December 2018 Wildlife year ends with a Short Eared Owl festival.

Always a great way to end the year watching the beautiful Short Eared Owls quartering the grassland.  Once they are on the wing the whole atmosphere changes to excitement.  They have gone down will they get up on the wing again?  How many are there? Will they come closer and when the light is good?  Will I manage to lock on and get the image?  It is so adrenalin filled and I just love them.

Hunting intensely

In the grassland environment

Eyes left

That was a great end to a special wildlife year.  I for one will not complain if 2019 starts off in the same way!

December 2018 Came across a Hen Harrier with a Radio Transmitter on it

I was really excited to get sight of this Harrier even though it always stayed at quite a distance.  I was surprised when I looked closely at the images to see that it had a radio transmitter ariel on its back.  The local birder community were very helpful and interested to help find the origins of this bird that has paid us a visit to the North Cotswold Hills.  I am looking forward to getting to know more about this particular beauty.

What beauty

Come on turn right and get closer!

These are one of the most graceful raptors as they quarter the grasslands flying so slowly and buoyantly.  They are truly special birds and I just love every sighting I get.

December 2018 A couple of hours with secretive (Allegedly) Water Rails

It was really great to spent a few hours sat in a hide watching Water Rails scurry about.  They come out gingerly and walk along little set routes along the reed edges.  They seem to get quite confiding, but any sign of danger they disappear quickly into the reeds with a dart for cover.  Moorhens seem to be their nemesis and always race at them to chase them away.  They even seem to deliberately block their paths sometimes.

Stepping towards me

Water Rail

 From the Willow Hide at Slimbridge WWT they seem to have actually become quite tame and if you have an hour to spare you are almost guaranteed to see them.
This left me with a thought, no matter how rare and secretive a bird or animal is, I bet there is always somewhere where they have become habituated and used to human presence.  This gives great opportunities to obtain images that would otherwise be out of reach!

November 2018 A sunny forecast so time for a Landrover Safari

The weather has been a bit murky lately, so when I woke up with bright sunshine through the curtains I knew it was time for an early morning trip in my Landrover to see what was about.  I had a great morning.  Some of the common birds were about but they seemed to be posing nicely.

Great Tit

Blue Tit

They were beautiful to catch up with even though they are quite familiar.

This Great Spotted woodpecker caught my eye as it landed down on this trunk.  I knew it was there but it seemed to spend an age out of sight around the far side of the trunk.  I even wondered for a minute whether it had flow off as I got down to look through my viewfinder.  Eventually it popped its head up allowing to me to quickly capture this image.

Peek-a-boo

 Heading up the hill one of my favourite birds was sat on a thorn bush.  I was so pleased when it took no notice of the Landrover and allowed me to stop and get the window down.  I put my bean bag on the glass to steady the camera and began getting some images.  It seem oblivious to my presence.

Juicy work lunch

It dropped down on a worm and flew back up to devour it.  I had to reflect on how resourcefull they have to be as the winter comes on. Being flexible with their feeding must really help them survive in hard times.

I really enjoyed the proximity to the Kestrel and it made my morning, but on the way down to home a few Roe deer were out to complete my little foray.

A buck enjoying remaining greenery 

Roe Deer Doe

That was my sort of morning.  Now back for breakfast!

November 2018 Are Kestrels having a good year?

A photography friend has suggested that Kestrels seem to be doing well in his area as he is seeing them "everywhere".  I must admit that I feel I am seeing them more often locally and I was wondering the same thing too.

Hunting

Looking intensely 

I really hope they are as they are such beautiful little falcons to have around.

October 2018 I am so glad that Short Eared Owls are back in our area for the winter

These are really exciting birds to see quartering the grassland hunting voles.  I absolutely love them and it is always a relief when they return in the winter months.  There are no guarantees and some years can be a no show for us in the Cotswold Hills.  They get a  regular photographic following and I also enjoy the great company of the people I see each year.  Sometimes it feels that we have been on hold awaiting their arrival.

Even catching a bit of late sun rays

Straight at me

Hooray they are here!

October 2018 A trip in the sunshine to Canop Ponds in the Forest of Dean

Canop Ponds in the Forest of Dean is always one of my favourite and peaceful places to visit.  It was a lovely early morning with the sun gleaming through the trees.  There are always Little Grebes on this pond and with patience they will come in quite close.  They are great little birds and seem to have territories on the pond that they try and keep to themselves.  They are very efficient fishing birds and seem to spend some time cleaning and manipulating their catch before swallowing it.  This gives an opportunity for some interesting images!

Expert fisher

Beautiful little bird

Of course where there are good fishing opportunities Cormorants are never far away these days.

They like to hang out in the trees to dry off after a fishing trip.

Having a scratch whilst drying out.

That was a great way to spend a morning!

October 2018 Love the way Great Spotted Woodpeckers anounce themselves.

I always enjoy seeing woodpeckers with their deliberate and jerking movements.  Sometimes they pause as if they are deep in thought.  These ones came in quite close but they always make their pipping call when they arrive and give you time to get your camera ready.

Ascending the trunk taking insects

Female watching out for the male

I have one "bogey" bird the Lesser Spotted woodpecker that has always escaped me and I have never seen in my whole life.  Their population has much declined in the UK but I am always hopeful of seeing one.  If it does happen it could be one of my most enthusiastic posts ever!

October 2018 Another smart wader the Ruff

It was great to get close enough to a Ruff to get some decent images.  This one to me is in pristine condition with beautiful plumage.

Pristine Ruff

There are a very few nesting Ruff in the uk almost in single figures.  They are mainly a winter visitor with around eight hundred making our shores so I am very pleased to get a few images.
A great wader!

September 2018 Coming from inland in my youth has left me with a deep fascination for waders.

Caught up with this beautiful Common Redshank today.  These are birds I never came across at all in my early years.  I guess this was coming from inland and not really travelling too much.  This has however left a deep fascination with this beautiful group of birds the "Waders".

Common Redshank put your tongue away!

A thrilling encounter today!

September 2018 The beautiful avocets will soon be leaving for the southern estuaries

These Avocets have only breed in Gloucestershire in the last few years.  They are such great  feisty birds that are always up for a quarrel with their neighbours.  They appeared to me to have a successful breeding season as there were quite a few juveniles around at the end of the breeding season.  They tend to depart from us during the winter months and end up on estuaries on the south coast.  I am always pleased when they return in numbers during the spring and they see to be colonising well.

Elegant footsteps

Swishing feeding action

A new welcome at enjoyable addition to Gloucestershire wildlife!

September 2018 I don't think I seem to see these so often these days - Greenfinch

I am sure I used to see these birds a lot more often and they were quite common.  With the changing dynamic of nature its amazing how some old favourites have become quite exciting.  A lovely bird the Green finch.

Beautiful male Greenfinch

 When you look they are really beautiful.

August 2018 Time with the smart wader the Spotted Redshank at Slimbridge WWT

This really is a nice looking wader.  It spends much of the time vigorously feeding with its bill in the water.  The light was initially poor this morning and it stayed at quite a distance.  The sun came out eventually and it also moved nearer and even began to stretch and preen in front of me.  Happy days!

Being careful with a wasp

Time for a stretch

What a beautiful bird!

August 2018 Welcome return of a Brown Hare to my local patch

I have not seen a Brown Hare on my local patch for more than ten years.  I went for an early morning drive and was really pleased to see this one grazing away in the grass.  I think they are great animals and I always love to see them.

Sitting up keeping an eye out

Looking out for a tasty morsel

Alert for any danger

They are always welcome and I hope this one stays around.

August 2018 A good time for waders at Slimbridge WWT

As we get well into August it is a great time for waders at Slimbridge WWT.  Those that have breed have juveniles around and also the migrants are present in increasing numbers.  It can be quite quiet for birds during the summer period after birds have gone past their breeding season and spread out in the countryside.  A visit to Slimbridge always give me a great bird therapy session!

Migrant Black Tailed Godwit

Juvenile Avocet

Lapwing

Ah that's better!  Great bird session at Slimbridge WWT certainly brings my connection to nature back to the fore.

August 2018 Red Kite finds sheep carcass in the Cotswold Hills

Driving through the hills in the Landrover is always great because you get a higher view over the hedges and can often get a different perspective.  Seeing these Red Kites on a sheep carcass reminded me  of how Kites managed to just hold on in Mid Wales during my younger days.  There were only a few pairs and it was probably the remoteness and also that this was a big hill sheep farming area.

Red Kite on Sheep carcass

They are always great to see.

August 2018 Early morning Landrover drive. Roe Deer, love in the air!

I woke up early with the sun streaming in through the window.  Definitely time for an early morning drive in the Landrover.  I caught up with these Roe Deer and love was definitely in the air.

Roe Deer doe.

Buck following doe closely

A few minutes earlier this buck had driven away another buck contender.

August 2018 Its hot and dry so wait at the water hole!

 It has been so hot and dry lately. I didn't feel like driving through any traffic or going too far.  I was contemplating where I could go and get some wildlife images when the thought occurred that a lot of birds have to drink frequently.  I thought I would go and wait by the water trough on the top of the hill.  There is not much opportunity to get a drink anywhere else in quite a large area.

Female Linnet

Goldfinch

Juvenile Goldfinch

Male Linnet

It proved to be an enjoyable hour.  I think though that the main visitors will always be the seed eaters:
Linnet, Goldfinch and Yellow Hammer.  They seem to have to fill up most regularly with a fresh drink.

July 2018 My local Peregrine chicks have left the nest site and are doing well.

I love how well the Peregrines are doing nationally in the UK and also local to my home in Gloucestershire.  They are one of my very favourite birds.  They have taken readily to our towns and cities and use the churches and tall buildings to replace their traditional cliff ledges.  For years I had not seen them in Gloucestershire.  They are even classed as Green conservation status. I always find them so exciting to see and watch.  They are real special birds.

getting the wings ready

Time to flex the claws

A few more to hopefully add to the population.

July 2018 Tewkesbury Abbey Peregrine chick growing well

These birds have failed to breed in previous years.  This year they laid three eggs.  One got cracked and one chick died as the parents did not bring in food immediately, or at least quickly enough.  This last chick seems to be growing really well and developing at a pace.  I suppose it would getting access to all the food brought in.   It is still good odds if this one fledges and makes it to become an adult.

Guarding the precious chick.

Next year the pair will be all  the more experienced.

July 2018 Sparrowhawks "branching"

It was a great part of this summer to watch these Sparrowhawks, from seeing the female sat up when sitting on eggs, to the downy white chicks developing, and now the young "Branching" away from the nest.  What a privilege this was and one of the highlights of my camera year.

Juvenile Sparrowhawk

Branching out

How can you not just love nature!

July 2018 The awsome Juvenile Cuckoo

This icon of Spring the Cuckoo is such a fascinating bird.  They have an amazing lifestyle.  The more you read about them the more interesting they become.  How their eggs match the particular host species.  They resemble Sparrowhawks to fluster their hosts. Their chick pushes out the other chicks with its back.  Their call resembles a nest full of the hosts hungry chicks.  The migration they undertake.  What a beautiful highly evolved bird.  I just love them.

Fledged juvenile cuckoo

This one was being fed by Reed Warblers at Slimbridge WWT.  It stayed undercover in the vegetation most of the time, but occasionally popped out enough to grab a few images.

June 2018 Local Sparrowhawk chicks doing well

These were such a rare bird during my youth and I am always excited to be in their presence.  I was so pleased to see that my local pair have hatched three chicks that are growing successfully.

Female keeping a careful eye

Only one chick showing here but there are three in the nest.

Growing well

They grow quickly and will soon be "branching".