July 2017 We are so lucky to have these majestic birds a Slimbridge WWT - Common Cranes

These birds really are an amazing site as you see them flying across the scene at Slimbridge.  They are part of the Great Crane Project, and who could not appreciate being party to such a beautiful sight.

Awesome fly past

The birds below are showing the whiffling technique often used by geese to loose altitude quickly.

Common Cranes "whiffling"

These birds certainly add to a very special time at Slimbridge this morning.

July 2017 Greenshank at Slimbridge WWT

I caught this elegant Greenshank wading through the algae bloom.  They are such elegant birds and I was so pleased to get some images.  The algae was so thick that it often had to flap its wings to help it move through it.

Wading through the thick algae

Sometimes using its wings to help

They are always welcome at Slimbridge WWT on the Severn estuary, as they travel on passage to and from their African wintering grounds.

July 2017 A couple of images from the hide whilst waiting for waders.

Sometimes it a good thing to be happy with images that were not your original target.  Both of these two were taken at Slimbridge whilst waiting for waders to get in range on the scrape.  The Black cap came in close by the Rushy Hide, and the Goldfinch alighted on the teasel whist I was waiting for the new Common Crane chick to appear.

 Yes happy with these two.  I did eventually get some images of the various waders at Slimbridge WWT in the end though.

July 2017 Work putting up nest boxes paying dividends!

Last January I put up quite a few nest boxes on my small holding.  The ones I was most looking forward to seeing the results of were the Tawny Owl, Kestrel and Barn Owl boxes.  I was so excited and really pleased as I was checking the fences to see a Barn Owl peering out of one of the boxes.  This must be one of the most satisfying things you can do, giving something back for nature.

Putting the boxes up

What a result!

If ever you are contemplating putting up nest boxes I can thoroughly recommend it.  It is simply thrilling when you get some occupied.

July 2017 White Throat posing nicely.

One thing I like about wildlife photography is that the little things now become more important.  I can really enjoy it when something like this Whitethroat pops out into the open.  It is not only the spectacular that catches my eye any more.

Whitethroat

July 2017 Red Kites around my Local Patch following the hay-making kit

To think that these birds were nearly extinct in the UK with only a handful of pairs hanging on in Mid Wales. I was so excited when I saw my first one in Wales and remember almost panicking when I could not find anywhere to stop the car I was so excited.  I also remember in my old bird book The Encyclopaedia of British Birds it stated: "Buzzards are found throughout the Cambrian Mountains and so is the rare Red Kite"  Now I took this shot while painting the garden furniture in my back garden in Winchcombe Gloucestershire.

Red Kite

I just cannot imagine not reaching for my camera though when they are around.  They are such great birds and I always remember the excitement of that first sighting.

July 2017 It is so great to see Juvenile Peregrine Falcons fledged and on the wing

These are truly magnificent birds and it always so brilliant to see the young on the wing and gaining independence.  Of course they don't really achieve that until they can make their own kills, so it is still someway to go, and always a steep learning curve for them.  This one seems to have all the attributes so lets hope this one makes it, and adds to the population.

Juvenile Peregrine doing well

July 2017 Nice to get a new bird for me on my local patch - Marsh Tit

Its great when something new turns up on you local patch.  This Marsh Tit came along.  I have often seen them in the Forest of Dean but never on my local patch at Winchcombe in Gloucestershire.  So its a patch tick great.

Marsh Tit

Marsh Tit

If you visit the same patch regularly its surprising how often something new comes along when you least expect it.