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| time to go! |
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| ...what have I done! |
The Swans showed off their cygnets at the same time so a pleasant way to spend a summers afternoon.
Tuesday, May 29, 2012
Pagham Lagoon
I have been been keeping an eye on a Blue Tits nest in the SW corner of the Lagoon built in the old retaining wall. I have never known Blue Tits to nest here before but this afternoon it was time to fledge. ..
The Swans showed off their cygnets at the same time so a pleasant way to spend a summers afternoon.
The Swans showed off their cygnets at the same time so a pleasant way to spend a summers afternoon.
Monday, May 28, 2012
Pulborough Brooks
First job...check moth trap!
A quick visit to see and hear Nightingales before they 'go quiet' proved rewarding. A quiet morning with few others enjoying the Reserve.
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| Buff tip |
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| Buff tip... close up |
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| Competition time! |
A quick visit to see and hear Nightingales before they 'go quiet' proved rewarding. A quiet morning with few others enjoying the Reserve.
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| checking me out... |
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before a short burst... |
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| Chiffchaff...busy building. |
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| Whitethroat...busy feeding |
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Sunday, May 27, 2012
Odonata!
I am a birder and certainly don't know my Dragonflies so when I bumped into Trevor (the other Trevor) at the Pagham Harbour Friends Open Day I was extremely grateful for his help in identifying these wonderful flying machines on the reserve ponds.
First up was a pair of Common Blue Damselflies
Secondly....
...and finally
First up was a pair of Common Blue Damselflies
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| Common BlueDamselfly |
Secondly....
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| Broad-bodied Chaser |
...and finally
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| Black-tailed Skimmer |
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| Black-tailed Skimmer Amazing creatures! Thanks, Trevor! Whilst at the entrance to the reserve 4 Buzzards were circling in a thermal above us along with a few gulls. A real treat on a very hot afternoon! |
Friday, May 25, 2012
A 2 Day Dorset break.
Have just returned from a very quick visit to Dorset. A visit to RSPB Arne did not prove very productive and although Tree Pipit was seen it was not photographable! Dartford Warblers did not even show themselves1
However, day 2 to Brownsea Island was altogether difeerent and whilst I decided not to hump 8lbs of glass around with me the 100/400mm just about sufficed. It was VERY hot so I had mixed feelings when I chanced upon a Nightjar.
Here is a taster but dappled light and heat haze did nothing to enhance my record shots!
The terns were nesting on the island in very close proximity and this was causing constant border disputes.
...but there were times of serenity
...and then there were other residents or should I say 'the staff'.
...a pleasant couple of days in a different county.
However, day 2 to Brownsea Island was altogether difeerent and whilst I decided not to hump 8lbs of glass around with me the 100/400mm just about sufficed. It was VERY hot so I had mixed feelings when I chanced upon a Nightjar.
Here is a taster but dappled light and heat haze did nothing to enhance my record shots!
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| Big yawn!! It just shows the catching ability of this crepuscular species |
...but there were times of serenity
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| Sandwich Tern...not at war! |
...and then there were other residents or should I say 'the staff'.
...a pleasant couple of days in a different county.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
Pagham Spit first thing this morning produced a Spotted Flycatcher....I can't recall having seen one of these before on the spit! A Willow Warbler was feeding avidly after the channel crossing and a single male Wheatear was on the Saltmarsh. Little else showed up but the Red Legged Partridges were being very noisy and could be heard the other side of the Little Lagoon on the beach. The Swan is still sitting on her nest on New Island.
I emptied the moth trap and although common I think these two are really magnificent...
Who said moths are boring!
Later in the day I made my way to Marlpit Lane just over the border in Hampshire and was amazed at the variety of species in a very small area....Nightingales, Lesser Whitethroat, Turtle Doves seen and heard 'purring' ; but I didn't find the Nightjar photographed a few weeks ago by Dave Potter (he was just jammy! ).
Well worth another visit sometime.
I emptied the moth trap and although common I think these two are really magnificent...
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| Cream-spot Tiger |
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| Angle shades |
Later in the day I made my way to Marlpit Lane just over the border in Hampshire and was amazed at the variety of species in a very small area....Nightingales, Lesser Whitethroat, Turtle Doves seen and heard 'purring' ; but I didn't find the Nightjar photographed a few weeks ago by Dave Potter (he was just jammy! ).
Well worth another visit sometime.
Monday, May 21, 2012
North Wall treats!
A mid- morning visit to check to see if the Glossy Ibis was still on the Breach Pool proved unexpectedly productive. Initially it was a Tufted Duck on the water, a fine male Reed Bunting in the reeds and a couple of Common Terns fishing and displaying.
...but then I met up with Dave Potter who had been looking for the ibis since the early hours with no joy.
We were scanning the sky when three Buzzards came in from the harbour....but were they? Eagle eyed Dave queried my call and sure enough one was an Osprey! As we both panicked to get the cameras trained on the bird, it virtually flew in front of the sun and almost over the top of our tripods so photography was not easy and by the time we were 'set up' the Osprey was heading over Honer Farm and out of range. A few grab shots and a little bit of tickling up in photshop and these are the results.
. As we wandered back towards the Salthouse we saw a Roe Deer with a very young fawn the other side of Breach Pool. It seemed to be a very recent arrival and mother was licking it from time to time...
We were scanning the sky when three Buzzards came in from the harbour....but were they? Eagle eyed Dave queried my call and sure enough one was an Osprey! As we both panicked to get the cameras trained on the bird, it virtually flew in front of the sun and almost over the top of our tripods so photography was not easy and by the time we were 'set up' the Osprey was heading over Honer Farm and out of range. A few grab shots and a little bit of tickling up in photshop and these are the results.
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| Osprey with decent size Mullet |
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| aaargh! |
Sunday, May 20, 2012
A bit of a mixture.
A pair of Swans flew overhead....
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| ...always a great sight and sound! |
..and then a little later in the morning another flypast...
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| ...a VC10 with tornadoes |
A wander around the spit in the evening and more fishermen with dog on the Church Norton spit within the fenced nesting area!
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