Category Archives: Birds

Fallow Deer at Pulborough

Ok, this isn’t the promised post on gulls (though here’s a taster). Instead I’m posting a couple of photos of fallow deer taken yesterday at Pulborough Brooks RSPB reserve, in West Sussex.

Fallow deer

fallow deer

(click to enlarge)

Fallow deer

I’ve also added a page with more fallow deer photos from the same sequence.

Being an RSPB reserve, there were of course plenty of birds to see as well, including a peregrine giving a group of ducks a mighty scare (the peregrine left emptied-clawed on this occasion).

peregrine falcon

There was also a small group (I counted four) of avocets, very possibly the first time I’ve seen or photographed this iconic bird.

Avocet

Avocet

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

Also posted in Bird of Prey, deer, water birds Tagged , , , |

Peregrine with Prey

The weekend storms largely by-passed us, though we did get some strong winds and heavy rain. Today was windy, but with some sunshine and I spent some time this afternoon down at Rottingdean, walking the shore (the tide was out) to Saltdean. I got a good selection of gulls (I will post some of those in a separate entry), but the wildlife highlight was without doubt picking out a distant peregrine falcon carrying its prey.

These shots are all mighty crops (the final image is uncropped to give an idea of what I could actually see), and I’m struggling to identify the unfortunate victim. I think it’s probably a pigeon.

Peregrine falcon and prey

Peregrine falcon and prey

Peregrine falcon and prey

Peregrine falcon and prey

Peregrine falcon and prey

Peregrine falcon and prey

The peregrine is local and I’ve watched them fly over the cliffs a number of times over the years, but this was the first time I’ve seen one with prey. The shots aren’t photographically much to speak of, but sometimes it’s enough simply to document a sighting.

Some better images (of the gulls) tomorrow!

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

Also posted in Bird of Prey, Wildlife Tagged , |

Kestrel on a Street Lamp

This short sequence of a kestrel on a street lamp was taken on Friday on the road alongside Brighton race course.

Kestrel on lamp post

Kestrel on lamp post

Kestrel on lamp post

Kestrel on lamp post

Kestrel on lamp post

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

Also posted in Bird of Prey Tagged |