Gigrin Farm - 23rd Feb

A weekend with my girlfriend in Shropshire and finally an opportunity to drive the short distance across the border and onwards into Wales to visit the very well known Gigrin Farm Red Kite feeding station. Having never been before, and having listened to my parents & sisters tales of the wondrous sight of such a large number of visiting Kites, I had to admit I was quite excited.

A light flurry of over night snow didn't dampen the spirits as we left a fairly bright Craven Arms and headed towards Rhayader. The 40 miles or so through some quite stunning scenery soon passed and a quick look around the Elan Valley dams prior to the 2 o'clock feed. A few Red Kites & Buzzards were spotted roadside, as well as a pair of Treecreeper on the walk to the Pen-y-garreg dam.

As usual when entering Wales there is always a chance of rain, and it wasn't long before the fairly bright sky turned grey and overcast, the temperature also dropping quite rapidly. Arriving first at Gigrin we headed straight down to pick our spot in the hides, already cursing the ever diminishing light for my photography. With 5 minutes to go till feeding time we were still the only people in the hides, enjoying some spec sized Kites soaring in from the mountain beyond.

The rumble of the tractor seemed to spring the place to action, with 30 or so Ravens descending from the trees in the hope of a free meal. The nearby trees surrounding the adjoining fields seemed to unload with Red Kites erupting from every branch. If I had to guess I would have said around 120 circled high above the feeding ground. With the rumble of the tractor the hide doors started to open on quite a frequent basis and we were soon joined by a lot of screaming snotty nosed kids. Perfect, just what I like in a Bird hide.

As I am sure for anybody that has visited Gigrin or another similar feeding station, the sight of hundreds of Red Kites descending from above to ground level is truly unforgettable. Joined by 15 or so Buzzards numbers estimated at around 450 Kites joined the party, circling and dropping constantly for a good half and hour before the numbers thinned out.

Luckily half an hour in a cold frosty hide soon thinned out spectators, with only a few left to witness the second coming, as the Kites dropped in again upon the remaining meat of-cuts. Below are a few shots I managed in some ridiculously poor light. I must admit photographing such a big bird at such close quarters was a lot harder than I thought, the movement, speed and distraction of other birds making it really hard to follow through the lens.

About an hour later I had to give up, Nat was froze and my teeth were chattering, I don't think I've ever let myself get that cold whilst out and about. The Kites continued to drop in on a now bare feeding ground. Joined by a flock or Rooks, and oddly 50 + Pied Wagtails.

So definitely worth the trip, and I would recommend to anyone for such a small entrance fee, a wonderful place to experience the joys of the Red Kite in its hundreds.

Red Kite

Buzzard

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The Climb To Clee

The prospect of the afternoon off of work and the weekend spent with my girlfriend in Shropshire, cheered me up as I left Andover at half 12 and made the near on 3 hour journey north west towards Ludlow. The plan to drive through and spend a couple of hours on the Long Mynd, soon changed when I realised I was busting for the loo, not usually a game changer, but as I drove over the open expanse of Clee Hill 5 or 6 miles before Ludlow.

I decided with the clock just passing 3pm and the early November sun already dropping down low towards the distant mountains once I had got up on to the Long Mynd time would be pretty limited. So an impulsive turnoff to Titterstone Clee summit settled all doubts, firstly to relieve the bladder, and secondly in the hope in picking up some upland specialists. Ring Ouzel being number one on the wish list.

As soon as I parked up above the old quarry and stepped out of the car, The change in temperature hit me, to say the wind is pretty keen would be a bit of a understatement. It was freezing! I'm not sure if its the change in temperature and altitude or the fact that I'm overweight and physically unfit, but the fairly steep ascent up towards the radar station nearly killed me. 

After reaching the summit, I found a nice sheltered spot on the eastern face hiding from the wind and regaining my breath, the view from here is pretty spectacular and I chastised myself for not carrying my smaller lens as the afternoon sun covered the surrounding miles in gorgeous soft orange light.

On the bird front I must admit I was pretty disappointed, no Ouzels or Raptors in sight, the only activity, the 50 or so Ravens that flew, cronked and exercised rather aerobatically quite low over my head, even with a few impressive barrel rolls that sprung out of knowhere.

Ravens

Ravens

As I descended down the slightly more rocky south face I still held hope for a Blackbird type thrush, but nothing, just the sight of two distant Merlin being chased by 5 or 6 Ravens. Once back at the car I did swap lenses over, but having missed the best of the light I left a little annoyed having watched the Sunset from a high vantage point and not being able to photograph it. As usual a massive fail on my part!

Sunset In Wales

With pretty horrid weather all day on Saturday I didn't have the opportunity to get out with the camera anywhere, and resulted to photographing the odd garden bird from the bedroom window on Sunday morning as the Sky's cleared. Dunnock & House Sparrows quite vocal in the hedge at the back of the garden.

Dunnock

Cock Sparrow

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In A Bit Of A Rut

The plan was to head down to Exmoor for a few days at the beginning of October, with a lot of indifferent weather and reports from elsewhere in the country of a lot of Red Deer action, I was quite hopeful for a few hours with the wild beasts in the Exmoor National Park.

How wrong could I have been, a 5.30am get up and a pretty speedy 118 miles down the A303, 2 hours later we (Girlfriend & I) were tucking into a full english and giving the ordnance survey a good once over. Down through Exford and up and out onto the Moor, Exmoor seems to be the only place I know of in England where the weather can change from Rain to clear skies in the matter of minutes. Rainbows appear and before you can trace them are gone as the cloud disperses. This particular day was no different, with a keen wind, wrapped up we headed off on the path up towards Dunkery Beacon, a place that has never failed in the past to deliver a herd or two.

A slight detour off of the path through the very wet heather brought me my first views of the Red Deer, about 45-50 to be precise, but any hope of some action vanished pretty quickly, as all they seemed to be worried about was feeding. 4 or 5 Young Stags seem to approach the big old boy, but it was all rather tame and friendly, as he didn't at all seem bothered by there presence. And so it remained throughout the next couple of days. We spent about 6-7 hours watching the Deer and in all that time, I only heard a Stag roar twice. I did manage to capture that on camera although a little far away.

Nice to see plentiful flocks of Golden Plover feeding up on top of the moors exploiting the wet peaty soil, however getting close enough for a picture without causing them to take flight proved too much.

The Roaring Big Boy

Think He Winded Me

Another Roar

A Small Number of the Dunkery Herd

I had a couple of stalks in the hope of singling out a nice Red Stag to photograph, one involved stalking for about a mile over and under, through heather and gorse to get within 20 yards of a group of 4 Stags, however when I got to the final gorse bush I was using as cover, I decided to go the wrong side and came out a lot closer than intended. FAIL, ruining all hopes of a shot. 

A lot of people seem to descend upon London's parks during the Rut to capture the bellowing Stags in all of their glory, and although I've nothing at all against that, for some reason I've always thought if I were to do so it would be cheating a little. The Deer always seem a little more tolerant of humans and far easier to get close to. So I have always told myself to keep it natural and keep it wild. Perhaps I should change my views I might get some decent shots. 

My Closest Encounter

Along with the Red Deer, another ever present on Exmoor are the Exmoor Ponies one of our last breeds of wild horse. They unlike the Deer are far more approachable and seem quite happy to pose.

Exmoor Pony

With the route out of Dulverton closed with roadworks, an alternative way up on to the moor was found, along and across the area known has Hawkridge, a road I had never taken before, leading down to a rather photogenic spot called Landacre Bridge giving views up and down the River Barle. On this occasion the weather struck again, in the 50 yards from leaving the car in bright sunshine to walking to the bridge it was pissing it down!

The area of the National Park here prooved a little more productive for bird life, although unconfirmed Im pretty sure I saw a Hen Harrier working low over top the heather, Stonechat could be seen a top the gorse along with the ever plentiful Meadow Pipit, Kestrel, Raven and a rather lost covey of Red-leg Partridge, trundling along the moor top road. And a flock of 12-15 Redpoll which took me a little by surprise, although later reading my bird book explained that it seemed perfectly adequate habitat for such species.

The River Barle From Landacre Bridge

Saturday our last full day out on the Moor, and a natural phenomenon occurred, one that I haven't ever witnessed before. The sky clear of cloud, the sun out and beating down causing heat hazes everywhere, and not a drop of rain in sight! Certainly makes the scenery look a lot better!

View to Bossington - from Porlock Hill

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Up On The Downs

With cricket called off for the August Bank holiday weekend, but the weather fairly indifferent, finding something to do. A trip up the Bourne Valley, a nice spot of Lunch in the Jack Russell Inn at Faccombe, highly recommended followed by the search for Red Kites on the large open fields heading towards the Gibbet at Gallows Down.

The weather was pretty indifferent all day, so we headed off up the Valley around lunchtime hoping that it would brighten up for a walk in the afternoon, just prior to turning off for Faccombe I made a pretty swift pull in on the roadside as a field full of blue / purple flowers greeted us. I only had the telephoto with me so I couldn't take a shot, and was a little unsure as to what it was. But I thought to myself I'll pop back one night in the week with the smaller lens and some better weather.

With an outdoor pub lunch scuppered by a pretty heavy rain shower and a hasty retreat indoors we pondered the plan of action for the afternoon, Faccombe Estate covers a large acreage on the North Hampshire / Berkshire border and is a variety of Wooded copses & plantations, large open arable ground and grassy downland. Perfect terrain for Red Kites, throughout the afternoon we saw 9 all within a couple of miles of one another soaring high on the thermals. As we headed higher up the valley 3 Kites were being mobbed continuously by crows who were soon joined at the top of Gallows Down by a pair of Buzzards a Kestrel and numerous Ravens. All too far away for a decent photograph and when straying near enough the sun just happened to appear and make conditions way to bright for photography. 

I did however manage a shot that I was really pleased with, as the sky filled up with dark clouds in preparation for another downpour, some wispy white clouds blew through on the stiff breeze, highlighted by the rapidly disappearing sun. Quickly I had to find a foreground subject, thankfully a rather obliging Sheep posed in front of the sky for me.

Gallows Down Ewe

After disappearing back to the car before it poured down, we checked the map and realised one of Berkshire Wildlife Trusts reserves at Inkpen common was only about 2 miles down the road. Having missed another heavy shower, we headed for a wander around the small heathland reserve. However other than the colourful shades of the Heather and Bell Heather not a lot to be seen. As the sun returned a couple of butterflies did emerge for a photograph. 

Speckled Wood

Meadow Brown

As promised I did return up Netherton Valley one evening in the week when the sun was shining, and managed to get a couple of shots of the mysterious blue flowered field, which having researched when I got home concluded was Phacelia Tanacetifolia which Wikipedia says It was originally native to the Southwestern United States and northern Mexico, but it is now used in many places in agriculture as a cover crop, a bee plant, an attractant for other beneficial insects, and anornamental plant. It is planted in vineyards and alongside crop fields, where it is valued for its long, coilinginflorescences of nectar-rich flowers which open in sequence, giving a long flowering period. It is a good insectary plant, attracting pollinators such as honey bees. Whatever its use Im sure you'll agree quite the colourful sight.

With my Grad filters in the bag I thought I'd head back up on to the downs for some sunset shots looking back towards Andover, had a play with the Red filter which worked quite nicely on the Setting sun. Also a HDR effect that I hadn't really tried before but I think works quite nicely.

Phacelia Tanacetifolia

Phacelia Tanacetifolia

HDR Sunset

Red Filter Sunset

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Pembrokeshire - Part 1

So on Monday 28th May the girlfriend and I headed down to Dale on the South Western tip of Pembrokeshire for her birthday present come spring holiday for the both of us. (Excuse to visit Skomer for me) The sun was shining which seemed a slightly daunting prospect as I don't recall that happening in Wales all that often. The illusion didn't last too long as a look out of the window on Tuesday morning resulted in a more expected weather front - cloud! Just up the road from Dale the Gann estuary enters the bay, so first port of call was a quick walk up the coastal path to see if any waders were about on the receded beach. Plenty of Whitethroat, Dunnock & Linnet flitted about on the surrounding gorse bushes. 6 Shellduck present on the pools behind the beach.

A smallish flock of small Waders flew and landed within 30 yards but the light was poor so I only managed a few clearish shots, which I think show Dunlin & Sanderling. Ringed Plover where also mixed in. A pair of Curlew also flew in amongst the obligatory Oystercatchers and Gulls.

Sandering & Dunlin

Dunlin

Next stop Marloes Mere after reading a lot about the resident 3 Glossy Ibis, we soon picked them up on a bank at the far side of the reserve, they soon were up and on the wing soaring around in a couple of circles before landing on the marshy meadows. The grounded photos were pretty poor due to the distance but I did get a fairly clear outline flight shot, even if the light was so poor to pick up much colour detail. But a great edition to the Species list.

Glossy Ibis

From the barbed wired gateway that overlooked the Ibis, we headed on down to the rather small Hide overlooking a couple of the Mere's pools. Proving a haven for small birds, with Linnets, Sedge Warbler, Willow Warbler, Reed Bunting, Dunnock, Blackbird and a lone Reed Warbler all showing themselves as well as a juvenile Dunnock.

Willow Warbler

Willow Warbler 

Dunnock Juvenile

With the car park at Martin's Haven overflowing from Skomer and Deer Park visitors we had a walk along the coastal path above Marloes Sands and over looking a mist shrouded Skokholm. Linnets seem to adorn nearly every bush along the path, but none pausing long enough in the open to satisfy my camera, however a pair of Stonechat appeared more obliging, the male in particular. Also got a quick glimpse at a pair of Chough as we walked back to the car.

Stonechat Male

Wednesdays weather proved similar in the morning but soon the warm sun burnt the mist away in the afternoon and bathed the area in glorious sunshine. We had a quick lunch stop at Stackpole Quay before walking the 25 uphill minutes or so to Barafundle, well worth the walk a glorious undisturbed Sandy beach managed by the National Trust. Plenty of Gulls and Jackdaws soaring along the elevated cliffs, a lone Gannet and Fulmar both spotted on the walk up along with 4 Skylarks singing over the pasture on top. Distant cliff views showed quite a few nesting Guillemots and the odd Razorbill.

Barafundle Bay 

Herring Gull

We then headed around to Freshwater West a lovely long stretch of beach with a lot of rocky pools, I did get distracted by the constant passing by of Ravens along with a couple of Chough.

Raven

Still nursing some of the previous days Sunburn and waking to a really crappy morning, Thursday we decided to do the 7.5 Mile walk round route to and from the cottage around St. Ann's head. Other than getting bloody wet due to the lack of footpath maintenance (4 foot grass) we didn't see all to much other than a lone male Stonechat until we had passed St. Ann's Lighthouse at the halfway stage.

The walk back over looking Skokholm and very distant Skomer was far more rewarding with Fulmar, Gannet, Rock Pipit and even a Brown Hare all added to the list. The rapid arrival of thick fog in the afternoon pretty much prevented anything else outdoors, so I skulked off back to the house praying for some decent weather for the trip to Skomer the next morning. Part 2 to follow.

Clifftop Fulmar

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Garden Birding & New Arrivals

Confined to barracks by the weather, I set the tripod up in the porch on a very grey and cold May Saturday morning, hoping to capture some of the activity on the seed feeding station in the garden, which now gets refilled every other day. The local Goldfinches & Greenfinches are quite partial to emptying the Niger and particularly Sunflower feeders. Whilst crippling mothers purse, it does mean that there frequent visits mean I didn't have to wait too long for a photo opportunity.

Greenfinch

Greenfinch 

Goldfinch

With the Goldies and Greenies not pausing to long on the uprights before descending upon the nuts, I hoped for a slightly slower moving bird. The next to visit was the Coal Tit who seems incapable of staying more than 2 seconds to feed, Im not sure if its a size thing, as an inferior sized member of the Tit family he / she might be intimidated by the larger birds or just the fact they've got a lot of hungry mouths to feed and can't hang around socializing over lunch. 

Finally some slow moving garden inhabitants, as 4 Long tailed Tits joined a couple of Blue Tits on their feeder of choice containing the Fat balls. I think they are such characters!

A midday phone-call, and panic stations!!! Prepare a cricket pitch to play on in less than 24 hours, 10mins later from short drive up the valley, and Im watching 2 rather unexpected visitors in a pair of Ravens circling the field next to my cricket pitch. I don't ever recall seeing them in this part of sleepy Hampshire before. As the afternoon progressed and the sun deciding to put in an appearance, once back in Longparish I thought I'd check on the Greylags, the Goslings seem to have grown substantially in the week or so since I first saw them as a Geese grazed side by side with the rough looking rare breed sheep.

Greylag

I was quite surprised to find a Goldcrest singing in the tree above me as I noticed the newest family arrivals in the village a Mute Swan pair with 4 fluffy grey Cygnets, who couldn't have been no more than a couple of days old.

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