Monday 26 May 2014

Back on patch and a photography present :-)


Pictures first for a change :-)

Swallow

Garden Warbler

An intent looking Little Owl

Large Red Damselfly

Mediterranean Gull
The patch has been neglected over the past couple of weeks, so the list has no doubt suffered, I know I have missed another Red Kite at least! I did manage to add 4 HOUSE MARTINS (82) at the end of a guided walk back on the May 12th. Since coming back from Suffolk, I have managed a couple of walks, a CUCKOO (83) calling early on the 23rd was good, I was starting to wonder if I would get one on the patch this year. On Saturday from the house a couple of MEDITERRANEAN GULLS flew north and seemed to go down nearby. A walk Sunday morning produced 47 species which included KINGFISHER, LITTLE OWL, COAL TIT, a singing REED BUNTING. I also came across a family of NUTHATCHES and found a second nest with young in being fed regularly. The highlight was finally finding SPOTTED FLYCATCHER (84) although just one which is slightly worrying as we normally have at least three pairs here. There were a few Damsels and Dragons around, Beautiful Demoiselle, Blue tailed Damselfly, Large Red and Azure as well as well as a Four Spotted Chaser and several Downy Emeralds. Butterflies were scarce though with  just an Orange Tip, Brimstone and about 4 Common Blues. Back at home and 11 MED GULLS dropped into a field opposite us giving a chance for a couple of pics.

On Friday I attended a photography course that my Wife bought for me for my birthday back in December. The course was on how to take pictures of birds in flight and how to set-up etc.. It was a really enjoyable day and not sure how much I retained from the day but certainly it was good practice and I did use a different set-up to the one I normally use and will give it a go in the coming weeks. Here are a few results from the day......











6 comments:

Warren Baker said...

Good to see you back out on the patch, hard at it alan :-)

Looks like the Photography course could pay dividends!

Marc Heath said...

Some nice birds present Alan. Keep up the photography Alan, the more times you press that shutter button, the easier it might get......... or not!

Mike Attwood said...

That day certainly wasn't a waste of time Alan.

Karen the Artist said...

Great photos - love the first Owl shot, great action!

Helma said...

You swallow with food is a great picture as the garden warbler, but your stone owl I find really beautiful. Also a Red-eyed Damselfly and I have not seen yet unfortunately this year. Beautiful pictures of birds of prey and owls. Beautifully photographed.
My compliments Alan.

Unknown said...

"Sissinghurst Birds etc..." has been included in our Sites To See #379. Be assured that we hope this helps to point many new visitors in your direction.

http://asthecrackerheadcrumbles.blogspot.com/2014/06/sites-to-see-379.html