January 2019 Both types of Snipe at Slimbridge WWT

At a recent visit to Slimbridge WWT it was possible to observe the two types of Snipe seen in the UK.  They both can be quite difficult to see, but from the Martin Smith hide you could see both almost together.  I love the Common Snipe and it was great to watch it probing for food.  Below it can be seen stretching its wings and showing off its beautiful markings.  

Common Snipe

The Jack Snipe is even more secretive and spends most of it time low down in the vegetation.  It has a peculiar bobbing motion.  I am not quite sure why it does this, but as Chris Packham always says there is always a good reason in nature.  No behaviour happens completely randomly.  The natural selection in nature takes care of this.

Jack Snipe in cover.

This was the best image I could get, but I have seen the images of some friends with it out in the open.  While I was there, each time it came out, it was immediately scared off by some other bird, quite often Water Rail. Ah well I least I have got something!

That was a great hour spent, really enjoyable and a new species for me the Jack Snipe.  That's always a satisfying thing! 

January 2019 Otter causing great excitement at Slimbridge WWT

I was making my way to the car from the hides at Slimbridge WWT and at the exit there were a few people with binoculars looking intently up the small stream that you pass over to get to the car park.  Someone had said that he had seen an otter.  He said he heard it "Calling" squeaking first and then caught a glimpse of it.  We waited there for a short while and soon enough there was a wake in the water and it was swimming straight towards us, as we stood on the bridge.  It was really exciting as this was only the second ever wild otter I have ever seen.  It always seems to take an age when you have to un-pack your camera in these circumstances!

The crowd soon got larger as the news got around and it seemed to be most of the staff from the WWT.  The wardens were concerned that it was heading towards the collection pens where it would obviously cause a great deal of havoc.
It swam right under the bridge and was only a metre or so away at times.
That was one of the wild life encounters that I will never forget and I am sure it will be a big talking point around the reserve the next few days.

January 2019 Sometimes you get lucky - Beautiful Male Bullfinch

Most of bird and wildlife photography takes quite hard work and a lot of patience.  There are often trips where you come home with no results at all.  It is the challenges that keep most of us like minded people going to try and capture that moment.  This beautiful Bullfinch was quite the opposite.  I could see him from my backdoor and wondered if I would have time to get the camera out before he flew off.
  I thought I would give it a go.  He just stayed there feeding on the shoots where the blackbirds had eaten off the berries. I was so pleased to creep out into the garden and get some results.

enjoying his meal

I was really pleased when he started to hang upside down and gave me so more interesting poses to capture.

Acrobatics for a meal

They are really beautiful birds, and in my opinion one of the most colourful birds resident in the UK.

New Year January 2019 Third time lucky - Crossbills in the Forest of Dean

This was my first birding "expedition" of the new year.  I set off with a nice sunny morning forecast.  I have been informed and read that they have to drink regularly and also that they are faithful to their drinking puddles.  I had been down looking for them but on rainier days and they did not show at all.
As the sun rose for the first hour there were a few birds around but no sign of the Crossbills.
This Pied Wagtail made a great distraction while I was waiting.

Confiding Pied Wagtail

 After what seemed an age and I was beginning to loose heart, this female made a short appearance.

Female Common Crossbill

Then about twenty minutes before I had to leave, a group of males came down for a drink

Always thirsty

A handsome male

They are really great birds to see and a real forest specialist.  Its great when a plan comes together and you get a result!  I have been told by a birding friend that their bills cross over in different directions on different birds.  I must look this up!  Happy New Year to all my birding and wildlife watching friends.