The recent improved weather (and it should get warmer as the week goes on) isn’t always great for watching birds. The skies can be quiet, and in the middle of the day the more sensible creatures tend to seek out shade. Today was pretty good as these things go. The swallows and wagtails were taken at Falmer Pond, while the buzzard was spotted at Seven Sisters, near Eastbourne.

I’ll start with the buzzard, but just one shot.

Down at Falmer Pond the pretty little pied wagtails were particularly prominent. The first photo is one of the adults, down by the edge of the pond looking for insects.

Here’s the hungry fledgling!

Pretty as they may be (and great aerial acrobats), the wagtails couldn’t compete with the swallows which were sweeping the pond for insects. Photographing swallows over variable backgrounds is one of those challenges that I enjoy with the camera. I miss a lot of shots, but occasionally it comes together fairly well. I was pleased with this one of a swallow emerging from its low dive.

And this, of one skimming across the surface.

I’ve not spent much time recently watching the foxes, but I have updated a couple of my early Fox Watch! pages and moved them over to this part of the site. More will be added over the coming weeks.

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