I enjoyed Denzil Nature’s Photo Challenge on “Pattern” last week and particularly enjoyed seeing some of other bloggers’ contributions. See Denzil’s post.
His challenge this week is “Eyes”. So here goes:
The eyes have it!
Category: Blog
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28th February 2023 – Somerset Levels
I spent the day on the Somerset Levels – always a favourite of mine; however, the cold and lack of sun did test my resolve. Frustratingly, I could see the sun shining on the Mendip Hills to the north of me.
The Great White Egret was the only thing to stand out in the poor light at Catcott Lows 
A Little Egret flew in to lighten the scene I started at Catcott Lows. The wetlands were teeming with wigeon, but not a lot else until a Great White Egret and a Little Egret appeared. It was just as well as it was too gloomy to photograph anything other than white birds.
The Wren next to the hide was often very vocal but not when I was photographing it I moved on to RSPB Ham Wall. There have been sightings of Glossy Ibis here but they had decided that it was too cold for them and didn’t make an appearance.
A Robin greeted me on my arrival – it was after a share of my sandwiches 
A pair of Shovelers 
Great Crested Grebe 
A Teal up close 
The Great Crested Grebes spent an awful lot of time diving but not coming up with weeds for their famous dances In reality there wasn’t a lot here. Quite a few Shovelers, a few Tufted Ducks and half a dozen Great Crested Grebe and one Little Grebe. Strangely at Catcott Lows and here there were no Lapwings, until a large flock flew over and headed towards Glastonbury Tor. A pretty sight.
Lapwing 
A very distant Marsh Harrier 
The sun made a very brief appearance on this Shoveler 
The Little Grebe wouldn’t come close to me 
The Tufted Duck was less shy Before heading home I had a very brief visit to Westhay Moor. A pair of Greylag geese and a pair of Great Crested Grebe that nearly took to the air were the best on offer.
A Grey Heron on my way to Westhay Moor 
Greylag Geese 
Great Crested Grebe doing its best to take off It felt like the Highlands of Scotland there today and so, with that in mind, I had a dram of whisky back at home. The day seemed much more successful after that.
Slideshow of some of my photos from today.
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Nature Photo Challenge: Patterns
I would like to accept Denzil Nature’s Photo Challenge for this week.
It particularly appeals to me as I am regularly amazed at the wonderful patterns that are seen in nature.
I look forward to seeing other blogs in the challenge
A few patterns that come to mind:
Animals
Birds
Butterflies
Flowers
Countryside
Insects
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19th February 2023 – WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire
We are regular visitors to Slimbridge but we generally avoid going there during school holidays. However, with a rarity, a White-rumped Sandpiper (an annual visitor to the UK from North America in small numbers), reported there the temptation was too great.
On arriving at the Rushy Pen hide (where it has been reported in recent days) we were quite disappointed that it was nowhere to be seen. Nonetheless, it was a lovely morning and we still enjoyed visiting all the hides on the north side of the reserve. There was plenty to see and a Black-tailed Godwit, a Common Redshank, Northern Pintails and Wigeon all came close. There were also plenty of geese and swans (both Mute and Bewick) flying around to keep me happy snapping away.
Northern Pintail 
Black-tailed Godwit 
Common Redshank 
Eurasian Teal 
Eurasian Wigeon 
Canada Goose 
Greylag Goose 
Bewick Swan 
Mute Swan 
Little Egret A Water Rail was just a bit too secretive for me to get a good shot.
Water Rail However, there were a couple of Oystercatcher very close up.
Oystercatcher 
Oystercatcher with worm From the Tower hide, as well as lots of waterfowl, geese and swans, we could see Common Cranes. There was also a Sparrowhawk perched in the hedge in front of the hide and Blue Tits and Great Tits were very pluckily trying to mob it.
Sparrowhawk There was a Snow Goose amongst the Barnacle Geese and I presume what I thought was a Ross’s Goose on our last visit probably was the same Snow Goose.
There was another white goose in the distance with some White fronted Geese but I couldn’t see it clearly.
Snow Goose amongst Barnacle Geese 
Wigeon (with Snow Goose top right) As we were making our way back to the car park we had to pass the Rushy Pen hide and from all the commotion it was clear that there was something special there. I could hardly get into the hide but from about the third row back I could still see the White-rumped Sandpiper, in all its glory right in front of the hide.
Gallery of White-rumped Sandpiper:
Stepping in fox poo on my way out this morning was clearly a lucky omen!
Slideshow of photos from this morning:
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14th February 2023 – Chew Valley Lake, Somerset
A beautiful day to visit Chew Valley Lake just south of Bristol. The water level was very high and it didn’t look very inspiring when we looked out from the Stratford hide.
Until, that is, a group of 8 Goldeneye came into view.
Male Goldeneye 
Female Goldeneye One of the males was displaying regularly by raising its head to the sky. It looked pretty good to me without even doing that.
Just one Great Crested Grebe was to be seen. It spent more time diving than being on the surface but it did get its reward.
Great Crested Grebe 
The Great Crested Grebe with French cuisine The other highlight of our visit was the spectacular fly past by a Great White Egret. There was also a Marsh Harrier surveying the reed beds.
Marsh Harrier The Tufted Ducks looked splendid too in the glorious sunshine.
Male Tufted Duck Slideshow of photos from today:
Female Tufted Duck It all looked pretty romantic. Just the job for St Valentine’s Day.
Slideshow of today’s photos:
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7th February 2023 – Somerset Levels
A day spent birding on the Somerset Levels is always a special treat. However, by midday I was beginning to think this might be the exception. However, the sun burnt through the mist by about one o’clock and I saw some lovely birds in the afternoon to go with the magically atmospheric scenery that I had seen in the morning.
I was disappointed that Catcott Lows was closed due to tree felling but I probably wouldn’t have seen much as it was still very misty.
On the approach roads I did manage to see very close up (but behind branches) a Common Buzzard and a Kestrel.
The approaches to Catcott Lows at 11 am this morning. 
Common Buzzard 
Silhouette of a Kestrel I headed over to Westhay Moor.
The approach to the new hide at Westhay Moor 
For most of the morning the view from the hide was more misty than this. Photo software is very clever at “dehaze”. The best moment of the morning was when a bittern flew straight in front of me but by this time I had given up hope of taking bird photos.
Definitely a lot of use of “dehaze” to get this photo of a Common Snipe 
Final views from Westhay At this point I decided to move on to RSPB Ham Wall (and its toilets).
The sun had burnt through en route but the fields were still steaming 
A Robin, the first bird to greet me at Ham Wall 
You can’t have a Robin and not a Blackbird 
Great White Egret from the viewing platform 
From here on there were glorious reflections 
Plenty of close ups of smaller birds 
Northern Shoveler 
Gadwall 
Great Crested Grebe 
Great White Egret 
Great Crested Grebe Slideshow of photos from today:
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5th February 2023 – New Passage, Severn Estuary 2023
We had a fleeting visit to New Passage on the Severn Estuary this morning.
The tide was too low to see much and it was too cold to hang around. There was a flock of 30 oystercatchers stretched along the waters edge and a similar number of redshank where the pill met the waters edge. A single curlew filled the air with its beautiful call and drowned the sound of the wigeon on the water.
Redshank 
Oystercatchers and curlew Curlew 
Oystercatcher Further up the estuary we could make out a large flock of dunlin and shelduck.
There wasn’t much on the warth but it wasn’t surprising as a peregrine was quite evident sitting on a log dominating the area (but too far for my lens but with good views in the telescope).
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3rd February 2023 – Stoke Park, Bristol
It’s been rather dull today but there were glimpses of sunshine when I walked through Stoke Park this afternoon.
I was too slow to get a photo of a Snipe so practised getting my eye in in with some Moorhens and Coots (definitely a soft option).
Moorhen 
Coot There were 39 Black-headed Gulls (more than I have seen here for a while – they must be here instead of on the lake at Eastville Park, as there were very few there a couple of days ago).
Black-headed Gull 
Immature Black-headed Gull 
Black-headed Gull chased by another 
You can see why the Black-headed Gull was being chased I saw Mallards mating – fairly precarious for the female.
Mallards mating 4 Cormorants flew in and then, presumably, made their way back to Eastville Park.
Cormorant 
Cormorant 
A solitary Mute Swan Slideshow of this afternoon’s photos:
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2nd February 2023 – World Wetlands Day
Today is World Wetlands Day – a few fond memories to celebrate these wonderful resources.
Chew Valley Lake, Somerset, Bristol UK 
Doñana National Park, Spain 
Westhay Moor NNR, Somerset, UK 
WWT Slimbridge, Gloucestershire UK 
RSPB Arne, Dorset, UK 
RSPB Old Moor, Yorkshire, UK 
RSPB Minsmere, Suffolk UK 
Doñana National Park, Andalusia, Spain 
RSPB Titchwell Marshes 
Strandfontein Birding Area, Western Cape, South Africa 
WWT Steart, Somerset, UK 
Weston (disused) Airfield, Somerset, UK 
RSPB Nature Reserve Walberswick, Suffolk, UK 
Rietvlei, Cape Town, South Africa 
Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland 
Teifi Marshes, Wales 
RSPB Ham Wall, Somerset, UK 
Orfordness National Nature Reserve, Suffolk, UK 
Catcott Lows, Somerset Level, UK 
Pilning Wetlands, Gloucestershire, UK 
Westhay Moor NNR Somerset, UK 
RSPB Strumpshaw Fen, Norfolk, UK 
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31st January 2023 – Eastville Park, Bristol
A gentle stroll around the local park and a chance to get back close up to birds.
Grey Wagtail 
Blue Tit 
Pied Wagtail 
Pied Wagtail 
Black-headed Gull 
Black-headed Gull 
Mallard 
Robin 
Robin 
Long-tailed Tit -
23rd-27th January 2023 – Doñana National Park, Spain
We have been lucky enough to spend the last 10 days in Andalusia in Southern Spain – five of them on a birding trip to the Doñana National Park.
It has been surprisingly cold at times but we have had wall to wall sunshine and seen Spain at its best with doses of tourism in Seville (3 days), Málaga (2 days) as well as the 5 days immersed in nature in Doñana.
Peacock at the Alcazares in Seville A flavour of Seville – slideshow of some of the sites we visited
Monk parakeets in Malaga A flavour of Malaga – slideshow of some of the sites we visited
The birding holiday was organised by ingloriousbustards.com and was superb. As an accidental birder I know my limitations. I’m a keen amateur photographer who likes taking photographs of birds and so there were certain aspects of the holiday which were a little disappointing. At times I was frustrated that the sightings were so distant and my photographic opportunities were limited.
Previous wildlife trips to Namibia, Kruger and the Western Cape of South Africa had presented better photographic opportunities – see Birds of Southern Africa and Birds of Thornybush Private Game Reserve, Greater Kruger
Yet, I did enjoy the trip and the owners of ingloriousbustards.com, Simon and Niki, were excellent birders who located a huge number of different species (124 and counting) and ensured that we all had the opportunity to see them through telescopes. By the end I was carried along by the enthusiasm and knowledge of all these “real” birders and was wishing I had taken my telescope so that we could have spent more time viewing the birds.
DAY ONE
Our group of 10 was picked up by Simon and Niki at Seville train station in 2 minibuses and driven the 80 odd kilometres to El Rocio in Doñana in just over an hour. Throughout the week I always felt comfortable with their driving, which I see as a big bonus on such trips. We were then straight into birding.
We spent the first session birding around the lagoon adjacent to El Rocio and had our first picnic lunch, as all days, in the field with uninterrupted birding. The picnics were simple and nutritious, with delicious hams, cheeses, fruit and other locally sourced products and a glass of juice or wine (organic of course) and plenty of water.
We started our birding adventure on the far side of the lagoon at El Rocio 
There were White Storks overhead in our first minutes of birding Niki and Simon took our cases off to the hotel and we followed on foot enjoying more birding opportunities. The lake was teeming with waders and waterbirds and, in particular, the Greater Flamingos and Spoonbills looked spectacular.
Greater Flamingos with red deer in the background 
Eurasian Spoonbills However, it was just as interesting seeing the small birds around the outskirts of the lagoon such as Chiffchaff, Sardinian Warblers, Waxbills, Common Redstart and two birds which certainly caused me some excitement, a Hoopoe and a Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (a first for me).
Lesser Spotted Woodpecker 
Eurasian Hoopoe 
Black Redstart 
Juvenile European Serin 
White Wagtail 
Black-winged Stilt 
Chiffchaff 
Glossy Ibis catching the last rays of sunshine After moving into our rooms we were off out again with another inspection of the lagoon. Close-ups of Western Swamphen, Cattle Egret (at the feet of horses this time), Black-tailed Godwits, and Glossy Ibis and distant deer in the evening sun were my favourite memories of this session.
Black-tailed Godwit 
Greater Flamingo 
A confused Cattle Egret 
Cattle Egret 
Spotless Starlings We had all our evening meals at 8 o’clock in the local restaurant. The meals were all very good but for me the tuna and the swordfish were standouts. I cannot comment on the vegetarian options but I heard no complaints; but I can say that the wines which accompanied meals were good and copious.
Slideshow of photos from Day One
DAY TWO
Into the park. Lots of rarities and some very close ups.
Our first sighting in the park was a Booted Eagle. More rarities followed with Marbled Ducks, a male Garganey and a Ferruginous Duck. I achieved some photos but nothing that I would like to publish. We did have good views in telescopes, however.
A quirky Western Swamphen up a tree was little easier to photograph.
Western Swamphen 
White storks 
White Stork 
Penduline Tit 
White Stork 
Stonechat 
Cattle Egret 
Marsh Harrier 
Spectacular view of 170+ Common Crane 
Golden Plover Slideshow of photos from Day Two
DAY THREE
Iberian Lynx This was a very special day. We were driven by guides from Doñana Nature in search of the Iberian Lynx – the most endangered of all wildcats in the world.. I was amazed when we had a sighting. I must thank Stuart for his assistance in capturing shots with my camera of the lynx through an open window of the minibus which I could not access. The excitement was not diminished in any way.
Our second sighting of the Iberian lynx 
Distant views of Spanish Imperial Eagle were also pretty special but my favourite “bird” moment was two little owls brilliantly camouflaged in some tree stumps.
Little owls well camouflaged in the tree stumps 
Iberian Grey Shrike 
A Dartford Warbler during our lunch break. 
Eurasian hoopoe also during our lunch break 
Iberian Magpie 
Female Sardinian Warbler 
Spotted Redshank 
Green Sandpiper 
Wood Sandpiper 
Golden Plover 
A very distant Spanish Imperial Eagle 
There’s a Barn Owl in there somewhere! 
My best effort of the Bluethroat 
The little owl was a little more visible on the way back 
Red-legged Partridge Slideshow of photos from Day Three
DAY FOUR
We had a long journey in the minibuses via Seville to Chipiona, just south of Sanlucar de Barremeda on the eastern side of the Guadalquivir River. We went to see Little Swifts which roost there. I managed to see the last one leaving the roost but sadly no photos.
Little swift roost Then on to the salt pans at Bonanza, north of Sanlucar de Barremeda.
Top spot for me was an Osprey but a Kentish Plover was also pretty special.
Osprey 
Sanderling and Dunlin 
Pied Avocet 
Black-winged Stilt 
Little Egret 
Kentish Plover At the third site, from the roadside near three pools north of Bonanza we had good views of White-headed Ducks and large roosts of Black-crowned Night Herons.
White-headed Duck 
Barn Swallow and Little Grebe 
Eurasian Crag-Martin 
Black-crowned Night Heron 
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron in flight 
Juvenile Black-crowned Night Heron 
Greater Flamingo Slideshow of photos from Day Four
DAY FIVE
The group were off again birding for a morning session but we had to leave the group early as we had trains to catch from Seville to Malaga via Cordoba but managed a couple of hours birding on our own around the lagoon. The Glossy Ibis were particularly stunning in the beautiful morning sun, and along with the spectacular views of El Rocio we were left with wonderful memories of this birding trip.
Last morning in El Rocio 
Glossy Ibis 
Western Swamphen 
Black-tailed Godwit 
A Little Egret (ready for Crufts?) 
Barn Swallows 
Slideshow of photos from Day Five
El Rocio
El Rocio is a very special place with its sandy roads and cowboy culture. At the end of our stay it was building up for the visit of huge numbers of horses and horse riders. I’m not sure if I would want to be there with such large numbers. It was great fun with just a taste of the culture.
Slideshow of photos from El Rocio
Sadly things are not flourishing in Doñana. Simon and Niki pointed out to us the problems created by strawberry growers in and around the park which are well documented in the following articles which appeared in The Times Newspaper.
Strawberry farmers can take their pick of illegal wells
Signs of life draining away from protected wetland
But some stories are encouraging
Warning light plan to save rare lynx from becoming roadkill
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1st and 2nd January 2023 – Eastern Moors, Derbyshire and RSPB Old Moor, Yorkshire
We have been visiting friends in Sheffield over the new year. On New Year’s Day we accepted the challenges of the weather and had a short walk on the Eastern Moors in the Peak District on the edges of Sheffield. Here I managed a few photographs of birds near feeders.
Coal tit 
Nuthatch 
Siskin 
Chaffinch On the 2nd January the weather was most kind to us and we visited 2 reserves near Barnsley: Wombwell Ings and RSPB Old Moor in the Dearne Valley.
Mistle thrush at Wombwell Ings Long-tailed tit 
Reed bunting 
Snipe 
Peregrine falcon 
Common buzzard 
Goldeneye 
Gadwall 
Wigeon 
Gold finch Slideshow of photos from the Dearne Valley:
Martin's Bird Blog & Nature Photos 