Date: 02/11/2017
Location: Forest of Dean
Weather: Grey overcast, misty
Species Highlights:
Wild Boar
Nuthatch, Redpoll, Siskin, Raven, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit.
Wild Boar
Nuthatch, Redpoll, Siskin, Raven, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit.
Observation:
Not been to The Forest of Dean since February this year so a visit was overdue and some sightings of the Great Grey Shrike clenched the deal.
After clearing the heavy traffic of the ring road had a clear run up to Parkend where i thought i'd sit, make breakfast and see if any Hawfinch turned up, they didn't but 3 Nuthatch did along with Coal Tits, Magpie and a few Chaffinch.
Magpie's were getting a mouth full of raisins, healthy breakfast!
The Crow just patrolled the area , keeping a eye on things.
After a couple of hours i headed up to towards Crabtree hill to look for Shrike, on entering the car park saw this beast rooting around in the grass.
My closest ever encounter, cars and people walking and driving past he just carried on. Amazing to see so close, my 400mm was to big even at the 100mm end so had to step back to get him into frame!
After plenty of shots i headed on to look for the Shrike my first sightings were Goldcrests and Jays, then a few Redpoll always nice to see these smart birds.
After speaking to a few other visiting birders there was no sign of the Shrike, i walked around all its usual spots with nothing much showing apart from a group of Siskin flitting through trees.
Walked back to car Park, 2 hours had past and the Boar was still there.
He was massive i'd say up to my hip, car for scale .
Next Dinnertime so of down to Cannop Ponds, sad to see no Mandarin on lake although a few Wigeon, plenty of Little Grebe and 5 Tufted duck were present.
Parked up, a few handfuls of seed and this is what it attracted.
5 Blackbirds
5 Nuthatch.
2 Marsh Tits.
6 Robin's
4 Chaffinch
Plus at least 10 Coal tits.
Most of these pictures were taken in overcast conditions Camera setting was
F5.6= 320 shutter and 3200 ISO, not the best setting!
A great day was had, i shall return, took me 3 attempts last year to see Shrike, so plenty of time.
Not been to The Forest of Dean since February this year so a visit was overdue and some sightings of the Great Grey Shrike clenched the deal.
After clearing the heavy traffic of the ring road had a clear run up to Parkend where i thought i'd sit, make breakfast and see if any Hawfinch turned up, they didn't but 3 Nuthatch did along with Coal Tits, Magpie and a few Chaffinch.
Magpie's were getting a mouth full of raisins, healthy breakfast!
The Crow just patrolled the area , keeping a eye on things.
After a couple of hours i headed up to towards Crabtree hill to look for Shrike, on entering the car park saw this beast rooting around in the grass.
My closest ever encounter, cars and people walking and driving past he just carried on. Amazing to see so close, my 400mm was to big even at the 100mm end so had to step back to get him into frame!
After plenty of shots i headed on to look for the Shrike my first sightings were Goldcrests and Jays, then a few Redpoll always nice to see these smart birds.
After speaking to a few other visiting birders there was no sign of the Shrike, i walked around all its usual spots with nothing much showing apart from a group of Siskin flitting through trees.
Walked back to car Park, 2 hours had past and the Boar was still there.
He was massive i'd say up to my hip, car for scale .
Next Dinnertime so of down to Cannop Ponds, sad to see no Mandarin on lake although a few Wigeon, plenty of Little Grebe and 5 Tufted duck were present.
Parked up, a few handfuls of seed and this is what it attracted.
5 Blackbirds
5 Nuthatch.
2 Marsh Tits.
6 Robin's
4 Chaffinch
Plus at least 10 Coal tits.
Most of these pictures were taken in overcast conditions Camera setting was
F5.6= 320 shutter and 3200 ISO, not the best setting!
A great day was had, i shall return, took me 3 attempts last year to see Shrike, so plenty of time.
Thanks For Looking!
&
Thanks For All Your Support!
If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to leave comments if you have visited Newton St Loe recently, would like to add some sightings or even if you just like the page!
Thanks NSL-Birding...