What's been around - April 2015

Yellowhammer

A few weeks ago, we went up Challow Hill to see if we could find a Yellowhammer.  The further we went up, the more common they were.  It took a while to get close enough to this one to get a good photograph.  Yellowhammers are a beautiful bird to photograph. 

Linnet

About a week ago, we went to Portland to see what was around the island.  When we were walking down to the Bill, we saw a Linnet on a bramble swaying around in the wind.  When the bramble eventually stayed still I managed to get a picture.

Dartford Warbler

Recently, we went out on Middlebere Heath to see if we could get a picture of a Dartford Warbler. We didn't see one for a while but eventually we saw one perch up and then dip back down into the gorse.  We waited for it to come back up and soon enough it did.  Bit of a scruffy tail but the bird perched up nicely.

Pheasant

A few days ago, we went to Swyre Head to see if we could get a photo of a Pheasant.  It wasn't looking good at first because we couldn't actually see any for a while.  Right at the end of the walk, there was one sat on its own in a field.  I managed to get close enough to get this headshot of the bird.  You can see the lovely markings on its chest and head.

Another Gull at Radipole - 27th March 2015

Bonaparte's Gull

On Friday, there were reports in the morning that there was a Bonaparte's Gull at Radipole Lake. Now this wasn't the first sighting around Weymouth recently, there was one at Ferry Bridge about three weeks ago which then came to Radipole a week later, but it is the same one. In the afternoon, I was leisurely walking out of school and when I got in the car, Dad told me about the gull and in no less than 40 minutes, we were there. We hurried down the Buddleia loop having heard that the bird was still there. At first, we couldn't see it but when we went a little bit further, we could. It was making acrobatic turns and fly pasts about 10 to 20 metres away. Bonaparte's Gulls come from North America are very rare in Dorset, this is the first for over 30 years.

Bonaparte's Gull

Considering that it was a dull grey day, we didn't spend long taking photos but these were the best I got. For much better photos when the bird was at Radipole previously, go to Peter Moore's blog and scroll down until you get to the title: Waiting for a gull like you...

Finally! - 8th February 2015

Tufted Duck

After a whole year of trying to see the pesky Bearded Tits at Radipole Lake, the deadlock was broken when we had great views today. When we arrived on the off chance that they would be there, to our astonishment they were hanging around in between the shadow of the Visitor Centre and the sunlight. But unfortunately they kept feeding in the shadow. To pass some time I decided to take some pictures of a Tufted Duck.

Bearded Tit

After impatiently waiting for a while, the Bearded Tits eventually started to work their way over into the sunlight. However this was the start of another problem, the wind which was blowing like mad outside the shield of the Visitor Centre. With the reeds moving and the birds facing the wrong way, it took a while to get the right shot but I finally got it.

Bearded Tit

Here's another one of the best pics but not quite as good as the first one.

The Year List - January 2015

This year I have decided to try and photograph as many bird species as I can in a year.  The only rule is that you have to be able to identify the bird in the picture.  Here's a few of my favourites so far....

Oystercatcher

The Oystercatcher was in Poole Harbour, off Shore Road.

Teal

Mallard

When Radipole is in sunlight it can be a real treat. Here's a Teal and a Mallard that were close to the bridge.

Great Tit

This Great Tit was in the scrub by the car park at Durlston.

Pick your pic! - 4th Jaunary 2015

As 2014 has ended I thought I would follow in the steps of Peter Moore and write a 2014 best pictures blog. Please leave a comment at the bottom if possible to say which is your favorite pic.

Red Kite

This Red Kite picture was taken in Oxfordshire up on the Downs. We walked along the edge of a field to find the bird soaring over our heads. Of course, sports mode (a setting on the camera) is the only option for flight shots so the sound of gunfire came from the camera. This may have not appeared on the blog in the past but it is a worthy contender.

Emperor Dragonfly 

Now this may not be a bird but it shows how a female Emperor Dragonfly lays its eggs in the Portland Bird Observatory pond. This was taken earlier in the year in August when we stayed three nights at Portland.

Redshank

When we were in Keyhaven, we saw a Redshank on the mud during our walk that just looked liked it wanted a picture. And sure enough he got a good one. So this one is a competitor.

Common Tern

This Common Tern appeared in the blog quite a while back in June when we were walking along the sea front at Weymouth when this specimen popped up on top of a groyne post. Took a bit of sneaking up, but eventually got the shot.

Yellowhammer

Finally, but by no means least, this Yellowhammer was at Challow Hill, near Corfe Castle. It was a long way up the hill but definitely worth the effort as they are such amazing birds.

I would just would like to remind you that it would be great if you could comment on your favourite pic if possible. Thank you for taking the time to read my blog in 2014 and the posts will keep coming! Please comment if you can!

In the Shadows - 13th December 2014

Barred Warbler

Barred Warbler

We got up early to try and see this Barred Warbler in all its glory, out in the open in the Portland Bird Obs garden, feeding on apple segments. The bird is an immature, and therefore not in its best plumage, but still a nice bird to see. However, the conditions weren't the best, gloomy and dull and the bird was in the shadows. It was showing very well, so I took plenty of pictures; hopefully my best ones are on here!

Barred Warbler

The sun coming out didn't really help because it came from where we were pretty much facing so the light wasn't very good. But it helped in the way that there was actually some form of a light source.

Robin

The light did, however create an interesting sky with a silhouette of a Robin according to Dad, but I'm not convinced! But thought I would show you anyway. When the the sun was rising, a Kestrel flew into the sunrise which looked rather nice.

Kestrel

One place to another - 29th November 2014

Redshank

We went out to Keyhaven to see what was around and we weren't let down. From Reed Buntings to Brent Geese it was sure to be a good day. There was so much about that Dad said he wouldn't want to do a WeBS count here. Half way down the sea wall route that we took a Redshank was on the mud almost begging for a photo.

Reed Bunting

At the end of the sea wall we were rewarded by great views of a female Reed Bunting that came out and perched beautifully on the top of the reed. Nice to see and photograph a lovely coloured and elusive bird.

Turnstone

On our way up to the stony beach there were lots of Turnstones feeding in the mud. Trying to get the right angle on them with the light behind proved to be a bit of a challenge though. Unfortunately the eye glint was too hard to capture. This is the best shot though.

Brent Goose

Brent Goose

When we got to the top of the beach we could see a Brent Goose out perfectly in the light so I went down the slope to see if I could get a shot. And I managed to get two good shots with eye glints! This is my first good shot of a Brent.

Hawfinch

After we had walked back, we went to a nearby Hawfinch site to see if we could get a snap of this chunky billed bird. After being there for a while we met up with a gentlemen who had seen them eight times in a row, this was reassuring. But the birds didn't want to come out. However when we were on the brink of giving up, a gentleman spotted some movement in the top of the tree so we headed over. And there it was, right at the top of a far away tree against a little sunlight. Not ideal conditions but thought I'd give it a go and this is what I got.