Author Archives: Words

More Kestrel Antics

October 27, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

I enjoyed another good lunchtime display from the local kestrel. I do enjoy this being literally outside my window, even if I do have to scramble up a slope to get a decent position. Anyway, I first spotted the kestrel (female) being mobbed by a corvid combination of crow and magpie.

Kestrel being mobbed by a magpie and crow at Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Kestrel being mobbed by a magpie and crow at Watts Bank, University of Brighton

They managed to drive the kestrel off, but 20 minutes later she was back, calmly ignoring the circling herring gulls while it hovered over the thick undergrowth.

Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Kestrel at Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Well maybe not so calmly… 😉

Kestrel defecating...

Kestrel defecating…

The last little sequence shows some nice variation in wing position as the kestrel battled against the wind.

Wings tight to body

Wings tight to body

Wings open wide

Wings open wide

The half-fold

The half-fold

And the forward curve

And the forward curve

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

Posted in Bird of Prey Tagged |

El Zorro

October 26, 2015 by Words | 8 Comments

El_Zorro___DISPO_55e5e45f398d2A real treat arrived in the post for me today. The Spanish edition of Joan Burrell and Isabel Mate‘s (both of the University of Barcelona) academic monograph on the fox, El Zorro. Sadly, it’s in Spanish so I can’t read it, but the book spans some 400 pages on the evolution, ecology, biology, behaviours and cultural significance of the red fox. A previous version appeared in Catalan under the title La Guineu a Catalunya’ (I couldn’t read that one either).

The new edition is even more extensively illustrated than the first, and includes 21 of my photos among the nearly 200 photos and illustrations. The full contents of the book for those who can read Spanish is on ResearchGate.

This is a book that absolutely needs a UK publisher to translate.

El Zorro is published by Tundra in the Monografias Zooligicas – Serie Iberica (volumen 3)

 

Posted in Foxes Tagged , |

More Watts House Wildlife

October 20, 2015 by Words | 4 Comments

I’m beginning to enjoy my new location. I’m not getting nearly so many photos, but I’m learning to be patient and it is paying off. These are few more sightings at Watts Bank, to rear of Watts House on the main Lewes Road going into Brighton.

First up is a slow worm. Now this did take some searching out and I only found it because I know the places they are likely to be lurking (clue: look under things).

Slow worm on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Slow worm on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

That’s not a great shot (I only had the long lens, and the light was dreadful). This isn’t the best either, mainly due to the distance and a bog crop. It’s a female black cap in the wooded fringe to the bank. The location is pretty much inaccessible so I may well not get anything better, but it’s good enough to document the local species.

Female black cap on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Female black cap on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Third up is another small bird – a chiffchaff. I’ve already spotted these before. This one was just the other side of my window so was taken through double-glazing.

Chiffchaff on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

Chiffchaff on Watts Bank, University of Brighton

The star sighting though was a buzzard coming in low over the car park. I’ve seen them before, but not had a chance to photograph them here. The gulls soon saw this one off.

Buzzard over Watts House, University of Brighton

Buzzard over Watts House, University of Brighton

Buzzard over Watts House, University of Brighton

Buzzard over Watts House, University of Brighton

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

Posted in Bird of Prey, Birds, slow worm Tagged , , , |