I was just reflecting how the local park is a great place to photograph birds. It is not just the obvious and tame species that you would expect to get. Some quite good rarities can turn up over the years.
At Pittville park in Cheltenham there is quite a list of unusual birds that have got the birders excited:
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| Great Northern Diver |
This was a fantastic bird that stayed around for a number of weeks a few years back. It was a first for this species for me photographically. This image was taken as it took off and never to return.
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| Dartford Warbler |
The local council had decided to leave a patch of wild flowers that was left un-cut. This must have been an amazing and unexpected result for this action. A Dartford Warbler stayed and could be seen regularly hanging around with a pair of Stonechats. To locate the bird you had to first find the Stonechats sat on top of the vegetation. The Dartford warbler was never far away.
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| Male Goosander |
Over the last few years we have had both male and female Goosanders. It was really great to watch them fishing. It was amazing to observe how far they can travel under water. It could easily appear at the other end of the lake from where it had dived under the water. Certainly kept me on my toes trying to capture an image
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| Male Night Heron |
Making a repeat visit in the last few weeks is this stunningly beautiful adult male Night Heron.
It was last seen in 2014 but has decided to make a return visit. I guess it's the same bird that remembers what great fishing is provided by the lake.
It's is quite impressive for a municipal park, the rarities adding to the list of more common birds. A great place for a wander around with the camera.
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