What birds or bird have you seen today – communal thread, I hope!

A walk along the river yesterday and a bird I've never photographed, a bullfinch. I'd been hiding for a couple a few hours counting kingfisher flybys (got 8 and 2 perched but too far away, work in progress ;)) this male was chasing a female in and out of the trees and bushes both sides of the river, probably looking to mate with her. They started to come quite close, this one was about 15 feet away, I think they began to see me as little threat.

Yip, the background isn't great (typical Ayrshire sky) but I wasn't letting a sitter like this go.


tp.jpg
 
I must have a drive over to RSPB Marshside at Southport as they often have Avocets nesting there.
 
The egg-thief!

I've watched the Avocets chase off all types of birds, various ducks, geese, even a swan but today I saw them stand back and 'allow' a Moorhen to take their egg. It was a fair way off so not a good shot and it all happened quickly, almost before I realised what was happening ... I was surprised to see the Moorhen allowed to get away with it.

small_3909.jpg
 
Oystercatcher with eggs.

It's the first time I've been able to see how many they've been sitting on, I can see at least two. Alas not the greatest of photographs. I just hope the rain we've had today hasn't caused the river level to rise and cover this spit of land.

oystercatcher-with-eggs-8566.jpg
 
Little Egret Flyby on the River Calder at Whalley

little-egret-flyby-8776.jpg
 
@gramps @the black fox

Just a heads up chaps, the Puffins at Flamborough Head are on form (y)

Couldn't resit heading back there yesterday for a couple of days, weathers been lovely up until about 3ish this aft, just got back home now

Here's a quick taster of about 400 shots I took in around 45 minutes sat with them today, shot @ 300mm focal length (y)

Puffins.jpg
 
Last edited:
Alas the oystercatcher nest got flooded after 12 hours of heavy rain, both the birds were still hanging around, either flying about the nest site or landing on what bit of the island remained above the water....

oystercatcher-8798.jpg
 
A little treat from RSPB Bempton Cliffs (just before the soaking!) :D


(Not a commentary accompanying but 2 x RSPB Volunteers doing a nest count/check).
 
Last edited:
1st Long-eared owl chick of the year this evening, at least 2 maybe 3 owlets at this site, was hard to tell through the wind and rain!

LEO owlet 1024 2.jpg
 
I can only assume this is the same pigeon, that I posted a few posts back
taking a shower on next doors garage roof.

Its either a dirty bird or its dad was a duck :thinking:

520-002a.jpg
 
Last edited:
I was quite pleased to see the Kingfisher so close, alas it was 20:30pm so the light was poor so I had to use iso1600 for these two shots. I see them quite regularly, usually just a blue and orange flash as they are flying along rivers and canals.

kingfisher-9089.jpg


I got spotted in this shot...

kingfisher-9079.jpg


And a Common Sandpiper

common-sandpiper-9026.jpg


Both at the weir on the River Calder at Whalley.
 
Some from today at the weir in Whalley.

Little Egret. It's interesting seeing how different it's hunting method is from the Grey Heron, were the heron stands still these move about a lot, they also shuffle their feet to disturb fish and other prey.

little-egret-9230.jpg


little-egret-9185.jpg


Kingfisher, whilst it was much further away the light was infinitely better. This is a 100% crop from the original. Only had to wait 2 hours between 5-7pm for it to appear...

kingfisher-9204.jpg
 
Back
Top