August 2017 Snipe in close enjoying a juicy lunch.

Sometimes if you wait in a hide long enough you get lucky and what is normally a very shy bird comes in close and performs in front of you.  This snipe was amazing as it continued feeding within metres of the hide at Slimbridge WWT this morning.

Juicy Lunch

Keep your eye on the prize

It seemed quite oblivious to the camera shutter noise and just carried on feeding.

August 2017 Roe Deer doing well.

I went for an early morning "Game Drive".  The Roe deer seem to be doing well and I saw two doe's with well grown young and also a group of 3 older doe's.  They are really peaceful animals and seem to be getting quite used to my Landover and that I mean them no harm.

Roe Deer

I really liked this image as she looked around before disappearing through the hedge.  Always a thrill to see and capture an image.

August 2017 Great to see a family party of Spotted Flycathers today.

This is a bird that had gone missing from my local patch for a few years and I was beginning to feel like they were never going to return.  I had almost given up hope, and recall how common they were in my youth.  It is great to see a small family party of them today, and I have also read abut another group being reported locally.  Perhaps conditions have changed and they are now re-gaining numbers. I for one really hope so.

Spotted Flycatcher

 They are great to watch feeding.  They like to sit out on the upper and outer branches and often return to the same branch after the foray.

August 2017 Two Wheatear passing through my local patch at Winchcombe UK

I am always amazed how regular birds are in their habits.  I am sure we had Wheatear last year at about the same time of year.  Now I have images with the dates I think it will be really interested to keep a record of when they arrive.  I will not be surprised if its within a few days each year.  I will definitely check next year.

Wheatear

Wheatear

I am always pleased to see them when they arrive and stay for a few days as they pass through.

August 2017 I Spent some enjoyable time watching Peregrine Falcons.

These are so really special birds and I can never imagine not being excited in their presence.  I think you would have to be tired of life to not enjoy seeing them.  They definitely have an aura of confidence about them as if they know they are something great.

Peregrine Falcon

August 2017 Lots of Juvenile Buzzards calling for food on my patch in the Cotswold Hills UK

These young buzzards sit in trees calling and calling with their high pitched incessant cry's begging for food.  In the end they drop down on some small prey item and feed themselves.  It must be so difficult for the adults to ignore them and allow them to get their independence.

Juvenile buzzard

I particularly like the old branch that to me really enhances this image.

August 2017 Enjoyed "Know your Sandpipers day" at Slimbridge WWT this morning.

I had a cracking day at Slimbridge this morning.  Sandpipers around the "Tack Piece" hides were the highlights.  Can you name them all?  Answers at the bottom!

Green Sandpiper

Wood Sandpiper

Common Sandpiper

August 2017 Male kestrel from this morning on my local patch.

These really are one of my very favourite birds.  You always have to have a good look when you come across one.

Male Kestrel

August 2017 Roe Deer early morning, at Winchcombe in Gloucestershire

I think I have seen the full life cycle of these local Roe Deer as I witnessed the fawn when he was very young and suckling from his mother.  Now I see him left alone and fending for himself.  In the next field I witnessed the buck chasing the doe around, as the Roe Deer rut is in full swing from Mid July to Mid August in the Cotswolds.

This years fawn

It has grown to independence and it so nice to see this one away and surviving independently.
Meanwhile in the long grass in the next field the buck is busy putting all his energy into chasing and protecting the doe in his territory.

This is my territory 

The object of all the attention a beautiful doe

August 2017 A few before breakfast this morning at Winchcombe

I went out early this morning to have a look what was around.  It is always the best time.  These are few images from about half an hour out.

Wren

Whitethroat

Willow Warbler

I think it is always great to appreciate the small things that you see.