It's that time again, the annual RSPB Big Garden Birdwatch and I'm glad it wasn't any earlier because up to this weekend we've hardly had anything in the garden at all for months. Yesterday morning the garden suddenly burst into life but with things to do my hours stint at the window had to wait until today.
Sadly the lovely sunshine yesterday was today replaced with dull n grey so not picture this time around. Happily all the birds that arrived yesterday came back for an encore today, here's the full run down:
14 Starlings
10 Collared Doves
4 Blackbirds
3 Greenfinch
3 Goldfinch
3 Bullfinch
2 Blue Tits
2 House Sparrows
2 Chaffinch
2 Coal Tits
1 Robin
1 Wren
After the count we headed off to RSPB Old Moor in the hope of sunny spells and a Kingfisher, not to be unfortunately but we did see our first ever Redwing so not a bad day :-)
Sunday, 29 January 2012
Sunday, 15 January 2012
Yorkshire Wildlife Park
We had a lovely time over at Yorkshire Wildlife Park last weekend, with the colder weather both the Tigers and Lions were much more active than they are in the warmer months. The tigers Vladimir and Sayan will hopefully be getting together later this month to do their bit for the breeding programme, it would be lovely to see some tiger cubs in the future. Something else to look forward to will be the appearance of the Leopards which should be in time for Easter.
Vladimir - Amur / Siberian Tiger
Sayan - Amur / Siberian Tigress
Vladimir - Amur / Siberian Tiger
Sayan - Amur / Siberian Tigress
Lioness
Lioness
Lion
Grey Squirrel
Friday, 6 January 2012
RSPB Old Moor
I can't tell you how good the new photography hide is at RSPB Old Moor, the birds are really close and the light is much better than it was before. The best time is in the morning after the food has just been put out and before the light moves away during the afternoon.
With so much to see in the bird garden and at Tree Sparrow Farm we didn't venture any further, well just a shot walk to the wildlife pond to see if we could find the elusive Kingfisher which is seen almost every day. Sadly not, I think we're going to stake it out one day having never seen one here before.
On with the pictures then, starting with those wonderful Bullfinch...
The weather isn't looking too bad this weekend, well not as wes as it has been anyway, hope everyone has a good one!
With so much to see in the bird garden and at Tree Sparrow Farm we didn't venture any further, well just a shot walk to the wildlife pond to see if we could find the elusive Kingfisher which is seen almost every day. Sadly not, I think we're going to stake it out one day having never seen one here before.
On with the pictures then, starting with those wonderful Bullfinch...
Female Bullfinch
Male Bullfinch
Greenfinch
Reed Bunting
Chaffinch
Robin
Long Tailed Tits
Tree Sparrow
Great Tit
Blue Tit
Goldfinch
The weather isn't looking too bad this weekend, well not as wes as it has been anyway, hope everyone has a good one!
Monday, 2 January 2012
The Female Of The Species
Looking back at my Sparrowhawk images over the years I had noticed they had all been males. To let in the new year yesterday we had our first ever female Sparrowhawk. Not the greatest image with the rain lashing against the kitchen window but it's a nice comparison with the male, a bit bigger, more brown, white eye stripe and generally looks more fierce!
We did finally escape the house today, more on that next time.
We did finally escape the house today, more on that next time.
Sunday, 1 January 2012
Happy New Year 2012
For the first time in as long a I can remember I have no hangover on New Years Day having took it very steady last night with the intention of popping down to RSPB Old Moor for our first wildlife fix of the year. Disappointingly the early clear skies have given way to the usual wet n windy so it'll have to wait for another day, hopefully tomorrow.
The garden has been very quiet through most of the year, maybe due to us having to cut back on feeding following a nightmare 2008, 2009 and 2010. However things are picking up and the garden now sports nyger seed, biscuits, peanuts, mixed seed, fat balls, suet blocks and sunflower hearts. The birds are being very slow to return, possibly due to the mild winter so far, hopefully things will pick up soon, especially as Garden Birdwatch is fast approaching.
I'm also thinking of joining the year round BTO Garden Birdwatch for my Birthday which is also fast approaching, again!
One bird we have seen a lot of in 2011 is the Sparrowhawk, almost always in the same spot on the fence just outside the kitchen window. How I've not broken my neck sprinting for the camera numerous times I don't know. Yesterday I had just put the big lens on the camera so managed a few handheld shots through the window when he appeared once again.
I also had a dabble with video again yesterday which I tried at the beginning of last year but abandoned after being unable to find a decent free video editor. I've now found that the latest version of Picasa which I use for all my photo editing now edits video too. I'll be trying my hardest to remember that video button on the camera this year year.
So with the rain pouring down outside there's nothing more to do but snuggle up on the sofa and wish you all the best for 2012.
Paul & Debbie :-)
The garden has been very quiet through most of the year, maybe due to us having to cut back on feeding following a nightmare 2008, 2009 and 2010. However things are picking up and the garden now sports nyger seed, biscuits, peanuts, mixed seed, fat balls, suet blocks and sunflower hearts. The birds are being very slow to return, possibly due to the mild winter so far, hopefully things will pick up soon, especially as Garden Birdwatch is fast approaching.
I'm also thinking of joining the year round BTO Garden Birdwatch for my Birthday which is also fast approaching, again!
One bird we have seen a lot of in 2011 is the Sparrowhawk, almost always in the same spot on the fence just outside the kitchen window. How I've not broken my neck sprinting for the camera numerous times I don't know. Yesterday I had just put the big lens on the camera so managed a few handheld shots through the window when he appeared once again.
I also had a dabble with video again yesterday which I tried at the beginning of last year but abandoned after being unable to find a decent free video editor. I've now found that the latest version of Picasa which I use for all my photo editing now edits video too. I'll be trying my hardest to remember that video button on the camera this year year.
So with the rain pouring down outside there's nothing more to do but snuggle up on the sofa and wish you all the best for 2012.
Paul & Debbie :-)
Wednesday, 28 December 2011
Out For A Wobble
A belated Merry Christmas and an early Happy New Year to all. I had every intention of posting before the big day but as is usual these days, time was never on my side.
Today was the first time I've managed to get out for quite a while with all the festivities to prepare for. I've been for awalk wobble round Westwood Country Park near Sheffield, lots to see including a Kestrel, hovering just in front of me, against a brilliant blue sky and beautifully lit while the camera decided this would be the perfect time to play the hunt for focus game!
Here's the full list of our feathered friends that made and appearance: Black Headed Gull, Jackdaw, Collared Dove, Blackbird (lots), Magpie, Starling, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Cormorant (first for here), Grey Heron, Wren, Kestrel, Carrion Crow and last but definitely not least a Goldcrest.
What did I manage to get a picture of? I give you ....... a Grey Squirrel!
My Sigma 70-300 is now in the naughty corner where it will stay until Summer when there might actually be enough light to make it play nicely!
Today was the first time I've managed to get out for quite a while with all the festivities to prepare for. I've been for a
Here's the full list of our feathered friends that made and appearance: Black Headed Gull, Jackdaw, Collared Dove, Blackbird (lots), Magpie, Starling, Woodpigeon, House Sparrow, Blue Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit, Cormorant (first for here), Grey Heron, Wren, Kestrel, Carrion Crow and last but definitely not least a Goldcrest.
What did I manage to get a picture of? I give you ....... a Grey Squirrel!
My Sigma 70-300 is now in the naughty corner where it will stay until Summer when there might actually be enough light to make it play nicely!
Monday, 28 November 2011
Rivelin Valley
Not last weekend but the one before that we had a walk along Rivelin Valley in Sheffield following the River Rivelin. No Dippers and a Grey Waigtail was a bit too fast for the available light but the lovely Autumn colours more than made up for it.
Not sure if that's a one legged Robin or if he's just keeping a leg warm, he was very confiding either way.
Not sure if that's a one legged Robin or if he's just keeping a leg warm, he was very confiding either way.
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