Brean Down - Black Redstarts

Date: 28th November 2016

Location: Brean Down → Chew Valley Lake

Weather: Blue Sky, Sunny with Cold Wind 

Other Species: 6+ Stonechat, 2 Black Redstart, 1 Kittiwake, 1 Peregrine Falcon, 1 Kestrel, 5+ Goldfinch, 10+ House Sparrow, Oystercatcher, Shelduck, Common Gull, Tufted Duck, 500+ Dunlin -
Of Note

Observation: A sunny day forecast so we headed down to try and photograph the Black Redstart at Brean Down. We had a quick look in the Cove, but with no sign apart from Stonechat, Dunnock, Wren and Robin's. We walked up the many steps to the Fort.

At the Fort, there was a bitter cold wind, but there weren't alot of birds there. Until a huge flock of 500+ Dunlin flew past shortly followed by a Peregrine Falcon. After a further 10 minutes of searching for the Black Redstart, there were no signs so we returned via the lower path. As we returned to the steps this Raven flew along the hill top giving us some lovely views.

Near the bottom of the steps, 1 of 3 Meadow Pipit were present scurrying around.

We tried our luck at looking back in the Cove for the Black Redstart, as we turned to return to the Van, we spotted a distant Black Redstart! Within minutes the second Female was spotted. Fairly jumpy to start with but after around 20 minutes, the Black Redstart started coming close to us in perfect light!

She even had a good clean after some rapid fly-catching.

What a bird!! Unfortunately no Male present but the 2 females were just as welcome!

We had a short stop off at Chew Valley Lake, and the Lake was in a stunning golden light.

Thanks For Looking !

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A 7d mkii And Slimbridge

Date: 08/12/2014
Location: WWT Slimbridge 
Observation: Started for Slimbridge with new 7D mkii, sunshine and blue skies it looked good ! So many new setting on mkii to try out and try to master, focus seemed quicker with lots of flight shots in focus.

Greylag Geese A Good Start

It would be rude not to take some shots of the incoming Bewick's

Some shots manual some on AV or aperture mode

Head on and in focus !!

The Bewick's seem happy with it !

 With plenty more to see, count them if you want ! 

Around 1000+  flock of Lapwing

MMM... Worms

 Although not all in focus, I like this 

Maccoa Duck Female, Low level

 The Common Cranes putting on a good show, 7 Cranes here today 

 Then from the Willow Hide I spied a Water Rail a nice surprise to end the trip, alot more work to do with camera I think .Overall I think 7D mkii is better than 7D, focus is quicker, feels smoother when taking shots but AV mode not sure think manual is for me. 

Weather: Cold with blue skies and some cloud 

Other Species: Water Rail, Buzzard, Peregrine Falcon, Sparrowhawk, Bewick Swan, Ruff, Plover, Lapwing - Plus Slimbridge Usuals.

Thanks for Looking !