A Quiet Week

Having been out a couple of times last week, to Anton & Rooksbury Mill LNR's spring seems to be in the air, all the ducks having paired off and the smaller birds already starting to build there nests,  Most of the winter inhabitants seem to have disappeared too, leaving the photographic opportunities to a minimum. So below is a few shots I took this week.

Kestrel - In the tree at the bottom of my Garden 

Kestrel - In the tree at the bottom of my Garden 

Wren - Anton Lakes LNR

Drake Gadwall - Rooksbury Mill LNR 

Gadwall - Rooksbury Mill LNR 

Cock House Sparrow - Next doors gutter

I Hate Half-term

Half term, a wondrous week when you were a youngster. Not quite the same as old age hits, the Plus sides I guess are the roads being so much quieter on the way to and from work. The down side being, the local Nature reserve turns into your average play park. 3 lunchtime visits this week, twice to Rooksbury Mill and to Anton Lakes yesterday, If I am honest I don't think I've ever seen so many people out and about around a slightly wild place in Andover, Kids fishing, paddling, SCREAMING, learning to ride bikes. Dogs hurtling into the water after airborne branches, litter, life rings discarded in the water - and more importantly a severe lack of approachable wildlife.

At 25 I guess I shouldn't be a miserable old b*s*a*d but its hard when dotted around both sites are numerous Info Boards relating to the fact its a wildlife reserve! And people go out of there way to ignore it. Now Im all for encouraging youngsters & those less fortunate than me to live in the open air, to be involved and see what's on offer but for people to show a complete disregard for there surroundings and let their animals run riot and their children to scream a shout like hooligans really gets my back up! Not that the last 2 paragraphs gave you that impression! So photographing anything of interest this week was increasingly difficult, in-fact even spotting birds became a problem with constant disruptions.

So as mentioned yesterday lunch time I headed too Anton Lakes, just about managing to find a parking space. Seeing nothing over the first 300 yards of my walk, the briar patches and alder trees usual full with something to look at. First sighting Tufted Duck on the lake, plenty of Black-headed Gull and a isolated Herring Gull sat on the lookout rock, a new entry for my 2012 species list. Plenty of Canada Geese mingled around with the Coots and Mallard. A Grey Heron stood motionless back in the shade of the overhanging channel at the top of the lake, I guess due to the noise and disturbance this was the quietest most sheltered area.

Tufted Duck - Drake

Canada Goose

Grey Heron

The bottom end of the lake was empty, all the usual Tufted Ducks seemingly joining the rest at the far end  under the cover. A few Robin bombed about with a small flock of Chaffinch, through the wooded path on the opposite side of the lake. I did get momentarily excited to see a male Bullfinch sat in the tree before he was scared off by an incoming Great Tit.

Robin

As I headed back towards the car, the Pond at the far end of the reserve, it proved a lot quieter and a lot more fruitful as again I caught up with the Bullfinches, joined in the Ash trees by a smallish group of Goldfinch. To many branches in-between to get a decent photo however. A quick scan of the water from the opposing bank. A male Teal and male Shoveler appearing out of nowhere, the latter a new sighting for me in an around home.

When I did reach the pond, it got a little bit more interesting, Loads of Long-tailed Tit flitting about in the hazel branches, a Treecreeper worked its was along the tree in the middle of the water. After a quick flash at the waters edge I spotted a Water Rail, and after a good scan of the overhanging branches on the far side of the water I spotted the Kingfisher.  I guess overall not to bad an hour but, could have been so much better and definitely quieter!

Long-Tailed Tit

Water Rail - Big Fans Of Traditional Pasties!

Kingfisher

Thwarted By The Sunshine

As a fair weather lunchtime birder, today's bright orange light was a bit of a blessing as I sat in the office counting down the minutes to my break. Once out and all geared up with woolly hat and gloves, I headed to Anton Lakes perfect on a nice bright crisp afternoon. Not quick enough with the camera to catch the numerous Redwing taking flight around the lakes edge, the bright conditions really highlighting the russet underwing.

Next spotted a new species for the location and my first of 2012. A female Blackcap disappearing into the ivy covered tree. The lakes proved pretty quiet, with only a few Mallard, Coot, Moorhen, Tufted Duck & Little Grebe showing at the far end. A quick glimpse of Aqua gave the Kingfisher away as it headed into the overhanging branches on the opposing bank. Both Kestrel & Sparrowhawk giving a good showing on the adjoining meadow.

As I walked around to the far bank, hoping for a good glimpse of the Redwing's I instead stopped pretty sharply as the earlier Kingfisher appeared through the willow wisps 20ft in front of me. Now I know as a photographer the number one rule pretty much is don't shoot into the sun, and there only 20ft before me is a Kingfisher sat on a branch, also perched flush in the middle of the sunlight. Bloody typical, Just my luck I can see I am fast on the way to becoming a moany photographer! I've spent a while bring this photo back to life. Not to bad in the end I guess!

The Shadow Kingfisher

Finches Galore!

With the weather back to normal, and work back to some kind of normality, it was good to get out around Anton Lakes at lunchtime, and very pleasing to see big mixed flocks of Finches gracing the tops of the surrounding trees. Chaffinch, Goldfinch & Siskin. Along with lots of Long Tailed Tit, Great Tits & Blue Tits and the usual Blackbird & Robin every 20 ft.

Long Tailed Tit

I've established that trying to get a picture of a passing Wren is pretty tricky. Having seen 5 or 6 during my walk today, this is probably my best ever attempt, still not the clearest of shot, but having watched the walker in-front of me move the resident Kingfisher up stream, I thought I'd stand and wait a while to see if he returned. No such luck but I did get a shot at a Wren.

Wren

The lakes are still pretty quiet at the moment, with a few Mallard, Tufted Duck, Coot & Moorhen on the water, With plenty of Canada Geese higher up the lake.

Tufted Duck

I was however rewarded on the walk back to the Car - this Male Bullfinch in all is colourful glory! Sat no more than 10 ft from the path, his mate in amongst the branches behind him. Made my year so far!

Male Bullfinch

Male Bullfinch

Male Bullfinch

A Late Xmas Pressie

With the routine pretty much back to normal, after a New Year visit to Shropshire. And a another serious bought of Cold, I was able to get back out and about with the Camera at lunch time today. Now having been on about it for about 2 months to close friends, family and work colleagues (Particularly my Girlfriend) I forked out some serious saved Cash to upgrade my photographing distance. Take a look at this bad boy!

Sigma 150-500mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM

My Christmas present to myself! So off I popped at lunch today lens attached and fitted to the tripod, the only problem with upgrading.....It weighs a lot more than I had previously had to carry. And before I get carried away as a moany photographer I'll shut up about it.

On the Wildlife front though a pretty disappointing trip, the weather, as I guess it was in every other part of the UK today was pretty darn windy. All the water borne birds underneath the shelter of the overhanging branches. Canada Goose, Black-headed Gull, Mute Swan, Mallard, Tufted Duck & Little Grebe all sheltering from the wind. The only birds brave enough to ride the quite choppy waves being the Coot & Moorhen.

No signs of any smaller birds, 2 or 3 Robins flitted about around the path, along with a couple of Blackbirds, I did get a brief glimpse at the first Kingfisher of the year, as he flew into the reeds. So all in all not really a great chance to try my new bit of kit out.

Talking of stunning pieces of kit. My Mum bought Dad a Trophy / Stealth Camera for Christmas this year, after setting it up on the Bird Table in the garden and soon realizing that the Birds are too small to set it off. He maneuvered it too his Barn Owl Box across the field in front of our house. With all this windy weather it appeared that an ivy branch 40 yards away seemed to cause the most common movement in setting the sensor off. 3 Days & 1000 Pics later - All I can say is not bad for a first attempt! It's now repositioned and ready for a second go.

Andy Clay. Copyright 2012

What You Looking At...

Snow, Sun, Rain, Hail all before 12pm I was a little apprehensive as to how wet and cold I might get on today's lunchtime excursion to Anton Lakes. Luckily it stayed dry, and wasn't too cold, to be fair its probably warmer outside than in the office at the moment. 2 Days with no heating is starting to take its toll.

My walk was pretty short today, not a lot showing up, I'm guessing this is due to the colder weather beginning to creep in, with a lot of Birds heading to Gardens for a feast on the Bird tables of Hampshire.
I did however see, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Wren, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Song Trush, Redwing, Kingfisher, Mute Swan, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gull, Gadwall, Mallard, Coot, Little Grebe, Moorhen & Canada Goose.

Swan Portrait

Black Headed Gull

Redwing

Cygnet

I did almost have a rather funny altercation with 3 Hooded Youths, now with out being Stereotypical or even Racist they were Black and looked like my camera was in danger of thievery, after forcing me to walk on the grass as they hogged the path, I was verbally assaulted with "What you looking at...." In a rather menacing and accusing tone, as I looked back down the path at the Small flock of Redwings crossing from the Tree-line to the nearest hedgerow. Now lets be honest, even if I was delusional enough to be taking pics of passer-by's I wouldn't be doing so in Wellington's or a Camo Jacket. But hey ho thats Andover. Im just so glad they weren't closer to me because in such situations when confronted by ridiculous looking people Im more than likely to start laughing.

Praying It Wasn't A Rat

12pm Hurricane gone, sun out, smashing! 1pm, drizzle and a stiff breeze. Oh the joys of british weather. Either that or I should start taking my lunch break an hour earlier. Not a bad thing though in some respects, as I only passed 2 Joggers in the entire hour, definitely a first for the Chav/Dog Walker friendly Anton Lakes.

Still no luck on the Bullfinch front, just the male present today, same tree as last time, a slightly better photo at identifying it, but nothing to write home about.

A few Collared Dove hanging around the paths edge in the trees with remaining berries. And the customary Blue Tits & Great Tits flitting about from side to side, but definitely not in the same kind of numbers as earlier in the week, possible I guess that the extreme winds of the last 2 days have disturbed them some what.

The lakes where unexpectedly quiet also, no Little Grebes or Gadwall today. Even the Swans weren't really keen on the water, both Adults and the 3 Cygnets where next to the path feeding sifting through the reeds and grass.

Mute Swan

If Tuesdays visit brought the sounds of Robins, today brought the sound of the Kingfisher, several high pitched calls before I located the bird landing on the same branch as I had Photographed last week. Again I crept into a fairly decent position opposite the branch, but distracted myself to turn around as I heard a hissing Swan, just to make sure I wasn't in for some broken arm treatment, turning back slowly, now confident of my safety to find the Kingfisher had flown another 20 ft upstream, partially hidden by the wispy branches. Photo opportunity gone! Not disturbed by me I decided to stick it out, plenty of time left to get back to the car. I waited around 20 minutes the Bird frequently flying (and calling) up and down stream past my position 2 or 3 times, just never stopping in a clear enough spot.

Distant Kingfisher

I guess the events that happened next could be classed as pretty special, Kingfisher perched in the tree, Water Vole emerging directly underneath said tree. I must admit I got pretty excited, having never seen a Water Vole other than on TV, I started snapping away, praying it wasn't actually a Rat. Great to see one on that particular stream. I did try to get the Kingfisher in the shot as well but a blue blur through the trees isn't really clear enough.

Water Vole

The rest of the walk around the Lakes proved pretty uneventful, Chaffinch, Dunnock, Robin, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Wren, Buzzard & Magpie the only other sightings.

Robin 

Dunnock

What Did I Miss?

Well turns out the only thing I did miss was a nice warm office. Only joking, but the excitement of last weeks trip to Anton Lakes wasn't duplicated today, However lots of Birds showing up, Fieldfare galore with smallish flocks seen all of the way around the site. A lone pair of Bullfinches hid amongst the branches, but neither moving near enough to the outsides of the bush for a decent photograph.

With the first proper frost this morning (Icy covering on the roads) all of the Native birds seem to have multiplied in numbers, so I'm reckoning some migrant Blue Tit, Great Tit, Blackbirds & Wrens have joined the winter population.

Todays chorus of Robin song pretty much drowned out the sound of anything else, and it seemed every
15-20 yards brought forth 2 or 3 battling for territories throughout my lunchtime walk, does mean however that they are a little bit easier to photograph.

Robins

Quite a few Jenny Wrens showing up, along with a definite increase in Chaffinch & Goldfinch, already in mixed flocks. Sadly no Kingfishers around the lakes or the ajoining waterways today, although a rather mottled Buzzard did fly off from his perch out in the water meadow as I walked past.

On the water the story is still pretty much the same, Mute Swans, Canada Geese, Gadwall, Tufted Duck, Little Grebe, Moorhen, Coot, Black Headed Gull & Mallard, although the Mallard numbers definitely seem to have swollen, possibly a lot more 'Wild" birds coming in as they were a lot more flighty than normal.

Mute Swan

The remainder of the walk back to the car brought pretty much the same as the first half, with the addition of 4 Redwing & a lone Greenfinch. Off to Exmoor tomorrow for a change of scenery, not packing the camera however so you'll just have to believe me if I see something exciting.

November To Remember

I guess you know its going to be a good lunch break when the first bird you see without having to leave the Car is a Kingfisher, without bragging I'm seeing them so often now Im going to soon have to learn the difference between Male & Female. Well maybe I am bragging a little bit!

So I decided to walk the Anton Lakes LNR path in reverse today, with the late Autumn sun so low in the sky it makes spotting on and around the lakes near on impossible with the amount of glare, so I thought a change of angle might bring me better fortune. Turns out it did! Second spot about a minute down the path was this Grey Squirrel not at all perturbed by my presence as he tucked into the berries atop of this tree.

Grey Squirrel

I thought Id be sneaky today, and crept down a bit of a drainage ditch to a piece of water enclosed public eye from both sides, instantly regretting my decision as I flushed a Water Rail from the bank beneath me! It always seems to be me doing more damage than good. But a definite confirmed sighting as it skimmed across the shallow water to denser cover, the first Water Rail I've seen in the Andover area so one for my records!

Now if God or some other divine being, Momma Nature perhaps was repaying me for my disturbance of the Water Rail, they picked a pretty instant return. About another 50 ft down the path in a small Rowan tree near by its side, 5-6 Bullfinches fed happily atop its branches, 1 Male with his gorgeous Pinky Red chest plumage, and 4-5 Females no less striking with their thick black caps. Beautiful Birds!

To be honest I think I would pick them over a Kingfisher 9 times out of 10. So I inch my way very slowly down to wards the tree, checking the camera settings so as to snap them perfectly against a blue sky. Then I realize that the pathway to the local play park is about 10 yards further on, as 4 very young looking smokers (about 12) swearing and spitting (Dirty Bastards) disturb the birds to the thicker Ivy covered hazel behind me on the other side of the path. Bloody Typical!

Im not going to give up just like that, I mean a flock of Bullfinches in beautiful autumnal light, but they had flown off so I thought i'd bide my time, pretty certain I might get a couple of shots, but I guess it could have been predicted, something sent to thwart me, that as soon as the birds hopped a bit further up the overhanging branches, looking as if they might return to the Berry bush, some rather unassuming member/members of the public would walk past and disturb them and give me a look that suggested pure unexplained wierdness. This happened on no less than 3 occasions, Dog walker, Single Mum, and a Kid on a Bike ringing his bell! Bloody Strikers! Kids should be at school! I did manage to get a proof shot, up through the branches before they were disturbed finally an flew off up the adjoining hedgerow.

Male Bullfinch

Plenty of Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits & Great Tits on the lower branches around the waters edge. The usual array of Ducks, Geese, Swans and Coots on the water. But I don't suppose nothing prepared me for my next encounter, towards the bottom of the lakes, the River Anton flows into the lake coming up from behind the retail units in town and along side the London - West Country Railway line. This is quite an open piece of ground with 2 small water meadows bordering either side of the River bank. Sat on the branch about 4 ft above the water was a Kingfisher, perfect visibility no branches or leaves interfering with my line of sight! Am I really that lucky!

Kingfisher

Turns out I was, So I crept a little closer, and closer still, and still it perched, not at all bothered by my presence, so I move around the other side of the bush, and crept slower still up the opposite side of the bank, staying close to the fence-line, till I was pretty much opposite the branch. Still no movement, now either my stalking skills have suddenly become very impressive! Or it could have been the fact I decided to wear my real tree camo coat, now confirmed that it is extremely camouflaged! I managed to fire of about 50 shots in the time, before he/she dived into the Water and flew off on re emerging!

The Best One Yet

Now I've been entering onto this blog for just over 2 weeks now and I must say Im a little shocked with the amount of interest and page views I've received but then again that could be my witty Blog title! With certain web browsers a little disappointed when they click on "A Cracking Pair Of Tits" and Wild birds pop up instead of plastic ones!

As its is the first of December today I thought I'd give a brief tally up of the Bird / Mammal Species seen in these 2 and half weeks in November - 59 Birds & 7 Mammals with the Black Redstart being a complete newbie to me, New species for the area that id never seen before included Siskin, Treecreeper & Water Rail. Here's to hoping the imminent arrival of Christmas brings me some more delights.

2, 4, 6, 8 Motorway!

After a whistle stop tour to birmingham on saturday night I did a spot of Motorway birding on Sunday morning whilst driving home. Im sure its not quite legal and but not perhaps scorned upon in the same manner as drink driving, driving whilst on the Phone etc but it had to be done! So in total via the M42, M40 & A34 I counted 2 Red Kites, 4 Buzzards, 4 Kestrels and about 10,000 Gulls stretching for miles near the Northampton junction on the M40, not sure if they were swirling around a land fill site, Or just some earthworks, but I have to admit it was quite the spectacle. And if your wondering no I didn't pull over on the hard shoulder for a better look or swerve across all three lanes to get a glimpse!

The bird table at home was heaving by mid morning, with Blue Tits, Great Tits, House Sparrows & Coal Tits all frequent visitors, the shadow of the house casting a horrible darkness over the scene though on a really bright day, One Blue Tit did however stop long enough in the sunshine.

Blue Tit

Kath (Sister & all round know it all) decided to come with me for the afternoon to see if we could find the Kingfishers, a lovely crisp Autumnal afternoon it turned out to be, definitely a slight nip in the air, Perfect for a walk! Anton Lakes the first port of call, with all the smaller birds seemingly vanished, a few Long Tailed Tits remained in the trees by the path, and 3 rather giant looking Greenfinches perched at the top of some young Ash Trees. The lakes harboring nothing new or out of the ordinary, Mute Swans, Mallard, Tufted Duck, Black Headed Gulls and a few Gadwall. Although a female Chaffinch did stop long enough for a quick picture! The males we saw had really dark and dull plumage, interesting and a little confusing when you question in your head what you know it is.

Female Chaffinch

On to Rooksbury Mill, expectant of Sunday afternoon dog walkers, so was pleasantly surprised at 3pm when the paths were empty. We headed straight up to the now aptly self proclaimed "Kingfisher Pool" the smaller of the too lakes rather scarcer than usual, with only 4 Mute Swans and half a dozen Mallard. A 20 minute wait at the Pool brought nothing but cold hands and the odd leaping fish. So we decided to walk around the larger lake, about a dozen Canada Geese joined by a pair of Tufted Ducks and a few Coots about all thats on offer, Which surprisingly is a lot more than normal for the size of the lake and the quiet spot its situated in. There's a small stream that runs parallel with the lake, and its only about 4 ft wide, hearing the Kingfisher before we saw him perched about 3 ft above the water about 100 yards away, not the best of views through the smaller branches over hanging the stream. Another call from the other direction, we turned pretty swiftish, as the second of the pair landed around 20 yards away, still calling to the other bird further upstream. Before flying away almost instantly. Another missed opportunity, but both birds seen at the same time so things can't all be bad.

Had some fun photographing some very inquisitive Long Tailed Tits on the far side of the lake, as the sun began to set. Also spotted a Treecreeper heading up a small Ash Tree, all in all a pretty good afternoon.

Long Tailed Tit