Golden Sunrise, Some Frisky Ducks, and a Black Redstart

Another cold day day at Falmer, but the awakening dawn is providing some spectacular skies…

… and some wonderful views across the pond.

The lunchtime light is never as good, but in the shade of island I realized that for one pair of ducks spring has evidently already arrived.

The real highlight though didn't produce the best photos, but photos of one of our rarest birds are worth posting. It's not a bird I recognized at first sight (the identification is courtesy of Wild About Britain). It's a black redstart and there are apparently fewer than 100 breeding pairs in the UK and only around 500 birds wintering here (source). So yes, rare indeed.

With that small introduction here are the photos.


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Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D EF and 400mm f/5.6L USM lens, apart from shots 2 and 3 of the pond which were taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 13 Comments

  1. RobinL

    17 Jan 2012

    Words, wonderful images and great capture of the Redstart! It's always nice to see something a bit different and rare to boot! I had a life sighting the other day. Haven't had one for awhile!

  2. serola

    18 Jan 2012

    You could stitch first and fourth picture, and no one would notice 😀

  3. gdare

    18 Jan 2012

    It is trying to drown it!!! :yikes: :whistle:

    The last photo is great :yes:

  4. Words

    18 Jan 2012

    Robin, I wasn't aware of how rare it was (or indeed what it was) when I took the photos. All part of the learning curve. All I knew is that it was unusual for the locality, and it seemed to behave like a wagtail (but wasn't one). I wish I'd had time to get more shots.

    Life sightings are great. What was your latest?

  5. Words

    18 Jan 2012

    Darko, it does occasionally happen 🙁

  6. Words

    18 Jan 2012

    Sami, great idea. Done! Will post it later.

  7. Words

    18 Jan 2012

    Erwin, thanks!

  8. gdare

    19 Jan 2012

    :eyes:

  9. cakkleberrylane

    19 Jan 2012

    Beautiful sunrises! The ducks and the birds look as if they are having a happy day!

  10. Words

    20 Jan 2012

    Lois, they were enjoying the sun while it lasted. We've had grey days and mist since then.

  11. SittingFox

    26 Jan 2012

    Congrats on the black redstart! Very nice sighting :up:

  12. Words

    26 Jan 2012

    Adele, thanks! A big surprise for me and I really didn't know what it was, just that it wasn't one of the usual suspects.

  13. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    A great Photo Of the black redstart

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