Bird catch up : 24th June / 03 September 2023

Blog Catch up

24th June / 03 September 2023

It's been a while hasn't it, we've been busy working and going on Vacations. 

We've taken so many photos so here's a few of what you may of missed from our social  media feeds.

A Bluethroat was at Slimbridge and on 24/06/2023 I went up and a stroke of luck it showed well, distant but very happy to see this bird as the many countries  i've been I keep missing them.

01/07/2023 

Again Slimbridge, Black-winged Stilt

On the same day from my garden this love Jay spent the afternoon taking peanuts and stashing them somewhere.

A pair of Bullfinch have spent the summer visiting my feeders too, unfortunately a fungal infection have infected the pair, yes i always clean my feeders.

10/07/2023 

Hobby at Chew valley Lake, as any of you know I love Hobbies and Chew Valley Lake in July and into September can be amazing place to photograph them.

16/07/2023 

We travelled up to the Fairford Airshow RIAT

Not been for a few years but it's always a great time to see the jets and feel the planes as they pass over head.

Saudi Hawks

Saab JAS-39c Gripen F 35 Lightning

The amazing Red Arrows

Plus a different type of Osprey, just some of the many photos we took.

31/07/2023 

Not forgetting our patch, although a very quiet time for birds there is always something to see and this family of Roe deer, not charging away, instead just posing .

06/08/2023 

Still did a few Butterflies a separate blog for those later, but while parking the car at Smardale in the Lake district I noticed this stunning Tawny Owl, giving amazing views.

14/08/2023

Being a Member to WWT We go to Slimbridge a lot ! and this wild juvenile Spoonbill showed well on the estuary.

10/08/2023

Chew valley Lake, Great White Egret having jack pike for lunch. 

11/08/2023

Pectoral Sandpiper Slimbridge

13/08/2023

This year what with Birds, Butterflies + Dragonflies and now Orchids! You've gotta keep busy, and while searching for orchids a stop of at Clifton Downs we had a lucky Peregrine Falcon encounter.

20/08/2023

Another patch walk and this Buzzard flew the closest to me that i've ever experienced.

25/08/2023

A Osprey had been seen at Chew Valley so 30 mins later i was photographing this beast from Villace hide, it didn't hunt but flew past and perched up opposite where it sayed for at least a hour. 

02/09/2023

More Hobby shots from Chew Valley

Migrant Hawk the Hobby's preferred prey.

Hope you've enjoyed the photos and questions about the birds location or whatever happy to help.

So the next Blog is gonna be special, our trip to Canada & Usa with Humpbacks, Orca and some fantastic Birds. 

check back soon

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook

Short Eared and Tawny Owls

Date: 
15th-28th January

Location:
Marlborough downs, Somerset Levels,Newton St Loe, Chew Valley

Weather: 
Blue Skies,sunsets, hail, grey overcast, wet.

Species Highlights: 
Short Eared Owl, Red Kite, Corn Bunting, Bearded Reedling, Tree Sparrow, Tawny Owl, Starling, murmuration

Observations: 

15th January I headed to my favorite part of Wiltshire for my fix of Tree Sparrows and Short Eared Owls, I was not disappointed! 
Corn bunting sat Singing, Yellowhammer, all greeted me on arrival.

But a sudden and not forecasted hail storm made everything disappear but after 20 mins the sun shone through and Tree Sparrow appeared.

Tricky to get close too but happy to get a few shots.

From There I headed up on to the Marlborough Downs for some Owl action, Kettle on and a sandwich before we saw any but 5 or 6 eventually showed well.

Hunting across the fields in perfect light for a change.

Such great birds always a treat to watch.

Catching mostly voles, this one mantling its lunch.

People gathered on the hills all having great views.

On the 19th Sunday Me and Lauren went back up, It was very different with cars, dogs and walkers everywhere. We walked around looking for some action and came across 4 Red Kites just chilling in the afternoon sunshine.

The Shorties did show but no where near as well but we were very happy to watch them.

Even if some people didn't even notice them!

We waited till sunset and it was worth the wait!

20th Monday we headed down to Ham Wall and Shapwick, no sign of the Firecrest or Yellow-Browed Warbler but this Chiffchaff showed well.

Great Crested Grebe feeding well on Perch , i think.

Looking splendid in winter plumage.

while looking for the YBW a group of birders spotted this fine chap, not often we get to see a Tawny Owl in the Daylight.

He sat for most of the day here by Avalon hide.

With the sunshine even got my first Butterfly of the Year a Red Admiral, just 58 to go!

From the hide 3 Marsh Harrier cruised past always distant.

A coffee then we walked over to Shapwick for the main attraction the Starling murmurations.

A slow start to the show tonight but soon there must have been 500,000 plus in the skies above.

Count that lot!

Lauren took these pictures, a great job!!

No real patterns but we did see Peregrine, Marsh Harrier, the Starling soon went down to roost was a amazing sound.

Once down to roost the skies turnned orange and red a perfect end.

21st January was the first full patch walk for me, it started with a heavy fog making visibility down to 50ft birding was tricky! Once at the Lake happy to see the Whooper Swan was still present, Little grebe, Tufted Duck also still about.

The resident Mute is starting to chase our Whooper, has been seen by someone this week to fly off but has since returned, i'll check in on him this Thursday.

Really pleased to see a Marsh Tit at the top of top lake, just the one,a bit scarce around these parts.

From the misty start the light was stunning by end of walk and good to be back on patch.

ending first full patch on a 39 count.

Weekend off work as we visited Lisbon Portugal 23rd-26th, a few good birds will do a blog soon.

28th 

Headed down to Chew Valley to a wet grey Hide at Stratford Marsh Harrier, Black Necked Grebe and 2 Bearded Reedling showed, light was awful.

Once I got home and warmed up noticed on the feeder tree at home 4 Bullfinch 3 Male and 1 Female again light bad so just a record shot of this stunning male, will try harder!

Wayne Year Bird List: 105
Lauren Year Bird List: 100

Thanks For Looking! 

&

  Thanks For All Your Support!

If you enjoy our blog's, why not follow us on our social media:

Twitter

Facebook