http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com en-gb marksukwildlifephotos.com 2012-5-9T00:00:00Z marksukwildlifephotos.com http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#117995 This bank Holiday I visited a couple of RSPB reserves of contrasting habitat. The first reserve Winterbourne Downs is situated on Salisbury Plain. Its a relatively new reserve recently acquired by the RSPB and a genuine working farm. They have set it up specifically to help farmland birds none more important than the Stone Curlew which I hoped to see. When I arrived I decided to follow the long trail across a meadow full of Cowslips and up through the small wood. There were plenty of Jackdaws and Rooks in the field and lots of Blue Tits and Dunnocks in the hedgerow . As I entered the wood Chiff Chaffs could be heard along with other common woodland birds. By the old railway line they have left the bramble which is full of Blackcaps and Whitethroats. Then I sat for an hour by the set a side part of a stony field to see my target bird the Stone Curlew. And thats roughly how long it took before I saw a couple swap nest duties. Well worth it.Pulborough Brooks was a totally different t... 2012-5-9 18:39:03 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#117567 Just back from a trip to Tresco last week where I had a nice view of my first Glossy Ibis . Unfortunately I had forgotten to take my DSLR with me so I had to make do with the old compact. This was a bit of pain as it decided to spend all afternoon at the far side of the Abbey Pool making it extremely hard to get a decent picture. Still it was very nice to see and meant I could actually do some old fashioned birdwatching with just a pair of binoculars. It made a nice change not to be lumbered with lots of kit. As well as the Ibis there was a Pied Flycatcher seen in the Gardensa Golden Oriole on St Marys Hen Harrier on Bryherand a SEO on Tresco.In Penzance we had some nice views of a flock of Whimbrel which spent its time between the heliport and Marazion beach. And there were plenty of Wheatears passing through just about everywhere . In St Ives bay an afternoons sea watching gave some lovely views of Gannets fishing just outside of the harbour along with Fulmars and Kittewak... 2012-5-2 20:11:50 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#116267 Finally after waiting what seems like all winter I managed to grab a few photos of the Bullfinches that have been visiting the garden at Charlton .The weather was not good a typical bank holiday with rain coming down all day easter Monday and the light was poor too. So it was a case of opening up the aperture as far as possible and using a high film speed to try and get some sharpness in the photos. Even though the quality is not too good I was quite pleased with the end results and can live with the graininess. At the moment its just a single pair and they dont stay long feeding mostly on the sunflower hearts then disappearing into the hedge . Only to return half an hour later. It was a good weekend for finches as we had Green Gold Chaffinch and the Bullfinches all in the garden together. Next time I just need to have a better day and maybe a few Yellowhammers too. 2012-4-11 15:54:46 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#115816 On the local patch at Ickenham Marsh this last week there have been a pair of Buzzards showing an interest in the woods . Both birds were going through the display courtship and hopefully will nest in the area . This would most likely be the first time since the 1950s . So its fingers crossed.Lots of Blackcaps and Chiff Chaffs around too so the unusually warm weather has really got the summer migration under way.At Kensington Gardens the Tawny Owls are well ahead of the Buzzards and the Owlets should be popping out any day now.The the male is doing his usual routine of guard duty in between naps and preening. Also had some good views of the Little Owl in the park and they seem to be nesting just a stones throw away from the where the Tawnies are 2012-4-3 17:14:51 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#115144 Wyke Down and Martin Down on the WiltsDorset borders have been very good for raptors this winter. Short eared Owls and Great Grey Shrikes in particular have almost been performing like clock work. This last weekend produced some stunning views of both birds different hunting techniques . One gracefully quatering the area the other sitting on the nearest wire or bush .Later that evening we attended the Gillingham RSPB Group meeting . An excellent talk by writer and broadcaster Stephen Moss was the main event.Followed by a question and answers session where Stephen spoke about Springwatch and over TV shows he had been involved in.His future projects include a new TV show with Bill Oddie . Lots of summer migrants turned up this weekend too with several Chiff Chaff heard around Charlton and Ospreys seen passing through Poole . Looks like spring migration is well under way now and its quite nice to still have the winter birds hanging around as they arrive. 2012-3-22 21:07:04 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#114448 This is the tale of a doubting Thomas for had I of known what was happening this weekend I would of been ready with my camera. Birdguides had reports from all over the country this Sunday of Black Redstarts moving to their breeding grounds. Staying with my partner in Wiltshire I do not tend to get too excited when she says she has seen an unusual bird.For invariably after Ive dashed to get my binoculars for a closer look at what Ive been told was a strange grey bird nearly always turns out to be a Dunnock. However I should of learnt my lesson as in the past Red Breasted Mergansers have been identified as Cormorants and so on.Anyway this Sunday afternoon as I was filling up the bird feeders of all things there was a Black Redstart sitting on the garden gate . It was no doubt after a long tiring migration waiting to have a peck at the fatballs or feed on the many insects that were about in the sunshine yesterday . Either that or it was just having a good laugh at my... 2012-3-12 16:37:47 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#113939 Winter returned with a Vengeance this weekend biting cold winds and rain battered the south west over Saturday evening and Sunday morning.By the late afternoon things had started to improve and like me the birds were making the most of the breaks in the weather. I decide to go to Wyke Down a good winter raptor watch point on the North Dorset South Wilts border.Its well known in the area for over wintering raptors and owls and Ive had some good luck here in the past its also quite handy as you can bird watch from the comfort of your car if the weather is bad.It turned out to be a good call as we drove up the lane a young Great Grey Shrike gave some nice views . He was sitting on the phone lines while hunting in between the rain showers. Over the weekend there were reports of two Shrikes in the area plus Short eared Owls and a pair of Hen Harriers.If your lucky as well as the above on a good day you can also see Buzzards Kestrel Sparrowhawk Red Kite Peregrine and Merlin which are q... 2012-3-5 15:44:29 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#113461 Very mild weather this weekend and temperatures were at 15oc and even higher in direct sunlight.Lots of activity at the Buzzard nesting area with both birds spiralling and displaying well . Didnt see the sandpipers this weekend but had some nice views of large flocks of Yellowhammers again.And also had Bullfinches across the road but they wouldnt come in the garden as Id hoped for.Still the warm weather has brought all the plantlife on after the cold snow of a few weeks ago. The lanes are fall of Snowdrops and Crocus and a few Aconites.These are not strictly wildflowers more of an introduced plant which generally flowers just before Galanthus nivalis Snowdrops and is arguably the first true Spring flower of the year. Its well naturalised in the Uk landscape now. Typically its found in shady or wooded areas in the wild throughout England and Scotland and its making it extremely pretty when you take a stroll down the lanes for a quick spot of birding. The adult... 2012-2-27 19:51:30 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#112996 After a painful morning session with the Dentist today I went to the Surrey Wildlife Trust reserve at Papercourt Meadows in search of Short Eared Owls. Luckily I was shown around the site by local birder and friend Colin Greenwood . He took me around the site and we manged to see plenty of birds before the Owls showed . We had a good view of a Goosander as it flew over head then a couple of very close Snipe . This was followed by huge flocks of over flying Fieldfare and Jackdaws . We then had some very close up views of Roe deer which seemed quite unnerved by people . Colin predicted that the Owls would show up after wed seen the Kestrel display and sure enough right on queue at 5pm precisely they did.A great tonic for some numb gums. 2012-2-21 19:55:57 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#112902 At the weekend I had a great mornings birding on the way to the Store in Ludwell. The highlight was a view of a Peregrine hunting the fields at the foot of Win Green.There are large flocks of Lapwing and Golden Plover here as well as even larger flocks of Fieldfare and Redwing I would guess these are the favoured prey at the moment . Even though Peregrines are now not that hard to see and can be found nesting in most of our major towns and cities its still a top ten bird to see on the wing. I also saw at least 50 to 100 Red Kites last week in Maidenhead just off the A4O4 circling above a housing estate. It would appear someone is feeding them or they are attracted in some way to this area . Whatever the case may be it was an incredible sight . To help Birds of Prey please take a look at the News page and sign the epetition .Killing birds of prey is completely unacceptable under any circumstances. 2012-2-20 16:38:27 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#112487 Lots of Owls around this weekend the Barn Owls are still in the barn sitting out the cold weather. Tawny Owls were calling at 6am in the morning along the Lane . And Little Owls were doing the same by Peckons Hill farm. In London I went in search of the Tawnies in Kensington Gardens but they were not showing too cold I suppose. Did have a lovely view of a Woodcock though flew around a few times and right over the Peter Pan statue. Very nice. 2012-2-14 16:30:41 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#111924 This weekends snow was not good for everyone but it did give me some excellent views of a large flock of Golden Plover in the fields at the bottom of Win Green in Wilts. I estimate it at about 500 birds with just as many Lapwings . The cold snowy weather seems to of pushed a lot of birds further south seeking warmer temperatures . Last week these birds were not around and the flocks of Redwing Fieldfare and mixed Finches also seem to of increased . Towards Ludwell there was a flock of about 100 Yellowhammer and another mixed flock of Chaffinch and Goldfinch . There were also large flocks of Linnets in the fields with the Golden Plover. An excellent day of Winter Birding rounded off with the usual glimpse of the Barn Owl. 2012-2-6 16:47:31 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#111437 Back in Wiltshire at the weekend. On the local patch here there are quite a few large flocks of Yellowhammers Goldfinches and Linnets in the field margins . Also lots of nest building by the Rooks and pair bonding by the Ravens over the hills. Green Sandpipers doing the same thing over the watercress beds by Ludwell . I had some nice views of Grey Wagtails here too. I checked up on the Barn Owls both adults sitting on the nest box now so looks like they are ready for another successful year. Plenty of Tawny Owl activity still going on during the evening but havent seen or heard the Little Owls for a while now. There were also reports of Short Eared Owls on Win Green and a Hen Harrier. 2012-1-30 17:09:23 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#111218 Had a quick stroll around the local patch at Ickenham Marsh this afternoon. Seems to be an increase in the numbers of Redwing and Fieldfare these last few weeks. A good couple hundred of both were gathering to roost in the scrub. Also a nice few of a Sparrowhawk being chased away from them by a couple of Carrion Crows. 2012-1-26 16:55:48 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#110995 Popped in after work to see if the Tawny Owl chicks are showing yet. No sign but a nice view of one of the parents. Wont be long . 2012-1-23 15:47:40 http://www.marksukwildlifephotos.com/page10.htm#110993 A nice day weather wise but not the usual number of Winter ducks about as in previous years. Only saw a few golden Eye and 1 female Smew. Lovely view of a pair of Red Kites displaying made up for it though. Meet a fellow birder who told me a nasty rumour about some of the lakes along this area namely Broadwater Lake. Apparently the HS2 may go right through here. Hope its not true. 2012-1-23 15:36:55