Author Archives: Words

Back to Falmer Wildlife

January 6, 2014 by Words | 4 Comments

Well the New Year break is over and it was back to work today which includes my early morning stop at Falmer pond. The water level has risen significantly since I was last here and the No Fishing sign is barely showing above the water. No cormorants today to pose on it.

No Fishing sign

I headed back to the pond at lunchtime. The ground is sodden so it was a matter of picking my way along the boundary road and carefully navigating across the grass banks. If the rains continue I will probably need waders! Naturally some of the local wildlife doesn’t mind a bit of water.

Moorhen

Moorhen

On slightly drier land a young magpie was pecking around for seed.

Magpie

As for the rats, I was surprised to see that despite the absurdly high water level they were still managing to find runs along the edge of the pond, though increasingly they are taking to the water to get around.

rat swimming

The aim of course is to find somewhere dry, like the exposed roots of a tree…

rat in tree roots

Or a handily placed rock…

rat on rock

Just occasionally they even ventured up on to the sodden grass.

rat on grass bank

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Posted in Birds, rats, water birds Tagged , , , |

Rainy Day Fox

January 5, 2014 by Words | Comments Off

The heavy rains across southern England have continued for much of today. There are occasional breaks, and tonight has been unexpectedly clear. We’re fortunate not to have seen too many problems caused by the rain (we’re up in the hills, which helps) but there is undoubtedly disruption in lower lying areas and the risk of more problems over the coming days. Along the coast in Hastings, a large section of cliff gave way. No-one was hurt but it’s a timely reminder of how unstable things can be.

Back home the foxes just seem to get on with it, but then they are among the most adaptable creatures on the planet. In previous years it’s been rare to see much of the foxes over winter months, but Pretty is here most days. These photos were taken earlier this evening.

fox

fox

fox

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

Posted in Foxes Tagged |

Oystercatchers at Rottingdean

January 4, 2014 by Words | 2 Comments

I went down to the Rottingdean cliffs early this morning, before the rains arrived. The wind was blowing a near gale and the Undercliff walk was treacherous with waves crashing over the sea defences. It wasn’t a day for venturing along there with the camera.

Rough seas during a gale at Rottingdean

Rough seas during a gale at Rottingdean

Rough seas during a gale at Rottingdean

There is a small area of pebble beach nestling between the stone groynes where things are a little calmer on days like this, even with the tide at a seasonal high. A small group of oystercatchers were sheltering on the pebbles, and picking among them for scraps of food.

Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher

A pair were bold enough to venture out into the surf.

Oystercatcher

And then away… perhaps to find somewhere a little less exposed to the elements.

Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher

Oystercatcher

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.

Posted in coastal, Landscape, water birds Tagged , , , |