Friday 12 April 2013

Nelson Wern revisited - 12/04/2013

I fancied a quick trip back to the Wern this morning even though it was pretty grim out, but I'm glad that I went. The rain held off and there was a good selection of species around, including tit species of most kinds, with long-tailed, blue, great, coal and willow, but also goldcrest, greater spotted woodpecker, treecreeper, male blackcap and a pair of nuthatch, whilst a buzzard soared above the canopy and I caught glimpses of hirundines which appeared to be moving north. 

I'm especially happy with this nuthatch photo as it was shot in manual mode, of which I managed to get plenty of practice in with the light being so dim! I was shooting wide open at up to ISO 1000 at times, and with re-adjusted white balance. This version has had a few tweaks in photoshop, but the original was quite good even against the white sky. 





Monday 8 April 2013

Nelson Wern - 08/04/2013

As it was a day off we took a trip to Nelson Wern in order to see some Willow Tit, and my tip off from Alex turned up trumps as they were right where she said they would be. Unfortunately they were a bit shy and I could have done with my 500mm to get some better shots, but managed some record shots regardless. Treecreepers were hunting up and down the nearby trees, and a woodpecker was drumming loudly somewhere very nearby, though we didn't get to see it.

Note to self - take some seed next time! 

Tuesday 2 April 2013

Easter Eggs - 29/03/2013

Easter holidays down Exeter means one thing - a chance to get out and about in some of my favorite places! Friday was cloudy and grey, just as it has been for a while, and our visit to Bowling Green Marsh and Topsham was fairly brief.

The usual species were about in small numbers, such as this cracking male Teal -




We also managed to see a Little Ringed Plover -


He was wading in the shallows, stiring up the mud with his feet.













The next day I jumped out of bed to head down to Darts Farm to see the American Wigeon that had reappeared that morning -


This is probably the rarest bird I've seen to date!! The BTO website says that only about 5 visit the UK every year.

A small flock of linnet were in the trees at Darts Farm too; nice to see a red list species there too.



In the afternoon we went to Powderham Marsh to see the Spoonbills, and I jumped straight out of the car on arrival with the cam for the third new species of the weekend -



The other good news was that the Blue Tit couple are back using the box again!