tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-67024587430728288882024-03-19T03:45:07.157-07:00Tim Gutsell's Wildlife PhotographyTim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-61818621623139664612013-04-04T12:54:00.000-07:002013-04-04T12:55:47.814-07:00 Bank holiday and a Penduline Tit. I've been stuck indoors for the last few weeks decorating, the camera put to one side its been full steam <br />
ahead with the paint brush and rollers. I think I am losing the plot somewhere but I am sure if it had have<br />
been better weather I would have been out in the country air doing what I do best, enjoying it. This bank<br />
holiday weekend I ventured out into the cold in search of the White Spotted Bluethroat which had taken<br />
up residence at Samphire Hoe. I had three mornings there seeing it on each occasion but rarely getting a<br />
photo opportunity. However, at least the tea hut was open. It was absolutely freezing in the cold north<br />
easterly wind but a few hours on each visit was spent none the less. Sunday morning Steve Ashton picked<br />
me up early and we had intended to go to Dungeness however with sunshine on the forecast we again<br />
headed for the hoe. On arrival we soon found the Bluethroat feeding along a newly dug trench. It was<br />
difficult trying to get a picture because it was in and out the trench and only briefly sitting up. More people<br />
arrived and the bird disappeared, we soon followed as it was so cold and headed along the path below<br />
the cliffs towards Folkstone. We watched a pair of Peregrines put on a stunning display high in the sky,<br />
climbing to tremendous heights then diving using the wind and aerodynamics to the best of their<br />
advantage, simply stunning to see. We sheltered at the path end where there was a small wall. The flask<br />
of hot tea was most welcome whilst we watched a few Rock Pipits. Stonechat, Chiffchaff and a possible<br />
Tree Pipit were also noted. We made our way back against the wind it was a real battle and on arrival<br />
at the car decided to go to St Margarets where there was a male Bluethroat seen earlier. Joined by Mike<br />
Gould the three of us found the dung heap where the bird had been spotted but it was not visible. Apart<br />
from two Green Woodpeckers not a lot was seen, neither of us had a photo to show for the day,<br />
frustrating or what, especially as the sun was out. I was off work Tuesday morning so with the sun shinning<br />
again (that's twice this year) I headed for Stodmarsh and the long staying Penduline Tit. Again meeting<br />
Steve we enjoyed the sun and good views of the bird. A few pictures were obtained and I also noted<br />
three Chiffchaff a stunning Cetti;s Warbler, two Blue Tits and a great view of a soaring Marsh Harrier<br />
looking magnificent against the blue sky.<br />
<br />
White Spotted Bluethroat. (female) <br />
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Penduline Tit.<br />
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This is only my second blog of the year its a bit slow I know but if a few more photo opportunities come<br />
about there will be more. I did have a close encounter with a Slavonian Grebe back in January, again<br />
dull weather played a big part with the photos I obtained.<br />
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Slavonian Grebe.<br />
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<br />Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-81725312849896563402013-01-18T12:30:00.000-08:002013-01-18T12:30:04.199-08:00 A New Start With Winter Up The Woods I thought I had better make a start with the blog as January is nearly half way through. Ive decided as its<br />
the first for the new year that I would change the blog title. I have been to Stodmarsh a few times not seeing much of note except for two different female Hen Harriers and a Bittern close in by the reed bed hide. Its been so muddy in fact the path to the marsh hide has been just passable. The camera didn't come out of the bag as the sky's were so grey so it was back to the woods to try for some action with the woodland birds. Much the same as my last photos but I will share them anyway. First up is the Marsh Tit, my favourite by far, although it would take second place if I could only locate Willow Tits locally. I watched them regularly back in the 80,s.<br />
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Marsh Tit..<br />
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Marsh Tit.<br />
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Marsh Tit.<br />
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I've visited the woods two or three times this year hoping for the sun to shine but as usual on arrival the<br />
sun has disappeared making exposure tricky. For me the Coal Tit is the hardest to capture as the whites<br />
can easily over expose and they are extremely skittish.<br />
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Coal Tit. <br />
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Coal Tit.<br />
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Coal Tit.<br />
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As said earlier I once knew where Willow Tits could be seen and I have managed to find an old photo<br />
of one back in the 80s. .A characteristic of Willow Tits is they bore out rotten stumps for their nest site <br />
as this pair had done to nest in along with several other pairs in a lose colony.Sadly this top woodland<br />
bird is now extinct locally.<br />
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Willow Tit.<br />
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Next up is the Great Tit , there were several on the go they are another tricky one to get right with the<br />
camera.<br />
Great Tit.<br />
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Great Tit.<br />
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Two Blue Tit shots next, such colourful birds that we take for granted, hopefully it won't be to long<br />
before we hear the sound of them as they start to sort out their territories. <br />
<br />
Blue Tit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBamVODyi2PIhI_wdeu5MFHtGvpnSCd7FpySzPl8dYItNE8wA-IYQ3UYCpr8Rj70jrRGcTL-daxQP5OFSXZr1kuFD-ozVpmqDjgSD4P5v8DaRUViKDle-sa8sZtjaMoLPXdxOTFrH5D0U/s1600/IMG_1094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBamVODyi2PIhI_wdeu5MFHtGvpnSCd7FpySzPl8dYItNE8wA-IYQ3UYCpr8Rj70jrRGcTL-daxQP5OFSXZr1kuFD-ozVpmqDjgSD4P5v8DaRUViKDle-sa8sZtjaMoLPXdxOTFrH5D0U/s640/IMG_1094.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Blue Tit.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WQQacXqkmuncRuCxTErDfBbk6hjkN785UYHP3UdjiwZeNRfcJvwAHpRgbi9hxQVQg0K9Zfi2tCYz3YI0vpT36TRYkEgCuqIHnL4GhVp4uhm3HSWNop4Op7kPWvivs8d5YUPsP9uvPI0/s1600/IMG_1981.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0WQQacXqkmuncRuCxTErDfBbk6hjkN785UYHP3UdjiwZeNRfcJvwAHpRgbi9hxQVQg0K9Zfi2tCYz3YI0vpT36TRYkEgCuqIHnL4GhVp4uhm3HSWNop4Op7kPWvivs8d5YUPsP9uvPI0/s640/IMG_1981.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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This Chaffinch joined in the fun it seemed huge against the smaller Tits and was happy to pose for the<br />
camera.<br />
Chaffinch. <br />
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<br />
This woodland beauty was a joy to watch and for a while it came to gather seeds and nuts and I could<br />
see where it was stashing them. I can;t take to many Nuthatch photo's they are fantastic to watch.<br />
<br />
Nuthatch.<br />
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Nuthatch.<br />
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And so there you are that is what I have been up to, nothing exciting but several enjoyable hours away<br />
from the rat race. Not a lot different from my last blog from 2012 and no doubt I will be back up the<br />
woods for more very soon.<br />
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<br />
<br />Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-13632051772299269662012-12-27T05:10:00.002-08:002012-12-27T05:10:38.396-08:00A woodland challenge.This time of the year I really enjoy the challenge of photographing our woodland species. With all the leafs now down maximum light can reach the camera sensor especially if the sun should poke its nose through the ever present cloud. For me bright sun light is not the best, shadows off the branches etc giving another angle of difficulty,but without doubt using the canon 7d the more light I can get is most welcome as I do not like high iso results that the 7d produces, even at close range. The challenges presented in the woods test us well with the conditions constantly changing and even when taking lots of shots the majority of them end up in the bin for one reason or another.
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Several Blue Tits could be found amongst the woodland birds,there were numerous Great Tits as well.
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They did not stay still, chances to catch them with the camera were few and far between.
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Coal Tits are even quicker, they are a rapid fire with the camera job and hope you capture a shot<br />
somewhere within the burst. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe7zSszi1ZjsONCu8nPm4oe7l082-FzEdv-E2FBWEmB_wtI9UbRitrtGvc9AZzKqq3a8GFN9ZFjM7h61z3f9y2Vuc4Eqtk9EKJTMFZ9FJ3Vp7aViePdG4AJ0aK7gr5D4WY-96GNCCDBk/s1600/Coal+Tit++9382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRe7zSszi1ZjsONCu8nPm4oe7l082-FzEdv-E2FBWEmB_wtI9UbRitrtGvc9AZzKqq3a8GFN9ZFjM7h61z3f9y2Vuc4Eqtk9EKJTMFZ9FJ3Vp7aViePdG4AJ0aK7gr5D4WY-96GNCCDBk/s640/Coal+Tit++9382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Coal Tit.<br />
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The Marsh Tit in the picture below for me is my favourite, you can see the diference between them and<br />
the Coal Tit above. In the above picture you can see the white patch on the back of the Coal Tits head.<br />
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Here is a few more shots of this little gem of the woods. I've not yet got the shot that I want but I will<br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> keep at it however long it takes.
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<span style="text-align: center;">
</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> Finally everyone's woodland favourite the Nuthatch. There are a couple that we see regularly and at times</span><br />
<span style="text-align: center;"> show well. You need a fast shutter speed for these unless you are really lucky.</span><br />
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Well I probably won't have time this year for another blog so I wish you a Happy New Year and may it <br />
stop raining and the sun shine.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-76909935396613983752012-12-04T10:18:00.000-08:002012-12-04T11:03:42.457-08:00Snippets from the year gone by.To be able to wander into the countryside and escape the ever maddening world is a gift. Once off the beaten track I totally switch off from all that gives me grief, wind down and enjoy. Often I am able to persue my hobby with like minded friends which adds to the enjoyment. I am a Stodmarsh regular which although can be hard going on the birding and photography front will always be special. I can remember as if it was yesterday seeing Bearded Tits when they were considered extremely rare back in the 70's.This year the weather has made it hard going for the wildlife that we strive to see, I don't think I have ever had so many soakings, the ground nesting birds have struggled to bring up their broods and many treetop nesting birds have been battered and blown from their lofty homes, We are lead to believe its climate change. As I write this blog the wind is still blowing and its raining yet peering out of the conservatory window there are six Goldfinch and four Chaffinch on my feeders, armchair birding as I get older,no, I would need a much bigger garden with a lake, Kingfishers, Bitterns, Harriers, Owls the list would be endless. This year is rapidly coming to an end, the bird lister's out there are starting to twitch, will they beat last years total. For me I am happy watching and photographing anything that should come to my notice. The following pictures are from some of my trips out through the year <br />
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The first picture was taken at Dungeness, there is a small localised colony of Tree Sparrows<br />
in and around the entrance to the reserve. Being one of my favourite birds I was delighted when<br />
a male House Sparrow came and posed as well. One of the rare January days that the sun shone<br />
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This Purple Sandpiper shot although not one of my favourites is one that tells a story. On my way<br />
home from Dungeness with the sun still shinning and pleased with my day out I decided to stop at <br />
Hythe and grab a few shots of the local Purps, this I did, and after filling my boots with them I<br />
slipped on the rocks and crashed down with a huge thump, my camera and lens ended up in the<br />
sea and I was badly bruised. I retrieved the camera and quickly removed the battery and card.<br />
The card with this picture was the sole survivor. For me it could not get much worse, I had just<br />
been made redundant and now lost all my photography gear.<br />
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<br />
From a huge low to one of my best moments out in the field, fortunately I had my camera gear insured.<br />
Steve Ashton and I went for a morning trip to the cliffs at Dover. We wanted to see and if possible<br />
photograph a Peregrine. We could not believe it when we came across this bird, it just watched us, we<br />
were able to get very close. it moved a few times, never far away. Our cameras were on fire filling <br />
several cards. We were on such a high. I had experienced the ups and downs life can throw at you<br />
with in a few weeks. Strangely the cliff where we stood taking the photos fell into the see the following<br />
week.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkPVFtA41a2O_9aNiQzPJcjGdMd5Zi2IV2QVxWbc6rNnPvgWgNjzzktse9ourRKsw0U6yyQYwpQNDN6rnlCOBMOBtjKRIH3sCx12umaXIMG40RhlKKSqN_BtemL_hmwk9B0qTLmryb9Q/s1600/IMG_3558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihkPVFtA41a2O_9aNiQzPJcjGdMd5Zi2IV2QVxWbc6rNnPvgWgNjzzktse9ourRKsw0U6yyQYwpQNDN6rnlCOBMOBtjKRIH3sCx12umaXIMG40RhlKKSqN_BtemL_hmwk9B0qTLmryb9Q/s640/IMG_3558.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
This Grasshopper Warbler was showing well along the footpath to the west hide at oare marshes.<br />
It often reeled from the top of a bramble. Another very wet, dismal day, photography was hard going.<br />
oare marshes is another site I love to visit , especially on a summer's evening as the sun starts to go<br />
down sending glorious light and colours across the flood making a wonderful spectacle.<br />
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Whilst walking through the woods at Stodmarsh I came across this young Tawny Owl, although I often<br />
hear Tawny Owl's in the wood I have never seen them. This one was branching out as they say and gave<br />
good views for a few days.<br />
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<br />
A visit to Rhayader, mid Wales with photography friends gave me a wonderful few days <br />
with the camera photographing Pied Flycatcher, Redstart and Siskin to name a few.We stayed at the<br />
Elan Valley Hotel which was situated along side the river Elan. We were lucky to be there on what<br />
was probably the only sunny dry week in Wales throughout the year, indeed the following week saw<br />
serious flooding. Each morning we wandered out form the hotel before breakfast along the river setting<br />
out at 5 am, the scenery and wildlife was stunning, Goosanders, Wood Warblers,Grey Wagtails and<br />
Dippers were all plentiful and of course Red Kites, Ravens and Buzzards all showed well. There were<br />
also Otters in the area with Steve being lucky enough to see one very close.We were well looked after<br />
throughout out stay at the hotel which was in a perfect location for the Red Kite feeding station,<br />
and Gilfac and the beautiful marteg valley. <br />
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<br />
After the welsh trip I slowed up with the camera catching up with the diy jobs around the house and<br />
garden. I had a few evening trips to the coast together with a few woodland walks but it tends to go a bit<br />
quite on the bird front with lots of photographers spending their time and efforts with butterflies and insects<br />
etc during the summer My next real trip out with the camera took me to back sands scrape at Sandwich,<br />
here is a location where you can get very close to waders. You need to time your visit an hour either<br />
side of high tide. Its a good 20 minute walk across the fields but well worth it.<br />
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At the reed bed hide Stodmarsh we had a few weeks with a young Kingfiisher coming in to the posts in<br />
front of the hide. It gave a fantastic show often staying for 30 minutes or so. Attracting many people all<br />
the local snappers were able to fill their boots with some lovely action shots. It was great to be able to see<br />
them all on flickr. Sadly for one reason or another the bird disappeared after a few weeks. Whilst we<br />
were all there one Sunday morning a Black Necked Grebe paid a visit giving us all a splendid bonus.<br />
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<br />
It came in close at times. I have only ever before seen them at a distance whilst at Dungeness. A few<br />
weeks passed and the next close encounter from the reed bed hide was a Bittern. I saw it land 30M<br />
or so out in the reed bed. I waited for it to make its way to the edge of the pool. Something I have seen<br />
them do often. As I waited I could hear it coming through the reeds so I was able to be ready for a few<br />
photos before it took flight.<br />
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<br />
The local Bittern population is boosted through the winter with visitors from the continent. This is one of<br />
the best hides to view these magnificent secretive birds during the winter months<br />
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The female Stonechat, Shorelark and Snow Bunting pictures were all taken at Reculver. there was 3<br />
Snow Buntings with the Shorelark and we were able to get very close. My thanks to Steve Ashton who<br />
contacted me to say they were showing, I had gone to Stodmarsh for Bearded Tit shots but was failing<br />
miserably. Reculver is well reported on the KOS web site, you never know what goodies will turn up<br />
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The final 2 shots were taken at Sandwich. The Brambling gave me a life tick so I was delighted. It was<br />
taken at the observatory and the Waxwing was from stone lees where many were feeding on the berries.<br />
So there we are, a great year out with the camera together with like minded friends.<br />
<br />
MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!<br />
TIM.<br />
<br />Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-72109014223583977402012-11-14T10:18:00.000-08:002012-11-14T14:32:04.105-08:00A Few Shots Here And ThereWinter is creeping up on us again, another year nearly over, where does the time go we ask. Well I have been out quite a lot, more so than last year due to lack of work. Things have picked up a bit now though and the frustration of working on a nice day has returned. The Kingfisher that gave me lots of pleasure has gone from the reed bed hide at Stodmarsh, it may have been taken by a Sparrowhawk or just moved on, who knows, it was great while it lasted. I went to Reculver to see the Shorelark that was with a few Snow Buntings, they showed well and allowed a few shots. I also came across whilst at Stodmarsh a returning Bittern that crashed into the reeds a few metres in front of me. I've spent a lot of time watching these magnificent secretive birds and I knew that there was a chance that I would be able to see it as I was close to the waters edge and for it to take off with its huge wing span it would need to be able to stretch out. I could hear it coming through the reeds towards me and it eventually showed and gave me good views. So here are a few pictures taken over the last month not in any order. The last picture is of a Black Necked Grebe that visited the Reed bed hide Stodmarsh whilst I was watching the Kingfisher. I will start the new blog next year,<br />
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Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-67981380360552968302012-10-10T11:02:00.000-07:002012-10-10T11:02:12.223-07:00The Stodmarsh KingfisherOver the past few weeks there has not been much about for the camera so I decided to spend my time with a Kingfisher. It has been coming to a couple of posts that are in front of the reed bed hide and slowly as the water level has risen at times stayed and fished. No real pattern as to when it would turn up I have spent on one occasion six hours missing the bird at each end of the session by minutes. That said you get out of this pastime what you put into it and I returned the following day and only waited minutes for it to show and put in a splendid performance. Here are some of my efforts with the camera. I am going to shut this blog down shortly and start a new one as there is gremlins in the works on this one so thanks if you have read it.<br />
regards<br />
Tim Gutsell.<br />
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Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-36781187444556095182012-08-22T06:31:00.000-07:002012-08-22T06:31:02.947-07:00Wonderful WadersAt last I have managed to get back in to the swing of things and spend time in Birdland. Over the last couple of weeks its been relatively quiet on the work front so I have grabbed the camera bag and visited Oare and Sandwich (backsands) twice. My target birds being waders as this time of year is really good to catch up with one or two as they head in their various directions for the winter period. My first visit to backsands started with me parking the car by the polly tunnels last Thursday 16th just before 7am. The air was full of expectancy and I was excited which put a spring in my step as I started the the route march to the scrape .The farmer was busy harvesting the crops, I was amazed at the size of the machinary that was being used towering me as I walked by. Reaching the scrape I entered the tiny photographers hide, here I was to spend the next five hours in which the tide peaked and pushed the birds from the river banks etc, inland to the scrape and hopefully they would come in range of the camera. Slowly the first birds dropped in. Several Greenshank and Redshank, followed by Green Sandpipers, Common Sandpipers and a solitary Wood Sandpiper. There was one Black Tailed Godwit still in summer plumage and several coots and moorhens. Some of the Sandpipers came very close, I was pleased I was the only one in the hide as I am sure if there was more than one shutter firing off the birds would have spooked. Fantastic seeing the birds so close, there was a single Heron and Little Egret as well. The time flew by and I was soon on my way home, pleased with my day. Friday the 17th I had arranged to meet Steve Ashton at Oare marshes in the afternoon. We meet in the car park at 2pm. It was a lovely summers afternoon with blue skies and a gentle breeze.We made our way along to the East flood, where for the next four hours we rattled off the cameras, Mark Chiddwick joined in the fun for a while as he managed to finish work early,but time was of short supply for him and he soon had to go. We spent a a fair while being amused by a Wood Sandpiper and juvenile Ruff. There was lots on show, Black tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpiper, Golden Plover Snipe to name but a few, however the best for me was was a Little Stint and a last knockings Temminicks Stint, birds that I had only ever seen from a distance. We were both parched by the end of the session so a welcome drink from the old artesian well went down a treat before we said our goodbyes.I visited briefly again after work on Monday but time was very limited seeing several Ringed Plover to add to the list and Yellow Wagtail. Today still no work, (one of the joys of working in London around the Olympic area,) so another trip to backsands, this time it was a waste of time as you could count the birds on one hand, only a young Lapwing and Moorhen was to come in range of the camera .So there we are a
good few birds seen with a few photos to boot.<br />
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Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-74851359424424109462012-07-14T05:25:00.000-07:002012-07-14T07:10:09.911-07:00Catching up with the camera.The year is flying by and I have not been very active with the camera for the last month. Lots going on , my daughters wedding and a trip away with the caravan taking up most of the time. Last weekend I found myself with some spare time so starting Friday after work I went to see a few butterflies, something that's new to me and it was nice to see my first Heath Fritillary which is very localised. Saturday morning I helped out with a Bittern survey at Stodmarsh arriving at the Marsh hide about 0600. Staying to midday I ticked off lots of the local resident birds but did not see any Bitterns. We were hoping to see a few feeding flights but was not very successful. Last year was a real success story for Bittern at Stodmarsh with three youngster's showing well from the Marsh hide lets hope we have more of the same this year. Sunday together with Steve Ashton I went out watching Peregrines. Masters of the skies they are and we were pleased to contact them. I also visited yesterday dodging the showers and was rewarded with a few photos. Other local birds seen were Corn Bunting, Skylark and Meadow Pipit. Very nice.<br />
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.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-35178960183174143232012-06-06T12:46:00.000-07:002012-06-06T12:55:15.569-07:00Wales day 3After a hearty evening meal from the hotel we went out for a walk, Redstarts were spotted flitting in and out of the hedgerows and a pair of Bullfinch displaying vivid colours were also seen. A cuckoo could be heard high in the hills, the sound travelling for miles. The light held on well in fact it stayed light almost till 10. We did not see or hear any Whitethroat which I thought we may do perhaps the habitat was not quite what they like .Day 3 started the same, up and out early and down to the river, it was frustrating that there was not enough shutter speed for the Dippers which showed well, easily spotted bobbing up and down, in fact we were to spend a lot of time chasing Dippers. Most of the shots I managed were either to far or high ISO. The Goosanders were interesting to watch they were regular with their early morning flight pattern, I think they were roosting in the trees perhaps even nesting in them. I had heard Tawny Owls in the night so it was no surprise when we located a bird high in a tree its presence was exposed by lots of small birds. As I watched it hooted and moved to another tree with all its heckler's following it .After breakfast it was back to Gilfach again, we all agreed another go for the Redstart, this time we were earlier and well rewarded with three or four visits to the meal worms we provided. We had a few Crossbill fly over, fleeting views were had and we saw what could have been a Goshawk. In the afternoon we went to a second Red Kite feeding station it was high in the hills, a lake surrounded by fir trees. The Kites were fed on the bank of the lake allowing them at times to pick up the meat from the water. The name of the centre was Bwlch Nant Yr Arian it was a forestry commission setting on the road to Aberystwyth. here there were Siskin in great number along with other finches but no Redpoll. The Red Kite show started at 3 and was a real spectacle. I think we all watched more than we photographed as the harsh afternoon light and water glare was a problem. After the Kites we saw a pair of Redstart and watched lots of birds on the feederes by the tea bar.This site is well worth a visit but does not have the appeal for photographing the Kites that Gigrin does, nor were there many Buzzards and I only saw one Raven. After a long tiring day it was back to the hotel for a steak and ale pie and a few ciders, very nice.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMSgYXHge-yg-eW143kEQ9UmGYvi9aaj4EOV082Ck3EF7eUhF5ja_1dR46JCS4IUjhUfttDGJeJ5qGSApS3ug4kkNFG3hqATIbany9knpoPL-nVY4S1gR4NjJWH0VxcThyphenhyphentFJlu9ZdYY/s1600/Redstart-6916-(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMSgYXHge-yg-eW143kEQ9UmGYvi9aaj4EOV082Ck3EF7eUhF5ja_1dR46JCS4IUjhUfttDGJeJ5qGSApS3ug4kkNFG3hqATIbany9knpoPL-nVY4S1gR4NjJWH0VxcThyphenhyphentFJlu9ZdYY/s640/Redstart-6916-(2).jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-32315125785689113762012-06-05T01:34:00.000-07:002012-06-05T02:26:34.320-07:00Wales day 2Fresh from a good nights sleep I set off from the hotel at 5 o'clock for a walk along the river. it was a beautiful morning, I had noted in the grounds of the hotel Goldcrest, Spotted Flycatcher and Redstart yesterday so there was an air of expectancy about today. You don't realise how much sound is polluted until you are in the country, here the only sound was plenty of bird song with Willow Warbler and Garden Warbler, Blackcap and a beautiful Song Thrush filling the still morning air. I headed along the path towards a footbridge where I could gain access to the river a flash of Redstart was next, followed by a fleeting view of a Wood Warbler which was high in a Tree. There was lots of mature trees for the Wood Warblers, this one was singing well, obviously a few weeks behind in breeding this year. A few of us had by now joined forces and as we walked along the river which was strewn with boulders and rocks typical of the location, we came a across a Goosander female, she took flight and rewarded us with a fly about calling as she did so. Goosanders were spotted several times through our stay I think four in total and a few distant chicks. We heard a male Pied Flycatcher which showed well it had a couple of females in tow, there were a few young Grey Wagtails and a tatty parent happily playing in the river very nice. Although the sky was cloudless it was still early when we encountered our first Dipper, the camera was out and the first of many blurred photos was taken. I located the nest sight easily and we watched the male call the female off it to come out and feed. These are moments you just want to enjoy and this we did, however as the sun climed slowly up in to the sky so did the midges and it was not long before we all made a hasty retreat scratching and squashing the little blighters. breakfast was at 8 so after 3 hours in the field was most welcome. After breakfast we made our first visit to Gllfach nature Reserve. A place time forgot it is just north of Rhayader situated in the beautiful marteg valley. As you drive along the narrow twisting road you drop steeply down to a little bridge over the river here there is a hide allowing stunning close views of Nuthatch, Pied Flycatcher Dippers, Blue and great Tits. The hide is called the otter hide. A steep climb up to the old farm house where we parked the car. The farm house dates back to the fifteenth century and is built around a wooden cruck framed medieval frame as a welsh longhouse, the farmer lived in one end the animals in the other.. The farm yard has feeders allowing close views of Redpolls Siskins Pied Flycatchers and one that I had only seen on fleeting occasions, a beautiful male Redstart. here we stayed and whiled several superb hours, time definitely well spent.
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbI0Izn3hz_8iTywFfgPkrXosQJ0mCz8qaenDjJVPgphP-gXJv5izacW25z2PDC4UwcNPBjJrjprrHr0cWnzgGXbtRuYIPhh9FGqFgvDh4Se3vTIVdQf9ijBYqRkY2HvsXXPmOGvc1Q0/s1600/Nuthatch-6241.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsbI0Izn3hz_8iTywFfgPkrXosQJ0mCz8qaenDjJVPgphP-gXJv5izacW25z2PDC4UwcNPBjJrjprrHr0cWnzgGXbtRuYIPhh9FGqFgvDh4Se3vTIVdQf9ijBYqRkY2HvsXXPmOGvc1Q0/s640/Nuthatch-6241.jpg" width="640" /></a>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-33552153714347956872012-06-03T03:54:00.000-07:002012-06-03T10:26:45.279-07:00A few days in Wales.Day 1..A few of the local photographers ( loosely speaking ) from my local patch each year join forces and have an annual trip somewhere within the country for a few days, this year I was fortunate to be able to join them. So with Steve Ashton, Steve Ray, Mike Gould, Alan Ashdown and Pete Hemmings we set off early last Sunday with our destination being Rhayader, mid Wales. We had a faultless journey to which I must thank Steve Ashton who drove us there. We stayed at the Elan valley hotel which could not have been better situated for us, it was opposite the river Elan allowing us easy access to the river, and close to the Red Kite feeding station Gigrin farm. It was there we had our first action with the cameras on a bright day with blue skies. Feeding time for the kites is 3 o'clock each summer day, the kites are joined by Buzzards and most of the crow family for the feast. There are several hides, some are high and we pre booked the tower hide which costs £20 but well worth it. The Kites seem to appear from nowhere and although we all thought numbers were not as big as previous visits there were lots of birds and the action was fast and furious as the first wave off Kites started to circle and then plummet to the ground, this is a real spectacle as they jostle for position, often crashing in to each other as they grabbed at the meat. There were a few Buzzards trying to land and feed, they had to keep their heads down and a close eye on the kites at all times. As the food started to thin out the birds were easier to watch and calmer with the Buzzards occasionally settling in a tree close by.The feed lasted about 3 hours and afterwards it was back to the hotel for a welcome roast dinner.<br />
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</div>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-59506130700444554782012-05-10T12:28:00.001-07:002012-05-10T13:18:21.529-07:00A Surprise GropperAnother visit to Oare yesterday, I wanted to see the gropper again, I arrived late morning and spent an hour or so waiting for the bird to perform as it had done last Friday, however it is was not vocal at all. The only view I had was brief when it appeared in front of me. I hastily fired off the camera and managed a few shots. There were two pairs of Whitethroat busy in the brambles and Long Tailed Tits nesting nearby. Also the Nightingale in the scrub adjacent to the cottages was singing. It was rather windy so maybe that's why the gropper was quiet.<br />
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</tg>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-65446742491403538052012-05-08T09:43:00.000-07:002012-05-08T09:43:00.148-07:00Another visit to Oare.With the sun shinning this morning I decided on another visit to Oare and try for some more shots of the gropper. Reaching the location at 0730 I was made aware that it had shown an hour earlier but had since gone to ground. I stayed for an hour or so but there was no show of the gropper. Lots of people had now arrived and perhaps all the chatting between everyone kept the bird low. I moved off and walked along the path towards the east flood hide, here Steve Ashton pointed out six newly arrived Wheatear looking proud stood up on the mole hills. Walking towards the creek Whitethroat were singing in the trees and a pair of Reed Bunting together with a a few Bearded Tits were in the reeds. Sedge Warbler were numerous displaying from their song posts allowing a few photos. Steve pointed out a Grey Plover in full summer plumage it looked very smart but was to far away for a photo. Avocets were in full courtship and an Oystercatcher dropped in close by. Perhaps the most strangest sighting of the day was a huge lorry that was probably on route to Sheppey via its satnav some how found its way between the two floods. Not as many hirrundines today and on leaving for home at 1130 the gropper still had not shown.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghATrj4dCIK0y3gRxiwb2YIllFNm01sHgwVxcRCzORJdF7vuYfThTjogUa8lTj3Q3FbeQdKnryTFhKGbX-l1zSekgp16ZnOFKvVHPZ8_WAnXz0RvZZ2oOpGpu-5PPBplYzaJ7YYokaWiI/s1600/IMG_3990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghATrj4dCIK0y3gRxiwb2YIllFNm01sHgwVxcRCzORJdF7vuYfThTjogUa8lTj3Q3FbeQdKnryTFhKGbX-l1zSekgp16ZnOFKvVHPZ8_WAnXz0RvZZ2oOpGpu-5PPBplYzaJ7YYokaWiI/s640/IMG_3990.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-21995081144283527302012-05-04T13:52:00.000-07:002012-05-04T13:53:34.817-07:00Making the most of a miserable May day.With yet another overcast day prospects for a trip out with the camera where not looking good, however after the downpour between 9 and 10 it brightened up so out I went. I decided on a visit to Oare marshes to try and locate the Grasshopper Warbler that has been around for a few days now and showing quite well. I meet Steve Ashton by the east flood where we had a quick scan to see what was about, lots of Swallows flying low over the pools with the odd Swift and Martin we watched their aerobatics for a while along with a Little Egret that was happy catching fresh water shrimps by the cattle bridge. We made our way to the entrance to the west flood where the warbler was supposed to be and we were immediately on it. This was my first connection with a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and I was thrilled with such a good sighting. It was a bit distant but a few images were taken. We moved on with the photos in the bag and headed for the west flood hide, not much there , a pair of Avocet, Little Grebes and a few Sedge Warblers. After a cuppa we headed back past the Gropper that had gone silent, apparently it reels morning and late afternoon. We amused ourselves watching Whitethroat, Linnets, Goldfinches and on the east flood one Yellow Wagtail. A Kestrel was hovering over the water, we watched it fly off with a small catch and disappear over the road. Not to many ducks on view, several Egrets were now about and in the distance a Nightingale could be heard. It was a dull overcast day making the photography challenging but all in all very enjoyable.
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Being stranded indoors for most of the weekend I was pleased when the sun came out midday Sunday. I decided on a ride to Sandwich to try and see the elusive Short Eared Owls that have been around for a while, I thought that they may take advantage of the dry and hunt. However on the way I called into the elms and immediately made contact with a stunning male Pied Flycatcher. This is a cracking bird that I have seen lots of times in Wales but never in Kent. Whilst here I was made aware that there was in fact two birds although I only saw one, but great views I had. I moved on for the Owls but had no joy again, one did show just before I arrived, but must have gone to ground. I returned Tuesday to try my luck again, no owls but a Kestrel was obliging for the camera
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLsKhsjXJSlGMDDstt0xnbi6ZbOJR8NdwjjWLUQ2Ae2-8KjAEJmgPBpFmn-Yi-smaUpjLnHPJYw1Oclq-vQ_1ZJUxlVH_2TWlZO1BMxaopPq0fD99JOWA154gsCQKYLq3foa8hxwJiGE/s1600/Kestrel+3005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="2" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLsKhsjXJSlGMDDstt0xnbi6ZbOJR8NdwjjWLUQ2Ae2-8KjAEJmgPBpFmn-Yi-smaUpjLnHPJYw1Oclq-vQ_1ZJUxlVH_2TWlZO1BMxaopPq0fD99JOWA154gsCQKYLq3foa8hxwJiGE/s640/Kestrel+3005.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-87328968558988134792012-04-28T09:07:00.001-07:002012-04-28T09:07:27.964-07:00Bring On The Spring Sunshine Please.Well what horrid weather we have had for the last few weeks, with the dawn chorus supposedly at its best there can't be much for the birds to sing about. With spring migrants slowly drifting in I think it is about time the weather bucked its ideas up and allowed us all to get out in the much needed sunshine. We all suffer from lack of sunshine blues when the weather is bad. That said I have had a few wanderings in between the showers taking in Grove and Stodmarsh and managed a few photos. At Grove a surprise sighting was a White Stork flying across the ramp viewing area and looking as if it was going to crash land, it lifted up into the wind and headed out towards the water meadows. I was out no more than hour so that was pleasing. Stodmarsh end of the valley is my local area for a wander and there is always something new this time of the year. Yesterday I spent some time listening to a newly arrived Nightingale. The sound lifted the gloomy weeks history and gave me the challenge and enthusiasm that I needed to try and capture the moment with my camera. Nightingales are not often seen spending most of their time hidden in dense undergrowth luckily for me some of the bushes are not fully out so I was able to watch it and could easily see it, at times singing its heart out. After every burst of song there seemed to be complete silence before the next, wonderful, one of the best moments you can get in bird land. I fired off a few photos and hoped for the best before moving on. Birds I encountered throughout the morning included Whitethroat, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, and Garden Warbler and many singing Reed and Sedge Warblers. A pair of Tree Creepers were feeding their brood in an old stump, they were non stop in their desire to feed the hungry brood. Along the track back to the car park were several butterflies, ( thanks to all the bloggers who post pictures of them,) they are looking very smart and ready for the coming season. Lets hope the rain eases and gives spring and the butterflies a chance to truly come in to life with some pleasant warm sunshine.<br />
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White Stork<br />
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Blackcap (female)<br />
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Blackcap (male)<br />
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Whitethroat<br />
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Chiffchaff<br />
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Garden Warbler<br />
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<br /> Nightingale<br />
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<br />Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-19447744353427239812012-04-15T12:52:00.000-07:002012-04-15T12:52:13.483-07:00Along The Coast With The Camera.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ3seMVltmaiSvaatCeyODQ28H3PpQ5JFNkjquS2_pB7t_QJ5JCf6QjL_j0-piG2q5Zt66NZt02vLb5Qkvf0SXCStRijJivHApROewWJBAn6evaasUtY_juOXJTdBbQSRwP83-eFG9SA/s1600/IMG_0839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZ3seMVltmaiSvaatCeyODQ28H3PpQ5JFNkjquS2_pB7t_QJ5JCf6QjL_j0-piG2q5Zt66NZt02vLb5Qkvf0SXCStRijJivHApROewWJBAn6evaasUtY_juOXJTdBbQSRwP83-eFG9SA/s640/IMG_0839.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I managed to part with my 7d camera prematurely back in January and its taken till now to get it replaced. keen to get out with it I set off for the coast together with Steve Ashton to put it to test. We arrived at langdon hole Dover shortly after 0800 and walked along the coastal path. Not much on offer here, a glimpse of a female Black Redstart a few Skylarks and Meadow Pipits and a rather tired Wheatear allowing a few shots. We walked towards St Margaret's scanning the sky for a Peregrine but that proved fruitless so we moved on to Kingsdown near Deal and walked along to the riffle range. Here we watched a few Fulmars flying around allowing a chance of a few flight shots which was the main objective of the day for me .Our last stop was Sandwich bay, from restharrow we watched Lapwing, Little Grebe,an assortment of ducks and a brief visit of a Whimbrel and a Black Tailed Godwit .Finishing the morning with a walk around the elms also gave the camera action with many Chiffchaff, cracking little birds, shame about the bling. All in all I was pleased with the cameras performance and enjoyed the morning.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-18562695052401342692012-04-09T10:42:00.004-07:002012-04-15T13:07:49.769-07:00No Gain Without Pain<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY_RVJ5SspXJOV79o4_uAopz4i9B4OxOFUCF3OBY849Hb_0WR38NRaz0OFQgALa4YmslL5Vt7bjpJuk9CB3uqjx9HbKy-u-WJq2bl86-3afzMG_S_O_2PZjKK7PCK_IGkQaXz49Y23do/s1600/IMG_8110.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSY_RVJ5SspXJOV79o4_uAopz4i9B4OxOFUCF3OBY849Hb_0WR38NRaz0OFQgALa4YmslL5Vt7bjpJuk9CB3uqjx9HbKy-u-WJq2bl86-3afzMG_S_O_2PZjKK7PCK_IGkQaXz49Y23do/s640/IMG_8110.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />
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I looked out of the conservatory window this morning and was greeted with what to expect on a English bank holiday from the weather,squally rain and dull overcast skies. I wanted to try and see and photograph the male Goosander that has been around for a few days on the cold harbour lagoons at Reculver.Its a very exposed location and the dilemma was did I want to see the bird and risk a soaking. Time for my hobby is precious at the moment with me starting a new job so with my flask made and a bag of mini chocolate eggs I set off via the fisherman's car park by the river Wantsum where I met Steve Ashton. We endured the weather seeing hardly anything of note let alone photograph and were soon on our way back as there was no sign of the Goosander, typical of my luck, maybe I should get out more. We did see a few Thrushes, Meadow Pipits and Shoveler Duck for our troubles. So a little wet and with Mike Gould who also had braved the elements we decided a visit to the feast hide at Grove was our best option where we could at least get out of the wet and have a warm cup of tea. On arriving at the feast hide we did wonder if we should have stayed at home as there was nothing much on show, a pair of Marsh Harrier, Coots and a single Mute Swan was about it. We were aware that there were a few Garganey further up the track at harrison's hide so we walked up as we were already wet for a look, here we spent the most productive hour or so of the morning. We soon found two male and a female Garganey showing well about half way out, we watched them with a pair of Gadwall, Teal, three Snipe, a few Mallards and two Egret, all going about their business. I got my camera out of the bag, wishful thinking perhaps but just in case anything came close, then to our surprise another two male Garganey dropped in and allowed a few shots. Strangely just after they arrived Mike picked up two Little Ringed Plover,they landed in font of us as well along with a scruffy Dunlin . We fired off the cameras and it was hope for the best in by now really poor conditions with decreasing light. .A small group of Shelduck circled a few times and a Marsh Harrier Quartered. The Garganey up and moved and we soon followed agreeing it was the right decision to visit Grove and not give in to the weather.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-89796728779937411792012-04-07T01:06:00.000-07:002012-04-07T01:06:50.738-07:00A Day Out In Spring Sunshine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jLQE8Grjd984Yj0dAq_o3WjOgAGmsYBpPiqP-Gwdtgxe0aDywwKEdXhCqDCln_9tBCpLxFJzqTyAImN_57D0FZGQH_I590fhyphenhyphen6qveRev5L0zYutmOExnWiYA1AIfJxeJ6EhAFYtAXIk/s1600/IMG_7929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="363" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0jLQE8Grjd984Yj0dAq_o3WjOgAGmsYBpPiqP-Gwdtgxe0aDywwKEdXhCqDCln_9tBCpLxFJzqTyAImN_57D0FZGQH_I590fhyphenhyphen6qveRev5L0zYutmOExnWiYA1AIfJxeJ6EhAFYtAXIk/s640/IMG_7929.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnDdfhnfByNhOIyLC6c0kyz6YP3HV5TetBFQRAKUFe6_hvoojlMdxIQJALnpl13yDVcN8d92k2NRW_2v4r7PzeC1WtiDg7ReZyBTd7XFc2Do0KcyfPv_C5r60hQB4E9YwY-EpyMY2-4o/s1600/IMG_7919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFnDdfhnfByNhOIyLC6c0kyz6YP3HV5TetBFQRAKUFe6_hvoojlMdxIQJALnpl13yDVcN8d92k2NRW_2v4r7PzeC1WtiDg7ReZyBTd7XFc2Do0KcyfPv_C5r60hQB4E9YwY-EpyMY2-4o/s640/IMG_7919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With the promise of sunshine I was woken as normal this time of the year by the wakey wakey bird as my wife calls it. A blackbird seems to enjoy being in the tree next door and is the prime instigator of the dawn chorus with its prominent song. Sadly there is not a Song Thrush in the bird choir any more, I hope this is just temporary. I started my day with a visit to Stodmarsh. I met Martin Wilson And Mark Chiddwick walking along the lane looking for spring arrivals, I then made my way to the village where I was greeted with the welcome sound of Chiffchaff on arrival at the car park .It was not long before a male Blackcap was located along the track to the reed bed hide, he was singing his heart out, no doubt excited as he anticipates the arrival of the females shortly. Much of the norm in the alder wood, the Great Spotted Woodpeckers showed well along with a pair of Stock Doves and spring sound was superb with little wind in the wood, the highlight by far being two male Wrens in competion with each other. Further along the track I bumped into Steve Ashton, we chatted about spring arrivals in bird land and the local Marsh Harriers, we watched several along the Lampern wall either side but not coming in reach of the camera. My first Swallow of the year was next to greet me, by far a sign that spring has sprung. After an hour or so we decided a visit to Oare might be good as high tide was midday and we had just about exhausted what there was on show here. Of interest there seemed to be chiffchaffs every where lets hope its a good year for Warblers. Its a 40 min drive to Oare from Stodmarsh, parking by the east flood I was able to photograph a Black Tailed Godwit that was close to the fence, it did not seem bothered by the sound of the camera shutter.We spent a good few hours here noting my first Yellow Wagtail, another Swallow, two Wheatear, a few Bearded Tits and on high tide lots of Godwits and Golden Plover in summer plume. The bright sunshine was nice but made photographing difficult however I managed a few shots through the day. Mike Gould arrived for the last hour, the sun slowly shifting behind us gave a warm glow across the east flood.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-21543816592130456032012-03-03T09:11:00.000-08:002012-03-03T09:11:04.583-08:00Peregrine Privilage<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblz_OXa65mtvn4_-C_HL073q-X3xuViwqplEnJvabKgt0W8wp_Jp6gGsSnDFfiX1X4D26WFpdx8J8HxFZKMeoP8mHtSkvVEliNR4kdeNISr2FW2-ikH7OlceuZxEVF-pVhn9UmtcMBMo/s1600/Perigrine+6315.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhblz_OXa65mtvn4_-C_HL073q-X3xuViwqplEnJvabKgt0W8wp_Jp6gGsSnDFfiX1X4D26WFpdx8J8HxFZKMeoP8mHtSkvVEliNR4kdeNISr2FW2-ikH7OlceuZxEVF-pVhn9UmtcMBMo/s640/Perigrine+6315.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-v48uiwWuhxibXHoYcLfCz8q7JBPsQTn7Z0WFcC22TM59R2lK3VYE9kkFq2yOJhEPgXj8iQgFPtoKnzd0UE5ZheRMKbOcxBWqCdg_XeyaMPzfSSUFAiw8JAiHHjwSd7Npv2WVLLw2MU/s1600/Perigrine+Falcon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP-v48uiwWuhxibXHoYcLfCz8q7JBPsQTn7Z0WFcC22TM59R2lK3VYE9kkFq2yOJhEPgXj8iQgFPtoKnzd0UE5ZheRMKbOcxBWqCdg_XeyaMPzfSSUFAiw8JAiHHjwSd7Npv2WVLLw2MU/s640/Perigrine+Falcon.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4850FgdjA0ur3RtlVbvlElhHSJjT8NlNPDhyyMLQYUI7reE7giFTTy040ecQ51sBcd50f2GxYAKes2SIWBt8SgntHrybA3Ob8WmqZikhp00E7TFsutHeNiu7e3y5Havlw6D2mHb31yI/s1600/Perigrine-Falcon-6340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw4850FgdjA0ur3RtlVbvlElhHSJjT8NlNPDhyyMLQYUI7reE7giFTTy040ecQ51sBcd50f2GxYAKes2SIWBt8SgntHrybA3Ob8WmqZikhp00E7TFsutHeNiu7e3y5Havlw6D2mHb31yI/s640/Perigrine-Falcon-6340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMrTK7lTQ7wPUS8C3n2Zej4cL8ZF7zbORnQ1PmS2XlfkZcrBBLRbfrOl2G3ugB07nxN8q4_oYhVFld2vvIfuqu8gcHhSmg61R4C2j3ON-enVkfAFt1l9e2xDYq_Qn4hOjEidpgBS9S0A/s1600/Perigrine+6340.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPMrTK7lTQ7wPUS8C3n2Zej4cL8ZF7zbORnQ1PmS2XlfkZcrBBLRbfrOl2G3ugB07nxN8q4_oYhVFld2vvIfuqu8gcHhSmg61R4C2j3ON-enVkfAFt1l9e2xDYq_Qn4hOjEidpgBS9S0A/s640/Perigrine+6340.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd4g-vY2O1hK6bi16YiNpi9lizSCKiuEHA1xaNjWMholYMcJa5Ee5wfof2JJjKwZfn4INcEZAeFDPm7oSmE-NhkQJpLfflY-ePcFfx9N3cwdwjwS8CWpsPvwTtg3A0cYN4Fc71RhsrFE/s1600/Perigrine-6175.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="442" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHd4g-vY2O1hK6bi16YiNpi9lizSCKiuEHA1xaNjWMholYMcJa5Ee5wfof2JJjKwZfn4INcEZAeFDPm7oSmE-NhkQJpLfflY-ePcFfx9N3cwdwjwS8CWpsPvwTtg3A0cYN4Fc71RhsrFE/s640/Perigrine-6175.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHflN6j3gCxi1ryoX42yyGUBEb-TmbJR7CnQD4YxxM28nZhpZM5q68mRGdT3LqBsLSBeIwupPLsBBhr-4TlLrNkqs8DzE2Fa2BUd4SE4rXPd0k3c0DC8Kfz7E_5O_mLyJ_r5Cqbavkaic/s1600/Perigrine-6336.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="449" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHflN6j3gCxi1ryoX42yyGUBEb-TmbJR7CnQD4YxxM28nZhpZM5q68mRGdT3LqBsLSBeIwupPLsBBhr-4TlLrNkqs8DzE2Fa2BUd4SE4rXPd0k3c0DC8Kfz7E_5O_mLyJ_r5Cqbavkaic/s640/Perigrine-6336.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs6_BVFnITwm8UgMcfoJkp1-srph_UWG_NJH60bS71gAL8RtsvnvVD430po95C-xV7swsJanSM4LFGC6B8wg1BVMLb3IJq8mg0fFw6fDqV7Lffbb6JU2s9StKET5TvhnmNXLF-Y8AfGI/s1600/Perigrine+Falcon..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFs6_BVFnITwm8UgMcfoJkp1-srph_UWG_NJH60bS71gAL8RtsvnvVD430po95C-xV7swsJanSM4LFGC6B8wg1BVMLb3IJq8mg0fFw6fDqV7Lffbb6JU2s9StKET5TvhnmNXLF-Y8AfGI/s640/Perigrine+Falcon..jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Peregrine Falcons</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Although a week has passed since my short encounter with a Peregrine Falcon whilst walking on Dover cliffs last week, there has not been a day that I have not thought about it at some time or other.Steve Ashton and I had hoped there may be a chance of a sighting as a few had been seen through the previous weeks however to see one as close as we did must go down to being in the right place at the right time. An unforgettable moment captured, In Birdland With A Camera.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-50284837292639174432012-02-21T00:32:00.001-08:002012-02-21T02:08:27.690-08:00Amble In The Alder wood Stodmarsh.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh9PFt3Iqj1S8ZQk4yG52eFuVgqNuLJTGjgxqgrsagEwGP6k4OPdyE0S7urLGZiWd7l23ezSs9fahcBwK_XdQwAUOx7Kdet-W86ZIVnaE8ZK4BDGD7eTVT0UL_XKRfexxgKOiUsgTgms/s1600/Little+Owl+4067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="544" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigh9PFt3Iqj1S8ZQk4yG52eFuVgqNuLJTGjgxqgrsagEwGP6k4OPdyE0S7urLGZiWd7l23ezSs9fahcBwK_XdQwAUOx7Kdet-W86ZIVnaE8ZK4BDGD7eTVT0UL_XKRfexxgKOiUsgTgms/s640/Little+Owl+4067.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMYoFmFwo8vdfgznly6IPDyTj7xcG3WUDnxFcAmlxaYo2ygJ91s6DzNvt10-N2Mmanx_9biVcijRELBTFPr_yLGE-tzMmoeROtmwScr8WX947kAim5wVwd44q4kuPEbc4SEy_uW_9Jeo/s1600/Wren.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="559" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWMYoFmFwo8vdfgznly6IPDyTj7xcG3WUDnxFcAmlxaYo2ygJ91s6DzNvt10-N2Mmanx_9biVcijRELBTFPr_yLGE-tzMmoeROtmwScr8WX947kAim5wVwd44q4kuPEbc4SEy_uW_9Jeo/s640/Wren.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHJNAQOH8IIKkuu4JNs6yqFEex2A5wU3nVKwNh3ply913-Q8opHQp0gzr7sZhYS0esKlJJ3GEnfQdZ7yd1IbEdqCyqexC_SzYcVr-5Gqay9K29Y6yVvFe_xmgmqP1KfICQwhdsQVRex0/s1600/IMG_4016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="576" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglHJNAQOH8IIKkuu4JNs6yqFEex2A5wU3nVKwNh3ply913-Q8opHQp0gzr7sZhYS0esKlJJ3GEnfQdZ7yd1IbEdqCyqexC_SzYcVr-5Gqay9K29Y6yVvFe_xmgmqP1KfICQwhdsQVRex0/s640/IMG_4016.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKQMo7YSGi3n8LVXXJg52Ck0ga5CJeJ5a1iTvlRLzN7iqT1hyphenhyphenlJlEtZUOqW0loWTaFdzweLF3SjZKtTpJZ5AHnZGq0XfjpuukJ4z_Ra3i0qqW6V5I25aTFP2fgcta1hXGFk13LtNmxAY/s1600/Wren..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="534" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLKQMo7YSGi3n8LVXXJg52Ck0ga5CJeJ5a1iTvlRLzN7iqT1hyphenhyphenlJlEtZUOqW0loWTaFdzweLF3SjZKtTpJZ5AHnZGq0XfjpuukJ4z_Ra3i0qqW6V5I25aTFP2fgcta1hXGFk13LtNmxAY/s640/Wren..jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ufi8oajwWdMsmlsMlZOxELksYCUXrBj5gO5jFRPOLUtlBBgFMrAsTh86NwfnhBM0kK0CZsWu95RuIwPGTuke9V-OUtCxl1VaC9XA-f6K8LCSDnxxg5oCkpzYST9XhyphenhyphenBn7uigK8Dxjls/s1600/Chiffchaff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8ufi8oajwWdMsmlsMlZOxELksYCUXrBj5gO5jFRPOLUtlBBgFMrAsTh86NwfnhBM0kK0CZsWu95RuIwPGTuke9V-OUtCxl1VaC9XA-f6K8LCSDnxxg5oCkpzYST9XhyphenhyphenBn7uigK8Dxjls/s640/Chiffchaff.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With a bit of spare time on my hands I decided that a little relaxation was required and where better a location than the alder wood at Stodmarsh. We all have different perceptions of birds some of us its about patch watching, some how many species can be seen, others how many winter etc, the list go's on but we all arrive at the same nucleus which is the love of birds. Personally I enjoy watching them all and if I can record the moment with my camera then I am well contented. I arrived with the wood bathed in sunshine, it looked pleased that winter was passing and there was an air of expectancy within the local birds that it will soon be time to pair off. First to greet me was a pair of Great Spotted Woodpecker, they chased each other around noisily. I could clearly see where they would raise their brood this year. A pair of Stock Doves showed well along with 6 Goldcrest, 8 Long Tailed Tit and many Blue and Great Tit. A pair of Jays making so much noise came with in sight of me but did not settle and there were 6 Dunnock, 2 Water Rail, Coots and Moorhen scurrying about in the undergrowth. Making my way along the board walk towards the lampern wall I came across a wintering Chiffchaff, it has done well to survive the cold snap. Here I watched a pair of Marsh Harriers, we take these for granted and expect to see them, they are magnificent and exciting to watch this time of the year.On reaching the Lampern wall I scanned the main lake noting Teal, Shoveler and Shelduck along with a distant flying Bittern. I headed along the path to the bigger trees, somewhere here there will be a Tawny Owl in residence, we probably wont be aware until May when the owlets will be noisy just before dusk. Along the path I watched a Goldfinch feeding on the teasel and a very loud Cetti's Warbler in the reeds .Where the trees blocked out the sun the path was still frozen and slippery in places, I was conscious of the fact that I took a tumble last month and proceeded with caution. At this point I would like to say it only takes a second to come to grief so take care. It took an hour or so for my walk seeing lots of common birds on the way, nothing exciting but lots of enjoyment none the less. On my way back to Canterbury I noted a Little Owl and a pair of Mistle Thrush, lots of Rooks busy in the Rookery and a magnificent Buzzard.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-84416375589821341122012-02-05T10:54:00.000-08:002012-02-09T11:26:38.039-08:00The February Freeze<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFqeSnKU7rTX425Y_Mk8enBTPDwElWDge0uJDQs9Sv9SoVVHzclmQ1nZBCOfEX4cpJTh-I6ABi2AgrwPPNthenWw4BkNm1ZTdPo2wepCtCsvir1WRqg7btiE2ccVkTG5d3hz3SpoDMo/s1600/Tree-and-House-Sparrow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="539" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAnFqeSnKU7rTX425Y_Mk8enBTPDwElWDge0uJDQs9Sv9SoVVHzclmQ1nZBCOfEX4cpJTh-I6ABi2AgrwPPNthenWw4BkNm1ZTdPo2wepCtCsvir1WRqg7btiE2ccVkTG5d3hz3SpoDMo/s640/Tree-and-House-Sparrow.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnbvLFYiCOgbtKYx8lDZ3rrTHUAWZAPNycwKHS8ERoMbKsrdicRBsb0jTNplOpaFL14EVfWfaf5sH90a5AAKs3tiXi4fYxM7QE34Rf242pFnKflu6rDUnzfnvRlHrCe324sfnASrqTso/s1600/IMG_3068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="653" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZnbvLFYiCOgbtKYx8lDZ3rrTHUAWZAPNycwKHS8ERoMbKsrdicRBsb0jTNplOpaFL14EVfWfaf5sH90a5AAKs3tiXi4fYxM7QE34Rf242pFnKflu6rDUnzfnvRlHrCe324sfnASrqTso/s640/IMG_3068.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkiZ716sn7kq_EkLIZSFJTLWpQSDDPq3rdS0-v77Z_7EACM11tCpznk7RFHpdI6uv10vgTAnJLSgenAuYeqoqIpMXjDAEpo6pKFSFNshv8z48jqJz9f238JeUEE6mpEa7zBWpxwEjMbo/s1600/IMG_3247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfkiZ716sn7kq_EkLIZSFJTLWpQSDDPq3rdS0-v77Z_7EACM11tCpznk7RFHpdI6uv10vgTAnJLSgenAuYeqoqIpMXjDAEpo6pKFSFNshv8z48jqJz9f238JeUEE6mpEa7zBWpxwEjMbo/s640/IMG_3247.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Its been a while since I posted a blog, to be honest the short days and long hours of darkness together with little sun do little to inspire me this time of the year. However I have been out, Dungeness to photograph the Tree Sparrows, Hythe for the Purps and a few walks around the woods with the reward of a life tick two weeks ago at Bossenden woods, Blean, near Canterbury. A stunning Firecrest showing well in a holly bush with three others near by. ( Thanks to Steve Ashton for pointing them out) Other birds of note here were Lesser Spotted and Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Coal, Great, Blue and Marsh Tits, three Nuthatch and a pair of Chaffinch.This weekend with the threat of snow I visited Stodmarsh and walked to the marsh hide together with Andy Hills, Steve Ashton and Alan Ashdown, along the path by the fishing lake we contacted a small flock of Bearded Tits, fleeting views were had and they looked in fine condition. We walked across the meadows putting to flight umpteen Snipe and watched a rapid flight of female Wigeon. On reaching the marsh hide we noted Peregrine and Marsh Harrier going about their business on the winter winds. Earlier in the morning before I arrived Alan and Steve together with Martyn Wilson had watched nature at its most cruel moment. A hungry fox had fallen through the ice and was desperately clinging to life trying to get out, sadly the cold water took its toll and the wretched creature slowly slipped beneath the water. We made our way back to the alder wood and watched the local residents feed on a few nuts that we put out. Saturday night gave us the threatened snow and I could not resist a revisit, the whole place looked stunning when sprayed with the cold white stuff. I noted two Woodcock and along with Goldcrest and a few Tits not much else. I stood on the lampern wall and looked across the frozen lake, one of the lucky ones to be able to enjoy what nature has to offer.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-3904349529157150182012-01-03T11:06:00.000-08:002012-01-03T13:09:58.074-08:00A New Years Wander To Dover Docks.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jswDwOzmm00/TwNO10yK0tI/AAAAAAAAAPs/6TwP1z7AH-c/s1600/Kittiwake.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="522" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-jswDwOzmm00/TwNO10yK0tI/AAAAAAAAAPs/6TwP1z7AH-c/s640/Kittiwake.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOKzN9l3gpE/TwNNXx2rtaI/AAAAAAAAAPg/sDbP9m1XgXg/s1600/IMG_1919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="597" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bOKzN9l3gpE/TwNNXx2rtaI/AAAAAAAAAPg/sDbP9m1XgXg/s640/IMG_1919.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffj0ycib1OM/TwNM55qRESI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Y7-ODanoGq8/s1600/IMG_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="408" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ffj0ycib1OM/TwNM55qRESI/AAAAAAAAAPU/Y7-ODanoGq8/s640/IMG_1731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FauAzToD2Iw/TwNMZIiB0zI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wHe6x6k9lYM/s1600/Kittiwake-2091.a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="587" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FauAzToD2Iw/TwNMZIiB0zI/AAAAAAAAAPI/wHe6x6k9lYM/s640/Kittiwake-2091.a.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l69U2rbxe44/TwNL-ghUtMI/AAAAAAAAAO8/XHNLj10g_m4/s1600/IMG_1882.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-l69U2rbxe44/TwNL-ghUtMI/AAAAAAAAAO8/XHNLj10g_m4/s640/IMG_1882.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voQF58yDFTg/TwNLkwBC-0I/AAAAAAAAAOw/MuDVC2SRuqk/s1600/IMG_1667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="629" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-voQF58yDFTg/TwNLkwBC-0I/AAAAAAAAAOw/MuDVC2SRuqk/s640/IMG_1667.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SszGltWuuAM/TwNLAcuEHWI/AAAAAAAAAOk/jSNGbTDt1Ko/s1600/Gannet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="390" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SszGltWuuAM/TwNLAcuEHWI/AAAAAAAAAOk/jSNGbTDt1Ko/s640/Gannet.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With the weather forecast not looking good for the week I took advantage of Mondays bright blue sky and for a change of scenery I drove to Dover Docks. Parking my car by the Prince Of Wales pier I was soon scanning the sky's to see what was about. First to come in to view was a Great Black Backed Gull it looked magnificent controlling the skies, several Black Headed and Herring Gulls joined the fun, it was as if they owned the air space in front of them as they went about trying to out manoeuvre each other. I had hoped to see a Gannet as there has been a few seen of late, within minutes one flew into range of the camera a near adult bird it was huge, I was well pleased to see one so close as the only other sighting I have had was a distant Skommer bird. I rattled off a few shots and hoped for the best. This was the only close view as the other Gannets about stayed distant. Moving along the pier I scanned the water either side where there were lots of Auks swimming about, Razorbills and Guillemots in plenty, they spent most of the time diving making a photo difficult however I managed a few. Cormorant, Shag and a juvenile Gannet were also on view and a lone seal was often seen. Two Great Crested Grebes a Great Northern Diver and plenty of Kittiwakes completed the days tally. By mid morning I had reached the end of the pier and was joined by several like minded camera friends, with plenty to catch up with after the Christmas period we nattered away putting the world to rights and attempting to capture with our cameras the excellent aerial ability of the Kittiwakes, a pleasure to watch. Sadly one trailed fishing line, a 21st century hazard, surely its time that more safety rigs were used by anglers both fresh water and sea alike perhaps then we would not have so many avian fatalities. Finally I would like to thank all of you who read my blog and wish you a very Happy New Year.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6702458743072828888.post-90473618597354300232011-12-18T09:12:00.000-08:002011-12-18T09:24:37.858-08:00Reculver And Oare In The Cold Winter Sunshine.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38jcoBVQ3tIXNSMlcjApnAo4hV2CG3neLz12jmwpJZOhFWrgEDUhhQq21r5-z0NI4IxJ6JwrmEhifeJcJQ15fF2x5nhsUWk1yC7b8G_t7lRJ2ppTOhyphenhyphenz_5fP5vUNj8WjY9K4jXIoYI00/s1600/Lapwing+9795.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="498" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh38jcoBVQ3tIXNSMlcjApnAo4hV2CG3neLz12jmwpJZOhFWrgEDUhhQq21r5-z0NI4IxJ6JwrmEhifeJcJQ15fF2x5nhsUWk1yC7b8G_t7lRJ2ppTOhyphenhyphenz_5fP5vUNj8WjY9K4jXIoYI00/s640/Lapwing+9795.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB-16-GYwJcq0CLB5yNETDGM0M7PFQYtqBYxACRp8MfZ9Nc1B8cUvR6GildwfW3X0WFt_o0JroKSnHmTaVYQ14eAceN6HURy3Z3U6TXyamCbizfPacerXmZQCkml2IL44i9bsTJGz5Ow/s1600/Turnstone-7806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="575" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglB-16-GYwJcq0CLB5yNETDGM0M7PFQYtqBYxACRp8MfZ9Nc1B8cUvR6GildwfW3X0WFt_o0JroKSnHmTaVYQ14eAceN6HURy3Z3U6TXyamCbizfPacerXmZQCkml2IL44i9bsTJGz5Ow/s640/Turnstone-7806.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC7G3GBAFKpToobsdDB3DI6h_OP7IXX2IzFaxnyZGZPvmX3Oh42fe-HNQtgtsbOx5bQewvTVb7W6aVQ7dkGs-vq-6ywP9l9aCVK3u__y6BjOa9c7Ao76lM59ZSb7J0Plm1dU04mS1N7o/s1600/Great+White+Egret..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="526" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNC7G3GBAFKpToobsdDB3DI6h_OP7IXX2IzFaxnyZGZPvmX3Oh42fe-HNQtgtsbOx5bQewvTVb7W6aVQ7dkGs-vq-6ywP9l9aCVK3u__y6BjOa9c7Ao76lM59ZSb7J0Plm1dU04mS1N7o/s640/Great+White+Egret..jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp49YXj95aFrh-fIhfCaynh4RJMPOz0qqYogScmIWo9-Tax-hLu4KVE3oJdWSXJe3FLp5lXX-0deSpbUNigJY9lHM67WTiFHKVqkeJ-umDCEVSQtcRPmkAF008oqwl3PqNoGCd9QO3hw/s1600/Teal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="549" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyp49YXj95aFrh-fIhfCaynh4RJMPOz0qqYogScmIWo9-Tax-hLu4KVE3oJdWSXJe3FLp5lXX-0deSpbUNigJY9lHM67WTiFHKVqkeJ-umDCEVSQtcRPmkAF008oqwl3PqNoGCd9QO3hw/s640/Teal.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2uuFNe-USLPEVy_DaKTvq4TQtf3zS1jmd7DiP_icroouEi6Y_C2KWm3i9EobhNZasTkGcaLtpFfzZIESvwS9BI8gGABzUSQJMHxi2xB9VDPOQtxWopnIPV7gVZcheC54ssdOjg0bOn8/s1600/Brent+Goose.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="551" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj2uuFNe-USLPEVy_DaKTvq4TQtf3zS1jmd7DiP_icroouEi6Y_C2KWm3i9EobhNZasTkGcaLtpFfzZIESvwS9BI8gGABzUSQJMHxi2xB9VDPOQtxWopnIPV7gVZcheC54ssdOjg0bOn8/s640/Brent+Goose.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>With the day dawning a lot more clement than yesterday I decided on a visit first thing to Reculver. Reculver is situated on the coast between Herne Bay and Thanet. It is well known for its towers that can be seen for miles. I set off along the sea wall in bright sunshine enjoying several skeins of Brent Geese looking grand against the blue sky. Turnstone, Redshank, Sanderling, Ringed Plover and Oystercatcher were all seen going about their business along with a Kestrel that was so engrossed with finding food it let me have time to watch before drifting away. A pair of Stonechat also gave close views, these are the birds that let you practise with your camera. Eventually I arrived at the lagoons, not much here though. just a few Redshank and Black Headed Gulls. The Snow Buntings that had been around for a while I was unable to locate which was disappointing. A brisk walk back to the car taking 20 minutes or so left me feeling as if I had been dragged through a hedge backwards having battled against a brisk cold wind. Next stop was Oare, a short drive up the Thanet way to try and see the Short Eared Owl that's been showing throughout the week. On arrival I met Andy Hills and Steve Ashton who had managed a few photos earlier, they informed me that 3 Owls had been sighted. We waited in front of the East flood where one had gone to ground out on the island. Within minutes of my arrival a weather front came through bringing a shower of rain, we took cover in the car as it past over. As the sun came out the owl burst back into action quartering the road several times although distant. We decided that the best chance for a photo was from the hide, so took up position and waited for the owl to come by. The lighting from the low winter sun was brilliant, we could see the owl coming towards us, we waited with great excitement for a flyby but sadly the owl had other ideas turning away from the waiting cameras and duly headed across the creek towards castle cot. O well maybe next time. We made our way back towards the cars noting Pintail and Wigeon amongst the ducks. Distant views of another Owl were had however I had to except that although privileged to watch Short Eared Owls in action a memory would be all I would have for today's efforts. If you decide to visit Oare the best time is either side of a high tide as the birds drift up from the coast to roost. Evening time has the best light for the east flood from the car parking bays if you want photos. A great way for whiling away a few hours for us all. Finally a pleasing image of the Great White Egret which left the area this morning.Tim Gutsellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02265342372819120929noreply@blogger.com2