........not heavily, but nonstop since 9am this morning! So what better
things to do than indulge in another spell of bird watching from the warm side
of the window! The main item of interest was watching how my 'resident' male Blackbird has
decided that he is boss of the patch and aggressively sees off all comers, from
Robin and Dunnock to Starling and Woodpigeon, size is no object all get short
shrift if they linger for too long!!
However some were allowed to stay for long enough to have their photo taken!
Pied Wagtail, a new garden visitor!
Even Mrs. Blackbird got the same treatment as all the rest!
Goldfinch, as many as 14 on or around the Sunflower Heart feeders.
Dunnock
Robin, the previous 'boss' of the garden!
Starling
Woodpigeon
It looks as if it's going to stay cold and frosty for most of next week so I suspect there'll be lotsmore bird watching through the window to come!
Whatever your doing during this coming week make sure to stay safe and warm.
Last Friday (27-01-12)
I went on a visit to Wilstone Reservoir, part of the Tring Reservoirs in
Hertfordshire. The sun was shining in a
bright blue sky unfortunately there was a strong, bitterly cold, NW wind
blowing.
A quick scan across the water revealed all the usual
suspects, Mallard, Coot, G C Grebe and Pochard all in varying amounts,
accompanied by small groups of Teal and Wigeon and of course the ever present
Black-Headed Gulls!
Over the last few weeks there have been two long staying
'celebrities' a Dark-bellied Brent Goose and a Water Pipit. After a short walk,
to its regularly reported favourite spot, I soon caught a rather fleeting glimpse
of the Water Pipit, just enough time to grab a couple of quick record shots
before it was gone!
Pied Wagtails were constantly flitting along the shore line
accompanied by a single Grey Wagtail and, by the Reed beds in the far corner, a
flock of around thirty Linnets.
Grey Wagtail
Linnet (female)
I then spotted the
other Wilstone 'celebrity' the Dark-bellied
Brent Goose just as it took off from the water to make a series of close fly
by's before landing in its normal grazing field, soon to be joined by Canada and Greylag Geese.
Then there was a quick visit by two Red Kites who made a few
lazy circles overhead before being 'seen off' by a group of Jackdaws that had
until then been noisily minding their own business in the nearby tree tops.
There were also quite a few Redwing and Fieldfare busily
looking for food in surrounding meadows and also searching the hedgerows for
any remaining berries.
Redwing
Fieldfare (he thinks I can't see him!)
And finally I spent some time watching the Teal and Wigeon 'dabbling'
in the shallows.
This video is a selection of clips I've taken whilst out and
about, since getting the camera a few weeks ago, of various birds and their
behaviour.
Now, I've got to admit that it's not the best video in the world as I'm still trying
to get to grips with the workings of said camera while also getting my head around
the editing program on the computer. It's a
steep learning curve for a little brain!
Anyway here's my best effort (so far)!!
BIRDS BEHAVING....WELL,....AS BIRDS DO!
A Jackdaw eating sheep!
A Cormorant hanging it all out to dry!
Starlings aerating my lawn.
House Sparrows getting a little piece of the sun.
Mr and Mrs Shoveler. Looking for the soap?
A Pied Wagtail having a stretch.
A Carrion Crow. Looking
for one of Keith's apple cores?
Note:- The house Sparrow clip was taken through my kitchen
window and the ticking you can hear is from the clock on the wall. Strange
thing is I can be in and out of the kitchen many times a day and never hear the
clock but the camera 'heard' it perfectly!
All the best and enjoy your weekend, whatever you're doing.
