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.
Marsh Tit..
Marsh Tit.
Marsh Tit.
I've visited the woods two or three times this year hoping for the sun to shine but as usual on arrival the
sun has disappeared making exposure tricky. For me the Coal Tit is the hardest to capture as the whites
can easily over expose and they are extremely skittish.
Coal Tit.
Coal Tit.
Coal Tit.
As said earlier I once knew where Willow Tits could be seen and I have managed to find an old photo
of one back in the 80s. .A characteristic of Willow Tits is they bore out rotten stumps for their nest site
as this pair had done to nest in along with several other pairs in a lose colony.Sadly this top woodland
bird is now extinct locally.
Willow Tit.
Next up is the Great Tit , there were several on the go they are another tricky one to get right with the
camera.
Great Tit.
Great Tit.
Two Blue Tit shots next, such colourful birds that we take for granted, hopefully it won't be to long
before we hear the sound of them as they start to sort out their territories.
Blue Tit.
Blue Tit.
This Chaffinch joined in the fun it seemed huge against the smaller Tits and was happy to pose for the
camera.
Chaffinch.
This woodland beauty was a joy to watch and for a while it came to gather seeds and nuts and I could
see where it was stashing them. I can;t take to many Nuthatch photo's they are fantastic to watch.
Nuthatch.
And so there you are that is what I have been up to, nothing exciting but several enjoyable hours away
from the rat race. Not a lot different from my last blog from 2012 and no doubt I will be back up the
woods for more very soon.