"Shooting" British Birds

[Lafone]

Nice shots of the Cuckoo. During a recent visit to Elmley NNR, I had the pleasure of spotting a male in the height of his call. Perched on a fence post, he stuck his tail up in the air, hung his wings low down beside him, and then started his characteristic song. It was a remarkable encounter, especially after he had seemed determined to hide from me the entirety of the day .

I bet that was amazing! They usually completely evade me. I've had a handful of sightings that were any good. I love that singing pose they have though, worth the chase. Sounds a great encounter. I hear good things about Elmley too, sounds a good spot.

The cranes are truly magnificent. It's a shame they don't visit the southeast often, but it's wonderful to have them back in the U.K.

Such amazing birds aren't they, I can never get enough of them.

 

[Lafone]

Always some opportunities to photograph birds while at zoos and collections, with Kites at Hamerton in early May hanging around the White Stork enclosure looking for the chicks fed to the residents



and some good Wagtails, with one observing the construction around the new play area

Some interesting birds at YWP too, with a sighting of a Leucistic Jackdaw



This had more white markings on it than others I have seen in the past. The Jackdaws were cleaning up the picnic area opposite the giraffes, but this one stood out in the crowd.



On the non bird front the Polar Bear enclosure at YWP is always full of rabbits (leading a dangerous life) and a few youngsters were out grazing in the late afternoon



There were some recently fledged Magpies perching on the posts at the same enclosure

But the best bird of the day was a Kestrel hunting from the Cheetah enclosure fence just before closing time. I was able to get some nice shots and watch it for a while and it ignored a couple of people coming past

Though as it moved along the fence with the housing in the background, it took a look at me



before going back to scanning around. Eventually it flew to the feeding post in the middle of the enclosure and then off across towards the Otters. Nice way to end a day at the Zoo.

 

[Lafone]

Fun day out at Frampton Marsh on 17th May, with some good views of Avocet chicks



I always find it remarkable the chicks survive at all, roaming so far from their parents and wandering about feeding, oblivious to the threats presented by hungry Gulls and Egrets. Their parents are always active in defending them but they are fragile little things. In this case the Egret flew off disappointed after being mobbed a few times.



It's an amazing time of year for youngsters and while trying to get more shots of Terns fishing in the scrapes



I realised one was feeding a hungry young bird which was perching on a fence in the middle of the pond.



The youngster was very vocal at the end of each fishing pass, which made it easier to know when the adult was about to arrive with some food



and it was great to watch the feeding in flight



as well as from the post itself



A real treat and not a behaviour I have managed to photograph close up before. The busy adult bird made such a number of fishing trips that I lost count but eventually both birds went to settle on the sandy beachead near the scrapes, presumably for a well deserved rest!

It was also a good day for close views of one of the returning Spoonbills

as well as Reed Buntings



And there was a chance to pay a final farewell to the Brent Geese with about a hundred birds offering the final views of the season.



Lastly on the non bird front there were new arrivals for the cows used to graze and manage the reserve during the spring and summer months. Interesting to see the management of the area as some of the scrapes are drained back

 

[Lafone]

Late May (24th) at Slimbridge saw a day of mixed weather, busy nest building, territorial squabbling and Spring births.

There were lots of groups of Mallard ducklings and it isn't surprising they produce so many when you see the challenges they face, not only from predators but male Mallards and Shelducks. Always on the move to try and find a quieter space.

There were good views of Canada Geese goslings



and my first views this year of well camouflaged Black Headed Gull chicks on the Rushy



There was hot competition for nest spots with the loud cries of Gulls and the whistling of angry Avocets accompanying some mobbing and then repelling of borders



with lots of clashes around the nest sites



in a few weeks time these birds will be working more in concert to see off the Herring and Black backed gulls, Herons, Egrets and Crows who want their, eggs and chicks, but for now it was interesting to watch the ongoing battle for space and to capture the birds soaring about



The Shelducks were also busy in large numbers, chasing around

with females stil being hotly pursued by battling males



scattering the Tufted ducks before them



A pair of Oystercatchers calmly fed amongst the chaos

After the busy Rushy, it was good to find some Mute Swan Cygnets, floating about under watchful escort



and to appreciate their size next to their parents



The rain came in off and on, but there was always somewhere to shelter for some of the newer arrivals for the Greylags. Across the site, the latest smallest Goslings are now hatching, quite the contrast to the earlier arrivals who now start to look more like their parents.

 

[Lafone]

A sunny day out to NWT Cley and Salthouse marshes on the Norfolk coast offered warm breezy weather and very few people, even on the shingle beach. The birds were out in force though, with such variety it was often hard to know where to look!

It was a very good day for Egrets with a showy Little Egret in front of one of the hides

and Great White Egrets flying back and forth, trying to catch shorebirds napping on their nests, seeking eggs and chicks



More unusually for me, there was the rare chance to grab a Cattle Egret in flight.



Cley offers great views of Spoonbills, with the bonus of having active and noisy juveniles in tow. Spoonbills started breeding on the reserve in 2022 and it is a real treat to see these birds breeding in the UK



I always enjoy watching the Spoonbills close up at Cotswold Wildlife Park and hearing the noises the youngsters make when asking for food. It's great to be able to hear and see the same behaviour in the wild as the youngsters made repeated efforts to wake their dozing parents. Persistence failed to pay off however and after 10 minutes of wailing and poking, the two youngsters headed off to paddle around together, while their parents got more well deserved sleep.



The sunny day and sheltered reedbeds offered some good sightings of caterpillars with the Dusky Moth ones particularly visible on the reeds and paths



and there were some four spotted Chasers out in the same area.



House Martens and Barn Swallows were flying in and out of the hides and fishing in the pools in front, offering some good views and opportunities to grab flight shots of the bird equivalent of an F1 car

I was pleased to get a few snaps as they dived about



There were good views of other small birds too, with Reed Buntings perching on the signage on the way up to the beach

and busy Sedge Warblers hunting for caterpillars in the bushes at the side of the sea banks



Dead trees sticking out all along the reedbeds made for great singing perches for the wrens and buntings



As I sat in one of the hides, everything went quiet and the small birds dived away, as a pair of Marsh Harriers came hunting across the reeds, offering a closer view than I often get and a memorable view of these handsome birds.

 

[Lafone]

A blustery rainy day at Frampton on 7th June saw very few people out and about on the reserve though there were good numbers of birds. It turned out to be a full goretex day as the rain only eased off in the late afternoon - the weather properly met the early summer description of 'sunny intervals'.

The scrapes and pools continue to dry out in the drained areas, despite the rain, but there was still a chance to catch fishing Common Terns before they relocate to the deeper water at the top end of the reserve

The soundtrack of the day was small birds with Reed warblers singing and feeding

and getting blown around in the wind



and Sedge warblers calling out from the Reedbeds



busily collecting food in the rain



It was fun to find some juvenile Blue Tits feeding



Spoonbills continue to be present around the reserve in growing numbers



There were some relatively distant views of new Avocet chicks again



and there was also the opportunity to catch my first view of Lapwing chicks this year, though as you can tell from the photo, they were hard to spot! Hopefully that will also be the case for potential predators. The rain came down again after I spotted this one and it went back under a parent, but worth catching anyway.



Elswhere it was a good day for Goldfinches with small flocks feeding up and down the pathways in between the showers



offering some close views



Greylags were also escorting their broods around in the rain.

 

[Lafone]

Highlighting a few recent wild birds at the zoo with some fun Coot chicks among the lilly pads in the moat the Rolloway enclosure



climbing onto the pads via the grasses



and Canada geese with youngsters near the Congo Buffalo. Good support for native birds to make homes around the zoo, despite how busy it is.

 

[Lafone]

Completely omitted to mention the zoo above was Chester.

 

[Lafone]

Good day at Slimbridge on 8th June with lots of broods for all sorts of birds including the Humbug like Shelduck Ducklings

A few broods were escorted by one or two females and males who spent much of the time fighting with each other and chasing the other birds. A combative duck indeed!



Herring Gulls and Black Backed gulls were out in force, trying to steal the youngsters and being noisily chased by Avocets



and Black Headed Gulls alike



Between them the frailer birds managed to inflict some damage on the larger predators. After receiving damage to it's wing, this Herring Gull made off to try and find easier prey elsewhere.



Of the six or eight youngsters I'd seen for the Black Headed Gulls on the small island on the Rushy a little while ago, just a couple had made it to the floating stage



trying out their wings and waiting for food.



Egrets were also trying their luck with the chicks and the Avocets took a break from the gulls to drive them away too



Interesting to see how far the much lighter and smaller birds will go to try and protect their vulnerable chicks.

Tufted ducks were also out and about with their broods



And growing Mute Swan Cygnets were out in numbers.

Along with Goslings for the Canada Geese



There were also lots of youngsters around the feeders for both the Blue and Great Tits

Thanks to a friendly birder I was able to go and see a more unusual bird among the Black Headed Gulls, getting my first shot of a Med Gull this year and a chance to report the ring number and sighting for this juvenile. A full bird day all round.

 

[Lafone]

A lovely sunny day back at Bempton Cliffs on 15th June offered great views of a variety of seabirds and their youngsters. The wind was in the right direction to 'hold' the birds in the air along the cliffs, so it was a wonderful day for admiring birds in flight.

It was fun to see my first Puffin of the year too, as one flew in to perch on a ledge near to where I was standing, offering the chance of a head shot

and I managed to catch a few over the course of the day, as they kept a watchful eye on the other birds looking for a perch before taking a well earned snooze



It was a good day for Fulmar too with some good views of pairs nesting under the viewing platforms

and to catch them in flight



It was lovely to see Razorbills on eggs



though less fun to watch the Crows working in pairs to take the youngsters off the cliffs. More than a few were being successful in defence

but the attrition rate remains high.

Herring Gulls were also busy trying to egg steal offering a good opportunity to contrast their huge size compared to the other birds (though they are of course dwarfed by the Gannets).



Guillemots had also produced youngsters



and it's a quite something to watch them keeping the young under control in their tiny nests over a hundred metres above the sea. It certainly gets to be a squash for the Gannets as their chicks get larger



though some had the pick of the spots in the Gannetry. I was pleased to grab one fluffing up and showing off a tiny chick underneath, keeping warm on top of its parent's massive feet

Of course there was also a chance to grab them in flight too



including grabbing some immature birds with their mixed white and black plumage



And the wind direction meant I could also grab the smaller seabirds coming in to land on the cliffs too

Small bird wise along the hederows there were some nice Linnets flying about



and a first Common Whitethroat of the year

 

[Lafone]

Good day at Slimbridge on 21st June with good views of the young Black Headed gulls I'd seen as chicks growing and starting to venture away from the nest site. One of my favourite things to do at this time of year is to watch the youngsters in the same place over time to see who makes it and how they grow into juveniles.



There were also plenty of opportunities to see their parents close up






While I've seen a number of young Great (and Blue) tits this year, busy on the feeders



I was really pleased to find a young Robin and get some decent shots. The first Robin youngster of the year for me.



A fair number of the cute humbug like Shelduck ducklings had now made it to the gawky stage though there has been the usual high attrition rate.



The Mute Swans had seemingly had more luck with more of their Cygnets making it to the next stage than not it seems and the youngsters learning their way around the place and how to get grain from visitors.



A couple of brave and slightly foolish people decided to try and stroke the adult swans, which didn't end very well! I always give a wide berth to swans myself, but some Cygnets swam right up to me while I was sitting changing a battery and fortunately the adults allowed them close enough for some pictures.

 

[Lafone]

Back over to Frampton (and a quick wander around Barnwell country park on the way home in the evening to make for a good bird day) on 22nd June.

A really dry day and the marshes being drained back offered a very different view from winter with hares browsing where the scrapes and ponds will be when the season rolls around again



Some nice Sedge warblers among the reeds in the noisy nesting phase



One lone Brent remained on the reserve from the hundreds seen in the winter. Flying around so not seeming injured but just didn't head off with the others, a rarer sight at this time of year



Frampton has a fantastic record with Black Headed Gulls and the adults and youngsters were everywhere, the youngsters tapping beaks to get food



with the older ones now flying about



and the younger ones still in the hanging with the brood stage



An excellent opportunity to make the most of these attractive small gulls. Though relatively common I never fail to enjoy them, particularly at this time of year



There were also some nice Avocets to be enjoyed



out and about with their chicks. There have been a good number on the marsh this year and it's nice to see them in all the stages from latest fluffy chicks to growing juveniles.



on the way home in the country park, there was also time to catch a few wild Mandarins

 

[Lafone]

It's a short season to catch the seabirds at Bempton so another visit to try and see more youngsters seemed a good idea. The 5th July started well with good views of one of the Gannetrys full of fluffy chicks and adults basking in the sunshine



It was interesting to see the chicks at different stages



The adults were active flying back and forth to the sea for fish



It was a good day for other youngsters with chicks for the Razorbills



and Guillemots



In the nature walk area Tree Sparrows were busy around their nest boxes

And the cliffs offered good views of Kittiwakes and their chicks

It was a really good day for spotting Puffins



with quite a few around the cliffs and near their burrows



and great to be able to catch more than one together



and get a few shots before they plunged off the cliffs again



On the top of the cliffs on the coastal path across to Flanborough it was fun to see Meadow Pipits busy in the hedgeline

 

[Lafone]

Over to Norfolk on 12th July and a fairly quiet and overcast but warm reserve offered some real highlights in an already excellent bird year. I had timed it to be able to follow the tide as it went out in the hope of seeing birds on the shoreline. Arriving fairly early I had time to go through the woodland and find a young rabbit grazing just off the walkway.

such a nice encounter and set the tone for good views all day.

There were Black Headed gulls and their chicks on the roof of the first bird hide which was fun to see



but I didn't stay long as I knew the tide was in. I made my way down the path to the shoreline, the people spread even more thinly until I made it to the beach. A few photographers were out so we all picked different spots and I followed the tide as it went out, sitting in the wet sand (poor daysack will never be the same!) or perched on the edge of the mussel beds.

My luck was in and there were a large number of birds from Knots swooping across the tideline



and landing on the wet sand in front of me



to more than one Curlew soaring past



and so many Godwits it was hard to know where to point the camera



Oystercatchers were busy feeding and squabbling in the mussel beds



and gathering with the other birds



Lots of terns were fishing in the tidal pools, offering some great views as they splashed in to gather up the stranded fish, all the while screaming at each other and the gulls.



I moved up with the tide until it was so far beyond the beds there was no cover and the birds were spooked by any presence. Not wanting to disturb them and having had nothing but a treat all day, I headed back inland.

As I strolled up the path, I saw something move in the tidal marsh grass and found a Curlew calmly sat among the plants



No one came to scare it off so I settled in to watch it feed and saw it catch a small crab. Fantastic to be able to see it so close. After a while some people came along with a dog and it took off. A lovely way to end the day bird wise.

There was just time to wander around the raised walkway back to the visitor centre and down to the ponds to catch some nice butterflies and I was again fortunate to find a good looking Speckled Wood.



A wonderful day out and so much to see at the beach!

 

[Lafone]

Back to Bempton on 13th July for views of the youngsters before the birds start to leave again with good views of the Razorbill chicks getting near to fledging

along with young Guillemots



and a chance to see the rapidly growing Gannets



and to get some good flight shots

as the wind was in a good place



I am always interested to try and capture the plumage on Gannets approaching maturity (a sign of the times that as much plastic appears to be carried as natural materials)



On the part of the colony without youngsters the younger gannets were busy trying to find their place among the older pairs



It was fun to get some close ups on the cliffs



as the birds gathered more nest material



It is a treat to be able to go to the visiting platforms and see the large numbers of birds with chicks including the blue marked ones who have trackers fitted



Having seen them at a few days old, it was interesting to see the Kittiwake youngsters start to leave the nest



and fly around on their own



In the Dell there were also some good moments to be had with the Tree Sparrows, though I was yet to catch any good shots of fledglings though another couple of summer visits will sort that.

 

[Lafone]

A rainy but warm day at Slimbridge on 15th July found a quiet reserve with few visitors for the time of year, making for some quiet hides. It was a little dull light wise but there was still the opportunity to get some good shots.

A Spotted Redshank was making the most of the peaceful moments on the Rushy

as were a number of juvenile Lapwings

and my second view of Med Gulls this year, with a bird among the Black Headed Gulls



flying in and out of the water



to bathe



The Shelduck juveniles had started to get their adult shape if not their colours

and there were some Ruff wandering around on the shoreline



Most of the Black Headed Gull youngsters seen on previous visits have now fledged but late arriving chicks have become increasingly vulnerable to predators such as Herring Gulls, despite the best efforts of the adults



On a brighter note there were good views of wild Barnacle Geese



and lots of Chiffchaffs with youngsters

and it was also nice to find juveniles for the Long Tailed Tits



Young Canada goslings were also feeding with their parents



and there were more Mallard ducklings



and Jackdaw youngsters getting soggy in the pouring rain

 

[Lafone]

A bit of wildlife at the zoo on recent visits with a good looking Speckled Wood at Chester



and my first Hawker of the year on the plants leading up to the Islands area



and Whipsnade delivered too with a good looking Gatekeeper on the fence at the Blue crane enclosure. About 10 mins after taking this I watched one of the Cranes capture this butterfly and feed it to their brand new chick.



though the whites were luckier while I was there



Whipsnade is always an excellent location for Kestrels. I noticed one hunting on the steep slope and went down the hill a little way, near to the stairs to the old Polar Bear enclosure and got to eye level. A fun moment.



It was such a plain dull sky day it enabled some high key work - turn the exposure up in the shot at the time and then slide the darks way up in post, an interesting effect and not one I shoot for very often.

 

[Lafone]

I've seen evidence of Sparrowhawks in the garden again this year with a couple of characteristic bird 'explosions' but not had a sight of one since December last year. In early August I was lucky enough to get another close encounter.

I am aware that by having active bird feeders and a well established bathing / drinking area I have opened a fly in 'McSparrows' in the garden, but the amount of Starling, Sparrow, Blue Tit and Dunnock youngsters being produced (another excellent number this year) means there is a balance.

The Sparrowhawk had struck a sparrow, but backed off into the trees at the end of the garden before going back for the prey



it took up position on the top of the feeder then landed and strutted about the garden. I managed to grab the camera and sneak outside for a couple of shots of this always amazing bird looking around

before it took the rest of the sparrow and made off over the fence.

 

[Lafone]

The end of July is a great time to try and find fledglings and I really wanted to find some young warblers this year and get some in the lens after a lucky moment capturing feeding in 2024. I headed back to Frampton on a day of torrential rain showers and sun. I was in full goretex all day - there were a few people who ventured down the marsh who were caught out and drenched. It certainly can be a wet spot to wander around in with little shelter, but the peace and quiet and birds are well worth it.

A quiet reserve allowed me to get some great warbler views and I started well with Reed Warblers



showing well in the grasses. In the cover crop where the Sunflowers then grow up I was lucky to find a whole gang of Reed fledglings flying around together



noisily crying out for food



and gathering together in a huddle when the rain came down



The rain made for a nice background for shots of the birds



though some had got very wet, like this soggy young Linnet trying to dry out between showers



In between the heaviest rain, I found Sedge warblers gathering food for their youngsters



one of the youngsters was perched patiently on the reserve fence, waiting for the adults to find them, offering a chance for a rare close up which was my moment of the day



The youngsters were also out on the reeds



and the Sedgies continued to be showy until I left the reserve



It's not the first time I have spent all day on a single pathway at Frampton and this was one of those - an amazing warbler day with some great opportunities for shots and a quiet (though wet) reserve to enjoy at leisure. I felt really lucky to have found such a lot of youngsters and adults, a fortunate day out!

 

[Lafone]

More youngsters at Bempton on the first week of August with a changeable weather day offering some large contrasts and colours in the sky from early morning until close of play.

The day started well with great views of fledglings for the Tree Sparrows, my first decent photos of those so a pleasing moment

and there were lots of other youngsters around particularly for the Gannets, where the young are at various stages from vast and fluffy



to plumage pushing through the fluff



and everything in between



There were some more opportunities to grab photos of immature Gannets in flight and admire their striking plumage



and while leaning over to grab juvenile Kittiwakes soaring about over the foaming high tide (which offered some pleasing background colours)



a shout went up and I found people pointing to where a pod of Dolphins were cruising through the water. Too far for a real photo, but a lovely moment all the same



Fulmar were going to and fro though in much smaller numbers now



joined by the Gulls still looking for youngsters to grab - few pickings on the cliffs now for them



It was a great day for young Kittiwakes in flight



and the strong wind and busy water made for some challenging landings