Kestrel

While I was at Far Pastures the Kestrel put on another great show so here are a few of the images I got. 

Three Hides

 Clara Vale, Thornley Woods and Far Pastures were the three hides I visited about ten days ago now. No Kingfisher at Clara but a couple of Roe Deer came so close I could only get head shots. I might only have got shots of a Nuthatch at Thornley but the bacon sandwich and coffee at the visitor centre were very reasonably priced (the bacon sandwich was delicious). And there is nearly always something to photograph at Far Pastures.

A couple of Redwing showed well at Clara Vale.

As did a couple of Roe Bucks. I have seen this male before I recognise it because it has something wrong with its eye.

A second Roe Buck. There was another buck and a female however they were at the far end of the pond in the reeds and I did not get any decent shots of them.

Male Yellowhammer.

A pair of Yellowhammer.

Stock Dove.

Nuthatch at Thornley Woods.

A Greylag Goose looking inquisitive at Far Pastures.

A pair of Canada Geese were also on the pond at Far Pastures.

Female Tufted Duck.

Male Tufted Duck.

Red Kite carrying a leaf which is hopefully nesting material.

Red Kite with wing tag H.

This Red Kite looks as though it has a radio transmitter on its back.

Long-tailed Tit.

Willow Tit.

Reed Bunting.

My first Butterfly of the year a Peacock.

Mistle Thrush.

Gibside

 At the end of last month (I’m way behind again) my wife and I had a short walk around Gibside. We have been members of the National Trust for years but don’t use our passes as often as we used to (we will have to put that right). We only went as far as the bird hide but as there was nothing there, we came back to the Octagon Pond. It was fascinating to watch the antics of the Little Grebe and Coots chasing each other around so we were there a while.

The first bird we saw was a Buzzard.

This Little Grebe was after something.

It was another Little Grebe.

Having a shake down.

Then back to calmly swimming about.

We got caught in a downpour however we were standing under a tree so we remained reasonably dry. It didn’t stop the birds doing what they were doing.

I haven’t a clue what this one has dug up from the bottom off the pond.

Little Grebe sitting on a nest they have built which is quite close to the edge of the pond.

The Grebe stood up briefly and I could see at least two eggs in the nest (they probably have chicks by now). I was standing behind the fence which is around the pond and using a 500mm lens so as not to disturb the birds. 

Coot in what I call stealth mode.

Like the Grebes they were chasing each other around having territorial disputes.

Back into stealth mode

Stoat v Rabbit

A short video taken on my iPhone at work the other day not for the squeamish.