Redstarts & Peregrines

Redstarts at Cannock

About this time last year, Dave Hutton and Steve Seal invited me over to Cannock Chase to join them photographing common redstarts. The birds had successfully raised a number of fledglings and they were down from the usual perches in the canopy of the woodland, at fern-top level, feeding the young still. It was a wonderful few hours and one I was keen to repeat this year.

Parking at Seven Springs, at an ungodly hour, I tried the same spots as last year, trying to remember what their call is like. I could hear robins, blackcaps, other woodland birds including wood warblers, but nothing different.

So I opted to wander down to the Stepping Stones area, about a mile away. It's a nice walk, and the sun was out so I didn't mind the hike. On arrival at the stream I immediately spotted a brownish bird singing on a dead tree. Bins out and I'd bagged a spotted flycatcher. Excellent - one of my targets from the Wyre Forest I'd missed out on recently.

However, it didn't want to play ball, and remained at a real distance from me. Whilst trying to creep up on it, to get a more detailed shot, I spotted something behind, on another dead tree. A male redstart, glowing gloriously in the morning sunshine. Fantastic. Target acquired!

Following the bird, it led me into the woods, and I soon spotted the area where it was returning to. The female was around too, and with decent light, I was soon lying amongst the ferns, taking shots as the birds went by.

Thankfully I'd remembered to pack my mozzie spray as they were abundant, and with me trying to keep out of sight, meant I was often encountering the horrid creatures. Didn't get a single bite though - good stuff that "Jungle Formula".

After receiving a half message from Ken, I tracked back to the Stepping Stones to bring both him and Ian back to the spot, so they could also get some shots. It was a first for them and they seemed as chuffed to see this colourful bird as I did, 12 months back.

Peregrines At Clee Hill

The Sunday started with a very pleasant 9 holes of golf at the Lickey Hills course, and followed with a trip over to Clee Hill. This spot has proved to be wonderful for seeing peregrine falcons, and on Sunday the chicks had already fledged. Three fabulous youngsters, dotted about on the cliff face, practising flying, pecking around at old meals, crying for their parents and doing a rather strange 80s style head-bobbing dance move.

On a couple of occasions, one of the juveniles chose to fly over to a feeding post near to the viewing area giving me cracking views of it. I'd recommend not trying to climb the slope behind the viewing area in trainers though, as grip is limited, and sliding down clutching a camera, trying to avoid (and failing) sheep droppings, isn't fun. Amusing after the event though, of course!

I spent a few hours watching them. The parents came and went, bringing back a kill late in the day. The juveniles flew around at times, gamboling together in mid-air, practising skills needed later in life I assume. At one point, a pair chased one another right over my head, forcing one of them to land on the grass behind me. Taking off again, it flew within 20 feet of me, giving me a real glare as it went by.

I guess it won't be long till they're catching their own meals, so I expect I'll be over there again soon, to try to get some more shots before they go. An impressive and unforgettable sight though, seeing 5 peregrine falcons in the air at one time.

Woody Feeder

With a grim forecast for the weekend, plans of going to see redstarts or peregrines were washed away, and it did look like one for the pub. Until that is, I spotted one of the local woodpeckers on the suet block. Hmm, I thought... maybe it's a good time to rig up that feeder I've been thinking about for a while.

Down to the garden centre, and a short while later I was constructing it. A pole, a squirrel baffler, a couple of feeder attachments and a log was what was needed, and after about 30 mins of chin scratching and drilling, I had the rather Heath Robinson affair rigged up out in the garden.

Smearing peanut suet into the holes, I retreated back to the conservatory and out of the monsoon. Would it work?

The answer was a resounding yes. And within an hour of putting it out, one of the adults and a juvenile woodpecker was sat on it, pecking at the suet. Alas it was too late in the day and still too wet for getting pics, but it gave me hope for the Sunday.

After a very wet morning, Sunday afternoon brightened up. The rain went and sun appeared, and despite the hide being damp, I took the opportunity to try for some pics.

Masses of starlings kept landing on the ground feeders, and they were amusing to watch, as they bicker and fight over bits of food. The juveniles, while feeding themselves, still chased the adults into the surrounding trees, pestering for food occasionally.

Then I heard that distinctive shanking sound of a woodpecker, and seconds later, a rather wet looking juvenile swooped in and on to the feeder. What fantastic views. Full frame - sometimes too close in fact - thank goodness for the zoom.
It had a little peck at the suet first, then must have heard my camera's shutter, as it sat very still for a few moments, blinking and looking around. They're quite cute actually - a stark contrast to the vicious, hungry birds that seem to launch out of the nest hole at the doting parents.

Once it realised the clicking wasn't harmful, it carried on pecking at the suet, stopping every so often to clean its beak on the log top. I may have to change the log to a longer one, as a lot of the shots I got included the top, which isn't that great. Nevermind, I got some different ones when a couple of the arguing starlings clattered into the woodpecker, prompting a fight back, and then a fall down to the ground. There of course was some more food, and it wasted little time in poking around amongst these new logs.

Hopefully I'll get some more shots of the adult birds, and of course more of this fine young bird, as it grows into maturity. A good result from an idea over a pint one Friday evening...

Kingfisher

Yesterday reminded me of why Upton Warren can be so special. I love to travel around the UK in search of a variety of subjects, but it is great when somewhere on your doorstep yields results.

On arrival at the Moors, a birder informed me of a curlew sandpiper over on the Flashes, so back into the car and over there for a look. In the hide was Stuart and we both set about trying for a shot of this wader. Unfortunately, like the shore lark, it favoured one of the islands that bit too far for a decent shot from my lens, so I only managed record shots.

Speaking to Stuart about his recent images, I decided to head over to the Moors to try my luck with the kingfishers he had seen frequently lately. Setting up camp in the "spider" hide (the disabled access one called Water Rail on the west side) I was soon enjoying fabulous views of one of the kingfishers, perched and then fishing in front of the hide.

Aside from perched shots of a kingfisher, I have often tried and always failed to get a shot of one in action. I have a couple of half decent shots of one hovering from over at Brandon Marsh, but they were fair crops.

So when the kingfisher returned to the same perch, and the light was still good, I thought I'd try my luck. Setting the camera up to have a fast shutter speed, I tried to anticipate where the bird would try to fish. This meant aiming the camera at the water and trying to keep one eye looking through the camera, and the other at the bird. Could have done with being a chameleon!

Anyway, mostly I got shots of a blurred bird, or of a sharp splash or nothing at all, but one of the shots came out okay. (See my Gallery for a larger version)

It's not brilliant, but it's the best shot of a kingfisher I have taken to date, and I'm chuffed to bits with it. So hats off to Upton Warren for yet another magical moment.

End Of May

After the barren spell of April, filled with camera woes, I had hoped that May would get things rolling again. It did, and then some. What a month! This is just a brief summary of the end of it, to cover a few of the local trips made.
Continuing on the Bank Holiday weekend, after the effort of the Long Mynd, I opted for a more leisurely couple of days for the Sunday and Monday.

Brandon Marsh

Brandon Marsh comprised of 2 sessions. Initially I spent a while watching and photographing the great spotted woodpeckers going to and from the nest, bringing back food and taking away the waste, though the chick couldn't be seen. Still too small I guess. Fantastic to watch these birds and observe their behaviour.
With the water level too high for the kingfishers at Carlton, it meant I could have a look around the other hides, and after bumping into Pam & The Gang, I was soon headed to the East Marsh hide, where apparently a pair of whitethroats were performing. Were they ever! Bringing food back to the nest, just a few feet from the hide window, then on the way out, perching for a breather on the tops of shrubs.
Around the rest of the reserve there were the usual warblers, a few cuckoos calling (always a fabulous sound I think), masses of swifts, swallows and martins swooping by, plus a few terns, flying with their awkward style overhead.

Upton Warren (Flashes)

Monday was a trip to Upton Warren, after I had been neglecting it somewhat as of late. The Hen Pool at the Flashes was the first target, though with the rapidly growing reeds, and a family of blue tits on the side of the hide, there was little to photograph, with the warblers keeping a fair distance from me. That said, patience paid off, and in a brief moment, a reed warbler hopped by, low down amongst the reeds, and I managed to get a couple of shots.


On to the main hide at the Flashes, and I was soon snapping away at the avocet chicks. They seem so happy pottering around in the shallows, swishing this way and that after food, oblivious to the carnage around them from their protective parents.

Cute as they are, they were outdone by a pair of lapwing chicks which have got to be one of the most adorable looking fluffballs out there. They alas kept their distance, so I could only manage some heavily cropped pics of them. Lovely to watch though, again with their watchful mother standing guard.

Brandon Marsh (Revisited)

This last weekend took me again to Brandon Marsh, to check up on the woodpeckers. The youngster, a vicious individual is now almost fledged, and was launching out of the nest hole to get at the parents' food, and gave them a nasty peck if they strayed too close without any food being on offer.

Aside from this though, the marsh was pretty quiet for photography, so didn't hold our attention that long. And there was no sign of the shrike that had appeared the day before, albeit at a massive distance!

Wyre Forest and Clee Hill

Sunday was initially going to be a trip to the Chase, but reports from those in the know (cheers Dave!) persuaded me to head elsewhere, to Wyre Forest as it happened. With lots of decent shots of pied flycatchers under my belt from Devon, I wasn't that bothered by the lack of them around the woods, though it is a little worrying not to see any. Nor did I see any redstarts, though they were probably still around the tops of the trees.

I did get to see a chattering male blackcap though, and several wood warblers, the latter being a master in the art of landing on obscured perches or being against a bright background, so limiting my photo options. Grrr.

By early afternoon the mozzies had reminded me why I hate them so much, and with an itchy hand, I made the hike back to the car park, bumping into Pam & The Gang (again!!) as they were out for a pleasant walk around the woods. They didn't fancy the trip to Clee Hill, so we parted and I soon found myself sitting on one of the benches at the viewing area...

Though not for long, when I heard the cry of a peregrine, and spotted it sat relatively close on the cliffs. A photo opportunity not to be missed, especially as it soon flew off. It returned a short while later, with the other parent in tow, and they perched further along the cliffs. After perhaps catching their breath, it was off hunting again, and they zipped off out of sight down to the low lands.

While they were away, out of the distance came a large bird of prey. A buzzard, I guessed, as there are loads around. But no, the flying style was all wrong. A red kite. Excellent. As I lined up some shots hoping it would come closer, I heard that wail again, and like a missile, from nowhere appeared one of the adult peregrines.

I don't think the kite knew what on earth it was, but it certainly didn't want to stay around to find out! And after a couple of very near misses, it had changed direction and soared off and away from the nest area. The peregrine circled overhead for a brief moment, before hurtling off to join the hunt again.

Another magical moment though to savour, and one to end a great month's worth of adventures.

Early Start In Shropshire

One of the many pleasant things I've noted from bird photography is meeting such good people when you're out and about, and hence making new friends. One of these friends, Rob Smith, emailed me last week to ask if I fancied a trip out to the Long Mynd area of Shropshire, to try our luck with finding whinchats.

The day started very early indeed and after a slight detour, we met up on the top of the moors, to set off for a look around. The area is very picturesque with steep-sided valleys, heather and gorse, streams and marshes, all looking very colourful in the early morning sunshine.

The only problem with the place are the suicidal creatures. Both sheep and rabbits seem intent on being run over, and make little effort to move out of the way, which is a tad daft when the hills there meant my car's brakes were almost on fire from over-use!

Anyway, back in the valleys, we were trying (well, Rob was) to remember what a whinchat call sounded like, and we tried discounting other calls to identify it. We could hear willow warblers, wrens and whitethroats, and some others, from meadow pipits and skylarks. Occasionally though, we'd hear something else, similar to a phone ring, and we'd try to follow where the call came from.

Easier said than done! We ended up splitting up, with me venturing up a smaller valley after thinking I'd spotted one. I had, but despite sitting in a bush and hiding, they didn't return. As the weather was so nice, I decided to go to the end of the valley, where there was a rocky outcrop devoid of sheep droppings, to sit down for a while. The steep hills were killing my legs! A willow warbler sat nearby, singing its heart out which was a lovely sound. Moments later though, it was joined by another song...

That of a whinchat. Fantastic! As I was below the bird, the sky behind had such a deep blue richness, that when coupled with the bird's bright colours made for some great shots. The bird seemed not to be bothered by me at all, and hopped between a few perches, singing away. Eventually, another one flew over, and this one took off and followed.

Alas Rob hadn't seen them, so I felt somewhat guilty that I'd managed to bag some shots of the target bird and he'd not. The luck of the draw I guess, and he got some crackers of the willow warbler and a kestrel whilst I was off roaming.
Deciding that we ought to press on, we headed to a small woodland area nearby, off the Mynd, where pied flycatchers would be present. They were, but the light was fading with increasing cloud, so getting shots proved tricky. In addition to the flycatchers though, we saw wrens, a redstart and a rather bizarre grey wagtail, that enjoyed seeing its own reflection on cars. We got some amusing shots of it perched on window-sills and door mirrors - not the usual choice of a perch!

Next stop was Clunton Coppice, where Rob hoped we would see wood warblers. We did, though they remained pretty elusive high in the canopy. The woods were carpeted with bluebells and the smell from them was gorgeous. I found myself stood amongst them, just breathing in their scent.

The woods were alive with the usual birds - robins, tits, blackbirds, nuthatches and woodpeckers. I did see a female pied flycatcher but it was in very gloomy light, and she was gone in an instant.

The final part of the day was spent at Clee Hill, as it is on the way back home. The peregrine gave a very brief flight as we got there, but then sat resolutely in the same place for a good hour or so, long enough for me to get bored and go home. Rob had a bit more luck later, when it flew around, but for me, I needed to get back.

A superb day though, with some varied birds in some more great company. And some more locations to visit again, though I don't think I'll be rushing to get up at 5am too many times!

Somerset: Shapwick Heath

The last entry for my south west trip. On the way back from Devon I thought it would be worthwhile stopping off at a location recommended to me by a birder I spoke to in Yarner Wood. He said it was the place for seeing hobbies.

The reserve is actually a large area comprising of 2 reserves. The one I went to was Shapwick Heath, but across the road is Ham Wall, the RSPB one, both within sight of the Glastonbury Tor. The area is a mixture of woodland, reedbeds and waterways, and is rich with all sorts of wildlife.

Walking along the path towards the hides, my day started well when I spotted a marsh harrier, quartering the reeds. This is only the second one I have seen (and recognised what it was), so I stopped and viewed it for a few moments, before it dropped out of sight into the reeds.

I had hoped for hobbies here, but the weather was against me, with very strong winds, keeping a lot of the flying insects perched on the ground. There were a few around, but not the 40 or so mentioned earlier that week. Still, I got a couple of close views as they hurtled past the hide I was in.


Better than this was spotting an otter though. Typically the camera wouldn't lock on, as it dived and surfaced amongst some reeds, and just when I thought I would get a shot, it dived never to appear again! It's the first wild otter I have seen since the one in the sea off Mallaig harbour, in Scotland in 2005. Beautiful creatures.

With limited time, I headed to the hide closest to where I'd seen the marsh harrier, and hoped. The showers were becoming more frequent and heavier, so I considered staying in the hide for that bit longer, to allow one to pass over. Wise move, as a harrier strayed into view, flying towards us and off over the hide roof into the wooded area beyond.

Definitely a place to come to again, especially as Ham Wall has breeding bitterns to view. Just need to time it for a day when the weather is a bit calmer!

Devon: Dawlish Warren

Part 4 of the Devon trip

I think this will be the last entry for the Devon part of the trip. I popped into a place called Stover which is a small park with woodland and a lake, and some waterways extending from it. It might have had potential, but there were so many folks around from nearby campsites, it was too busy for anything decent to show up I suspect. There's an interesting walkway though, by some feeders that were attracting woodland birds, such as nuthatches, but the light that lunchtime was poor, so I only managed one shot I think.

Dawlish Warren is a lovely place to mooch around though. Comprising of meadows that attract butterflies, hedges that are alive with bird song, woodland with hidden gems, several fresh water pools and reedbeds for wildfowl and warblers alike, dunes to wander aimlessly across, beaches to stare out to sea from, an estuary to watch waders in, a hide to well, hide from the rain in, and the sky, filled with swifts, swallows and martins, to remind you how bad you are at photographing fast-flying birds!

I visited the reserve several times during the week, in varying weather conditions. I had read on the internet that there was a spotted flycatcher around, but it never showed itself to me. One for the Wyre Forest I reckon.

I did see a few whitethroats around, giving themselves away with their calls and warbling sounds. Along with them in the hedges were chiffchaffs and a few willow warblers, but they stayed high in tops of trees. There are a lot of "normal" birds to be found here, such as blue, great and long-tailed tits, blackbirds and robins too. Amongst the woods were blackcaps, though they never seem to come out when I'm around.

On the meadows I spooked a green woodpecker, which hurtled off into the woods, cackling as it went. The local kestrel wasn't around either, which was a shame.

On the beach I spotted a flock of sanderling & dunlin (though I still can't tell some of them apart, other than looking for the kink in the beak). I was able to creep up on them using some wooden breaks as cover, and got some interesting shots into the sun, as they pottered about on the water's edge.

Alas the weather closed in on me later in the week, and I found myself sheltering under hawthorn bushes, watching Canada goslings waddle around in the rain. On the pond, there was a lone little grebe, which kept at a distance, a heron watching over all the fuss, plus coot and moorhen chicks, making cute peeping sounds as they followed their parents around.

Keep an eye on the gallery over the next few days, as I have a few other pics to add that have missed this first sweep. There's also another entry for the holiday left over, which will be added soon... but it's not in Devon.