Herring Gull

Wednesday 30th January

Lovely cold and freezing morning, managed to pop up the pool just before lunch, first 2 photos are of a lone herring gull, the rest are the usuals, didn't have a lot of time so just practised my in flight shots and a few random shots mainly of the ducks having a wash.

Could hear a GS woody drumming away again in Pirates Wood, but couldn't spot it, saw a tree creeper, nuthatch and several Chaffinch in Goldcrests Lane on way back home.

Popped over the fields after lunch for a quick mosey around, lots of Chaffinch and Linnets, few Meadow Pipits down Stanklyn along with some Redwings.
Saw 3 Buzzards, one photo'd below, again just a short visit due to having to pop off and do the school run.

Dead Man's Allotment

Lower reserve and sunset

Nice and bright morning for a change, a walk by Captain's saw 2 Gooseanders, several Canadian Geese and all the usuals.
Decided today to have a wander round the reserve at front of estate, saw a wren hunting for food, couple of Jays, a treecreper and many other small birds.
Downside of the front reserve is the lack of light for photos.
Checked out the stream in various locations in the hope of seeing the Kingfisher, but no joy there.

Nice and bright.

The reserve by Captain's looks a lot clearer now.

A stroll after Lunch and I spotted this beautiful nuthatch,

Some photos from by Pirates wood, but only the usual suspects.

As the sky looked promising I took a walk over the fields in the hope of a good sunset, sadly not as good as I hoped for, but enjoyed the walk.

Abberley Hills in the distance

Gooseanders are back again

Yesterday was written off due to Man flu, also today but even though I was feeling rough I had to have a quick look at Captain's, 4 Gooseanders present, 1 adult swan and the usual mallards & Gulls. was very cold and only stayed 5 minutes, just long enough for some record shots.

Goldcrest lane was very active with Chaffinch on way to pool.

Female Gooseander

Swan leaving

Adult Swan

Swan portrait

Male & female gooseanders

4 Gooseanders and a swan

Wings

Gulls coming in to land.

Quality of photos a bit poor as light not so good, also very windy.

The Gooseanders were busy hunting for fish this morning as they spent longer under water than on top today.

Another Dull Day

Friday 25th Jan

Yet another dull day, it show promise early on whilst we were gardening, so off I ventured on a good walkabout, first stop as usual at the pool, but still quiet there, same as the corn field, even the Edna's stump area was very quiet, a couple buzzards were down Stanklyn Lane, a fair walk around the patch and I didn't see much at all, no sign of any of the flocks that have been in the area.

Still it was an enjoyable walk and wasn't that cold, here's hoping for something of interest soon.
Sod's law as I am writing this up the sky is finally brightening at the same time as the sun is going down.

Hints of blue and some mist at Captain's.

This was as bright as it got down Stanklyn.

Sparrow

Robin which I wish was sharper.

A curious robin

At the end of the day the sky brightened, as all my equipment had been put away I had a stroll up the pool just armed with my camera.

A Cygnet had appeared.

Taken with my back to the pool.

Thursday 24th Jan

Brief report from today.

Captain's still frozen over, lots of gulls about and most of the ducks up the island end as it didn't seem to be froze up there.

Couple of photos from by Pirates Wood, Dunnock hopping about but wouldn't settle for a portrait, was mostly very quiet round there and still oh so cold, so headed back home.

Frosty Day

Wednesday 23rd Jan 2018

Very frosty start, bit of snow through the night and hail storm around tea time last night made for treacherous conditions, I have somehow caught a cough and cold so didn't venture out too early, oly went out because I saw 6 ducks fly over my house and they didn't look like mallards, so I wrapped up extremely well and moseyed up to the pool.
Pool frozen over pretty well but didn't see anything unusual, someone arrived around the same time as me to feed the ducks so I took a few pics and then got myself back home pretty darn smartish.

This Goldfinch along with loads more were in a Silver Birch tree not far from my house., for the technically minded this was taken with a Canon sx50 Bridge Camera, bird was high up in the tree and I have also given it a good crop. Extended fully to 1200mm and shot at 400 ISO, sat on sofa at the time, quite pleased as it was shot through glass and handheld, never under estimate the power of a bridge camera under the right conditions.

Have developed a bad cold past couple days, so touch and go if I will be out and about tomorrow.

brighter start

Off to a promising start this morning, sun and frost usually means a good day, but again sadly it didn't last that long.

A walk up to Captain's early on revealed very little, hoping that the Great Crested Grebe will be arriving soon, but no signs yet.

Took the 3 bird pics early on while the sun was shining.

Went back out mid morning just got to Captain's in time to see these 9 Canadian Geese take off, wish I had taken the big lens now, but it's a bit heavy for a good walkabout.

And off they went.

Mallard stood on the frozen pool.

The Oak tree along Stanklyn Lane.

The sun did pop out briefly on my walk back.

Gulls catching up for a chin wag.

Got home just in time as the rain put in an appearance.

Sky looked promising so popped back up the pool, didn't stay too long as the sun disappeared, got home just in time as we had a really sharp hail storm, the roads round here look like they've been hit by a snowstorm.