Return To Humdrum & The Rain

I've been back from Pembrokeshire for nearly three weeks and would love to share a wide variety of Wildlife adventures in those weeks, but Im afraid due to most wind and a whole lot of rain, Birding in Hampshire hasn't been overly successful.

After being one of the latter additions to the Garden species list (which now stands at 61) the Nuthatch is now making up for its earlier no show. Frequent visits every 3 or 4 minutes indicated a nest with young not to far away, and this theory proved correct as over the weekend, plenty of chirping was heard from the nearby trees and 4 Nuthatches bombing about at once. The opportunity to photograph one however has proved pretty tricky, what with the lighting conditions and the speed at which they feed on the nuts high ISO's have been the order of the day.

Adult Nuthatch

Finally One Stopped Still

We've had plenty of other visitors lately to the feeding station including this rather odd looking Jay, I can't decide if it looks bedraggled because of the weather, or because its a Juvenile. There is just something about its appearance that isn't right, I just cannot put my finger on it. But it certainly adds a rather larger colour addition to the bird table other than the smaller Greenfinches and Goldfinches who have both been joined by fledged young in the past week or so. The Pied Wagtail is a regular visitor to the lawn and great amusement to the dogs as they wait to see how far it will get towards the backdoor before bundling out after it.

Young or Bedraggled Jay? 

Pied Wagtail

With the fishing season in full swing access to the riverbank at a sensible hour is pretty non excitant, luckily the past fortnight has been for weed cutting, therefore no fishing, enabling me to get out and see whats new and exciting on the River. Firstly the Little Grebes not far from the bottom of the garden have successfully hatched off 2 young and even stayed in sight long enough to allow a picture. In the 2 mile or so stretch of water we have 4 pairs all with young.

Little Grebe Adult & Young

Little Grebe Young

The Mute Swans soon appeared in their usual spot and it was good to see that they still have all 7 Cygnets in tow, funny to see them in exactly the same spot of river as when I photographed them 3 weeks previous. Along with the Swan and Grebe young quite a few Coot chicks follow there parents up and down the waterway, one brood with 5 chicks in.

Mute Swans & Mom

Coot Chick 

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page.

The Ugly Ducklings

The Mute Swans have finally hatched off down at Rooksbury, although it seems only 2 of the 7 eggs actually hatched, I managed to catch up with them on Friday lunchtime in some rather warm sunshine. The two Cygnets are pretty mobile already, following Mom & Dad all around the lake.

Its amazing how much difference a few rays of sunshine make. Not a lot else about on the water other than a pair of Coot, Mallard & Gadwall. But that could be something to do with the now resident Otters.

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Water Vole Aquatics & No.122

With some birthday money from my grandparents invested wisely I think in a new Manfrotto Tripod and Ball Head, I thought I better head out somewhere to road test it. So friday lunchtime I popped down to Rooksbury Mill for a mooch about. The weather was as it has been for weeks pretty undecisive, one minute sunny the other doom and gloom.

A quick scan of both lakes prooved pretty unfulfilling, the normal Mute Swans, Coot, Mallard, Gadwall & Tufted Duck the only inhabitants, so I focused my attentions on the River Anton, as there seemed to be plenty of Water Vole activity. From a good vantage point from the bridge its quite brilliant to watch these little mammals bombing up and down the waterway and running along the top of the faggots aiding the flow.

The bridge proved to also be a pretty good spot for birds, as I added another species to my year list the Whitethroat (No. 122) I had heard 2 different calling males prior to actually seeing him. Decent photo opportunities at a minimum, as for whence emerging in the open, he was bombarded by a male Blackcap, Who seemed pretty adamant to sing a whole lot louder and in-competition with the dozen or so other Blackcaps perched on the riverside branches.

Whitethroat

Female Blackcap

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Totally Otterless

As I mentioned in my last post, I went off early on Wednesday morning last week in the hope of seeing one of the Rooksbury Otters, when I arrived on the edge of the lake at about 7 am I joined Grant on one of the fishing Jetties, having seen & photographed the Otters on the previous 2 evenings Grant had the same idea as me in getting there early in the morning. I must admit I haven't visited any large bodies of water at that time of the morning before and as the sun started to appear above the trees mixed with the mist rising from the waters surface, it created a very atmospheric scene. Just had the wrong lens on the camera to capture it.

We didn't see any Otters, but below is a link to Grant's webpage and the few Otter pics, you can also see is regularly updated work on Facebook - GrantAutonPhotography
http://www.gautonphotography.com/Nature-1/Fauna/Otter/22420448_mf68QG#!i=1792410987&k=LmLLd34


So totally Otterless, we had to make do with watching a very statuesque Grey Heron on the opposing side of the lake, which as the time ticked away became bathed in more and more sunshine, the ripples on the water reflecting nicely too.

Grey Heron

I was just saying to Grant that I didn't think the Heron was the usual Rooksbury suspect, when within about 5 minutes the resident Heron swooped in low squawking straight for the interloper. Causing the intruder to take flight being chased all of the way. Proving my theory right.

The Intruder

There are always plenty of Coots on the lake, and if you sit and watch them long enough they are pretty good value, especially when walking on water, possibly the most ungraceful exponents of this behavior. Im still fascinated by the size of their feet, I guess they're quite a hinderance when it comes to being graceful.

Walking on Water

Watercress For Lunch

With the weather somewhat settled for a few hours, I thought a trip out at lunchtime would be just the ticket. Rooksbury Mill which I must admit has been somewhat neglected by me in recent weeks the location.

Had a quick peep over the pedestrian bridge up the River Anton, no wildlife in site, just the "Moany Photographer" sat on the sluices to the side of one bank, tripod positioned midstream. Not sure what he was waiting for, not sure it wouldn't have seen him and fled in terror, hardly inconspicuous.

On all my visits to Rooksbury, today seemed to show off the most birdlife. Must be the cold weather, with the smaller Brooks Lake my first stop I was surprised to see it abudent with 4/5 x as many inhabitants than normal. 25-30 Tufted Duck, 15-20 Gadwall, Coots, Moorhen, a pair of Little Grebe, 3 Mute Swan and the a dozen or so Mallard.

Female Gadwall

The larger Mill Lake seems to have been invaded by Black-headed Gulls, a much larger number now present, again Tufted Duck and Gadwall, Coot, Mute Swan & Moorhen all present, a pair of Teal flushed from the edge of the Boardwalk as I walked around the far edge. A Little Egret also flew from the woodland cover to the right hand side of the path, circling the lake eventually landing atop a nearby house. The lake revealing itself to be half under ice the further around I could see, concentrating all of the Bird numbers on the remaining clear water.

Little Egret

Whilst trying to photograph a couple of swans in the nearby reed bed, I was distracted by a large duck like bird taking flight from the lake edge, better views revealed a Drake Goosander, my first for the area and the for the year, unfortunately not sticking around long enough to get a picture. Not long after a Grey Wagtail flew overhead, also another first for the year.

With no perching birds visible, (although I could hear, House Sparrow, Great Tit, Robin & Blue Tit) I headed back around the Brooks lake, spotting Chaffinch, Greenfinch & Goldfinch on the way. My intentions of getting a better Gadwall pic headed pretty much out of the window, as I spied movement next to a pair of Blackbirds in amongst a small area of watercress. A Water Rail, who fled pretty rapidly under the overhanging ivy, So i positioned myself and within 5 minutes he/she was back out in the open, allowing me some pretty good views.

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail

Not a bad hour, well hour and 5 minutes, Why do you always see something interesting when its time to go back to work? Puts the Year list up to 86 Species so far.

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.

Like I'd Never Been Away

A trip to Rooksbury Mill was in order today, As I don't think what with various bits and bobs going on that I'd visited there in about 2 weeks. I was pretty disappointed to find all the small birds had vanished, In the whole hour I spent around the lakes, I didn't see one Blue Tit, Great Tit or Sparrow, a sorry state of affairs. A few Goldfinches did show up as I got back to the car park, but that was about it.

A few more ducks appearing on the big lake now, Mainly Tufted Ducks, Coots, Moorhen, the odd Black Headed Gull, a pair of Little Grebe and a lone Juvenile Great Crested Grebe (No.50 on the December Area List). He/She was a bit far out for a decent picture.

Very Distant Great Crested Grebe

The species and numbers on the smaller lake haven't really changed at all, Half a dozen or so Gadwall, 8-10 Tufted Duck, 2 Little Grebe and 4 Mute Swans. Both Kingfishers were calling up and down the river but I never got a glimpse today, here's to hoping for more luck at Anton Lakes tomorrow if the weather permits.

Tufted Duck Drakes

Gadwall Drake

Gadwall

Mute Swan Cygnet

What A Way To Start The Day!

What a way to start the day! After a pretty crap nights sleep, the first rays of sunlight through the bedroom window as a I pulled back the curtains brought with them a nice surprise, Bertie the resident Barn Owl perched outside his nest box across the far side of the field. (I guess it could be Belinda, his mate - to far away to tell, so its even possible it was neither of these two) But im rambling now, I had to get the Binoculars out a bit quick as it was to make sure I wasn't imagining it in my bleary eyed state, confirmed Barn Owl hopping into Dads custom built nest box. Triiifffic! As Del Boy would say!

Nobody bloody mentioned that the Andover schools had the day off today! Mini motorbikes, Dog fights and endless Chav gangs - I ended my lunchtimes wander 20 minutes early because of the noise. None of the smaller birds that I'd seen earlier in the week were around and weather wise its been the best day of the week! I did somehow manage to squeeze in a full 10 minute viewing of the Kingfisher hidden amongst the trees, still not close enough for a decent pic, somewhat oblivious to the Chaos around him.

Grainy Kingfisher Proof

Cormorant

Mute Swan

Talking of which "Chaos" was the name of the Rotweiler chasing launched branches in to the lake by some pimple pocked faced Chav! This isn't good, Im beginning to think all my posts have to contain some kind of endless moaning, but I guess I shouldn't expect anything less from the location in which I go out. Other than the usual water going birds, the only noticeable sightings were a Buzzard, a Cormorant, a small flock of Fieldfare & a Grey Wagtail. Here's to hoping Sunday brings good weather so I can get out and about around the Estate.

You Live & Learn

A short post today because I didn't really see much down at Rooksbury Mill at lunchtime, the usual species from my recent visits, Mute Swans, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Gadwall, Moorhen & Coot. Goldfinches & Long Tailed Tits in the smaller trees near the car park. 

With the weather pretty decent today I thought I might try for the Kingfisher Pic again, the light on the Pool where I've seen them recently was pretty good, so I did my best to conceal myself behind the small Ash tree, no mean task when your 6 ft 1 and overweight. So there I stood twiddling my thumbs leaning against the fence, when an Aqua flash, headed straight towards me, landing about 10 ft away on the top of the sluices from the watercress beds. The Kingfisher in all its magnificent glory, now I like to think I have been brought up the right way around wildlife, so in my over excited state I find myself speedily bringing the camera up to eye level, casting a massive shadow all over the nearby flora. Schoolboy error at its most costly! Off flies Mr or Mrs Kingfisher, leaving a slightly irate Me stood there! 20mins later and still no return, please let this be a reminder to all! 

On the plus side this Cock Pheasant was rather inquisitive toward me and my camera.

Cock Pheasant

Cock Pheasant

Frost, Glorious Frost

This morning I woke up full of anticipation, no fog, a weak sun rising through the tree line of the old railway line in front of the house, result, camera cleaned and packed! I wander out to the car not really feeling the nip in the air, Window's are iced up, and not just the rubbish sludgy ice that melts as soon as you scrape it, the proper hard core stuff that you have to fear scratching the windscreen to clear. The car thermometer reads 0.5 degrees celsisus. Finally some cold weather is here.

It seems to have an instant impact, A glorious sight, the bird table had probably 4 or 5 times as many Blue Tits on it this morning, the Great Tits and Coal Tits all perched with the House Sparrows in the Apple Tree waiting there chance on the nuts and seed.

Temperature having risen to around 10 degrees by lunchtime, I thought I better take a stroll around Anton Lakes in my lunch hour, see if anything different has come in with this first little taster of cold weather. Magpies flying everywhere, not quite the birding entertainment I wanted to see but hey ho. The willow and alder trees near the edge of the water proved to be better foil. After much disruption by two very excited cocker spaniels, I managed to get clear enough views of the small flock of 12-15 birds flitting between the branches. Siskin a first for me in this area. None however stayed still long enough or came close enough for a picture.The patch of thistles, and grasses that had gone to seed, where I had seen the Goldfinches before seemed to be teeming with birds as a lot more Goldfinches and House Sparrows dropped in and out of the cover.

On to the lakes, the water pretty full now of with Mallard, Gadwall, Little Grebe, Tufted Duck, Coot, Moorhen & Black Headed Gull all mingling together, Still cant seem to get close enough to the Little Grebe to get a decent picture, they seem to be the flightiest of them all, diving straight under at any sign of movement.

Gadwall

Coot

Grey Heron

The Coots came pretty close so gave me a good chance to experiment a little with Aperture & Exposure etc, also had chance to grab a few frames of a Grey Heron coming into land further up the water.

The walk back to the car was pretty uneventful, more Goldfinches, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Grey Squirrel lodged in a rowan tree eating the berry's. I did however most disappointingly disturb a Male Bullfinch from some rough grass on the paths edge, only allowing a fleeting glance at his gorgeous red/pink wing feathers as he flew off. A definite draw for tomorrow though!

A Weekend's Wandering

Thick fog till lunchtime postponed my Sunday morning out, but it disappeared pretty rapidly to leave a rather warm golden autumnal afternoon! Accompanied by my glamourous binocular carrier Nat we headed off to the Hampshire Wildlife Trusts - Testwood Lakes Nature Reserve on the edge of Southampton. We were pretty lucky to find a parking space as it would seem half of Hampshire was out in force to walk their dogs around the Southern Water site. The smaller of the 2 lakes 'Little Testwood' in the "Normo's" (Normo's being Dog Walkers) area produced two pretty quick sightings. 2 Great Crested Grebes in Winter Plumage and a Kingfisher gliding from reed to reed along the waters edge. Still far to quick for me to get a picture!

HWT Testwood Lakes - Reserve Map

The larger 'Testwood Lake', I guess due to the invasion of Stick retrieving dogs was lacking any kind of activity mid afternoon, with just a few Black Headed Gulls floating in the middle. The one thing I do like about the Testwood site, is that the Pathways to the 2 Hides are all fenced off, and dog walkers are not allowed! These paths proved to be near on empty as we made our way to the Sand Martin hide, a few Blue Tits and Long Tailed Tits flitting about in the beach hedges besides the paths. With the hide empty and the sun starting to disappear behind the oncoming cloud over the scrapes, I was hoping that some kind of wading bird would be visible as an entry in the log book for 2pm said 3 Black-tailed Godwits - I couldn't see any and it was only 2.25pm, the only Birds visible were a few distant Common Teal.

The Heron Hide overlooking Meadow Lake prooved a little more fruitful, 80+ Lapwing emerging from the shallower water circling interwined with 40 or so Black Headed Gulls before landing again, in a cacophony of noise and calls.

Lapwing Flock

The muddy shoreline of the lake caught my eye producing more Common Teal, Mallard and 6 Shelduck mooching around on the edge of the water. The small island in the middle of the lake housed 12 Cormorant although others appeared along the far shoreline diving close to the fringing reed bed.

3 Little Egret present spaced evenly apart along the far shore where soon interrupted by the Arrival of a juvenile Grey Heron, other birds out on the water included Moorhen, Coot, Tufted Duck and a lone Pochard. A quick look at the watch meant we had to head back towards the Car park, gates being locked at 4pm, Which seemed a little early to end a dry Sunday afternoon! On the path back towards the Sand Martin Hide, the barrier fence that hides the path from the Meadow lake was a little lower, so we were able to peer over the top and snap off a few shots of some Teal sifting through the murky water.

Common Teal

The woodland path back to the main car park didn't show up any wildlife, although I did take a picture of this rather proud looking Fungi. Which I think is a Magpie Fungus but I am most probably wrong in identifying.

Magpie Fungus?

It's been impossible to get out at lunch time so far this week, with thick fog in the south reducing visibility to about 20 metres. and today doesnt look much better with the Carpark view from my Office window reduced to 5 or 6 cars back. So i've had to resort to reading Decembers edition of Bird Watching Magazine which really isn't quite the same!

Beaten By The Binmen!

With a bit more light on offer today, I got the camera out early this morning and sat myself up in the bedroom window, curtains drawn and lens poking through, to see what would come in on the bird table! The resident Robin, a Great Tit, Blue Tits bombing back and forth. Then the Great Spotted Woodpecker appeared, perched atop the nearest telegraph pole, I steadied myself, finger stretched at the ready on the shutter button, all the other birds disappear from the feeders, he calls, he flies towards the Nuts landing on the fence checking out the area, I move position slightly, and then the bloody Dustbin men come, male Woodpecker a gonna!

Robin

I thought Id spend my lunch break around Rooksbury Mill today as the sun kept appearing through the cloud, with the hope of getting some shots of the Kingfisher with better light. A lot of the Blackbirds from wednesday seeming to have vanished with just a few showing up around the reserve. Mute Swans, Tufted Duck, Mallard, Little Grebe & Gadwall all showing on the smaller lake. The larger and main lake almost empty with only 2 Swans a Moorhen and a Coot present.

I returned to the small former watercress bed several times during my lunch hour, as this was the place I saw the Kingfisher earlier in the week, I stood and waited for about a total of 30 mins, hidden behind a bramble patch peering out for a glimpse. Nothing, I could hear a pair calling quite frequently to my right on the main river, but nothing appeared in-front of me. There was however a small bird on the drainage pipes from the other cress beds which enter the pool, Sat preening in the midday sun, not once giving me a glimpse of its tail or wing weathers. The only identification I can give is a Grey Wagtail, possibly a juvenile, attached below are some pictures. Please let me know if you have any other ideas.