Redpoll at Yarner

After a nice afternoon at Stover Country Park, a late afternoon visit to close by Yarner Wood, was rewarded with 3 visiting Redpoll to the feeders at the Woodland Hide. They were not at all flighty unlike all of the tits, finches and Siskins possibly due to the threat of Sparrowhwak attacks, witnessed before at the hide. This one sat and fed for at least 10 minutes at the nyger seed feeder before being replaced by two more. For myself and my son this was a first and what a treat to see this rather smart looking little finch with it's bright metallic red cap.

Photo supplied by ~ Luke Curno 

Heron Preening

Heron Preening, originally uploaded by Images of the West.

Cleaning those neck feathers after a spot of fishing in the midday sun.

Greenfinches - where are they?

Last year, I hardly saw a greenfinch in the garden, even through the bad weather they were scarce visitors to the feeders. This year not even a single sighting, even during the RSPB Big Weekend...nothing. 

Has anyone else noticed the reduced numbers or is this an isolated case for my local patch. Goldfinches on the increase, Siskins regular visitors in a group of 6 or so, Chaffinches 20 plus at times and then the Sparrows, oh yes Sparrows everywhere, each family group fighting with each other and in fighting too. 

Images of the West's photostream

Images of the West's photostream on Flickr.

Lower Tamar Lake

Quick visit produced good if not distant views of at least 3 Kingfishers, two headed past the hide but were to quick for me and my lens, only this record shot as some sort of proof. Another on the far bank from the hide sat high in a small tree ocassinally flying over the lake, were it would hover at about 10 ft before diving close to the water but never in. Could it have been chasing and catching dragonflies? Too far to tell withouth the scope.

Birdfair 2010

Birdfair 2010 - just been looking back at the birdfair highlights on the new birdfair.tv, well worth a look if you didn't get chance to go this year. It's a great concept and think it will prove a success.

Goldfinch frozen in Summer Time

This is turning out to be some Summer again. The mists lifted by lunchtime today but the rain hasn't stopped. When the goldfinches arrived to feed on the niger seed tree as we call it, the numbers vary from 1 or 2 up to 8 at times, squabbles can easily break out, as our three feeders can only accommodate 6 at any time. So when the siskins are around as well things get interesting

Time to play with the camera from the comfort of the conservatory and try to capture some movement.

This proves difficult when they appear out of the overhanging silver birch, this is the best of the bunch for now.