Sparrowhawk

 Once again, this is not for the squeamish however, the Sparrowhawk has been in the garden again today for three quarters of an hour. It seems to have a liking for Starlings because that’s what it got again this time. I was shooting through double-glazing while it was on the patio and with a 300mm lens, I struggled to get it all in.  I used a 70-200mm lens for some of the other images but because of where it was I had to use high ISO. Unfortunately the reflection you can see in the glass is the rug on the conservatory floor. 

Watching it watching me.

It wasn’t happy when a Magpie tried to take the Starling.

It knew I was watching.

But carried on regardless (the Starling was still alive at this stage)

It might not look it but this is an even darker spot in the garden.

LEO and Cuckoo…

…etcetera has made for a canny couple of days.

A Long-eared Owl, one of a pair spotted yesterday.

Brown Hare one of at least six seen yesterday.

Cuckoo posing on a wall up on the Durham Moors. One of three seen and heard a couple of days ago.

It flew into a nearby tree.

Moved to a different spot and had a bit of a stretch.

However, other birds like this Blackbird constantly harassed it.

As did this Meadow Pipit.

After been continually harassed it flew off.

My first Wood Warbler of the year.

Male Pied Flycatcher

 

Black-necked Grebe

 Last week I paid a visit to St Aidan’s RSPB in Leeds. What a great day, Bitterns were booming, Cetti’s, Reed and Sedge Warbler were calling from the reed beds, Swift and House Martin were hawking the sky and Wren and Linnet were singing from the top of Gorse bushes. And the bird I went to see did not disappoint the Black-necked Grebe put on a great show.

The very first bird I was put onto was a Little Owl and thanks go to the bloke who showed me where it was.

Black-necked Grebe with chicks on its back.

And if you want a rest from carrying them give your wings a shake…

…and they drop off 

Your partner then takes over

Both parents were on feeding duty

Coot feeding its chick

Reed Warbler (unfortunately I did not get a shot of the Cetti’s or Sedge Warbler)

Male Reed Bunting

Female Reed Bunting

Bar-tailed Godwit

Heron

Swift my first of the year

My first House Martin of the year

Wren

Linnet

After nearly five hours of walking around the reserve I got back to where the Little Owl was and it had not moved