to a busy flock of the always lovely Long Tailed tits
and Dunnock picking up seeds on the ice and demonstrating their camoflague
There were also a good numbers of swans to admire. More than 60 Bewicks were on site, including the ringed female Demidov, female (white ring BPD) who had arrived back at Slimbridge on 1/12/24.
I'd seen a pair of vagrant Black Swans across the Slimbridge site on various visits in 2024. Another vagrant, perhaps one of those two, was spending time on this day on one of the ponds claimed by a pair of Mutes.
The Mute swans were obviously not keen and went for a few defensive float bys, trying to herd the intruder away. After a while the Black Swan took the hint and flew off in the direction of the Kingfisher hide.
Speaking of Kingfishers, there was a good looking male Kingfisher fishing from the willows above the main captive bird lake - rather a treat on one of the first bird days of the New Year.
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Lafone
Well-Known Member
We do have some great animals! I've travelled around a lot and so didn't spend as much time looking at our native species as I might until recently. It's great to go out and learn what's here.
I went back to Slimbridge on 11th January as it was bright and freezing cold and I wanted to see what was out on the frozen ponds.
Having had my only Water Rail of 2024 very late in 2024, I was super pleased to find one early this year, feeding around the frozen pond at the Willow Hide
Great sighting in the first part of the year and good to be able to see them near Moorhens etc to get a real perspective on their compact size. The frozen water and sparser ground cover certainly makes it easier to spot these shy birds.
It was another great day for small birds with Coal tits
Long tailed tits
always fluffy looking and fun to see in their groups
as well as Dunnock all busy on the feeders
Interesting to see the small birds fluffing up their feathers against the cold.
The Moorhens were busy getting their share of the grain on the frosty ground
and skating across the ice
There were more Pintails on site than on my last visit which was nice to see. The more Pintails gathered on the reserve, the fewer being shot in the season.
A lot of the shallower water across the site was frozen over, which made for some interesting icy landings for the swans
and the Mallards
though it didn't stop the Mallards getting together in the running water to squabble over the females
or the Teal making their way across the ice to the thawing spots for a drink
There was even a closer view of a Kingfisher than on my last visit, to round off an excellent day out.
I went back to Slimbridge on 11th January as it was bright and freezing cold and I wanted to see what was out on the frozen ponds.
Having had my only Water Rail of 2024 very late in 2024, I was super pleased to find one early this year, feeding around the frozen pond at the Willow Hide
Great sighting in the first part of the year and good to be able to see them near Moorhens etc to get a real perspective on their compact size. The frozen water and sparser ground cover certainly makes it easier to spot these shy birds.
It was another great day for small birds with Coal tits
Long tailed tits
always fluffy looking and fun to see in their groups
as well as Dunnock all busy on the feeders
Interesting to see the small birds fluffing up their feathers against the cold.
The Moorhens were busy getting their share of the grain on the frosty ground
and skating across the ice
There were more Pintails on site than on my last visit which was nice to see. The more Pintails gathered on the reserve, the fewer being shot in the season.
A lot of the shallower water across the site was frozen over, which made for some interesting icy landings for the swans
and the Mallards
though it didn't stop the Mallards getting together in the running water to squabble over the females
or the Teal making their way across the ice to the thawing spots for a drink
There was even a closer view of a Kingfisher than on my last visit, to round off an excellent day out.
