It is still icy outside, and today was overcast, turning to rain. It wasn't too bad first thing, and I was at Falmer pond as the sun was rising above the Downs (but staying stubbornly behind the low cloud layer).
The gulls were waddling on the ice, and the odd pigeon was flying around. it was quiet, and really not much to see. And then it changed. Everything took to the air. I scoured the sky to see what had caused the explosion of flight, and to my surprise saw a buzzard come in to land on one of the large trees that edge the pond. I've seen plenty fly over before, but I've not seen them come in close.
While the gulls (black-headed) and pgeons didn't fancy a rumble with a buzzard, the corvids held no such qualms. A crow was first on the scene.
Soon joined by a magpie.
Between them it took only a couple of minutes before the buzzard decided that there are friendlier places to pass the time.
As luck would have it the buzzard flew off behind the trees, so that was the end of the sequence. It certainly brightened a dull start to the day.
It was still gloomy at lunchtime, although the promised rain held off until later in the day. The gulls were still dominating the pond, but among all the black-headed variety I found an common gull. 'Common' by name, but not (in this area) by nature. I very rarely see them, possibly because they are very simialr to herring gulls. The main difference is that they are smaller, have a blackish spot on the bill (though so do juvenile herring gulls), and a greenish tinge to their legs. It was nice to get a decent sighting of one, even if it was struggling to keep its feet on the ice.
To close a shortish video of the foxes from last night. There are three foxes in the first sequence (though don't blink or you'll miss fox #3), and a great leap by another fox at the end.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
derWandersmann
7 Dec 2012Nice shots of the buzzard / corvid relationship, Words.
And I wonder what prompted that leap?
SittingFox
8 Dec 2012Seems the crows were as surprised as you were! Perhaps the buzzard was hoping to take advantage of the number of birds drawn to the pond in the cold weather.
Nice shot of the common gull too. I don't see them often either.
Words
10 Dec 2012Adele, I'm sure it was the cold that brought the buzzard down close, plus the fact that it is now so quiet there in the mornings. I was pleased with the gull, and especially that I actually spotted it among the throng.
Words
10 Dec 2012dW, thanks. I'm not sure what the fox was watching behind that shrub, but it was a heck of a leap!
gdare
11 Dec 2012Those magpies are evil, I knew that :insane:
Words
12 Dec 2012Darko, LOL! I wouldn't go that far, but they are certainly capable of putting up a good fight.