Canny Morning Out

Derwent Reservoir again this morning and a very canny one it was too. Not far from the reservoir a Red Squirrel was scratching around presumably looking for something it had buried. It was the male Sparrowhawk’s turn to be hidden by twigs today but I managed to get a couple of shots. The Woodpecker showed well again and this time I was able to get shots without the twigs. This male Pheasant looked very colourful when it was in the sun.

Red Squirrel

Sparrowhawk

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Male Pheasant

 

Derwent Reservoir

Went to Derwent Reservoir today to see what was about. A Stoat was chasing a Rabbit (it didn’t catch it) but I only managed to get one half decent photo. A couple of Pheasant were feeding quite nearby so I got a close up shot. One Great Spotted Woodpecker showed well but it was nearly always obscured by twigs and a couple of Great Tits and Chaffinch were the only other birds around close enough to get pictures of.

My first Fungi shots of the Autumn finished the day.
 

Stoat

Pheasant

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Strange Shape

Chaffinch

Fly Agaric

Fly Agaric

“Local Patch”

Once again spent yesterday on my “local patch” of Far Pastures, Shibdon Ponds and Clara Vale. Not a lot about at any of the sites. In fact the only picture I took at Far Pastures, before the Grey Wagtail dropped in, was this rainbow and that was on my mobile phone. The Jack Snipe did not show while I was there but a couple of Water Rail put on a good display (no pictures though).

Shibdon Ponds held loads of Black-headed Gulls, Lapwings and Redshank. The Ruff was still there and Snipe showed well. And again a rainbow taken with my mobile phone.

At Clara Vale the Kingfisher was on the pond at the right of the hide when I arrived but was hidden by reeds and grass so only poor shots were had. It then flew to the main pond where it stayed but it was nearly always in what has become know as its killing tree as it fly’s to an Oak tree to kill and eat its catch. A Sparrowhawk flew through putting up most of the small birds that the strong wind was not keeping down.

Still not a bad day out.

Rainbow Far Pastures

Grey Wagtail

 

Rainbow Shibdon Ponds

Snipe

The chase

Ruff & Snipe

Hidden Kingfisher

Kingfisher

Nuthatch

Robin

Willow Tit

 

Far Pastures

Far Pastures today and the Jack Snipe was still showing well (its said that up to three have been seen over the last few days).  The Water Rail were also showing well.

Pickering

A few portraits from the Annual Wartime and 1940’s weekend at Pickering. I went on the Friday and had a great day out.

 

07.10.14

Another day at Far Pastures & Clara Vale. Far Pastures held at least six Water Rail while Clara Vale produced some of the more common birds. The Jack Snipe also put in a brief appearance while I was at Far Pastures but sadly no pictures as it was always hidden by reeds.

Water Rail

Water Rail

Water Rail catching a Dragonfly

Water Rail catching a Dragonfly

Water Rail

Wren

Moorhen

Tree Sparrow

Nuthatch



Heron catching a fish

Kingfisher