Author: martintayler

Sunny but windy afternoon – just a quick visit to Duchess Pond. Too many fishermen had frightened away other wildlife.   Sweet little Moorhen chick and a score of Mallard. Lilies looking pretty.

A windy and blustery day but no rain. We visited North Somerset Bird of Prey Centre at Congresbury – purchased as apart of a “Living Social” Birds of Prey Experience. Very enjoyable but I’m not sure the cream tea which was part of the package was the right thing at 1 pm!

We saw 5 birds of prey: European Little Owl, European Kestrel, Red-tailed Buzzard, Barn Owl and Eagle Owl and the Barn Owl in action

European Little Owl

European Kestrel

Red-tailed Buzzard

Barn Owl

Eagle Owl

Great fun.

We followed this up with a visit to the Butterfly World next door.

Butterflies in the car park:

Duchess Pond Stoke Park

With the threat of showers I made the short walk to Duchess Pond in Stoke Park and managed a few bird shots in between the showers.

A Moorhen with three chicks seemed busy making/repairing a nest next to the water lilies. 8 House Martin flitted around. I disturbed the 27 Mallard but managed not to disturb the Grey Heron as it grabbed a dragonfly before flying off to Eastville Park.

 

 

Stoke Park – Wikipedia

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Oldbury-on-Severn

A pleasant day for a walk along the Severn Estuary from Oldbury-on-Severn. Very grey to start but brightened up and quite warm by the time we made our way back to The Anchor.

Coffee in the lovely Community Shop and Café before we started and a pint of Bass in the Anchor at the end – nice way to celebrate a birthday.

A Kestrel in the distance was the first sighting.

Then a Curlew and a few Oystercatchers on the Estuary.

And then we turned inland and did a circuit of the lagoons near to the Power Station where we saw a Tufted Duck and chicks, Moorhen and Coot on the small lagoon and a Little Egret fly over. A good number of butterflies too.

Back at The Anchor I was trying to capture Beautiful Demoiselle in flight (again) when a Grey Wagtail came and posed in the stream.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eastville Park

A feature of our short walks around Eastville Park at the moment is these Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies which are always seen in the same spots. Almost impossible to photograph in flight but quite pleased to get one with wings open.

We spotted five Grey Herons; their plumage always amazes me.

Tried birdwatching at New Passage but driven back by the rain. Only achieved one photo – a greenfinch (only 1.7 million breeding pairs in UK!)

There was plenty of drama though later in Eastville Park with Black-headed Gull trying to snatch Moorhen chick – the chick survived. The resident Grey Heron watched all the action placidly. Plenty of butterflies and damselflies too.

 

 

 

A week’s holiday in Bergerac in the Dordogne Valley in France gave little opportunity for nature photos, especially as I was restricted to a “tourist” camera and lenses. However; I wasn’t going to waste any opportunities and captured the Black Redstart in the garden, Pied Wagtails on the river and a few butterflies,damselflies and dragonflies.

Also saw Hoopoes, a Golden Oriole and Crag Martins on the Dordogne.

Giant hogwood, nettles in flower, wild raspberries in fruit, blackberries forming, Indian Balsam and lots of other interesting flora. Damselflies (Beautiful Demoiselle mainly).

Two sightings of Kingfisher. More ducklings on the lake and lots of interesting colours of the Mallards moulting. Thanks to Nigel for pointing out the hook feather on the drake. Grey Heron as spectacular as ever.

 

Folly Farm Chew Valley

No photographs of birds at all – in fact didn’t even see many birds. However, some butterflies and other insects to challenge my photographic skills.

My favourite was the Six-spot Burnet, a day-flying moth.

 

 

WWT Slimbridge – Slimbridge Wetlands Centre

I used to be very bored when I went to Slimbridge as a kid. How views can change! I still have some reservation about the birds in captivity but do recognise how important all of this is.

Highlights were the Avocets, Ruff and Redshank in their own pen (safe from the Black-headed Gulls – I’m sure they have enough else to feed on), the otters and a glimpse of a Buzzard from the Kingfisher hide.

 

 

 

Sand Point near Weston Super Mare

3 months after breaking her femur my wife Wendy visited her consultant this morning in Weston General Hospital (5 x-rays and consultation all completed in 30 minutes – it would take that time to park at Southmead!) and then walked out to Sand Point.

Dunnock, Bullfinch and Stonechat best of the birds.

 

Also a a Marbled White at a distance.