As an extension to the ongoing "I saw my first kingfisher today" thread, I thought it might be interesting if people wanted to post and share any wildlife pics that they've taken. As I said on the other thread, that way instead of just talking about what birds and other wildlife we've seen, we can also show photos of them. 

 

Hope you think it's a good idea.

 

As the current topic in the "kingfisher" thread is herons, I thought I'd start with a couple of pics of them that I've taken...

 

Juvenile heron (looking very interested in a dragonfly)

 

Heron in sunset silhouette

 

Next up, a couple of pics of blackbird chicks, which I was lucky enough to get while looking out through a window at home.

 

 

 

Come on then, show us what you've got. The only condition is that the photos are ones you've taken yourself.

 

Thanks Martyn. wasn't sure which one it was. So hard to tell them apart. 

 

Steve

 

On the Marsh Tit the spot on the upper mandible is definitive, (they also have a pale line runs up the edge of the greater coverts), the Marsh Tit always looks a neater bird, the Willow tends to look scruffy.

When I looked at the various guides they where all pointing towards the willow tit regarding the stockiness of the head and shoulder area. If anyone on here would know I knew it would be you mate. you never fail to amaze me 

 

Steve

 

Pintail duck

 

Steve

Edited February 27, 201411 yr by Winsford Soul

leighton moss 25 feb pintail duck.jpg

 

Pintailed duck

 

Steve

 

Looks a bit choppy there Steve 

Looks a bit choppy there Steve 

Yes Martyn it was  Morecambe bay is as you know slightly open to the elements

 

Steve

 

Snowdrops

 

Steve

Here's some snowdrops at Attingham Park in Shropshire.

Here's some snowdrops at Attingham Park in Shropshire

Makes my little bunch seem quite insignificant. When my Dad. RIP .lived down in Shropshire (bishops castle ) he would mention attingham park and say it was worth a visit. Never .did get to see it with him. Steve

Makes my little bunch seem quite insignificant. When my Dad. RIP .lived down in Shropshire (bishops castle ) he would mention attingham park and say it was worth a visit. Never .did get to see it with him. Steve

Sorry - I wasn't trying to outdo you. Shame you never got to see it with your Dad.

Sorry - I wasn't trying to outdo you. Shame you never got to see it with your Dad.

I know you wasn't, the thought never even entered my head. Thank you anyway. Steve

Nice stuff Steve .

 

I like to think I know a bit about birds but there are loads of species I struggle with/get mixed up with. I have a fairly hefty reference book which I can use at home but isn't very practical to carry around outside. Do you use a reference book at all?

 

Peter

 

I've quite a number of books which I mainly collected when I was an enthusiastic kid and eager member of the Young Ornithologists Club. That must have been late 70s, I suppose.

 

The one I use as a field guide is The Hamlyn Guide to Birds of Britain and Europe (author Bertel Bruun, published 1975). No idea if that's still available today. Because it covers Europe as well it's handy to take it on holiday - very useful when encountering all those unfamiliar species. 

 

Had a quick look on Amazon and this book is still being published with the most recent edition being June of last year. Here's a link to it if anyone's interested:

 

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/0753725274

Edited February 28, 201411 yr by Russell Gilbert

Russell. It is indeed a fine book, have mine somewhere, got books on birds, fishing, photography, soul music and man United all tucked away in the attic apart from the two RSPB pocket guides that are Always to hand. Steve

Edited February 28, 201411 yr by Winsford Soul

got books on birds, fishing, photography, soul music and man United

 

Snap!

What a day at Leighton Moss. Will post some pictures this week. Seen my first ever avocet, and marsh harriers. Stunning birds. Also seen male and female peregrine falcon. Ravens. Sparrow hawk. Bullfinch, marsh tits, two red deer hinds and a woodmouse. Steve

 

Avocet taken recently at Leighton moss

 

Steve

 

 

Avocet at Leighton moss. These pictures where taken from approximately 400 yds away and cropped to show the  bird and a bit of the lagoon . just wish these beautiful birds would have  been a lot closer to get a decent close up

 

Steve

Edited March 14, 201411 yr by Winsford Soul

 

Marsh Harrier taken from a long way accros the Moss

 

Steve

Had a days fishing on the River swale in Yorkshire on Wednesday. Was a joy to be on the riverbank, after all the floods over the winter. Always plenty of wildlife. I arrived at 6am just as it was getting light, there was a heavy mist shrouding the river and the surrounding fields. As I walked the river, I put up two deer in the field to me right, which in turn startled a couple of Hares, there were pheasants all over the place, also a few grey partridges, which were nice to see as there in serious decline. Once on the river bank I was treated to the Dawn chorus. Gangs of long tailed tits flitted from willow to willow, a shrill peeeeep!! made my ears prick up. and with a flash of electric blue, the best angler on the river flew past and settled in a small bush upstream. Directly opposite at the top of an old oak I could just about see a large bird on the trunk of the tree, as I looked through my binoculars, I could see it was a green woodpecker. It really is a wonder I get any fishing done, watching all these wonderful creatures on the river. As for the fishing? I really didn`t care, its, as always more a case of just being there. !!!

Edited March 14, 201411 yr by HARRY CROSBY

Just a quick selection of snaps from our last visit to Orkney, inc one of me to show how close we were. Hundreds of puffins living on the cliff face.

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

 

 

 

Just a quick selection of snaps from our last visit to Orkney, inc one of me to show how close we were. Hundreds of puffins living on the cliff face.

 

RIMG0144.JPG DSC01250.JPG DSC01239.JPG

 

DSC01254.JPG  RIMG0149.JPG RIMG0113.JPG

 

RIMG0125.JPG  RIMG0146.JPG DSC01258.JPG

 

DSC01219.JPG

Spook .love  the  pictures.

 

I,m hoping to realise one of my ambitions to photograph puffins later this year when I visit Skomer..

 

Steve

Had a days fishing on the River swale in Yorkshire on Wednesday. Was a joy to be on the riverbank, after all the floods over the winter. Always plenty of wildlife. I arrived at 6am just as it was getting light, there was a heavy mist shrouding the river and the surrounding fields. As I walked the river, I put up two deer in the field to me right, which in turn startled a couple of Hares, there were pheasants all over the place, also a few grey partridges, which were nice to see as there in serious decline. Once on the river bank I was treated to the Dawn chorus. Gangs of long tailed tits flitted from willow to willow, a shrill peeeeep!! made my ears prick up. and with a flash of electric blue, the best angler on the river flew past and settled in a small bush upstream. Directly opposite at the top of an old oak I could just about see a large bird on the trunk of the tree, as I looked through my binoculars, I could see it was a green woodpecker. It really is a wonder I get any fishing done, watching all these wonderful creatures on the river. As for the fishing? I really didn`t care, its, as always more a case of just being there. !!!

Harry . You make it sound as good as it is  . River season over for you now mate. you can always go puddle chucking  steve

Harry . You make it sound as good as it is  . River season over for you now mate. you can always go puddle chucking  steve

Only natural ponds for me mate. I do like a bit of early morning Tench fishing. Non of those commercial ponds for me though

Only natural ponds for me mate. I do like a bit of early morning Tench fishing. Non of those commercial ponds for me though

Harry. there,s a distinct lack of natural venues in Manchester. plenty within a hours ish drive. so not so bad

 

Steve

Spook .love  the  pictures.

 

I,m hoping to realise one of my ambitions to photograph puffins later this year when I visit Skomer..

 

Steve

Hi Steve,

Puffins are very  friendly its the "Gilly Mots" that dive bomb you along with the seagulls :-) The main problem is the Puffins only nest on that particular area on Orkney for 5 or 6 weeks of the year and they are off again until next year, so if you go to Skomer to photograph them  please check its the time of year they will be there .

Best David

Hi Steve,

Puffins are very  friendly its the "Gilly Mots" that dive bomb you along with the seagulls :-) The main problem is the Puffins only nest on that particular area on Orkney for 5 or 6 weeks of the year and they are off again until next year, so if you go to Skomer to photograph them  please check its the time of year they will be there .

Best David

Thanks David

. Have checked at Skomer,  they arrive in May and nest from June onwards. my trip is planned for sometime in the first two weeks of June so will hopefully be ok. the island is limited to three boat landing per day with a 250 limit on visitor numbers so as not to cause to much disturbance 

 

Best Steve

Harry. there,s a distinct lack of natural venues in Manchester. plenty within a hours ish drive. so not so bad

 

Steve

Think my mate, fishes the Ribble a lot down there Steve.

 

Peregrine falcons

Again taken with a long 400ml lens and cropped to see the birds better

 

Steve

Winsford Soul, on 14 Mar 2014 - 6:20 PM, said:

IMG_6129.JPGIMG_6132.JPG

 

Peregrine falcons

Again taken with a long 400ml lens and cropped to see the birds better

 

Steve

Nice one Steve

 

Pretty majestic aren't they.

 

Peter

 

Nice one Steve

 

Pretty majestic aren't they.

 

Peter

 

Pete they are truly majestic birds, was lucky enough to hear the male calling the female and watch him deliver a small bird, which I think is visible in one of the pictures as she holds it in one of her talons

 

Steve

Edited March 14, 201411 yr by Winsford Soul

This must now count as a Wildlife photo, the amazing Voyager 1. Launched in 1977 and still going strong, is now some 19 billion kilometres from Earth and entered interstellar space, the 1st man-made object to ever do so, now that's wild ! 

 

This must now count as a Wildlife photo, the amazing Voyager 1. Launched in 1977 and still going strong, is now some 19 billion kilometres from Earth and entered interstellar space, the 1st man-made object to ever do so, now that's wild ! 

Voyager1.jpg

Chris. It was launched two years after my allnighter journey started. I have definitely had some wildlife encounters on my incredible journey and I've also met a few spacemen on the way.  Steve

Another day spent at Leighton Moss RSPB reserve. Seen peregrine falcon , male and female marsh harriers, little egret, goldcrest wrens x 2, and heard my first chiffchaff of the year. Always I sound I love to hear. Even had a robin feeding out of my hand. How lucky am I that a wild bird trusted me enough to land on my outstretched hand. Will get round to posting some pictures soon. Steve

Oi smiffy ... get a job 

 

Duck ....

 

The last one is quite scarce as far inland as Belvide,it's an American Long Tailed Duck,  it has been with us 120 days now ... be charging it rent soon

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Wings Have My Angel .....

 

we need more Coots 

 

 

Oi smiffy ... get a job 

 

Duck ....

 

The last one is quite scarce as far inland as Belvide,it's an American Long Tailed Duck,  it has been with us 120 days now ... be charging it rent soon

 

398_007.jpg

 

398_086.jpg

 

398_046.jpg

Martyn. What do I want a job for ?  I,m enjoying myself to much. may have six months off maybe more cant make my mind up

Got a picture somewhere I,ve taken of a long tailed duck up at Leighton moss.

 

Steve

Martyn. What do I want a job for ?  I,m enjoying myself to much. 

 

I am just jealous Steve ... 

 

Marsh Harrier

 

 

 

A few  common garden birds

 

Steve

We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors?

We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors?

No all ok in Manchester at the moment. blue, great, coal and long tailed tits. gold and green finches. dunnocks, house sparrows, starlings, jays, magpies, robins, song thrush, blackbirds, chiff chaff, collard doves, wood pigeons, occasional lesser spotted woodpecker, sparrow hawk.  hear tawny owls all around but we never get chaffinches for some reason

 

Steve

We havent had one Chaffinch visit our garden this year. Which is quite unusual. Anyone else missing some regular visitors?

 Mike, the UK gets Chaffinch (amongst other common birds)  migrate from Scandinavia and Northern Europe to over winter here, as it was a relatively mild and gentle winter there, I expect the numbers were lower than when there is a severe winter.

 

You will also find our Chaffinch migrate south to France and Spain, so you may see a few returning over the next few weeks.

Edited March 18, 201411 yr by martyn pitt

 Mike, the UK gets Chaffinch (amongst other common birds)  migrate from Scandinavia and Northern Europe to over winter here, as it was a relatively mild and gentle winter there, I expect the numbers were lower than when there is a severe winter.

 

You will also find our Chaffinch migrate south to France and Spain, so you may see a few returning over the next few weeks.

 

From what I've seen, I think they're all in the woods of Amsterdam!

Winsford Soul, on 18 Mar 2014 - 4:18 PM, said:

IMG_6310.JPG

 

IMG_6316.JPG

 

IMG_6309.JPG

 

A few  common garden birds

 

Steve

Common perhaps Steve - but beautiful non the less. I know you know that - just saying.

 

Peter

 

Common perhaps Steve - but beautiful non the less. I know you know that - just saying.

 

Peter

 

Peter.

I know you know that I know  think that's right

 All birds are beautiful, some just need the right light to show off the plumage properly

 

Steve

IMG_6296.JPG

 

Marsh Harrier

I wish that Leighton Moss was a lot closer than the 130 mile round trip. So I could hopefully get some close ups of these absolutely stunning bird's. Unfortunately I don't know any site's closer so I will just have to keep going.  Steve

Help. I've become addicted to Leighton Moss. 2nd time this week. Got settled in one of the hides and less than ten yards in front of me was perhaps 7 or 8 a Avocets before a could get my camera sorted a peregrine scattered them. It took a while for them to return ,but they did ,infact 21 of them in total. Amazing. Got few pictures to post later.  Very happy Steve

Help. I've become addicted to Leighton Moss. 2nd time this week. Got settled in one of the hides and less than ten yards in front of me was perhaps 7 or 8 a Avocets before a could get my camera sorted a peregrine scattered them. It took a while for them to return ,but they did ,infact 21 of them in total. Amazing. Got few pictures to post later.  Very happy Steve

Pictures downloaded and  ready for posting. To knackered at moment. Will upload them tomorrow (Friday)  Steve

 

These puffins we saw on a boat trip to the Isle of May, which is off the coast of Fife in Scotland. The place is alive with lots of different types of sea birds and is well worth the visit.

 

 

Herring gull - also Isle of May

 

 

No picture but I can report a Sparrowhawk at Taylor Towers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idly looking out of the window I thought to myself 'why is there a chicken on my fence', on careful closer inspection I realised it was in fact a Sparrowhawk; ( no glasses and no observation skills but it was reddy/brown with powerful legs hence the confusion with a chicken )I was so excited (and still am  ). I remember when Pete99 reported one. We have literally dozens of sparrows in our garden - well maybe one or two less now   - despite them apparently being in decline! 

As for the 'Common' birds, less is more as they say :)

 

Melly CommonBird from Banbury

 

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGH6b7n08LclLoflFwEvEQwaQuJZNl5zYCuAdQYxqY6A_JPckIug

Edited March 20, 201411 yr by mellytee

No picture but I can report a Sparrowhawk at Taylor Towers!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Idly looking out of the window I thought to myself 'why is there a chicken on my fence', on careful closer inspection I realised it was in fact a Sparrowhawk; ( no glasses and no observation skills but it was reddy/brown with powerful legs hence the confusion with a chicken )I was so excited (and still am  ). I remember when Pete99 reported one. We have literally dozens of sparrows in our garden - well maybe one or two less now   - despite them apparently being in decline! 

As for the 'Common' birds, less is more as they say :)

 

Melly CommonBird from Banbury

 

https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTGH6b7n08LclLoflFwEvEQwaQuJZNl5zYCuAdQYxqY6A_JPckIug

Mellytee. I love sparrowhawks, they have that yellow eye that looks so evil. I need to get some decent photographs of them. Steve