Category Archives: Birds

Woodpecker Time

April 22, 2014 by Words | 4 Comments

Woodpecker sightings are, for me, still a rare enough phenomenon to be worthy of note, and a photo or two. Today was doubly special as I spotted two woodpeckers within a few yards of each other while out in Westlain Plantation, a small wood at the edge of Falmer. The first was a male great spotted woodpecker.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Approaching woodpeckers is a mug’s game. They are literally flighty, and sure enough as I edged towards the great spotted it took off to a more distant tree. Less true to form, a second woodpecker edged around a tree directly in front of me. It was a large female green woodpecker.

Green woodpecker

Green woodpecker

Green woodpecker

As you can see from the third shot, it too finally took to the wing. Nice though to see both species at one site, not least because it’s located no more than 50 yards from where I park the car in the morning. With luck and some patience I hope to see them again soon.

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

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Blue Tits and Warbler

April 18, 2014 by Words | Comments Off

Here’s another selection of the smaller garden birds that are plentiful at this time of year. Two species today: the blue tit, which is unmistakeable with its blue cap and bandit mask. The second bird is a warbler, but whether it’s a chiffchaff or willow warbler I really cannot tell. The easiest way to distinguish the two species is by their song, but this one was silent throughout its visit.

First the blue tits…

Blue tit

Blue tit

Blue tit

Blue tit

And the willow warbler (or chiffchaff)…

Willow warbler (or chiffchaff)

Willow warbler (or chiffchaff)

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

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Little Birds

April 16, 2014 by Words | 2 Comments

I spent some time today concentrating on the smaller local birds. It’s an area I tend to neglect because it’s time-consuming and the results are frequently unsatisfactory. The main problem is getting close enough to get something decent while not spooking the subject. The alternative is to crop heavily. This is a heavy crop of a blue tit, but catching one in flight (even a short hop, which is what this was) is a bonus.

Blue tit in flight

It’s far easier when they are eyeing up a bird feeder!

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

The foxes are still acting shy, though this one (with the slight nick in his ear) is becoming just a little more tolerant. Even so, this is a hefty crop and he won’t venture forward while I’m nearby.

fox

Camera note: bird photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Fox photographed with the EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM lens.

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