British Wildlife Calendar 2017

Looking at the time of year I thought it was about now that I should bring back the blog. It's been brought back quite a few times and will probably be brought back again in the future as finding time to write is always so hard.

So anyways some new content. Well looking under the bed in the spare room this morning I realized I still had a handful of my 2017 Calendars in stock. When I say a handful I mean under 10 so here is a short write up featuring this years shots.

If anyone has started their Christmas shopping already and needs a small stocking filler, these are great little gifts. And a bargain at £7.00. Local Delivery/Collection is Free. Or I can post for a £1.00

More information or to order you can visit my websites 'Online Shop' here: British Wildlife 2017 Calendar

As always my Calendar features shots of totally wild British birds and mammals photographed throughout the past year. I always try my best to include an even mix or birds and mammals if I can relate them to the month in which the photo was taken. Here is this years selection.

January 2017 - Great spotted Woodpecker - Taken from my pop up hide around my garden feeders.

February 2017 - Brown Hare - Frosty winter mornings were perfect for catching up with the local Brown Hares.

March 2017 - Great crested Grebes - An early spring trip to the Somerset levels brought a morning with a Great crested Grebe pair on a small lake.

April 2017 - Yellowhammer - My local population were looking stunning as they came into breeding plumage.

May 2017 - Eurasian Otter - A close encounter of the Otter kind whilst holidaying on Mull.

June 2017 - Atlantic Puffin - Some Puffin therapy from a couple of hours spent on the Isle of Lunga.

July 2017 - Roe Deer - With Summer underway, the freshly harvested fields became battlefields for the annual Roe Deer rut.

August 2017 - Kingfisher - 4 Years living by a river and finally I manage a Kingfisher shot.

September 2017 - Red Kite - You never know what species will turn up in the garden when the camera is out, this Kite landing in a tree was a little bit of a shock.

October 2017 - Reeves' Muntjac - Alert as ever, my closest encounter to date with the Muntjac.

November 2017 - Wigeon - I have never had the pleasure of photographing these magnificent ducks up close until a chance visit to RSPB Greylake.

December 2017 - Short-eared Owl - No year would be complete without a shot of these awesome Owls, taken around midday on a grey December day.

As mentioned above for more information or to order you can visit my websites 'Online Shop' here: British Wildlife 2017 Calendar

If you are a social media user, Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram for up to date sightings & photographs, any 'Comments or Criticisms' are welcomed.

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Lunchtime Otter - 16th Jan

With nothing much showing on the smaller lake, I headed straight around to the bigger lake on my lunchtime jaunt, a nice bright crisp day, a change from the weather we'd have in previous weeks.

Having seen the local Otters on various occasions now I've come a little accustomed to the signs they are out and about, Having before Christmas spent a good 10 minutes watching some Black-headed Gulls circling above the waters edge not realising that an Otter was surfacing below them. I've come to realise that this is often a tell tale sign that there is some activity.

Having this theory proven in recent weeks and today was no exception, I spotted a couple of gulls bombing something at the top end of the lake and about 5 seconds later a head surfaced. Bingo!

Careful not to disturb, I headed quickly and decisively along and down into one of the fishermans pontoons, much better down at waters level as the main path is raised about 4 foot from the waters edge. I sat myself down at the edge of the lake, back to a thick clump of bramble cast in shade from the sun behind my back. Rubbing my hands together as what looked like the female adult Otter started to hunt in my direction.

There I was happily snapping a few frames off when from behind me comes some guy with a camera running down the path. I had already seen this guy earlier in the car park and made polite conversation and got the impression that he thought he knew what he was doing, I'd hoped he was off in the opposite direction but turned out he had followed my circuit and now was stood above me as bold as brass with nothing to hide his silouette.

"She isn't bothered by us is she.....I think I'll get a little closer!" was what came from his mouth. I replied in a rather pissed off manner "If you feel you have to, only move when she is under water and make sure you keep low to the ground!" He did seem to register this for about 2 minutes before he was frantically following her up and down the lakeside everytime she moved like a headless chicken.

It's fair to say by this point I was rather irate, firstly at the total lack of respect this guy was showing a wild animal, one especially as illusive as an Otter fishing in broad daylight and secondly at the lack of common courtesy he was showing me! Turns out she wasn't particularly enjoying his flapping at the edge of the water and swam off up the lake ending my hope of any more shots. One word came to mind: KNOBHEAD!!! Well maybe a few more with some expletives at the front, but this is a family blog right!

Female Otter

Having a Shake off

It made me question it a little bit, as much as I want to share the wonders of wildlife with other people, it made me wonder if in some instances it should be kept quiet, a few of us have spent the past year or so gaining the Otters trust, several other Photographers having spent a lot more time than me at the lakes learning feeding patterns and best times conditions etc, for it all maybe to be ruined by an influx of people who just turn up and expect them to perform on cue.

Maybe I am just a little bitter, but I feel that there has to be a reason we have such a healthy population of Otters, (7 were seen together since this visit) that other habitats in the area must be so unsuitable that they are all living here together. Which in my opinion is a very delicate situation and perhaps should be managed by someone with a little more knowledge than the local councils Environmental department.

If you are a social media user, Feel free to follow me on Facebook, Twitter or Google+ for up to date sightings & photographs, any 'Comments & Criticisms' are welcomed.

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2012 - Big Change, Little Time

So if you thought you had read your last 2012 Review Blog Post you were wrong, you haven't! I shall try and keep it short and most hopefully sweet. As many of you may have read 2012 has been a weird old year for me, moving the family home in March and April has brought far more photographic opportunities with a wide range of species alongside the River in Longparish, Hampshire, and although this is a plus and a positive for the year, leaving behind the home and country estate that you've spent the past 25 years of your life is a little sad.

2012 started badly for me with the loss of Paddy our 6 year old Springer Spaniel, and this wasn't the end of the pet related deaths as in July we lost Sweep our 3 year old Cocker Spaniel both to horrible freak accidents when out walking. As well as several close relatives and family friends. Not a year to remember!

But enough of the personal trauma. What about the wildlife? 

Well most of the early part of 2012 was spent trying to catch up with the Short Eared Owls of Bransbury Common. Usually unsuccessfully, although 2012 was an abundant wintering year for them. (11 counted one day by another birder) I still never really got close enough to get any shots I was happy with. Although watching 4 SEO's and 2 Barn Owls hunting together at the same time was pretty special. Definitely on the list for this years early expeditions, especially now as Bransbury Common is part of my new patch. I just hope the heavy rain from the past few months drains through pretty quickly.

January - Short Eared Owl (Barton Stacey, Hants)

With moving in full flow come March and April, photography trip time was at a premium and I had to make sure I made the most of my jaunts to see my girlfriend Nat in Shropshire, I had one especially cracking weekend where all the birds I wanted to see appeared and appeared well, a couple of firsts for me. Great Grey Shrike, Common Crossbill, Red Grouse, Dipper & some really close Red Kites.

March - Red Grouse (The Long Mynd, Shrops)

By May things were more settled at home, and the garden was starting to get up to scratch. Allowing a lot more time to be spent wandering the riverbank, footpaths and water meadows of the new patch. Also enjoying some time with the local Brown Hare population.

May - Brown Hare (Longparish, Hants)

Early June was a bumper month for me and my camera, a weeks holidaying in coastal Pembrokeshire brought some great birding opportunities and a chance to visit Skomer. A must for anyone with any interest in Sea Birds. A pretty special day was spent in the company of Puffins, Razorbills & Guillemots.

Early June - Puffin (Skomer, Pembs)

With the delights of Wales a distant memory, I started to dedicate a lot of time waiting for the local Barn Owl, who took up residence in the field next to the new house. Countless hours were spent trying to anticipate the best angle the best light and the Owl's next whereabouts. My best photograph however came on the way back from Cricket Nets, spotting Barnie out in the field I ditched the car in a nearby drive, jumped across the road with my camera and tripod and bingo! Who needed to spend hours in a midge bitten state waiting fruitlessly. 

Late June - Barn Owl (Longparish, Hants)

The Summer months seemed to last for ever, lots of time to spend out and about, but not a lot to see, my focus turned to Butterflies, Moths & Dragonflies the only constant source of entertainment. Highlights included a Garden tick in the form of a Purple Emperor.

August - Banded Demoiselle (Longparish, Hants)

September, some of the best weather of the year, and another outing with Nat, this time down to Weymouth, 3 RSPB reserves and some cracking species seen. None much MEGARERER than the Short-billed Dowitcher that had been present for a couple of weeks. Even more satisfying than the 20 ft views, was the fact that no one had seen it any closer than a blurred dot in the 2 weeks prior.

September - Short Billed Dowitcher (Lodmoor, Dorset)

October started with a pretty poor weekend in Exmoor, indifferent weather as you would expect. But no rutting action with the Red Deer at all. Things improved for the better towards the end of the month with what I think will go down as my personal highlight of the year. Another weekend in Shropshire and a visit to the moorland expanse of the Long Mynd. Bringing me an awesome half hour in the company of my first ever Merlin. 

October - Merlin (Long Mynd, Shrops)

As the weather started to get a little colder and Christmas approaching, my sister and I made our now annual visit to Slimbridge. We managed to pick a nice crisp morning with some beautiful light. Just right for the thousands of Waterbirds throughout the reserve, none much more striking than the beautiful Pintail.

November - Pintail (Slimbridge, Gloucs)

December, Go to work in the dark, get home from work in the dark. Dodge the raindrops, watch the mud. You all know the story, trying to find time to spend when it wasn't raining proved near on impossible. Outings were left to dry lunchtimes and one just happened to bring a wildlife encounter that I truly think will take some beating on a lunchtime ever again. I have been spending some time hoping to encounter the Rooksbury Otters on and off since they first appeared at the end of March. Sometimes successfully other times not. Having not photographed them since the spring, this close encounter was a welcomed to end to the year.

December - Otter (Andover, Hants)

So in conclusion a pretty good year I guess, and I can't complain at all, other than I guess not having enough time. A full time job along with a part time seasonal job (Groundsman) doesn't allow for as much wildlife watching as I would like. All of my encounters apart from the Barn Owl really come down to just being in the right place at the right time. Not being able to sit and learn patterns in behaviour and when and where I am most likely to see certain species.

I think my main aim for 2013 is to try and focus on a much narrower range of species and projects, hopefully to reward me more in viewing & learning about the wildlife I hope to photograph. I ended the year with a pretty average 156 Species of Birds so I am hoping to improve that dramatically for 2013 too.

Download it here - 2012 Species List - Excel File

Here is too 2013 - Best of luck one and all!

Lunchtime Otter

I don't think lunch hours get much better than this to be honest. My usual lunchtime jaunt around Rooksbury had been pretty unsuccessful, not a lot showing up at all on a bright crisp December day. I had gotten half way around my circuit of the big lake when I stopped to speak to the Fishermen, both moaning about in the influx of Cormorants that are tormenting the local fish populations. As one came into land they both jumped to there feet shouting and hollering. Its fair to say that the Cormorant didn't really take a blind bit of notice and proceeded to fish quite happily in front of them.

I left them reeling in a fish and carried on down by the waters edge, getting only 30ft further, when up popped a head 10ft away in the water. I froze, tripod mid air, no cover or anything as this particular edge of the lake has quite a bank that leads to it. My shape quite imposing with no background to hide it. 10 seconds seems an eternity when your trying to be invisible, as the head went under I moved a little closer trying to break my outline from the clear sky behind it.

An up pops the head again, again I freeze this time though I was prepared, camera was on and I managed to start snapping a few shots. After another breathtaking 10-15 seconds the Otter dived again, allowing me to get right down by the waters edge and conceal myself a little against a nearby bush.

Here it was hunting mere metres from the fisherman, presumably making the most of there bates attraction of the lakes fish. The lighting was really bright so had to struggle with the camera settings as best I could in such a situation. With one side of the Otters head in bright sunshine the other in shade. Below are 4 of the shots I manage to get fairly okish.

A cracking lunchtime encounter, at really close quarters. One I will never forget and I don't think will ever top!

Look at those Teeth!

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography Up to date pictures and sightings, prior to me getting around to writing these blog posts, I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page too so feel free to comment or criticise about anything.

Rooksbury Gull - ID Required

I've started spending my lunch hour walking around the local Nature reserve again now down at Rooksbury Mill, on this particular visit I was watching 2 Black headed Gulls circling with a rather larger cousin, which I assumed was a winter plumage Herring Gull, now my gull identification skills are pretty awful so if anyone could confirm for me I would be grateful.

The more annoying thing is, I was stood there busy photographing the gulls, wondering why they were circling over such a small part of the lake, when up popped an Otter no more than 30 ft away. DOH! That explained it! Another massive fail on my part, as it soon went under again. Photo missed.

http://www.facebook.com/MartinClayPhotography Up to date pictures and sightings, prior to me getting around to writing these blog posts, I would be more than grateful for any 'Likes' or Comments on my FB Photography Page too so feel free to comment or criticise about anything.

My First English Otter

For about the past Month or so, various sightings of Otters have been coming in from my local reserve at Rooksbury, and on several unsuccessful occasions I've staked out the lakes in the hope of seeing the four legged water beasts. So with other photographers starting to get some great shots frequently I thought it about time I gave it another go, so Monday evening I headed down around half 6ish and sat quietly on the waters edge waiting. The occasional Mallard and Coot drifting past the only species disturbing the waters surface. Around 7.55pm I noticed a ripple gaining into a rather large wave at the end of the lake, but nothing braking the surface, as you do I got a little bit more alert, shifting restlessly in my seat. 10mins later and out of nowhere 2 heads appear from beneath an over hanging willow, heading my way. Two adult wild english Otters, my third sighting ever and my first outside of Scotland. MAGIC!

My First English Otters

As they dived I couldn't help but think that was it, as a group of 4 youths shouting and spitting walked the path behind me, positively sure they had disrupted Mr & Mrs Otter for the evening I felt like following them down the path and pushing them in the water, but no sooner had they dispersed before Mr. Otter reappeared and seemingly oblivious to anything else in the water.

He had a good mooch around the edge of the floating reed before swimming out into the middle of the water. No more than 25 ft in-front of me. Im not sure if he heard the shutter firing on my camera or more likely he caught my scent, but I can't complain about the 2 mins or so a totally wild Dog Otter floated before me almost posing.

As the light faded even more and the rain started to fall, both reappeared and soon caught a rather large Carp from the lake, easily the same size as the female, and dragged it off into the overhanging willows to devour. A totally magical and truly unforgettable experience, even if I did find myself questioning why I was stood in the pouring rain!

I returned on Tuesday evening also hoping for a repeat performance and sat with a couple of fellow photographers, no clear sightings, but plenty of noise and squealing as we think the mother was playing with her cub in some foliage on the far side of the lake. a quick glance seemed to confirm this as both entered the water briefly at 8.45pm and neither the same size as the dog Otter I had seen before.

If your interested in some rather better Photographs than my own, Grant a fellow photographer had some great luck yesterday afternoon during a rain shower - check his shots out on .Grant's Facebook.

Also if you fancy being kept up to date with my adventures I'd be very grateful if you liked my FB page. Martin Clay Photography my apologies for the shameless plug.