Wildlife in a Suburban Garden

Blackcap with ring arrives in the garden.

Blackcaps visit my garden every year, for at least  the last 4. This year they arrived on 29th October, one day earlier than recorded in 2010. Today (30h October) one was in the garden again feeding on apple again, placed specifically for it. I have learnt that they have a soft spot for apple. The bird seen on the 30th has been ringed and I am hoping to be able to get the number by close-up photography.  This will give me some idea of it's history.  Apologies for the poor photo but I have included it because of the ring which is clearly visible on the right leg.

Stop Press......... Blackcaps return.

I placed apple around my bird table this morning, just on the off chance that we may have a returning "German" Blackcap in the garden, in previous years we had had them in  this week of the year. I checked from the kitchen window just minutes ago and there was a female, the first of the year feeding on the fresh apple slice. Exciting news, I have the camera set up for the first photo of te season, check back later.

 

Further to the post at 1400hrs, I managed to get a good shot as it came back to feed on the apple  just 2 hours later. This bird is here one day earlier  than last year, that bird was also a female, but then we also had a male, (or  males) in the garden as well.  They were here  in the garden until at least March this year. The interesting thing is this, could it possibly be the same individul bird?  I would think that this is a high possibility,  but of course, I will never know.  If only it hadn't been almost impossible to jump through the flaming hoops which would have enabled me to get a ringers licence. I would have then been able to know.
Looking back at this week's photographs and opportunities, it's been a bit special. Snow Buntings, Great White Egrets, Goosanders and now the Blackcaps are back. Reminds me that Autumn and winter are good seasons for wildlife here in Devon.

More about Goosanders

I was fascinated by the behaviour of the Goosanders that I watched and photographed yesterday and as usual, seeing them on this Devon reservoir led me to want to learn more about them. These are such a fascinating and very interesting bird for a number of reasons. Firstly, the birds that are here at the moment are either females (ducks) and/or young (drakes) males that were hatched this year. This group, females and young drakes are collectively referred to as "Brown, or Red Heads". There is a breeding population of Goosanders here in Devon, and there are birds here that will have been hatched locally. One thing that struck me was the speed and directness of their flight, they are very strong and cover the ground at quite a rate. This is a crucial part of their behaviour. Surprisingly, to the casual observer, there are no drakes here at the moment, where are they? The answer is just amazing because after breeding here in the UK, more specifically after eggs hatch in June, the males depart and join up with 10s of thousands of other males from all over Western Europe. They gather at a specific fjord  "Tanafjord" in Norway where they undergo a full moult of their flight feathers over the course of 3 months or so. They return back in early November, what an incredible fact. Why would they do that? Venford Reservoir is a roost sight for Devon Goosanders, birds fly in after dark to the safety of this large lake, leaving again before dawn. Other birds stay on the lake during the day. There appeared to be four birds during daylight hours yesterday.

Feeding, or more specifically what they feed on is very controversial and is the subject of much discussion and spite from the angling fraternity. Anglers blame the loss of fish stocks on Goosanders and it is even possible to obtain a special license to shoot these birds, but I doubt if that license would be granted here in Devon. I certainly would be vehemently opposed to the shooting of these beautiful birds on any grounds and would gladly stand in front of any shotgun pointed in their direction. I have been an angler, off and on, all of my life and the attraction to me is the connection with the outdoors and the opportunities this connection brings. To catch a truly wild fish is a thrill, not because of the act of hauling it out of it's natural environment on to dry land, but the chance to see, at close range and in the hand, the truly beautiful thing that a wild fish is. Knowing how I feel and how it affects me, I can't compute why people who want to be in the outdoors can't simply enjoy seeing these beautiful birds and let nature take it's course. Then, if they catch a few less fish, so be it. After all, the fish would benefit from the lack of stress involved and the birds were, after all there first of course. I note that anglers are now starting to look towards Otters with the same kind of ideas. I hope you agree that the idea of culling Otters would cause a public outrage.  Can you imagine the "war" that would break out if this ever happened.  The killing, lets not call it cullig, because thats what it is, of birds.......... and for that matter Badgers should cause an equal amount of anger and outrage.  Closer to home, I know people who want to kill the Herring Gulls that nest on the houses around my own, simply on the grounds that they are annoying.  I even know people that confess to "hosing" off the House Martin nests from the sides of their house because of the mess, I despair!

Anyway, back to the feeding behaviour of Goosanders. They are opportunistic feeders and will take the small fish that they encounter, if that happens to be "game fish" then that is what they will take. The problem is that the kind of habitats that they frequent are more likely to be the same waters that contain wild Salmon and Trout. As you can see from the photo above, they will swim with heads half underwater looking for prey before they dive to chase it down. In addition to fish they will take small mammals if encountered in, or around the water and apparently birds too. I have proof of this! Yesterday as I watched a Goosander diving, it emerged very near to a Pied Wagtail - Motacill alba yarellii. There was a commotion and the duck seemed to try and grab the small bird. I was lucky enough to get a record shot of this. It's a shame that it wasn't successful, can you imagine the photograph of a success.

Goosander - Mergus merganser

Goosanders are yet another Devon bird that I always enjoy seeing, particularly in the Autumn and Winter. They are fresh water ducks and the clean rivers and reservoirs in the county, particularly on Dartmoor have healthy populations.  In common with most wild ducks they are hard to get near to and consequently, hard to photograph. When I was at Venford Reservoir, ( near to the Datmoor village of Holne) yesterday, I saw a few and decided to return today with a bit of a plan to get a good photograph or two. 

I arrived mid-morning, it was relatively quiet and glorious with no wind, and the strong clear sun made the reservoir look absolutely gorgeous. The reflections were stunning and the birds looked realy good through binoculars. As usual however, as soon as they  were aware of me they moved purposefully to the opposite bank, hundreds of metres away.  So time for the plan! I chose a part of the Reservoir with the sun at my back and sat, dessed in my gillie suit. I used a bag hide to cover up the camera and tripod. My back was supported by a large boulder and I ws confident that I was well concealed.  The ducks were doing what ducks do and I was quite pleased when suddenly one flew in and landed just in font of me, around 30 fet away......... bingo!  It started to fish and eventually  moved even coser as it looked under the surface of the shallow water for prey. It seemed to be getting as close to the rocks as possible, probably because any potential prey would be hiding uner or near to them.  

 Eventually it moved further away as it continued to look for food and I took a few photos as it drifted past me in the perfect light. 

I knew that my strategy was working well but it was a waiting game, in all 5 hours of waiting, but it was well worth it . I was joined by a Cormorant at one point and in the brightness I took a few smashing pictures of it as it flew up from the water on to a rock very near to me.  Cormorants are not very popular but you know what? I quite like them, they are very photogenic especially in flight.

........ and a Little Grebe, I am sure I can get some great photos of this bird with another visit. I have deliberately let this image uncropped because it gives a real impression of how small a bird this lovely little species is.

Great White Egret - Ardea alba

Dartmoors very first and only recorded Great White Egret, flies in to feed at dusk on Venford Reservoir.

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I must have seen a thousand Great White Egrets without exageration. Most, but not all in the wetlands and ponds of Southern Florida, so when I heard that one had been seen yesterday reasonably close by in Devon, I though it was too much of an opportunity to overlook.  The problem was that today's weather was absolutely dreadful with rain, rain and more rain!   But at 3 it seemed to lessen just a bit and I decided to visit Venford Reservoir  to see if it was still there.  I expected to see a few birders when I arrived but instead, there was just two, Julia and George Harris, quite a well known couple who are involved with Devon Birds and the Dartmoor Study Group. Julia had posted the sighting on Wednesday so I shouldn't have been surprised to see her.  The only problem was there was no bird! We chatted for a while and then I decided to see if I could creep up on the Goosanders that were swimming near the edges of the reservoir.  That was a negative so I sat on a rock on the edge of the water and contemplated the scene!  Suddenly from my left, there was a bird,  a massive all white egret, swoopig and gliding down to  the water! It was the Great White Egret.  I photogaphed it in flight and then attempted to get near to it.  This was hard and I never did get close enoughto to be really happy with my picture, but at least I managed a record shot and I will be able to include another species for my Devon gallery. Julia told me that this very rare bird was  in fact the first ever record for the Dartmoor National Park so it was quite something and I was absolutely chuffed to be able to photograph it.  In the end, after successfully fishing it flew up in to some trees near to the road and then left the area seeming to disappear in to the distance.  I am not sure that it returned but I may tomorrow, in the hope of better pictures. 

The Great White Egret fishing.

 

Snow Bunting - Plectrophenax nivalis

A beautiful Snow Bunting photographed today at Sandymere near to Westwood Ho! North Devon

Snow Bunting in sunny Devon?  Well yes, and it's a pretty normal occurrence at this time of year. So whats going on?  Snow Buntings are one of those bird species that make wildlife watching even more interesting to me.  To start with they are a very pretty bird and I have always thought of them as a kind of bird "celebrity". The fact that they actually breed in the colder regions of the Northern Hemisphere, even inside the Arctic Circle, Siberia and Greenland makes them a pretty special bird in my eyes. They are also a bird of North America where they breed in Arctic Canada and winter in the Northern United States . In Canada they are a well known bird that  even featured in a 1970's pop song that I have to confess to knowing well! The song tells the story of the bird being able to fly away as soon as the snows arrive and then return again to breed the following spring which is pretty much what happens. However they have several specialist adaptations which enables them to survive in colder climates than other birds of their size would be able to cope with.  Firstly their white plumage, (males are mostly white in the breeding season), is a good adaptation. White feathers obviously contain no pigment and are therefore hollow and filled with air which is a good insulator.  They are  white for the same reasons as Arctic Hare, Arctic Foxes, Polar Bears and Ermine. Obviously good camouflage but less heat is lost from white feathers and fur.  When I watched these birds today I noticed two interesting things about their plumage, firstly the feathers on the thighs  were unusually long and I could see that when a bird needed to huddle from the cold, the abundance of feather on the legs would be very useful. Also, at times when the wind caught the outer feathers of the breast a dark, thick downy under layer was exposed. I don't need to write about the heat retaining properties off Eider Down for example but my guess would be that the down on a Snow Buntings breast would be very effective against the cold.

Downy under-feathers exposed by the wind.

 

But getting back to the birds that I photographed today in North Devon, why do they choose to return to Sandymere, a small pool by the beach close to WestwardHo! and Bideford. They were seen here, in exactly the same spot at roughly the same time of year in 2010. I have been told that when they move south to escape cold conditions in their breeding territories, they favour areas that are similar to habitats that they are familiar with, rugged coasts and sand dunes with links ( a Scottish word which refers to seaside dunes and flat land with short grassy areas). This  is like the tree- less environment that they have left "up-north".  That still does not explain why they have returned to exactly the same tiny patch of North Devon beach.  Are the same birds involved, were they here last year? Possibly, but if that is the case, how did they find their way back and where did they originate? Mysteries that we will never know the answer to.

Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes

The "Winter" Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes is a very common and lovely  bird in the United Kingdom. They are found in almost all habitats, from coastal areas to the Highlands of Scotland, gardens, parks and woodland. They are insectivorous and search almost constantly for small spiders and aphids.. The latin name translates to "caveman or cave dweller" and refers to the habit of entering and exploring  small holes under vegetation. I have been seeing this male regularly over the  last few days and it did strike me that it's behaviour was very much like a small mouse as it disappeared in and out of the very low vegetation hunting for insects. Birds can be creatures of habit and it's been interesting to see this bird, after skulking in the undergrowth, then bathing, almost from the same spot and  at roughly the same time in the early afternoon.  I know that this is a male because I have heard it singing,  a very musical and loud song is a feature of this bird.  This is a species that is found in both the USA and the rest of Europe and then across even as far as Japan. There are around 30 sub species, 3 in North America alone and they are all known collectively as Winter Wren, however in the UK we just refer to them as Wrens as there is only one, unlike the USA where there are several other species of Wrens.  Purest birders in the UK now refer to the bird also as  "Winter Wren", but as we only have the one species here in the UK I don't intend to do the same.  I prefer to refer to the scientific name to distinguish the species, if indeed I would ever need to. As I have mentioned before, they are difficult to photograph because of the habits described above.  It is usual with small birds and mammals for that matter,  who all have a very fast metabolic rate and need to find food constantly. They use a lot of energy to maintain body heat and therefore need to feed very regularly, hence their constant movement.

Here the bird has just taken a bath and then is about to continue the search for food after preening.

It is an interesting fact that this bird is polygamous in it's breeding habits, males apparently often having more than one mate and active nest simultaneously. Males build several nests to near completion and then allow potential females to select the nest which are then completed before eggs are laid.

 

Notes on Kingfishers

I have been watching and photographing the Kingfishers on the Alphinbrook for the last three years. Kingfishers are very territorial and because of that it is quite easy to identify individuals. You can be quite certain when you repeatedly see a bird in the same place, that it is the same individual.  At the moment the bird that visits is the adult female pictured above.  Last year the holder of the territory was a juvenile female and the previous year a young male. With constant visits (both by me and the current resident), I have  the opportunity to get to know these individuals. A Kingfisher territory is large, longer than 1000mtrs, therefore it can be several days  between visits to my part of the territory, a frustrating waiting game at times.  

The attraction of Kingfishers  to the Alphinbrook is all about environment and feeding opportunities. Requirements  are simple, some security, places to perch and roost and the most important, availability of prey. Kingfishers catch and eat their own weight in fish daily, apparently that is upwards of 15 fish every day of their lives. It stands to reason that the presence of clean water and a good habitat for small fish is crucial. The Alphinbrook, on the face of it is just a ditch that meanders through an industrial estate. It does not appear to be capable of sustaining a large fish population but it is home to large stocks of Stickleback, River Minnow, Stoney Loach and Millers Thumb (a species of freshwater goby).  In addition there are eel, dace and even a few wild Brown Trout.  I  have a simple hide which is tucked by the side of the brook, it blends in perfectly and is accepted as part of the landscape by all of the birds in the area. I have had some amazing moments watching Kingfishers from this hide including territorial fights, bathing, diving and the killing and eating of prey. I have watched Kingfishers deal with 4 species of fish and also a Common Newt and a Dragonfly larvae. Having described the simple requirements of a Kingfisher, a good solid perch is high on the list.  The Alphinbrook is a flood relief drain and administered by the Environment Agency.  From time to time it is dredged and cleared meaning that wooden perches are at a premium. I manipulate this to my advantage, placing logs and solid branches within feet of my hide. Kingfishers beat their fish prey to kill and soften before it is swallowed, always head first. Once a resident Kingfisher is aware of the presence of a solid perch, it will make a bee-line for it, usually with its prey. It couldn't be better for the photographer!  Sticklebacks are usually, simply turned and swallowed, but minnows are invariably smacked against the solid perch before being turned and swallowed always head first.  After a messy meal that has involved beating and softening, Kingfishers will bathe. they do this by repeatedly diving in and out of the water and back to the perch. Probably unique to this species.  Most other birds  stand and bathe in shallow water. 

 

Photos from yesterday

I had pretty good day at the hide yesterday with 6 different species to photograph. The light was good and as I described in my previous post here I had some magic with the resident Kingfisher. In a few minutes of "frenzy", I had a Pied Wagtail, Grey Wagtail, Wren and Kingfisher all within 10 feet of the camera and I didn't know where to concentate my efforts, but the Kingfisher won in the end. This is the resident female Grey Wagtail who has a white feather on the head which makes it easy to recognise her.  Today I am going to try aand get some photos at water level and hopefully some of the Kingfisher diving which is always on my wish list.

Glorious Kingfisher!

Whenever I see a Kingfisher it excites me, and that's an understatement. So when she arrived today I was thrilled and excited to say the least. Most regular readers of my Blog will know of my Kingfisher obsession and the time I spend trying to photograph them. I have gone to great lengths to make it happen. Firstly, I have set up a rudimentary hide by the side of my local brook and in spite of the knowing looks from the dog walkers and local people who see me, who all think I am mad, I spend countless hours watching just a few square feet of water and the perches there. I was ill this morning, no other way to describe it, I sat at home suffering with pain caused by gall stones. I wanted to get out and about but I needed to wait until the pain subsided, eventually it did ease and I was able to go to the hide having figured out that sitting quietly in there was just the same as sat in the arm chair! I made it without too much drama and sat down comfortably. It went through my mind that there wasn't a lot happening, but all I needed was a bit of patience, in fact that's pretty much all anyone ever needs! After a while a Grey Wagtail showed up, great I love them! Then there was the Wren that I have been seeing, he obviously calls this little patch home as well. Suddenly out of the corner of my eye, there she was, smack on the perch as you can see. It's been 13 days since she last perched in front of me, thats long enough for me to realise how lucky I was again. In fact it had already gone through my mind that I shouldn't take it for granted when she did eventually show up. I took a couple of photos and she dived to catch a small stickleback, then landed on a perch below the original one. I tried to "swing" the lens on to her but I am sure this disturbed her, and she was gone! Was I disheartened? Well, yes, but I decided to stick it out, the light was good, I was comfortable and it was quiet with no dog walkers. The birds came thick and fast, more Wagtails and the Wren bathing just opposite gave me lots to see and photograph. What happened next was almost surreal. If you are interested in birds and photography and I guess you are or you wouldn't be reading this, it doesn't get better. More than an hour had gone by and I had spent the last 10 minutes photographing a female Wagtail who was bathing and then preening, she was on a great perch nearby and was there long enough for me to experiment with "depth of field settings and various shutter speeds and other camera adjustments, trying to get the best out of the opportunity. Then I noticed the Wren on the edge of the brook and just opposite, then right on the perch next to the Wagtail was the Kingfisher again, this time with a silver fish but she had gone before I could photograph her, then instantly a Pied Wagtail landed on the Kingfisher perch. I photographed him and when he had gone....... 30 seconds later he was replaced by the Kingfisher again who this time decided to stay long enough for me to photograph her properly. What a great few minutes.

Grey Wagtails, notes about behaviour.

I have had the opportunity to closely observe Grey Wagtals over the last three years and I have learned a lot about their behaviour. The first remarkable thing to note is that the males are only in their breeding plumage with their black bib  for a very short time, in the spring and early summer. However males are much more brightly coloured than females, even when they are in their eclipse plumage. Females are an attractive duller version of the male who has bright yellow on the breast and flanks with black wings edged with white. Tails are long and yellow with the outer tail feathers also being black and white. They constantly wag their tails. In poor light, because of this, it's hard to get a sharp photo of the tail as it is constantly flicking. Why they do this has not been explained but my theory would be that it is a sign to other Grey Wagtals that they are around,like a flag, just a theory but a possible explanation. Wagtails are insectivorous and it could also be a method of flushing insects? I have watched them feed in different ways. They often, in fact usually, walk along the edge of the water where they search for prey, sometimes even turning over leaves by picking them up in the beak and tossing them aside. They are quite happy to feed from the water, both the surface and beneath. I have seen them feeding quite comfortably on fish fry and fish as long as 6mm. just like a tiny heron or egret. In fact I have observed them actively searching the edges of the stream for fish. As well as walking the edges of the stream in an opportunistic way they also "hawk" for food by flying up from a perch and acrobatically catching gnats and small flies in flight. As far as I am aware, they are insectivorous and I have never observed them taking inanimate prey.

Male Grey Wagtail in eclipse plumage.

They appear to be territorial and  If other Grey Wagtails move through the territory, much chasing and calling breaks out until the newcomers are ousted.  As the winter hardens I noted, both last year and the year before, that the male bird remained in the territory, alone,  after he ousted the female. So far this year they appear to be co-existing in the same area, seeming to be tolerant of each other rather than associating together. The male, even at this time of the year in Autumn, sings a territorial song.  This territoriality is born out of a need to be possessive of good feeding opportunities which they need to protect to survive. It may well be that all the time that food is easy to come by, the male is tolerant of the female and is willing to be tollerant. Wagtails fly with a fast undulating flight and will usually call at the same time, and particularly as they perch. They always perch on a low branch or log over, or in the water, and seem to have a preference for any boulder or rock in the water.  They share this habit with Dipper - (Cinclus cinclus) which are often in the same kind of habitat and environment. Interestingly the calls of both species are very similar, apparently at a frequency that can be heard above the rumblings and  tumbling of moving water. The Common Kingfisher - Alcedo athis also has a similar, but much louder call, at the same frequency. 

In common with most birds, Grey Wagtails bathe and preen regularly and often throughout the day. Here's a female preening yesterday.

..........after bathing.

 

Wren - Troglodytes troglodytes

I had a couple of sessions at my Kingfisher hide today, still trying to photograph the Kingfisher that I have seen several times over the last month. You need to put the time in if you are going to be successful. Other birds have been showing well and at least that eases any boredom. Wrens are not easy to photograph because they are so active and "twitchy" but this last few weeks I have had a couple of good opportunities. The bird above, first perched on my Kingfisher perch and then moved in to the brook-side vegetation to search for insects. The light was very dim but I still managed to get a few passable photos.
I also couldn't resist sharing this Robin with you who seemed to eject a pellet which I haven't seen in this species before.

Garden update and the Wilkinson bird feeding range.

The garden is not actually alive with birds, but now that Autumn is here we are having our fair share of visitors. The numbers appear to be  down on previous years however. We have the usual protagonists though, Coal Tits in small numbers, a Robin has taken over and we have  the resident Dunnock.  Blackbirds are flying around arguing over the territory and yesterday our first small flock of Goldfinch of the season were feeding on the feeders, (see below). 

The Blog was contacted recently by a representative of Wilkinsons  Stores  (here's a link if you are not familiar with them). I was asked  to have a look at some of their bird feeding products and to direct my Blog readers to a survey that they have carried out about bird feeding in the garden. I am happy to help and also pleased that the Blog is "out there" and recognised as one of the best of it's type here in the UK, with a large following of like-minded people. I have to say that the products sent to me were exceptional, great quality and you could do a lot worse than check out the range in your local stores.  I am particularly taken with the range of mealworm and insect mixes, not as impressed as the resident Robin who didn't take long to take advantage of the new free offerings which were really to his taste. I know this sounds like "cheasy PR" from me, but I am sincere when I say that I reccommend their insect mixes. Not a lot can be said about seed mixes or bird feeders...... seed is seed and a bird feeder is a bird feeder but no doubt their prices will be very competetive because that is a feature of the Wilkinson stores. But to repeat and to speak as I find, their insect mixes are exceptional. 

 

Grey Wagtails again

I am currently in the middle of a grey wagtail project, or that's the way it seems to be working out. I haven't had the Kingfisher on the perch in front of me for several days now but I know it is in the territory because I walked the brook the day before yesterday specifically to see if there was any signs and I was pleased to get a good sighting of the bird in flight. I am stll suffering quite badly with my Gall Stone problem, (try to avoid it if you can..... very painful), so that has been slowing me down somewhat. But I have been to the hide a few times recently.  The Grey Wagtails have been very obliging, liking my "props" and I have seen them on every visit. There is a male who sings beautifully and his mate who is easily recognised because she has got a white feather on the head.  I can always tell that it is the same bird seen regularly. Some good photos from yesterday  first and then from earlier today.

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Sunday Update from the brook.

As the "witching hour' approached, thats 5 0'clock(ish), by the way, the sun was shining brightly, I dressed and went down to the brook in the hope that the sun would continue to shine and one of the Egrets would put in an appeaance while it was still bright. The brook is a ditch by any other name and consequently the sun doesn't reach in to the deepest parts  in the evening and at this time of year. It's a real dilema, because I want to get photos that show lots of action, fish frozen in time, and splashes of water etc. You have to cal on every bit of skill that you posess to get the best out of your equipment once the light starts to fade. Just like clock-work, the Egret flew in and we still had some sunshine hitting one bank of the brook.  The bird was feeding too far down stream and I "willed it" towards me. Eventually it moved towards me and I took some picture, I may have got better but probably not. 

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Robin on my Kingfisher perch.

I didn't make a visit to the brook this morning, a combination of three factors, Rugby, granddaughter and Gall Bladder! I've posted this Robin. Last night as I lay waiting for the Egrets, a Robin landed on the Kingfisher perch and then came down to the waters edge to bathe. It was literally 6 feet, probably less from me and I snapped it with my 200mm lens. A great experience even though Robin are such a common bird.

The Egret Hide

Over the last few days I have  been taking photos of Little Egrets from an ad-hoc hide on the brook near to my house, where, since it was recently dredged, the Egrets have taken advantage of the shallower water. They have been able to fish in areas where previously they were unable to gain access. I devised a plan to allow me to get close to one particular bird who seemed to habitually returning to fish both at dawn and dusk. I described in my last post how I constructed, what I am calling a hide, but is really just a camouflaged cover. I have posted photographs to show how it looks. Then there are again, photos of the Little Egret who came within 10 feet of it this evening at around 5.30.

Special Egret Photos

I am always pleased when a plan comes together. I had been planning this photograph for a few days. Having been inspired by photographs from other people in other parts of the world, I came to the conclusion that most of the appealing and special images were all taken down at ground level. So that was my plan. I arranged a very basic hide/cover right down at the water level of the brook. Firstly, I covered the mud with a good layer of reeds, than on top of that I placed a military roll mat. That was something to lie on sorted. I pushed sticks in to the mud at all four corners and the middle, on both sides of the mat. I then attached camouflaged, plastic tarpaulin to the sticks with cable ties at about 2 feet high. Finally I covered the whole thing with scrim netting pieces, making sure that a piece of netting tumbled over the open end. To finish it off, I randomly threw pieces of grass and debris including leaves and the like, to complete the camouflage. It all blended nicely in to the bank-side. The camera was then mounted on a fishing "bank-stick" pushed in to the mud, meaning that it was almost at water level and pointing down stream. I then had to lie under the cover, hidden and still with a clear view of the stream. It was all a bit extreme and a little on the eccentric side but well justified. Last evening the egrets didn't turn up but as you have seen, the Grey Wagtail put on quite a performance. Then this morning, later than normal, because I am still suffering from my Gall Stone problem and in quite a lot of discomfort, I went back and tucked myself in. At first it was quiet but the Grey Wagtail came on to the perch on my right and at eye level. I also had a second camera with me loaded with a 200mm lens for the close-up opportunities. I had a clear view of the perch, and the Wagtail and I took a few shots. Surprisingly it started to sing, really musically and very nicely. But as 8 o'clock arrived, still no Egret. Then suddenly there it was, walking towards me, feeding as it went. I decided to wait until it was frame filling before I started to take pictures. Unfortunately, it was still quite dim and I had to set the camera's ISO at 1600 which meant that we were going to have some noisy images. The bird got nearer and I had some shooting pains from the Gall Bladder! I carried on and in the end almost got the pictures I am looking for. When the light is perfect, I am sure that I well be able to do much better. At the moment, because of the light, I haven't been able to get the action shots that would be so attractive.

Grey Wagtails feeding on tiny Sticklebacks.

These Grey Wagtail photographs are amongst the best pictures that I have taken which is quite something really. I took them late today, but at a price. I have been really under the weather this week and for some reason I can't shake it off. I have got a problem with Gall Stones and I can tell you that the pain can be really nasty.  I just tried to ignore it and continue because I want to get on with the things I enjoy doing.  I am afraid that I really y over did it today and by 6.30 felt really ill. Glad to say that now, after sitting quietly for several hours I am feeling quite a lot better.  The pain seems to be worse when I am  active.  But enough of that! I went to the brook late afternoon, in spite of fatigue and a painful side. I had a plan to get as close to the water as I could. because I knew that would give me some photos from a different perspective. I was hoping to get "killer" shots of Egrets feeding.  It didn't wok out that way though. But instead, had some great views of the Wagtail, very close. I photographed it as it fed and was amazed to see it, 3 times, catch tiny Sticklebacks ad eat them like a little Heron! Great sighting and great to get photos of it as well.

Long Tailed Tit - (Aegithalos caudatus) in the garden

At this time of the year birds begin to move in to gardens, but this year, not as many as normal or so it seems.  This morning we had a nice flock of tits move through the garden which included several Long=tailed Tits, a favourite of mine and it's always a thrill when they are with us. They call constantly and don't stay long.  Research has suggested that the small flocks of Long-tailed Tits are,  in fact, family groups that stay together until the start of the breeding season the following spring.  Last year we had a bird that was wearing a ring so it will be interesting if that bird shows up this year.

More from my Kingfisher Hide

Not Kingfishers today but I have been enjoying some  great views of Little Egrets this last few days and I am pretty sure that there is going to be  more to come. I have not been too well this last few days though so I have had  to limit myself to sitting in the hide. (or at home resting up).  However it's been fun once I made the effort and I have had some good photo opportunities. Like I always say, you don't see much sat on the sofa!. The Little Egret that has been using the stretch of water in front of the hide is quite predictable, consequently my photos of him are getting better. He flies in down stream, 50 yards away or so and then makes his way up stream towards me, feeding on small fish constantly as he gets nearer and nearer. I have been thinking through a good plan to get some really special pictures. I plan to get the camera down to water level, that should give me  some photos from an unusual perspective with  good backgrounds. Cant wait to get on with it. In the mean time these are the latest pictures. 

My `"new" Kingfisher

Yet again I was at the hide at first light and the action started almost immediately, even before it was properly light a Grey Heron landed just to my right. Then another, as a territorial dispute got in to full swing. Suddenly with an alarm call, the young Kingfisher landed on the perch in front and with yet another call, left almost immediately. Then another Kingfisher called from the other direction, obviously another territorial dispute. 10 minutes later a Kingfisher was on the perch again, (see above), and I suspect that this was the other bird. The main act today though were the Little Egrets that I have been trying to get good photos of, feeding I hope. Its quite exciting as they approach the hide, fishing avidly as they get nearer and nearer, until they are right in font just a few feet away.  at this point they usually suspect that something is a bit unusual, perhaps they hear the camera shutter, but they usually fly off  at thais point.  Not before I have taken some geat close ups though.

 

Green Sandpiper and a few others.

My quest at the moment is to get some good photos of the new Kingfisher seen on Thursday, this was exciting enough to dispel any boredom associated with sitting in a dirty hide for two hours while I wait for the opportunity. So at first light this morning, at a few minutes past Seven, I took my place for the mornings stake out. What a session it turned out to be.  As soon as it was light enough to see, two juvenile Moorhens crept past me and then a Grey Heron. I was of course, only 3 feet from these birds and they obviously had no idea of my presence, a pretty special feeling to be honest. The Heron perched to  my left, down stream. As I watched it hunting, still too dim for any kind of photo though, a bird flew towards me just above the surface of the trickle, which is all the brook is at the moment. It landed in front of me, literally at my feet, bobbed its tail and I recognised it instantly, a Green Sandpiper.  Very exciting and the second I have seen in this area of the brook, but the first of this season.  My lens was pointing down stream so I couldn't get a photo, and then it nonchalantly walked up stream an out of sight. I'm looking forward to another opportunity soon.  At one point, I could see Grey Heron, Grey Wagtail and Little Egret very close and all in the viewfinder of the camera at once. These are all birds that I enjoy photographing and being near to for that matter.  I can thoroughly reccommend a makeshift hide left in situ, I never have any problem. It has never been vandalised nor caused any problems, and cost next to nothing.  Local people know it is there, they ignore it and keep away in fact. Some of the best wildlife moments of my life have been from this bit of plastic tarpaulin, old cam netting and string! Oh, and the Little Egret got closer and closer and even with a 200m lens, I managed these photos from around 6 feet from me.

Then later on in the day, I returned but this time I  took my 500mm lens in the hope that I may be able to get some shots of the Egret with prey, and it worked even though it was  too dim for anything realy specila, but you decide!

Kingfisher encounter at last

Last Saturday when I walked along the newly dredged brook, I had been pleased with the outcome and even more pleased when I saw a couple of Kingfishers engaged in a territorial spat nearby.  This excited me as it was just a few weeks short of an entire year since I had last photographed a Kingfisher on the brook. I had paid numerous visits since July, it would be hard to count the hours and hardly seen even a sign of a bird.  Kingfishers are extremely territorial and once a bird is in residence they defend their territory with their life. I rebuilt the hide opposite the perch that I had placed there way back in July and started the stake out. I spent two hours on Sunday morning and the same later in the day  at dusk...... but no Kingfisher. Then on Thursday after a visit every day since, a total of 12 hours or so, and an hour in to this session, at last, there she was.  I don't know why, perhaps it was the presence of droppings underneath the perch, I just felt that it was about to happen. It was now 6.15, and I had literally just said to myself, "I can't believe I am not going to get one tonight"... and suddenly without any sign or hint, there was a Kingfisher, just opposite me and on the perch that had been in situation for 3 months. I had thought this moment through, and in my dreams I had imagined the euphoria, but oddly, I was matter of fact and began to snap away. It was a baby female and she had a Stickleback which she smashed against the solid perch, the reason she was there.  I had wondered what the newcomer would be like, male or female? Strangely, it was like meeting someone new and I hope I will get  really acquainted with her. I am sure I will. She is not the brightest, nor prettiest little Kingfisher I have seen but look at the life in that bright eye. The wet feathers are where she has been in and out of the water to fish and bathe.  

The light was dim and obviously that presents problems for photographs. I managed to get the camera pointed at her and she didn't flinch even though she was just opposite on the narrow stream. Knowing Kingfishers as I do, after 3 years of study and 100 plus close encounters, I knew exactly what she would do next.So after swallowing her Stickleback she preened and scratched, and then as quickly as she had arrived, she left. I looked down stream just a few yards and I could see her still. She was diving in and out to bathe and with a 200mm lens I managed to get some shots of her. She then flew back up to the perch opposite and I watched for 5 minutes or so before she left again. She had the typical orange beak of a female and the smokey, blackened red feet proved her immaturity.

Here are a couple of shots of the hide and perch just to give an idea of the set up for those interested. It doesn't show the hide properly but gives an impression of the size and distance from the perch.

Kingfisher at last

At last after weeks and weeks of waiting, at 6.15 this evening just as the sun started to descend, there she was.  May I  introduce 2011's new young Kingfisher,  the new bird at my hide!!!!!

Off out for the evening, more photos and the full story later tonifgt.

Black-tailed Godwit - Limosa limosa islandicus

Black-tailed Godwits on the River Exe, pretty much a local speciality at this time of the year and a bird I always enjoy seeing. I must have had my eyes closed this morning and I suppose that is one of the problems when you are literally focused on a particular subject. As I sat on the foreshore photographing the Black-tailed Godwit, I wasn't likely to know that apparently seen at just the time I was there, was a Spoonbill. I suppose that I shouldn't be a "doubting Thomas" but frankly I didn't see it and surely I would have would't I? It's a mystery to me that I could sit for 3 hours looking out on to the Exe and yet miss a speciality bird like this and then come home and read on the web the report of one? I would have like a Spoonbill of course but I am always happy to get good photos of more common species as long as I achieve something special, and thats not often easy. So all the more rewarding

Barred Warbler - (Sylvia nisoria) at Dawlish Warren NNR

I spent the middle 4 hours of the day trying to get a good look at a Barred Warbler, the largest of the Sylvia warblers, a family that includes Blackcap, Whitethroat, Garden  and Dartford Warbler. One has been present at Dawlish Warren National Nature reserve for a couple of days, on migration to Africa. It was feeding on Blackberries.  Some people have had good views of the bird and I saw it three times today, never perched and always for a split second as it flitted between a favourite bramble bush and a nearby tree.  This is a species that does not breed here in the UK and is in decline in Western Europe but doing well in the east of it's range in Eastern Euroe and Asia.  Here is a tantalising photograph of the Brambles where the bird was feeding.

Just before dusk from my Alphin Brook hide, a Little Egret got closer and closer before disturbed by a dog walker. I cant work out what fish it had caught, looks like a loach, but a big one.

Grey Wagtails on the Alphin Brook

I was excited when I went to have a look at the brook yesterday.  It's been dregded over the last couple of weeks and I have  been hoping that once  the flow was increased and some of the rubbish removed, the habitat would be greatly enhanced. I can hardly believe the improvement, firstly it looks so much more attractive, there  is a nice clean flow, the environment agency, to their immense credit. have left some nice muddy areas and small pockets of rushes and grasses. But even I didn't expect to see, immediately, two Kingfishers right in front of where my hide had been previously. Then not one but 4 L ittle Egrets followed by a couple of Grey Wagtails. I spent half an hour rebuilding my hide which was very successful.  Then today, I spent a couple of hours sat with my camera waiting for tha Kingfisher encounter that I can hardly wait for.  It seems as though I am going to be even more patient than normal, no visit again unfortunately.  But it was great when the Grey Wagtail (above), landed on each perch that i had strategically placed by the hide, one only 2 feet away!

Another beautiful day and more Herons

In keeping with the latest trend on the Blog to include photos and scenes of picturesque scenes on my travels, here is a nice view of the Exeter Ship Canal taken from the wooden jetty close to the fishermen's car park. It's Saturday and the weather is tremendous for the time of year, one of the warmest October days since records began, consequently the canal towpath was very busy and it wasn't the best day for wildlife. The Heron was fishing close to the scene photographed above, and even a Little Egret was fishing on the canal because it was high tide on the estuary. However, he was easily disturbed by the walkers and left the as soon as anyone, including me, came within 20 yards of him. So here is yet another Grey Heron "in-flight" photo, and the Little Egret.

Grey Heron with a Perch

This series doesn't need words... except to say that his prey is a small perch.