Tuesday 7 February 2012

Feb 7th

Another good selection of species today, the highlight for me was the male SPARROWHAWK that flew through low, with it's wings catching the light as it almost appeared to dance nimbly through the trees, it did two or three circles before settling briefly then disappearing. That was early on in the walk I had already seen a couple of MARSH TITS and a NUTHATCH before I headed across to Roundshill wood. CROSSBILLS called but I couldn't find them and the first SISKIN for about a week flew over, I decided to stand and wait to see what else might come passed, there were a few LONG TAILED TITS and GOLDCRESTS, I could also hear GREEN and GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS, they were eventually seen briefly. Sparrowhawks figured again before I left the wood this time 2 of them chasing through the trees then drifting up over the wood and out of sight.
Redpoll

Blue Tit


A KINGFISHER was heard as it flew below the rim of the steep sided stream, then I came across another small flock of feeding birds just 2 Marsh Tits, several BLUE TITS and 2 TREECREEPERS but they stayed around long enough for a few more photos.
Treecreeper


Marsh Tit

Heading back the LAPWINGS had increased from 3 yesterday to 5 today and a small group of MEADOW PIPITS foraged in the sheep trails. Lastly a REDWING finally posed long enough to get a couple of pics.
Meadow Pipit

Redwing

21 comments:

Warren Baker said...

You do well for Crossbills Alan, wish they would visit me a bit more often !

Lots of fantastic photo's today again, like the Marsh Tit best I think :-) My lone regular wintering Marsh Tit failed to turn up this winter, so I doubt i'll get one at all this year now :-(

Marc Heath said...

Great set of shots Alan,the Marsh Tits are brilliant.

Simon said...

Brilliant photos Alan! I love the Redpoll, catkin, and Marsh Tits ones especially. Well done with the Crossbills! Nice to see you recording Kingfisher, a bird once so common in Mote Park now a rarity because to the past few winters.

Mike H said...

Well Alan you probably know waht i will write and yes you are right. Those photos are getting better by the day and the ones of the Marsh Tit leave me green with envy.Well done mate!

Anonymous said...

What can i say, Alan, other than another set of superb shots.

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Warren, thanks, the Crossbills have become a bit more regular over the last couple of years or I'm just picking the call up better than before :-)?

Hi Marc, thanks, I enjoyed watching the Marsh Tits.

Hi Simon, thanks, the Kingfisher has been tricky so far but two records in less than a week, hopefully bodes well.

Hi Mike, thanks, I'm hoping you get here in good light to get some these little beauties :-)

Hi Dean, thanks, I enjoyed taking pics today especially when the Marsh Tits weren't worried about e being there.

Greenie said...

Alan ,
Nothing left for me to say .
Brilloiant shots , well done indeed .

Unknown said...

Alan, bonitas fotos y muy variadas especies. Saludos!!

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Greenie, thanks, it was a nice walk in good light for a change :-)

Hi Ramon, thank you, there was a good selection of species out and about today.

ShySongbird said...

A lovely set of photos, Alan! The ones of the Marsh Tit are beautiful.

It was nice to see the Redpoll too, I never seem to find any here!

Rohrerbot said...

Lovely captures! I've never seen a Redpoll before so today was a first and an addition to birds to see in other places. Thanks for stopping by. It was an incredible night last night and I hope to hike this area again. Lots of birds all around....

Marianne said...

Gorgeous photos, and very springlike - until you reach the Mipit :)

Brian King said...

Gorgeous shots, Alan! The lighting is great and and they're nice and close. Wonderful job!

Giga said...

Prześliczne zdjęcia ptaków. Gratuluję :-).Pozdrawiam. *** Lovely pictures of birds. Congratulations :-). Regards.

Friend of HK said...

Beautiful set of captures! The Blue tit looks so cute! Greetings from Hong Kong.

Fotokarusellen said...

Stunning! This is really beautiful photo work. Bravo!

(I have tried for days to be a follower, but there is something wrong with my profile when I am trying to follow your blog. As someone else said: I will be back)

Alan Pavey said...

Hi ShySongbird, thank you, we had a good start to the winter for Redpolls but they have dispersed a bit lately.

Hi Marianne, thank you, I would like to say it felt spring like but I would be stretching the truth!!

Hi BJK, thank you, the light really helped today.

Hi Giga, thank you and thank you for taking the time to visit my blog :-)

Hi Friend of HK, thank you, the Blue Tit was being quite inquisitive.

Hi Fotokarusellen, thank you for your kind comments, I hope you come back, I'm having trouble with a few things on blogger too.

Giga said...

Bardzo się cieszę, że trafiłam do Ciebie, będę oglądać Twoje ptaki, a Ty u mnie "różne kawałki" przyrody, ptaki też - jak mi się uda im zrobić zdjęcia :-). Nie mniejsza radość też jest, że byłeś w Polsce i chyba sporo zobaczyłeś z mojego pięknego kraju. Pozdrawiam bardzo ciepło. *** I am very happy that I came to you, I'll see your birds, and you in me, "various pieces" of nature, birds, too - as I will take pictures of them :-). There is also less than happy that you were in Poland and probably saw a lot of my beautiful country. Yours very warm.

J said...

Lovely selection, Alan. I,too, like that Marsh Tit close-up best! Have been trying to get some photos of one here, but can't even see one, never mind get any pictures!

Alan Pavey said...

Hi Giga, thank you, I look forward to visiting your blog again.

Hi Jeremy, thank you, I'm quite lucky here for Marsh Tits, it was estimated we had 8-10 pairs last year.

Polaris said...

Felicitaciones por el blog y por las fotos tan buenos. Saludos