Local Observations - 14th to 23rd September, 2023

Header image (while this post is current) - Snipe - Kelham Bridge on 15th September, 2023 

This post, mostly prepared before our departure to the Isles of Scilly, takes my account of my local obesrvations up to the day we departed. It will be a relatively short one when compared to my previous two posts.

Thursday, 14th September          Garden

The male Sparrowhawk was making increasingly frequent visits to the garden. The overall effect was that the number of birds visiting the garden was dropping significantly - through their avoidance of the predator, rather than actual predation. Here was one of its visits on this day

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) (male) - our garden

Friday, 15th September          Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve  :  Garden

An on-line friend had seen and photographed a Grass Snake at Kelham Bridge NR. I am rather fond of snakes so decided that this day, which was quite bright and sunny after some very wet weather,  would be a good time to visit and see if I had any luck.

I arrived at the parking area and nearly gave up there and then as there were already eight cars parked there. I usually find somewhere between zero and two cars when I get there. I decided to risk it anyway, thinking the cars might belong to dog-walkers or to members of a work-party.

Just through the gate,  I stopped to photograph a Common Darter.

Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) (female) - Kelham Bridge NR

Half way along the path to the first hide, I met a camera-porting fellow who advised me that the second hide was rammed full with people hoping to photograph Kingfisher and Grass Snake, but that they were seeing nothing and were unlikely to because of all the noise and vibration coming from the hide. He advised me to go to the first hide where there was some action, albeit at a distance, and that there was only a lady photographer there. This proved to be sound advice.

I arrived at the hide to find it just as he'd said, and parked myself on the left-hand side, where I had a good view of the right-hand edge of the pool in front of the hide.

A Moorhen was dabbling in front of the hide.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

 A Snipe was showing well in the same area.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Kelham Bridge NR

Two Green Sandpipers were in front of the hide too. They were soon joined by another Snipe. I have often wondered how the 'green' aspect of the name originated, but can find no reference to this.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

A Snipe had a preening session which resulted in a wonderful spray of water. I tried to video this after taking these stills, but the action was not repeated.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Kelham Bridge NR

A Heron came into view from behind the island.

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) - Kelham Bridge NR

I now realise that I have a fascination with Snipe, as I cannot resist photographing them, so here is another shot.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Kelham Bridge NR

I also got some better shots of Green Sandpiper, although they remained a little too distant for good results.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

I'd been in the hide for about an hour and the person that had been in the hide when I arrived had departed about half an hour previously and gone to try her luck in the second hide. I thought that it was time that I did likewise, hoping to see some dragonflies on the trail between the two hides. In the event, I only found a few more Common Darters. 

The second hide was absolutely full, with people standing and waiting for a turn at the windows. There was a lot of conversation going on too. It seems that there was nothing on view except a couple of Mute Swans. I didn't bother trying to enter but exchanged a few pleasantries with people I knew there before departing after a couple of minutes.

Back at the first hide, I found it deserted and settled in for another session. Little happened, but I did get some more shots of Snipe, with two of them in the frame and then a record shot with four of them in frame.

Common Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Kelham Bridge NR

I took some shots of two Moorhen.

Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

For some reason, I decided to take some video. I was glad that I did as I find this clip quite amusing, as it seems to show a male attempting to mate with a female and then trying to look nonchalant having been rejected.

After a while, a group from the second hide arrived. Shortly after their arrival, Paul Burton (a thoroughly good guy that I have known for years) alerted us to a Water Rail starting to show at the end of the island. I just managed to raise my camera as it flew, and was lucky enough to get a shot.

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus) - Kelham Bridge NR

With the second hide now starting to fill, It was time for me to go.

A relaxed late-afternoon meal in our conservatory gave me the opportunity to photograph a Dunnock which was causing us some concern as it looked a little puffed up. It was also not very alert to human presence. It was not seen again after a few days later.

Dunnock (Prunella modularis) - our garden

Magpies are daily visitors as I write this, and have been observed seeing off the male Sparrowhawk!

Magpie (Pica pica) - our garden

Wednesday, 20th September          Garden

 

The male Sparrowhawk was continuing to be a threat to our avian visitors.

Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus) (male) - our garden

Thursday, 21st September          Garden

Jackdaws are usually quite timid visitors to our garden, departing at high speed as soon as they detect movement from the house. I was, therefore, extremely surprised when a Jackdaw landed on the outside windowsill of my study and peared at me from less than a metre away. It stayed there for some time, walking along the windowsill and looking in.

 

Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) - our garden

Saturday, 23rd September          Garden

 

Lindsay can always ID a Robin, even if it is only showing in silhouette or facing away from us. She says it's the legs that give it away. In the second image, below, taken from my study window, I can see what she means!

 

Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - our garden

 

All things being equal, my next blog post, probably in about a week's time, will feature the first part of my account of our recent adventures on the Isles of Scilly.

In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard

 

 

More 'Out & About' than 'Garden' - 15th to 21st February, 2023

With Lindsay's continuing improvement, I managed to get out more during this period than I have done since early December. However, I have still not ventured to anywhere further than 20 minutes away from home, although I sense that that is likely to change soon!

Wednesday, 15th February                    Saltersford Valley ; Garden

I had a late morning visit to Saltersford Valley Country Park this morning. I was pleased to find that the boardwalk had been repaired and was now safe and open once more - which bodes well for the dragonfly season when it starts! However, nothing of interest was seen from the boardwalk on this occasion.

Round by the second 'stockade' on the first lake a Coot was photographed on the water.

Coot (Fulica atra) - Saltersford Valley CP

A little further on, I had a view of a Black-headed Gull posing nicely on a post in the rusty water area of the first lake.

 

Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus) - Saltersford Valley CP

I then spent a pleasant time at the 'stockade' on the second (main) lake, although not much was seen. Here are a few items.

Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo) - from Saltersford Valley CP

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Saltersford Valley CP

Mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) (female) - Saltersford Valley CP

Early that afternoon, we had a garden visit from a Treecreeper. Some years we see a Treecreeper in the garden and some years we don't, so I was delighted that I'd gone out in the morning, rather than the afternoon which is currently more normal for me. The last of the three images shows that it was duly rewrded for its visit.

Treecreeper (Certhia familiaris) - garden on 15th February, 2023

At one point, I thought I might have glimpsed a second Treecreeper, but I suspect that it was a Wren impersonating one. It was certainly a 'Wrenny sort of day' - as witness, this next shot!

Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) - garden on 15th February, 2023

Saturday, 18th February                    Kelham Bridge

On this day, I had a return visit to Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve. This time I arrived to find I had company in the first hide. It was a gentleman who I instantly recognised, but couldn't put a name or location to. To my embarrassment, he clearly knew who I was and even where I lived! I regret that I didn't have the courage to ask his name. We did, nevertheless, have a most enjoyable conversation, and I was given some valuable advice about cameras that I might consider, as I said that I was probably moving away from Nikon.

After he departed, I started taking a few shots, concentrating mainly on the distant pair of Green Sandpipers. Sadly, they stayed at the far side of the water.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

As little else was happening, after a while I went on to the second hide, where I had the place to myself.

 

A pair of Mute Swan were on the bank near the hide.

 

Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - Kelham Bridge NR

A pair of Gadwall eventually came near enough to photograph.

 

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) (male + female) - Kelham Bridge NR

Two drake Teal briefly appeared in the far corner and then retreated out of sight almost immediately before I could even get a record shot.

 

I then called in back at the first hide, and the only thing to come before my camera was a female pheasant.

 

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (female) - Kelham Bridge NR

Shadows were deepening and it was time to leave.

 

Sunday, 19th February                    Hicks Lodge ; Thortit Lake ; Saltersford Valley

 

I decided to take a chance this day, and make a morning return visit to Hicks Lodge, in the full knowledge that it would be relatively busy with dog walkers, cyclists and children. I was glad I went, however, as I met my old pal Mick Smith and his wife there, busy with a WeBS (Wetland Bird Survey) Count. 

 

A flock of Lapwing were flying around. Mick reckoned there were about 60 of them, and I tried counting and came to the same conclusion. This is just part of the flock which was not in a particularly tight formation.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) - Hicks Lodge

Canada Geese usually give an audible warning before taking to the air, so I manged a shot of this one.

 

Canada Goose (Branta canadensis) - Hicks Lodge

Taking the trail along the western edge of the lake, a Coot was on the grass ahead of me. It seemed quite relaxed about my gentle approach until a child ran at it from the opposite direction.

 

Coot (Fulica atra) - Hicks Lodge

MIck told me that he had counted 20 Goosander present - several times - that morning. He was trying to come up with a higher number as the 'round 20' looked suspicious! I found that I had a distant but clearer view of some of these while standing at the north-west corner of the lake.

 

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (males + females) - Hicks Lodge

Driven by the thought that I might get better views of Goosander at Thortit Lake, which was only a short walk from where I'd parked my car, I set off for there.

 

I did find a pair of Goosander there that were somewhat closer than those at Hicks Lodge, and also a Great Crested Grebe.

 

Goosander (Mergus merganser) (female + male) -Thortit Lake

Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus) - Thortit Lake

I'd contacted Mick with a message to let him know of these birds at Thortit Lake, and Mick replied some time later to inform me that there was a Great White Egret hanging around Oakthorpe Flashes. Uncertain as to which part of this fairly extensive complex it might be on, I enquired back, and was given a good pointer. Our daughter was visiting that afternoon and as there was an extended period when she was in deep conversation with Lindsay, I took my leave and went to see if I could find the bird.

 

Five minutes later, I saw the bird as I drove past it in my car, turned round in Saltersford Valley CP car park, drove back up the road, parked, took some shots, and was back home again less than quarter of an hour after leaving.

 

The shots were straight into the late afternoon sun, but at least I saw the bird. I include the second shot because, every time I see a Great White Egret head-on with its neck fully extended, I can't help but wonder how the heck it manages to control such an appendage with any accuracy. It looks so ungainly!

Great White Egret (Ardea alba) - Saltersford Valley

Monday, 20th February                    Kelham Bridge

 

My main reasons for making return visits to Kelham Bridge Nature Reserve lately are twofold. Firstly, I find it very relaxing to sit in a hide and watch the world outside, even if there are not many birds or other wildlife, around. Secondly, as I have mentioned in a previous post, I am probably going to switch from being a Nikon camera user to being a mirrorless Canon user. In the past, the hides at Kelham Bridge have been busy with Canon users, most of whom seem to have gone 'mirrorless'. They're a friendly bunch of people and I have been wanting to hear their advice. However, these days, it seems that very few people are visitng Kelham Bridge.

 

This day I was lucky and, at the first hide, I was soon joined by the gentleman who, a a couple of weeks earlier, had given me the inspiration to go down the Canon route. He was using the exact same set-up that I was contemplating. I gleaned quite a bit more useful information and was even able to compare shots of the same subject taken with his set up and my current set up. The only aspect that I am not yet comfortable about is the image processing workflow - converting raw images to .jpg and experting them to a different folder with subject name appended to the filename. This I am currently investigating.

 

While I was in the first hide, an obliging Great Tit made a few appearances.

 

Great Tit (Parus major) - Kelham Bridge NR

The Pheasants were also keen to get in on the action.

 

Common Pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) (male) - Kelham Bridge NR

The two Green Sandpipers were still there, and this time came quite a bit closer than on my previous visit.

 

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus) - Kelham Bridge NR

While trying to photograph the Green Sandpipers, I noticed a Snipe had popped out of the reeds. It didn't stay long before popping back in again.

 

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago) - Kelham Bridge NR

At the second hide I was, once again, on my own for the duration. There were three pairs of Gadwall there, only one pair of which came within photographic distance.

 

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) (female + male) - Kelham Bridge NR

There were a few brief showings of Teal in the far distance but, eventually, two males just about made it into the reach of my lens.

 

Teal (Anas crecca) (male) - Kelham Bridge NR

Tuesday, 21st February                    Garden

 

Although the Sparrowhawk has frightened away many of our garden birds, as I write this we are still, I am pleased to say, getting visits from Lesser Redpoll. We had three visit us on this day.

 

Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret) - garden on 21st February, 2023

I shall call a halt to this post now as it turned out to be rather longer than I originally anticipated at the start of the week.

I intend to offer another blog post in a week's time. In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for dropping by - - - Richard

 

A Meeting with the King - 20th September, 2022

A few weeks ago, I said to Lindsay that I'd not had a proper sighting of a Kingfisher yet this year,  and it was about time I did something about it. Two days later, on 18th September, my Blogger friend Pete Woodruff published a blog post which featured an inspiring video clip of a Kingfisher. I responded by saying that it was about time I went to try and get some time with this wonderful species. Two days after that, I set off to a place where there was, maybe, an even chance that I'd find one.

Whilst many local birders will know exactly where this location is, it is an unwritten rule for this site that its location is not widely published as it has, at times, become uncomfortably overcrowded. I am happy to abide by this rule.

I arrived at the site to find rather more cars present than I'd hoped for. Nevertheless, I continued with my mission. Calling in at the first location, I found one other person already present. Nothing more exciting than a distant Green Sandpiper was seen and, after a while spent chatting with this person, I took my leave and set off down the trail to the second location.

Green Sandpiper (Tringa ochropus)

I arrived at the second location to find five people already there and as I approached I caught a glimpse of a Kingfisher flashing past!

The five people there were a very pleasant bunch and I was soon settled in a place where I could get a reasonable view of the water. At first, I contented myself with photographing the Little Grebes that were there, and a bit closer than is usual for them at this location. It was good to see both adult and well-developed juvenile present.

 

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis)

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) (juvenile)

After about forty minutes, Paul (an old aquaintance) brought our attention to a Snipe that had just emerged from the reeds below his position. I managed to get some shots over the shoulders of the two other people in front. I couldn't resist the second image below , which shows the bird looking somewhat dishevelled while having a good scratch.

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

Four of the five people, all of whom had been there for several hours, departed about an hour after I arrived, having had nothing but fleeting glimpses of a Kingfisher as it flashed through before my arrival. This left me with one other person. We were busy chatting about twenty minutes later when a Kingfisher arrived and landed on a stick near us.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

It then did us the favour of moving to a different position.

 

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

From here it did a quick plunge, returning to  the same stick with something that I cannot identify.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

It then descended onto a rock in the water.

 

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

It finally graced us with a visit to the photographic prop that had been placed out in the middle of the water.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

The session then came to an end as it departed to the far end of the lake before heading out of sight. It had been with us for three minutes, and it did reappear a couple of times but only zooming through without stopping.

I stayed for another half hour, during which the Snipe reappeared and I took some shots of other birds at a greater distance. 

Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea)

Gadwall (Mareca strepera) (male)

Snipe (Gallinago gallinago)

I called back at the first location on my way back to the car, to find that the Kingfisher had also been visiting that location and it arrived almost immediately as I arrived.

Common Kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) (male)

The mission had been accomplished, although I could have wished for better light, so I headed home in an exceedingly happy mood.

I hope you will forgive the plethora of Kingfisher images. I have no idea when, or if, I might get such an opportunity again!

 

I suspect that my next blog post will be in about a week's time and cover my home-based part of the second half of September. However, I have a week's worth of photos from a visit to the Isles of Scilly to process, so I might get a bit caught up with those! 

In the meantime, please take good care of yourselves and Nature. Thank you for your visit - - - Richard