Friday 22 March 2019

South West Takedown - 22/03/2019

The myth and legend falls!






Amazing views though very difficult to photograph, and a much desired lifer in the bag. Bonus marsh tit was also very nice, as was a mandarin duck.

Green sandpiper, garganey (didn't expect that !), and marsh harrier at Bowling Green Marsh on the way home. Great day out, and we were home by 1.30pm!





Saturday 2 March 2019

Spring catch-up : Feb and March 2019

The last week or so of Feb saw some crazy high temperatures for the time of year. Whilst it lifted our moods and made us look forward to the coming summer, it was also a cause for concern. With new high temperatures smashed for the UK winter, you had to wonder if this was the kind of extreme weather event the climatologists warn about.

Some very early swallows were found by Gower Ornithological Society, and one of which turned out to be red-rumped! Amazing find. Nick and I duly paid a visit on a Sunday morning, and enjoyed some good views before it temporarily moved out. The bird went on to spend a week or so in the vicinity, but that was a great lifer to start 2019 on. During the course of the week, another swallow turned up, and even a sand martin. Mad scenes. Some terrible light meant poor photo's.




Sunday 24th Feb I took myself off to Van Rd to practice with depth of field against busy backdrops.





 
I fancied clearing my head Saturday 2nd March, so I tried my luck on abother grey day at Forest Ganol. I got 6 birds at one point.