The thick fog which greeted me this morning had largely dispersed by noon and in contrast to yesterday's focus on the larger avians I turned my camera to one of our smaller birds, the long-tailed tit. Several of them (they tend to fly around in groups) were skittishly hopping between the trees that edge Falmer Pond. Much of the time they were managing to stay partly hidden behind the stray branches (if long-tailed tits have a particular notoriety it's this talent for evading the camera), but just occasionally one would make a mistake and offer a clear (or nearly clear) shot. 
Meanwhile the greylags were enjoying the weak sunshine.
The moorhens were rather more active, once again going through their ritual mating duels. I'm looking forward to seeing the young in a month or so. Such ugly little things, but so cute.
As for the local mammals, there were rabbits scuttling through the undergrowth and a lone squirrel scampering down a stone wall.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
derWandersmann
16 Mar 2012Is that one of your native reds? He looks rather grey in places.
Love the long-tails!
gdare
16 Mar 2012These two moorhens are still fighting :left:
Words
16 Mar 2012Darko, these little battles go on all day, every day, for now!
Words
16 Mar 2012Erwin, thanks!
Words
16 Mar 2012dW, we don't have any reds in this part of the country any more, just the invader greys. 🙁
cakkleberrylane
18 Mar 2012Very pretty little bird! Spring is indeed a beautiful time for birds and animals!
SittingFox
19 Mar 2012Very pretty creature. And it's nice to see signs of spring as I write this with Saskatchewanian snow blowing past the window…
derWandersmann
19 Mar 2012Originally posted by Words:
I understand there is an "ethnic cleansing" plan to rid the Island of the greys … apparently it's not working so well?
This one shows a bit of warm colouration on the back and face … might it be a cross?
Words
19 Mar 2012Adele, I can see from your blog that you are getting some great sightings despite the weather. :up:
Words
19 Mar 2012dW, it's not a cross. Our greys do display some reddish tint, but it's not cross-breeding. The reds are now restricted to small areas of the country, where some culling of greys does happen in order to protect the native red. Elsewhere (such as where I am in the south) there are simply no reds at all.
Words
19 Mar 2012Lois, thanks. The long-taileds are very cute indeed, and quite unlike most of our other small birds.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Nice Shots