Having taken a slightly extended Christmas break, I headed over to Sheepcote Valley today (my usual kestrel haunt), and for the first time actually saw some sheep there. Apparently they are using them to graze various parts of the valley over the next few weeks. Temporary fencing has been erected to stop them wandering too far. The local bird life was enjoying the unexpected guests. Magpies were darting in and out among the sheep, but the starlings have taken familiarity altogether further.
Starling on a sheep
Two starlings hitch a ride
No starlings for this one, though
Meanwhile, I saw my first woodpecker at this location. It was the merest flash of colour, but enough to fire off the camera. It was only when I got home that I worked out what I'd seen. Given the lack of heavily wooded areas in the valley this really was quite an unusual sighting. I've not heard them there before either.
Green woodpecker, somewhere in the middle of the shot
Naturally I photographed the kestrels, but I'll limit myself to a single photo for now. I feel an album is due soon, when I have a little more time.
Kestrel
Unusually, I also photographed a dog which wandered up to say hello. Posted here for utter cuteness value!
I missed the foxes on Sunday night, but could hear distinctive and very loud calling from neighbouring gardens and caught the briefest glimpse of a fox rushing through the garden and out over a fence. Tonight was calmer, and the bold vixen was back enjoying the clear, cool night.
The bold vixen
Camera note: all the daytime shots were taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. Once again the photo of the vixen was taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.
Dudley
5 Jan 2010"Posted here for utter cuteness value!" 😆
Great capture of the bird on sheep backs. :yes:
RobinL
5 Jan 2010Great Kestrel shot. Love the two Starlings hitching a ride!
gdare
5 Jan 2010Nice moment of catching kestrel :up: What were starlings doing on sheep`s backs, except of having a free ride? Were they just curious?
SittingFox
5 Jan 2010Great post! "Oxpeckers" are always fun to watch 😀
The dog is indeed cute and the kestrel taking off is excellent. I can see the woodpecker 😉
cakkleberrylane
5 Jan 2010Excellent photos. The starlings on the sheep's backs is amazing! I see the woodopecker too.
Words
5 Jan 2010Lois, thanks. The starlings were enjoying the ride. The woodpecker was doing its utmost to stay out of sight. I just caught a flash of yellow as flew towards the trees, and grabbed what I could.
Words
5 Jan 2010Andy, :cheers:
Words
5 Jan 2010Adele, the woodpecker was wholly unexpected, but typically managed to get the wrong side of the branches before I could get a shot. The kestrel quite active, but no hovering. I got that shot when a walker strayed too close to her perch.
Words
5 Jan 2010Darko, I think the starlings were keeping their feet warm. It was perishing out there. :smurf:
gdare
5 Jan 2010Smart birds :yes:
Flying Red Fox Blog
5 Jan 2010Lovelly post, was a great day today and the snow really was great to see at the end,. 😀 see my post if you havent got any yet.
Words
5 Jan 2010Robin, thanks! I've been after birds perching on sheep for a couple of years now. I'm usually in a car when I see them so it was nice to be out walking this time.
Words
5 Jan 2010Mark, will head over to you in a second. We've got plenty of snow here now and I'm keeping my eyes open in the hope that Bold will show up and pose for me. :smurf:
Ukwildlife
6 Jan 2010Great fox photo. The kestrel taking of and starlings riding the sheep are excellent too 🙂
Words
6 Jan 2010Thanks Erwin!
Words
6 Jan 2010Thanks Neil. It's been a good little run lately.
Wulpen
19 Oct 2012Great capture