Strange Spring

It has been an odd spring locally for the influx of migrants after our very cold winter. Back in March it looked liked everything was going to arrive a bit earlier than usual and then there seemed to be lull as the winds shifted to north-westlies. It has only been in the last couple of days that the birds seem to be on the move again, so I popped out at first light yesterday morning hoping to try and find some grasshopper warbler. I must admit I failed on that quest and the usual bramble bushes they inhabit were eerily forlorn and deserted. The only migrant I did find was some Chiffchaffs so spent a while with them taking photographs. They are not the most visually interesting birds and while they lack the looks you certainly have to admire such a tiny bird making that epic voyage back and forth to Africa. They are tricky birds to photograph as they tend to be either in the tops of the trees or deep in the undergrowth. Fortunately the very slow spring progress of tree foilage helped in their photography.

Given the general lack of migrants to photograph I decided to see what resident birds could be found for the camera.

Nearby a dunnock was taking in some early morning sun.

Coots were battling it out amongst themselves on the local pond.

Together with Little Grebes bobbing around and occasionally uttering their strange calls.

and a lone cormorant looking for some fish breakfast.

Another cormorant was encountered flying close to the water along the sea wall that borders the area of scrub, ponds and reedbeds I was searching. This was an adult bird in breeding colours showing the white thigh patch they develop.

A further fly-by, but below the Icelandic volcanic ash level, was made by one of the resident Little Egrets.

A lone Mistle thrush was busy listening to the ground for eathworms below.

A patient female Kestrel waited for that rustle in the undergrowth signalling the arrival of a breakfast rodent.

So despite the lack of spring migrants, my search for resident birds and watching them going about the daily early morning routines provided some comfort that prehaps things were not as odd as they appear.

More Redstarts

My apologies for the lack of posts over the past few days but I have been away photographing sea birds. While I am busy ploughing through the images I thought it would be an appropriate time to post some more redstart photographs. Starting off with the female.

It looks like they are feeding young and busy flying around the area collecting various insects. In this case a spider heading for some hungry beaks.

The female is a bit of a poser.

The male in one of my favourite poses for this species, that fluffed up over the shoulder look.

As inquisitive as ever
While waiting for the redstarts, a Dunnock and male Great spotted woodpecker have kept me entertained.

Cornish Birds

The lack of posts to the blog over the last week has been due to my being away on holiday in North Cornwall. We rented a house known as South Forda House near Kirkhampton which has a mature two acre garden with three ponds and a stream and provides a good variety of bird habitat which was reflected in the 31 species I spotted during my stay. I setup a mini feeding station in the garden which I will discuss in my next post but will for this one just show some of the birds I found in front of my camera during my travels around North Cornwall. So this post will be a rather random collection of species.

We took a walk around the Upper Tamar lake one day which was close to the house but rather devoid of birds except for the occasional Chif Chaf. Just before leaving I spotted a pair of pied wagtail in the car park.

We took a day trip to Padstow and after wondering round the town, headed back out with the camera after lunch and found this bathing Turnstone.

The coastal bushes had numerous dunnocks singing.Together with those inquisitive jackdaws and an unusually friendly rook. Its not until you get really close to a rook that you appreciate the hints of dark blues and purple hues in that 'black' plumage.

I encountered numerous recently arrived chiffchaff on my travels but as usual getting a clear photo of one at a low level proved difficult.

On the way back from Padstow, we called in a Port Isaac which is a typical Cornish fishing village set within a cove surrounded by high cliffs. Numerous Herring gull were present on the cliffs

I was also pleased to find one of my favourite sea birds and master's of flight, the fulmar, skirting along the cliff tops providing some opportunity for flight shots. This is my favourite image of those taken.

Return to the Redstart

After the Seabird Tour I went back to visit the redstart to see how they were doing.

All was well I am pleased to report with both birds looking great as usual

One of the recently fledged young also put in a brief appearance
Another interesting point was a second male has appeared on the scene so it will be interesting to see how the existing pair react to this invasion. Here is a shot of the recently arrived male that can be distinguished by having much less white on his cap.

Other birds that appeared while I was there were a dunnockand a Song Thrush

Back Garden birds

Given that the weather has been so dry, I decided to set up a small bathing pool at the weekend for the birds in my small back garden. It is already proving a hit with the local residence. So went out this morning and decided to take a few test shots to see if any small changes were needed to the set up. Here are a few of the resulting shots.

The male blackbird that is nesting in the neighbours garden
Dunnockand taking a dip

The sparrows that are nesting in my roof also seem to like it.

The feral pigeons are also find it to there liking. It will be interesting to see what birds use it over the summer months. I will keep you updated.

Dunnock and Blackcap

I had a session in some local woods recently and there were a few dunnock that kept hopping up on to perches and bursting into full song. I was not going to waste the oppoetunity as normally the shots of them are when they are scurrying around the ground looking for food.

Blackcaps have always remained elusive to be. I have seen many of them but never been in the right place for a shot. They are normally easy to find from their song but their skulking behaviour which usually see them deep in undergrowth normally results in any photographs having the bird partially obscured by vegetation, like this singing male.

However, on this session I finally managed to get a couple of shots of birds out in the open.

Disturbance free bird photography

It is great getting photographic access to private sites as it is grood to have freedom without disturbance. Thought I would post some recent birds from private sites that I have access to . The first set is from a private woodland where I set up a feeding station earlier this year.

The ever present chaffinch

Difficult to resist a Robin

I am not sure why but I really like Dunnock and despite their lack of colour, they hold a lot of interest to me.

Moving on to another site, this time a private farm that I recently visited for a session with a friend. For those interested these shots were taken with the 100-400mm zoom lens.

Goldfinch

I seem to have an attraction to pheasant at the moment, as they keeping turning up everywhere I go!!!!

Bullfinch

and to finish off a new species for me, the unfortuately rapidly declining Tree sparrow