Category Archives: Birds

By the Waterside

The start of a new week, and another trip to Falmer Pond. The house martins have fledged, but with the sun shining it was chance to take some photos of the ducks. I see them all the time, but all too frequently neglect them.

Ducks at Falmer Pond,

Ducks at Falmer Pond,

The heron was there once again, and obliged with a gentle glide across the pond.

Grey heron

The swallows are preparing for their winter migration to Africa, and still making something of a splash locally.

Swallow

Just away from the water’s edge, on the stone wall of the local church, young sparrows were waiting to be fed.

Sparrow fledglings

And while all this was going on, a young rat quietly sat and grazed on seeds scattered in the muddy fringe on the far side of the pond.

rat

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

Also posted in rats, water birds, Wildlife Tagged , , , , , , , |

Sparrowhawks, Fish Tails, and a glimpse of the ISS

The foxes have gone quiet for the moment, but there’s plenty else to see. I’ll come to the main feature in a moment but will start this shot of a blackbird, perched on an ornamental water pump at the edge of Falmer Pond.

Blackbird perched on iron water pump, Falmer, East Sussex

Down at water level, the fish are jumping. I’ve yet to manage a shot of a carp emerging, but this one taunted me for about 10 minutes by continually waving its tail. It didn’t jump though.

Fish tail

One more stray shot before the raptors take over. It’s a juvenile magpie, displaying all the typical gawkiness of a young bird. Good flyer though.

Juvenile magpie (Pica pica) in flight

The rest of the photos were taken this evening. I was outside, ever hopeful of seeing one of the foxes, when I noticed a couple of birds in the distance. Not gulls, and on closer inspection (courtesy of a 400mm lens) pinned them as sparrowhawks. Seeing two together is unusual (for me). They seemed to be jousting, though I doubt with any serious intent.

Pair of sparrowhawks

Pair of sparrowhawks

Pair of sparrowhawks

They parted after a minute or so, and one came flying in over the garden.

Sparrowhawk

The final shot is a bit of silliness. It doesn’t really show much, but for any sky watchers out there, the ISS (International Space Station) is currently making some spectacular passes. It’s incredibly bright and very easy to see as it moves from west to east across the sky. UK viewing times are available at Meteorwatch. This is a 15 second exposure.

International Space Station

Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens, apart from teh ISS which was taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

Also posted in Technical, Wildlife

Re-Count Your Chicks

Yesterday I posted some photos of a pair of house martin chicks. I went back today, and had a re-count.

House Martin Chicks

One

House Martin Chicks

Two…

And when the adult arrives back with some juicy insects…

House Martin Chicks

Three!

Now I’m wondering whether there’s a fourth chick lurking at the back of the nest. They can have up to six young in a clutch, so it’s possible. Hard work for the parents, who can produce two to three clutches per season.

The other good sighting of the day was much larger. At lunchtime a buzzard came in over the pond, circling for a while until it was roundly chased off by a pair of herring gulls.

Buzzard

Buzzard

Buzzard

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

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