January 2018 Raptors on the look out at Slimbridge WWT

When you visit a Wetland there are nearly always a few raptors around on the look out for any opportunities.  They are always a welcome sight along with the wildfowl and waders.

Kestrel eyes sky ward.  You never know what's around

Common Buzzard

January 2018 Short Eared Owls in the Cotswold Hills

One of the most exciting bird watching experiences in my local area of the Cotswolds is watching the amazing and charismatic Short Eared Owls that come in during the winter months.  It is so exciting as they quarter the fields in search of voles.  I have to say that it draws you in, and on a clear night it is so difficult to resist going to see them.  I always have one eye on the weather forecast looking out for a clear sky in the late afternoon.

Short Eared Owl

Short Eared Owl

 Because they feed on very similar prey the kestrel is often in the same area.

Female Kestrel

Its always a really satisfying afternoon when you spend it in the company of these guys.

January 2018 Grey Wagtail while waiting for a Kingfisher

I have just had a thought that as a bird photographer it is very easy to get species prejudice and you could easily get too fixed on getting images of a target species.  I was really hoping to capture some more images of the Kingfisher that I saw yesterday.  I got some nice images of a Grey Wagtail and I would have really been happy with these if I hadn't had such a fixation.  Lesson to myself, you can only get images of birds that are there.  Be flexible and happy if other birds turn up instead!

Grey Wagtail

I really like this ones prime condition and pose.

January 2018 Kingfisher in our local park in Cheltenham

This really was a short look to see if the local Kingfishers are back on patch. The light never came brighter as forecast but never the less these are always exciting birds to see.

Male Kingfisher

I think this was enough of a taster to get back there and hopefully get some more images.

January 2018 Enjoying the Hawfinch eruption in the UK

There has been many reported sightings of Hawfinch in the UK this winter.  From reports they would seem to be everywhere.  I made a special trip to a known site for them in the Forest of Dean in Gloucestershire to check this out, as I have yet to see any myself this year.  After about 30mins of waiting they started to appear searching through the leaf litter under the trees.

Male Hawfinch

tFemale Hawfinch

They have such thick strong looking bills that you can easily imagine them dealing with any seeds in their diet.  They are amazing birds to see and well worth the early start to see them.

January 2018 Some new year birding therapy at Slimbridge WWT

I thought to start the new year I would have a trip to Slimbridge WWT in Gloucestershire UK.  This is a great way to blow the cob-webs off.  There is a very special part of this reserve for me called the "Tack-Piece" and it did not disappoint.  There were thousands of wildfowl and waders out there.  It is so spectacular.

Mainly Golden Plover - Spectacular

Northern Pintail

Male Pochard

This is such a great place it will not be long until I'm back there.