Category Archives: Birds

Lapwing at Sheepcote

November 23, 2015 by Words | Comments Off

I’m saving up some squirrels for a rainy day (which could be tomorrow), so in the meantime some very basic photos of a lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley early this morning. It’s a rare sighting for Sheepcote (I’ve only seen one other lapwing there), which is a good enough reason to post.

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Lapwing flying over Sheepcote Valley, 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.

Also posted in water birds Tagged |

Preening Kestrel

November 22, 2015 by Words | 2 Comments

For the first time in quite a while I spent some proper time over at Sheepcote Valley, adjacent to Brighton Racecourse at the top of the South Downs. It was muddy and cold, but the sun was just about beating out the threatening cloud cover and the wind was low. A near perfect November afternoon. All I needed was a good subject. Cue a cooperative male kestrel.

I’d spotted him as I was driving up the hill and after a few grabbed shots of him on street lamps, he headed over to a quiet corner of the valley and perched on an old industrial pipe and proceeded to preen himself. I manoeuvred around him to get some blue sky in the background.

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Keeping a keen eye on the horizon

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Time to preen

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

A good preeening!

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Followed by a quick fluff

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Sorted!

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

Also posted in Bird of Prey, Kestrel, Wildlife Tagged |

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.

Also posted in Bird of Prey Tagged |