Tommy Evans - Bird Photography

A cold day at Ynyshir

2012-02-06T00:34:00.000-08:00

Friday looked like a nice day so we decided to go up to Ynyshir RSPB. At first we saw very few birds - nothing but Canada Geese out on the Saltings and nothing from Marian Mawr Hide. Domen Las Hide at least had some birds swimming on the river and in time produced a few good birds:

A bullfinch:

A dunnock flying with the bullfinch:

A female Goosander:

And last a 'funny looking' cormorant. I could see that it was a cormorant but it still puzzled me so I sought the advice of experts. Arfon said that it was a 'photograph of continental race of Cormorant (sinensis). The clinching id feature is the gular angle - the shape of skin behind the bill. This race has become increasingly common in recent years and there are now a large number of inland breeding colonies in the UK.' I assume it is of a male in breeding plumage:

All taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter ISO1000 f8 at between 1/1250 and 1/2500sec.

Glossy Ibis in Pembrokeshire

2012-02-02T09:53:00.000-08:00

Over the last week or so Pembrokeshire seems to have become the centre for glossy ibis. There have been three regular birds in various positions near Marloes for over a week. A few days ago these were joined by two more in the St. Davids area. Then two days ago a flock of 23 were seen flying over near Carew. For the full story look at the Pembrokeshire Birds blog.
On Wednesday we decided to have a look for ourselves and went down to Marloes. The three birds were there alongside the road in the 'alternative' site marked in the Pembrokeshire blog. The only problem I had was that I was photographing straight into the sun - so here is one of my efforts:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens - no converter / extender - ISO1600 (why?) f8 @ 1/1250sec.

Little Grebe at the Kingfisher Hide

2012-01-23T06:42:00.000-08:00

This is a quiet time for birds in this part of the Teifi so I was pleased to see a little grebe in the pond at the Kingfisher Hide, Teifi Marshes. When we got there the little grebe was in the far left distance but after some time it rushed straight for the hide:

It then started feeding with periodic dives and in the end I managed a closer image:

Redshank at the Webley

2012-01-23T06:30:00.000-08:00

Grey plover still present at the Webley at high tide with twenty or so dunlin. In addition there are a couple of redshank showing every now and then. Here is an image of one of them:

Taken with my usual kit ISO1000, f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Grey Plover on the Teifi

2012-01-03T09:54:00.000-08:00

Christmas and the New Year has not produced weather that I like for taking photographs of birds so this afternoon when the sun shone for a couple of hours I went out to take some photographs. I had read on the Pembrokeshire Bird Blog that there was a Grey Plover on the Teifi in front of the Webley Hotel so that is where we went. Managed several shots - this is one of the best:

Taken with the Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2,500sec

Cormorant on the Teifi

2011-12-07T07:54:00.001-08:00

Not put up anything on the blog for a bit so here goes - a cormorant. We were in the Curlew Hide at Teifi Marshes, not much happening and then this cormorant came fishing just in front of the hide. Managed about 5 shots - this is the best:

Taken with 500mm lens and 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/1,250sec.

Starling Roost at Teifi Marshes Reserve

2011-11-20T09:04:00.001-08:00

The number of birds has varied considerable over the last week - from a couple of thousand up to about 40,000. The position of the roost has also varied considerably. When I first saw the roost last week the starlings were roosting on the reeds by the Teifi to the right of the Curlew Hide. By the end of the week they were roosting in the reeds on the opposite side of the path to the Kingfisher Hide. Last night's roost were difficult to count but must have been 15-20k and was in the reeds between the Kingfisher Hide and the Dipping Pond:

This photograph was taken with my Canon 30D camera with my Canon mini-zoom 17-85 ISO800 17mm f8 @ 1/100sec.

Great White Egret at Llanelli WWT

2011-10-17T09:19:00.000-07:00

After shopping in Carmarthen and the Crosshands we went to Llanelli WWT. As we entered we were informed of a wryneck at the Heron Hide. We went there a couple of times but saw no wryneck but were informed that a great white egret had flown past. When we got to the British Steel Hide we were told that the great white was visible on a nearby scrape. Here is one of the images I took:

A whimbrel on the Teifi

2011-10-13T08:45:00.000-07:00

Nothing much around the hides in Teifi Marshes this morning so went down to the Webley about an hour after high tide. Managed this shot of the whimbrel. Hope you like it. There were 4 curlew around as well as a little egret.

A new bird for us on the Teifi

2011-10-10T11:59:00.000-07:00

Just as we got to the Curlew Hide today we could see that the gulls were very disturbed about something. It turned out to be this bird - an immature peregrine (according to Richard & Wendy) - though at first I thought it was a hobby:

Otter fest

2011-09-26T09:51:00.000-07:00

Today down on the Teifi took over three hundred images of otters - in about 2 hours! This blog is in danger of becoming my otter blog. First saw the two otters in front of the Curlew Hide then followed them down to the bridge (Pont y Priordy). Here are some of the images:

All taken with a Canon 7D with Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter ISO 500. This one f8 @ 1/400sec.

This one f8 @ 1/640sec.

This one f8 @ 1/500sec.

This one f8 @ 1/640sec.

This one f8 @ 1/640sec. Looking back at the images there must have been three otters - a mother and two cubs, but we only saw two at any one time.

Ring-billed Gull

2011-09-22T08:03:00.000-07:00

On Wed. 21st. September, while in the Curlew Hide at Teifi Marshes Reserve a group of (presumably) bird watchers joined us in the hide. When they left, one of the members casually mentioned that they had seen a ring-billed gull between the bridges in Cardigan. On the way home for lunch we decided to have a look. These are some of the images that I managed:

I am no expert on gulls so I had to consult Richard & Wendy on whether or not this was actually a ringed-bill gull. After much discussion and consulting with further experts like Dave Astins the Pembrokeshire Gull expert it was finally agreed that it was in fact a genuine 2nd. winter ringed-bill gull

Osprey Nest building crew

2011-09-22T07:48:00.000-07:00

Given the spectacular success of the Dyfi Osprey Project the Teifi Marshes Reserve is making an effort to set up its own Osprey Nest project. An old electricity pole has been donated by Western Power and the usual Tuesday working party at the Teifi Marshes Reserve has set about to build a nest. When complete Western Power will return and install the pole in an appropriate position on the marsh. Here are, reading from left to right: John Thomas (the group leader), Tommy, Geraint, Gerry and Nick.

Any suggestions on changes / improvements to the osprey nest are welcome, as are suggestions on the way to add the twigs for the nest itself.

Friday 16th. September on the Teifi

2011-09-18T03:57:00.000-07:00

These photographs were all taken on the Teifi - from the 'Pont y Priordy' to the Curlew Hide on the Teifi Marshes. The first image is of a little egret taken from the path near the sluice gate:

Taken with Canon 7d, Canon 500mm f4 lens with 1.4 converter - ISO500 f8 @ 1/3200sec.

The next image is of a cormorant perched on a stone:

Taken with the same kit but f8 @ 1/640sec.

And the last image is of one of the four black tailed godwit I saw wandering in front of the Curlew Hide:

Again same kit but f8 @ 1/1600sec.

A distant Osprey at last

2011-09-11T09:23:00.000-07:00

There has been - at least one - osprey on the Teifi since the 23rd. August and I have missed it several times. Today - Sunday 11th. September I managed to catch up with it eventually - but at a cost - I missed the second half of Wales' rugby match with South Africa. Half time I received a text from Richard that there was an osprey perched opposite the moorings in St. Dogmaels. After some thought we decided to go to St. Dogmaels. When we got there Richard and Wendy were already there but the osprey was not - it had flown down river some minutes before. Richard decided to go down to the Webley to see if the osprey was down there. I decided to stay put - set up my tripod and waited while Jen sat in the car. The osprey did eventually come up river - on the opposite side to us but at least I managed some distant shots:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO500 f8 @ 1/1250sec.

Taken with the same kit f8 @ 1/2000sec. - both shots overexposed by one stop to compensate for the back lighting.

When Richard returned he mentioned that in front of the Webley Hotel there was a group of 5 knot and one curlew sandpiper:

Again same kit f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Creek and Curlew Hide at Teifi Marshes 4th. Sept

2011-09-08T07:15:00.000-07:00

Cormorant are nearly always perched on dead trees in the river but usually too far away to get decent photographs, this one was perched fairly close to the curlew hide:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO500 f8 @ 1/1000sec

When we got to the Creek Hide we noticed that there were two snipe foraging around the creek - at a fair distance. The tide was coming in so as they moved with the tide they also came closer to the hide, but the light was quite difficult - we were looking directly into the sun:

This was f8 @ 1/320 sec. - over exposing the image by one and a half stops to allow for backlighting.

Curlew Hide at Teifi Marshes on 5th. Sept

2011-09-08T06:40:00.000-07:00

This time the Curlew Hide lived up to its name, I would like the Kingfisher Hide to do the same! This is one of my images of a curlew just in front of the hide:

Taken with the 500mm lens, 1.4 converter ISO500 f8 @ 1/800sec. Note that I have changed from my usual ISO1000 to ISO500 for a period to see if I notice an improvement in quality.

I had read that there were up to 12 little egrets on the Teifi, but had not seen more than 4 at a time. Managed a couple of shots of egrets in front of the hide:

Taken with the same kit and ISO settings, f8 @ 1/3200sec.

This was f8 @ 1/2000sec. Notice that the bird furthest away seems larger and is the same one as in the previous photograph. I was hoping for a fight but they seem to be getting on all right.

Visit to St. Brides Bay on the 1st. September

2011-09-05T09:40:00.000-07:00

We went originally to the Gann but walked around and did not find any birds - except for the usual gulls. Called back in St. Brides and managed a few birds. The first was a linnet - I assume a female:

Taken with my usual kit f8 @ 1/3200sec.

The swallows were gathering on the wires and flying around but they were far too fast for me with the 500mm lens, but two goldfinch did land in front of me. I guess an adult with one young - still begging for food?

Again usual kit f8 @ 1/2500sec.

Creek and Curlew Hide on 26th. August

2011-09-05T09:30:00.000-07:00

Not much happening at the Creek Hide but noticed this chiffchaff on some reeds to the right of the hide:

Taken with my usual kit f8 @ 1/400sec.

Calling back at the Curlew Hide was a good idea - first of all a kingfisher:

Usual kit f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Then a cooperative heron:

Again same kit f8 @ 1/1250sec.

And then a Little Egret it flight:

Same kit f8 @ 1.3200sec.

Another very good day on the Teifi.

A morning at the Curlew Hide - Teifi Marshes

2011-08-25T08:08:00.000-07:00

Sunny morning so decided to spend some time down on the Teifi. On the way in saw a Little Egret. During the morning saw the juvenile Great Crested Grebe again - this time a bit closer and with better light:

We also saw three snipe in the short reeds in front of the hide, a curlew, grey heron, cormorant - all making up a very good morning's photography. Then to make it brilliant we came across two young otters - later joined by their mother at the sluice gate by the Cardigan entrance to the reserve:

What is this bird?

2011-08-22T06:17:00.000-07:00

It was sunny this morning after the mist had lifted so we went to the Creek Hide to see if we could get a view of the Water Rail. No luck - only the moorhen were on show. On the way back to the car we stopped off at the Curlew Hide - there were a couple of little egrets about but not close in. Then we saw this bird swimming near the opposite bank. It behaved like a cormorant - diving and presumably fishing. Open to suggestions as to what the bird is:

Richard D tells me that this is a juvenile Great Crested Grebe. Apparently this is unusual for the Teifi at this time of the year.

Kingfisher back at Creek Hide

2011-08-17T06:13:00.000-07:00

Have not seen a kingfisher close enough to photograph for over a year so it was wonderful to see this bird today at the Creek Hide. Also present a couple of hundred Canada Geese, many mallard, some Teal, a coot (unusual for Creek Hide) and a single Little Grebe - so a good day. The kingfisher made it a wonderful day:

Hornet in our garden?

2011-08-03T07:34:00.000-07:00

This insect came in to our garden this morning for a drink. It looks unusual and Jen hopes that is a 'very rare' visitor!! Is it a hornet?

Update: Janet tells me - It`s a horsefly called Tabanus sudeticus and it``s got a very ferocious bite!

A Sandwich Tern at Ynslas

2011-08-01T09:30:00.000-07:00

Afer seeing the photographs of sandwich terns by Janet Baxter on the Ceredigion Birds blog I decided to go up there and look for them myself. I managed some images, the best of which was this one:

Taken with my new Canon 7d, the 500lens with 1.4 converter - ISO1000 f8 @ 1/3200sec.

Some dippers at last

2011-07-18T08:35:00.000-07:00

These are a couple of images from a recent visit to Brecon. First of all an adult dipper:

Taken with my new Canon 7d, the 500mm lens plus 1.4 extender, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/250sec.

And then a juvenile dipper:

Taken with the same kit but f8 @ 1/160sec. - the light was not good.

A red kite above our house

2011-06-27T07:31:00.000-07:00

On returning from Teifi Marshes we saw a kite flying above our bungalow. Here is a quick photograph of it. Taken with my new Canon 7d camera before I have sorted out all the settings!

Taken with my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens ISO 100 f8 @ 1/3,200sec.

A day out in Slimbridge WWT

2011-06-27T07:27:00.000-07:00

Did not see the red necked phallarope or the spoonbill but still had a good day. In front of the South Pond hide there was a pair of oyster catchers feeding their two young:

Taken with my Canon 30D (my Canon 50d got smashed up when I went to Skokholm) - ISO400 500mm lens f8 @ 1/500sec.

As usual there were birds I could not identify. In the hide along side the shop by the canoe safari I took the following photograph. At first I thought the birds were Ruddy Shelduck. In fact there were some Ruddy Shelduck quite close to these two, so that I could see that they were completely different:

The other photograph of interest during the day was not a bird - in fact it was an otter. The enclosure is surrounded by perspex screens making good photographs difficult but I managed to stand on a (low) wall and one of the otters co-operated by perching on a log quite high up from the water.

Taken with the Canon 30d 500mm lens, ISO 400 f8 @ 1/250sec.

Linnets at St. Brides Bay

2011-06-19T09:56:00.000-07:00

On Thursday (16th. June), as it was a nice day we decided to go down to the Gann near Dale to see if there were any interesting birds there. Unfortunately we timed it to low tide and the Gann was empty of birds - in the end we were counting crows and gulls! After lunch we decided that it might be worthwhile calling back at St. Brides. When we got there there were several groups of linnets around the bay - including youngsters. Here are a few of the photographs I took:

Young Greater Spotted Woodpeckers

2011-06-17T07:37:00.000-07:00

It is now time (first week in June) that the young Greater Spotted Woodpeckers start coming in to the garden. It starts with the adult birds feeding frantically, filling their beaks with food and returning to the nest:

This one is a male woodpecker taken with my 500mm lens in the garden - ISO640 f8 @ 1/200sec.

Here is a young woodpecker in our cherry tree:

Taken with the 500mm lens, ISO640 f8@ 1/400sec.

And the shot that I was waiting for - the male woodpecker feeding its young:

Taken with the same kit, ISO640 f8 @ 1/800sec.

Whatsit? - again on Skokholm Island

2011-06-12T03:13:00.000-07:00

On our fourth day on Skokholm Island I managed to take some photographs of a bird I could not identify - not all that rare I must admit. But others on the island could not identify it from its photograph either. So I was getting quite excited that I might have found a rare warbler or something similar. When I returned home I was able to send copies of the images to Richard and Wendy from the Teifi Ringing Group so that they could identify the bird. In the end it turned out to be two birds - a male and a female wheatear! They were so wet you can see why I could not identify them:

Day 4 at Skokholm Island - Peregrine

2011-06-12T03:04:00.000-07:00

Steve and I spent some time looking at the pair of Peregrines nesting on the island - we think they had 2 or 3 young in the nest. We were not sure as the path was quite a distance away from the nest. During our time watching both birds flew up into the sky - to be chased by gulls. This is one of the better shots I managed of one of the birds in flight:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens ISO400 f11 @ 1/500sec.

Our first Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile of the year

2011-06-07T09:31:00.000-07:00

Not the greatest photograph ever but quite an amusing one as it is perched on the hide I put out to take photographs of the young woodpeckers!

Skokholm Island - day 4

2011-06-07T09:28:00.003-07:00

Our last full day on Skokholm - and our best! Starting with two birds taken from the hide at Well Pond. The first was a spotted flycatcher:

Taken with the 500mm lens ISO400 f8 @ 1/800sec.

And the next was a wren again:

Taken with the same kit & settings f8 @ 1/1000sec.

Next was another repeat but probably slightly better shot of a flying oyster catcher:

Again same kit & settings f8 @ 1/250sec.

Next was the star bird of the week - a spoonbill on North Pond:

Same kit & settings f8 @ 1/1250sec.

And last of all a couple of sunsets - the sunsets on Skokholm Island are stunning:

Finally thanks to Jerry (the warden of Skokholm Island) and his staff for looking after us well during the time or our stay.

Skokholm Island - day 3

2011-06-07T09:28:00.001-07:00

Again a great day on the island - we have been very lucky with the weather. Today the most interesting images were - first of all a raven in flight:

Taken with the Canon 400mm f5.6 lens ISO400 f8 @ 1/800sec.

A chough in flight:

Taken with the same lens and settings f8 @ 1/1000sec.

A peregrine:

Taken with the same lens and settings f8 @ 1/800sec.

An oyster catcher in flight:

Taken with the same lens and settings f8 @ 1/2000sec.

And finally, a portrait of a puffin:

Taken with the same lens and settings f8 @ 1/1000sec.

Skokholm Island - day 2

2011-06-07T09:27:00.002-07:00

Another wonderful day on the island - took over 500 images reduced to about half that when the rubbish was removed. Here are some of the new birds taken on that day. A meadow pipit (I think - let me know if you think differently):

Taken with my Canon 500mm f4 lens ISO400 f5.6 @ 1/1600sec.

An Oyster Catcher on some railings overlooking South Haven:

Taken with my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens ISO400 f8 @ 1/640sec.

A sedge warbler seen from the hide at Well Pond:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 extension ISO1000 f8 @ 1/3200sec.

A reed bunting from the same hide:

Taken with the 500mm lens ISO1000 f8 @ 1/1000sec.

And lastly a rock pipit:

Taken with the 500 lens and 1.4 converter ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000

Skokholm Island - day 1

2011-06-07T09:27:00.000-07:00

My main target for the week is good flight shots of puffin. The more photographs I take of them the more I realise how difficult it is to get a really good shot of a puffin in flight. The slightly easier option is to get them when landing. Like this one - taken off Crab Bay:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens, ISO 1000 f8 @ 1/5000sec.

While waiting for the next lot of puffin to land I saw this (male) wheatear collecting food:

Taken with the same kit, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

I then had a quick look down at The Neck to see if the guillemot and razorbill were around. The cliff face was in the shadow at the time that I went down there so I only took this photograph of a pair of razorbill:

Taken again with the same kit ISO1000 f8 @ 1/3200sec.

On the way back I stopped off at the hide near Well Pond and managed a few shots of this wren:

Taken with the same kit ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2000sec.

Very lucky with the weather - took about 900 images - reduced to about 450 when the rubbish is removed, so a very good start to our stay on Skokholm Island.

A pair of bee-eaters

2011-04-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

While we were at the Teifi Marshes today I had a phone call from Richard (in Dorset!) - he had a report of a pair of bee-eaters on the road between Blaenporth and Aberporth. We managed to find the bee-eaters but they were on a far hedge with a field between them and the road. Took several photographs but this is the best - most of the others were 'bum' shots!

Taken with my 500mm lens with 1.4 converter - ISO 1000 f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Kingfisher Hide, Teifi Marshes

2011-03-24T10:39:00.000-07:00

There has not been much activity near this hide for some months but it is great to see the heron back and performing! The fish it caught were tiny but I quite like this flight shot:

Taken with my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens 1000ISO f8 @ 1/3200sec.

Visitor to our garden

2011-03-11T09:28:00.000-08:00

OK not a bird but I like it:

Snow Goose at Llys y Fran

2011-03-11T03:58:00.000-08:00

On Monday 7th. March decided to go to Llys y Fran to see if the Great Crested Grebe there were nest building. Saw 5 but no sign of nest building. Instead saw this Snow Goose in the middle of a flock of Canada Geese. At first it was at quite a distance - from the hide, but after lunch we walked on the far side of the reservoir and it came in fairly close to the shore:

Taken with 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO2500 (by mistake!) f8 @ 1/6400sec.

Visit the Slimbridge WWT on Friday 4th. March

2011-03-09T10:46:00.000-08:00

Finally managed a day in Slimbridge - been looking at the weather forcast for weeks. On the centre's website I saw that there was a bird I had never seen before - the lesser scaup - so this was my first target. On the website the location was supposed to be the Rushy but we found this bird in front of the Martin Smith Hide:

Both taken with 500mm lens and 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2500sec.

The other information I read on the website was that on the South Lake there was a pair of Great Crested Grebe nestbuilding. We watched them for most of the day and managed this shot of them head bobbing (but not 'dancing'):

and then a closer shot of the male (I think):

Sparrowhawk in our garden

2011-03-09T09:58:00.000-08:00

Not a bird I really welcome in the garden but I suppose he has to eat like everyone else:

Taken through the lounge window - without the 1.4 converter - ISO 1000 f8 @ 1/3200

Another visit to Bosherston Lakes on Monday 28th. February

2011-03-09T09:55:00.000-08:00

Again did not manage to see the bittern but the usual birds were very co-operative on the bridge. The best one of the day was probably this nuthatch:

Taken with the usual kit ISO 1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

Visit to Llanelli WWT on Wed. 16th. February

2011-03-09T09:51:00.000-08:00

Not much happening - the only notable bird was a new one for me a Gadwall. Did not manage a great shot but include this one as I have no other shot of this bird:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter ISO 1000 f8 @ 1/640sec.

Blackpool Mill near Caneston Bridge

2011-02-13T05:13:00.000-08:00

On Thursday 10th. February we went down to Blackpool Mill area as we had seen that there had been dippers reported near the bridge there. By the time we got down there it was lunch time so we passed the mill and parked in a lay-by about half a mile further on. Someone had been there and left out food for the birds. During lunch we saw great tit, blue tit, blackbird, woodpecker, coal tit, jay and long-tailed tit. Managed these two shots:

A grater spotted woodpecker at a feeder:

Taken at ISO1000 f8@ 1/200sec

and a long tailed tit on a branch:

Taken at ISO1000 f8@ 1/400sec

When we went back to the mill we did see a couple of dippers but the light was not good enough to take very good photographs.

Month of January 2011

2011-01-31T07:28:00.000-08:00

It feels like I have been running around in an ever decreasing circle - going around all the usual places to take photographs of birds but all is frozen and there are little or no birds about. Until the end of the month the only two acceptable pictures I had taken all month were:

A wigeon at the Creek Hide at Teifi Marshes:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens, 1.4 converted, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/200sec.

and a Turfted Duck at the Llanelli WWT:

taken with the same kit f8 @ 1/800sec.

My luck changed on Friday 28th. January when we decided to visit Bosherston. Did not see the bittern but got fair shots of a male and a female goosander and then this shot of a coal tit:

taken with my usual kit, f8@ 1/6400sec.

And this one of a nuthatch:

usual kit, f8@ 1/400-sec.

Red-throated Diver at the flag poles Goodwich on Thursday 30th. December

2010-12-30T09:39:00.000-08:00

Goint down to Haverfordwest for some shopping we decided to go through Newport & Fishguard as there had been reports of a blacknecked grebe at Goodwick. Did not see the grebe but saw this rather fine diver instead:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens, 1.4 converter ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2000sec.

Song thrush at the Creek Hide on Wednesday 22nd. December

2010-12-24T03:59:00.000-08:00

Again not many birds around and the creek area very frozen except for a small area of running water. This bird landed on one of the branches stuck in the mud. It's identity puzzled me - in the end I had to ask for help from Wendy & Richard. They identified it as a song thrush:

All taken with my usual kit ISO1000 f8 @ 1/800sec.

Meadow Pipit at the Creek Hide on Saturday 18th. December

2010-12-24T03:52:00.000-08:00

Creek Hide at the Teifi Marshes frozen over except for some running water in the creek itself. Very few birds around just saw this meadow pipit:

Taken with my usual kit of Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/500sec.

Fox at the Kingfisher hide on Wednesday 8th. December

2010-12-13T08:47:00.000-08:00

We were sitting in the Kingfisher Hide at Teifi Marshes thinking that with the hard frost the water was all frozen solid, so there was little or no likelyhood of any birds showing when we heard the squeal of a water rail. Soon afterwards what appeared was not the expected water rail (unfortunately) but this magnificent fox.

Nadolig Llawen

2010-12-13T08:45:00.000-08:00

This robin was photographed on Sunday 5th. December at Teifi Marshes - near the car park. Looks like snow but was in fact a hard frost.

Marsh tit near the car park at Teifi Marshes on Sunday 5th. December

2010-12-13T08:40:00.000-08:00

This was one of three willow/marsh tits that we saw between the car park and the centre at Teifi Marshes.

Taken with 1.4 converted on my 500mm lens, 1000ISO f8 @ 1/200sec.

Snipe in the field behind our garden Monday 29th. November

2010-12-13T08:37:00.000-08:00

This Snipe was feeding in the filed. It was present again on the Tuesday with two others - managed a few shots but they were further away.

Taken with 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f5.6 @ 1/4000sec.

Starlings - Friday 26th. Nov. / Saturday 27th.

2010-11-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

I have been looking out for starling roosts for some time. Last week we went down to Plumstone Mountain near Haverfordwest to look at the one there. Unfortunatley from where we looked - the top of the 'mountain' the starlings were coming in low over the land and going straight down to the trees where they were roosting. No chance of 'patterns' in the sky.

In Teifi Marshes John Thomas showed me some video he had taken on Tuesday morning - a large roost of starling in the reeds. The weather during the week was not great so it took until Friday for me to get out and look for the starlings. John had told me that the roost was in the reeds between the dipping pond and kingfisher hide. When we got there about 4pm we could hear the starlings but they seemed to be collecting in front of the kingfisher hide. No great patterns in the sky - where are the raptors when you want them? This is the best I got at that time:

My Canon 50D with mini xoom 17-85mm at 17mm - ISO100 f4 @ 1/25sec.
It was beginning to look like the roost was in front of the kingfisher hide so we went down there and all the trees around the pond were covered with starlings:

Same zoom lens this time at 85mm - ISO100 f5.6 @ 1sec. Did not use tripod, just resting on the shelf in the hide so there is some camera shake.

All of a sudden all the birds took off and made for the reeds to roost. Decided to come back in the morning to see them take off. So this is them taking off about 7.45am. Just a straight shot - I would like to play about with shutter speeds etc to get more movement, but the battery packed up so I was pushed to take any shots:

Same camera and mini zoom at 17mm, ISO1000 f5.6 @ 1/60sec.

Snow Buntings (Ynyslas) taken on Monday 15th. November

2010-11-15T08:55:00.000-08:00

After some information from Wendy, Jen and I decided to go up to Ynyslas as there was a report on the Ceredigion Bird blog about some Snow Bunting in a car park there. At first we did not see any birds, but about ten minutes after we arrived another car came in to the car park and the driver started throwing seeds down on the ground. We went over to him and set up the camera - there were 3 snow bunting eating away - 2 male and 1 female. Here are two of the photographs I took:

This is one of the two males, taken with my Canon 500mm lens, 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/3,200sec.

This is the female - taken with exactly the same kit and settings except that the exposure was 1/4,000sec.

Otters on the Teifi taken on Wednesday 3rd. November

2010-11-03T04:45:00.000-07:00

Yesterday (Tuesday) while volunteering at Teifi Marshes I saw a male otter and then a female otter with two cubs. Naturally at the time I did not have my camera with me. Today I went again - with camera - and managed the following:

Very poor lighting conditions! Both photographs taken with Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f5.6 @ 1/1000sec. - both about a stop under-exposed.

Bittern (Teifi Marshes) taken on Thursday 21st. October

2010-10-22T08:15:00.000-07:00

After sitting for a couple of hours at the Kingfisher hide we were preparing to pack up as the light was not good. Jen quietly mentioned that there was a bittern sitting to the far right of the hide. Wow - our first bittern of the season - in fact it seems to be the first for Pembrokeshire.

This was the best view I have ever had of a bittern. It stayed in this position for about 5 minutes and then walked across the clearing to the reeds on the other side.

Photograph taken with my Canon 400 f5.6 lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/250sec.

Squacco Heron (Angle) taken on Saturday 16th. October

2010-10-16T09:33:00.000-07:00

Pembrokeshire Birds Blog was showing a Squacco Heron down in Angle, South Pembs. for a few days, but the light had not been good so I had not thought it worthwhile to travel down there. On Saturday the light was good so took the opportunity to go down. This is one of many shots I managed of this rare heron:

I did not have my 500mm lens so this was taken with my Canon 400mm f5.6 lens - ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

Snipe (RSPB Conway) taken on Sunday 10th. October

2010-10-16T09:21:00.000-07:00

This photograph of a Snipe was taken at RSPB Conway while we were up in North Wales for a few days:

Photo taken with my usual kit ISO1000, f8 @ 1/2000sec.

Kingfisher (Teifi Marshes) taken on Sunday 3rd. October

2010-10-07T08:04:00.000-07:00

A kingfisher comes to the kingfisher hide at the Teifi Marshes, Cilgerran more regularly these days but not often on convenient perches for photographing. This one came very close but had backlighting - managed to get this image - with some adjustments!

Taken with 500mm lens, f8 @ 1/1000sec.

Godwits (WWT Llanelli) taken on Saturday 11th. September

2010-09-12T08:44:00.000-07:00

In the afternoon we went to Penclacwydd - WWT Llanelli. The light was very poor. We decided that the Boardwalk hide would be our last before going home. While there we saw some redshank, greenshank and some black-tailed godwits. While we were there a large flock of godwits passed and landed in front of the Observatory. Decided to go there and went into the left hand hide. Managed this shot when they took off:

Taken using my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter. ISO1000 f8@ 1/4000sec.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 8th. September

2010-09-09T06:26:00.000-07:00

Down at Patch again in the morning 8.30-9.30 managed a dunlin:

Taken with the 500mm Canon lens, 1.4 converter f8@ 1/3,200sec.

A juvenile wagtail - pied?

with the same equipment f8@ 1/3,200sec.

A juvenile ringed plover:

usual equipment, f8 @ 1/2,500sec.

And in the evening a rather co-operative wheatear:

Usual equipment, f8@ 1/2,500sec.

Sanderling (Patch) taken on Tuesday 7th. September

2010-09-09T06:13:00.000-07:00

From reports on the Pembrokeshire Birds blog site it seemed worthwhile to go down to Patch (Gwbert near Cardigan) at or near high tide in the evening. There were reports of little stint, curlew sandpiper, dunlin and ringed plover. The best I managed was of this juvenile sanderling:

Taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter.

Dipper (Llechryd) taken on Thursday 12th. August

2010-08-13T09:07:00.000-07:00

My 'bogy' bird - the one I have not managed a decent photograph of, is a dipper. On Thursday we went up to see Helen in Builth Wells. When crossing Llechryd bridge Jen shouted out that there was a dipper in the river. I turned the car round and parked near the bridge - walked down to the riverside just in time to see the dipper fly away. Walked back and fore for about a quarter of an hour - eventually gave up as it was starting to rain. On the way back just by the bridge there was a dipper on a rock. Managed the following shot - not great but by far the best one I have of a dipper.

Photograph taken on Sunday 8th. August

2010-08-13T09:01:00.000-07:00

Kingfishers have been fairly rare at the kingfisher hide at the Welsh Wildlife Centre Cilgerran but I managed to get a photograph of this one on a fairly distant perch - I am still waiting for one to land on one of the perches near to the hide. We have cleared away quite a lot of reeds from around the pond so a clear view should be easier for some weeks.

This was taken using my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/1000sec.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 4th. August

2010-08-06T08:47:00.000-07:00

These photographs were taken at Ynyshir RSPB reserve. We only had about two hours to spend at the reserve so spent the time in the Northern section - looking out for osprey and hobby. Did not see much in the hides but on the way back from Marian Mawr hide saw:

A great tit and spotted flycatcher on a tree:

Taken with Canon 50D with Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/400sec.

Two longtailed tits on a branch:

Taken with same equipment & settings as above.

A nuthatch:

Taken with same equipment & settings above except that shutter speed was 1/1000sec.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 30th. June

2010-07-02T07:53:00.000-07:00

Went down to the Gann near Dale but did not see many birds. On the way back called at St. Brides - on the beach saw some small birds flying about. Set up my tripod and waited. In a half hour or so managed the following:

A juvenile pied wagtail:

Using my Canon 500mm f4 lens, 1000ISO f8@ 1/3200sec.

A goldfinch - nice to see one somewhere besides a niger feeder:

Using the same kit ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2500sec.

And several linnets - some bathing in the water:

ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

Photographs taken on Friday 25th. June

2010-06-25T13:03:00.000-07:00

Went to Dinas RSPB today - near Rhandirmwyn. Saw a treecreeper taking food to young. The 'nest' was in a rotten treestump. The light was very poor, so even with 1000ISO @ f8 I was down to 1/80sec. This is one shot of the bird out in the light:

The other good bird I managed there was this spotted flycatcher feeding young:

Photograph taken on Thursday 17th. June

2010-06-17T13:39:00.001-07:00

We are having some work done in our garden - involving heavy machinery like diggers etc. so I thought we would not have any birds or other wildlife for some time. I was wrong. We have had greater spotted woodpeckers - with young:

Blackbirds collecting worms:

Young house sparrows:

Even a Jay - but I failed to get a photograph!

BUT we saw a female red deer in the field at the back of our garden and I did get a photograph:

Photographs taken on Saturday 12th. June

2010-06-14T01:41:00.000-07:00

Took a trip up to Carmarthenshire - these photographs were taken at Dynefwr Park near Llandeilo. The first is a song thrush:

Taken with my 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8@ 1/800sec.

The other photograph is of a redstart that kept coming back to this fence post, diving down into the undergrowth for insects and probably taking it back to its young:

Again taken with the same lens, ISO1000 f8@ 1/800sec.

Photographs taken on Thursday 10th. June

2010-06-13T10:10:00.000-07:00

We decided to spend a couple of days in Cardiff. On the way to Cardiff we called in on Cosmeston Lakes. My first photograph from here is not of a bird - but a grey squirrel:

Taken with 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8@ 1/80sec.

The following photographs were all taken from the bridge between the lakes:

A coot feeding its young

A pair of Great Crested Grebe:

and a Cormorant:

Photographs taken on Thursday 3rd. June

2010-06-13T09:50:00.000-07:00

I have spent many hours waiting and watching at the Kingfisher Hide in the Welsh Wildlife Centre at Cilgerran. Top of my wish list is a kingfisher - a couple of years ago a kingfisher was a fairly common sight but of recent years they have been much more uncommon. I was beginning to think that all the kingfishers had been killed off by the hard winter - BUT I saw this one - even if it was a fairly distant view:

Taken with my 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/2000sec.

Then on the way back to the car park I saw this (young?) white wagtail:

Taken with the same equipment, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/200sec.

Photograph taken on Thursday 20th. May

2010-05-21T06:31:00.000-07:00

Lunch time we went down to Patch near Gwbert for a lunch on the 'beach'. There were very few birds about but decided to walk around the spit anyway. I saw this bird hiding in the rocks near the sea. This is the best of the photographs that I managed:

Taken with Canon 500mm lens, ISO1000, f8 @ 1/2000sec. There must have been several wheatears along the beach as I took several shots from different locations and some of them had a much lighter belly than this one.

Photograph taken on Sunday 16th. May

2010-05-17T08:17:00.000-07:00

While waiting patiently for a kingfisher at the Kingfisher hide at the Welsh Wildlife Cenre, Cilgerran this male Sparrowhawk perched on 'our' tree. In fact it came twice to the tree in the 2 hours or so that we were there. The grey heron was back there again performing and there were several reed warblers and sedge warblers singing.

Taken with 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

Photographs taken on Thursday 13th. May

2010-05-14T06:02:00.000-07:00

Managed to get away to visit Slimbridge WWT reserve. The weather was good - if a bit cold. Disappointed not to get a good picture of a kingfisher - just saw a quick flash of a flypast. The two good views were of a little egret catching a fish:

Taken using my 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

And a Common Sandpiper:

Using the same equipment and settings, f8 @ 1/3200sec.

Photograph taken on Saturday 8th. May

2010-05-14T05:55:00.000-07:00

Another photograph of the Grey Heron at the Kingfisher hide! This time I managed a shot in flight:

Taken with the Canon 500mm f4 lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/400sec.

Photograph taken on Thursday 6th. May

2010-05-08T03:47:00.000-07:00

Back at the kingfisher hide the grey heron is back performing. Nice to see him / her again. The flight shots were not particularly sharp so the best one was this one of the heron perching on the tree we put up there to replace the one that was cut down.

Taken with 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/800sec.

Photograph taken on Sunday 2nd. May

2010-05-08T03:26:00.000-07:00

Just noticed that it's May already and I have not shown any photographs taken at my favourite spot - the Kingfisher hide at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran. This then is a photograph of a proud female mallard with her 6 ducklings:

Taken with 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/4000sec.
I also had some distant views of two long tailed tits and a sedge warbler in the reeds to the right of the hide.

Photograph taken on Thursday 22nd. April

2010-05-08T03:09:00.000-07:00

Went up to see the Dyfi Osprey Project but unfortunately no osprey around on that day, though up to 6 osprey had been see over the previous week. Called in Ynyshir RSPB and had a short walk round. Saw some pied flycatchers inspecting a bird box. Took this photograph:

Taken using my Canon 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/1000sec.

Photograph taken on Friday 16th. April

2010-05-07T09:54:00.000-07:00

Visited Llanelli WWT. Did not find much to photograph - the only one worth showing is a shot of some black headed gulls collecting material to make a nest:

Photographs taken on Tuesday 13th. April

2010-05-04T06:48:00.000-07:00

I have purchased a hide (standard C30 hide) from Wildlife Watching Supplies - this was my first chance to try it out. I set it up in our garden to try and get flight shots of birds flying from one of the bushes onto a feeder. My best effort was:

This was taken with the 500mm lens, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/1600sec. Which shows that 1/1600sec is not fast enough to freeze the wings of a goldfinch!

The other shots I managed was taken on the log that I have put in the garden - drilled some holes and filled them up with peanut butter. This is a photograph of a male greater spotted woodpecker:

Again with the 500mm lens ISO1000 f8@ 1/500sec.

And a bluetit on the same log:

Same lens ISO1000 f8 @ 1/800sec.

Photographs taken on Friday 2nd. April

2010-04-28T09:02:00.000-07:00

This was the end of our week's holiday in Norfolk. Left our holiday cottage at Blakeney at 6.30am so that we could call at Snetisham on the way back and catch the Knot spectacle. Very high tide was promised. Got to Snetisham at about 7.30 very long walk to the hides. At the first hide no trace of the knot. In the second hide there were hundreds of oyster catchers but apparently no knot - the light was very poor. After a time I noticed what I thought was gravel - moving - turned out to be hundreds of knot all huddled up.

As you can see there were tens of avocet there as well. During the couple of hours we were there the knot hardly moved. I tried photographs at speeds between 2 seconds and 1/1000sec. but with poor light & little movement I did not get the photograph I was looking for - where was the marsh harrier when I wanted one!

There were also tens of black tailed godwit:

but they were equally unexciting. On our long walk back to the car we saw a barn owl out hunting and it landed on a distant post:

Photographs taken on Wed. 31st. March and Thursday 1st. April

2010-04-25T07:30:00.000-07:00

We spent most of both days at our favourite reserve at Cley Next the Sea. One of target birds for visiting Norfolk was the Avocet. Here the damp overcast weather helped me - taking photographs of black and white birds in strong sunlight is very difficult - exposure wise. This is one of the best ones I managed:

This was taken with my Canon 500mm lens with 1.4 converter, ISO1000 f8 @ 1/8000sec.

One of my other targets was to photograph birds in flight. I managed this one of a greylag goose:

This was taken with the same setup f8@ 1/4000sec.

Black tailed godwit in flight:

Same setup, f8@ 1/400sec.

And the most difficult one was to get a lapwing in flight:

Again same setup f8@ 1/6400sec.

Photograph taken on Tuesday 30th. March

2010-04-14T08:14:00.000-07:00

Another overcast / rainy day. We went to Hickling Broad NWT. On a better day weatherwise this would have been a very interesting reserve. There are some good hides and a variety of habitat. On the day the only interesting shot was this one of two greater crested grebe:

As you can see this was at a fair distance with my usual kit (but no 1.4 converter) - ISO1000 f10 @ 1/800sec.

Photograph taken on Monday 29th. March

2010-04-11T06:28:00.000-07:00

On Monday we went to Welney WWT. The weather was awful. The centre building is impressive but I did not find the hides very useful - perhaps it was the weather! They all seem to be in a line - giving similar views to a long marsh. The only photograph I took was this one of a little egret:

Photographs taken on Sunday 28th. March

2010-04-11T02:34:00.000-07:00

On Sunday we went to Titchwell RSPB. Unfortunately Titchwell is undergoing serious work to stop the sea encroaching further into the marsh. In the meantime Parrinder Hide has been lost and there are only two hides in the reserve. It was only at the Fen hide that we saw any birds. We had distant views of a marsh harrier and fairly close views of some snipe - but in reeds so they did not make good photographs. In fact the only photograph I took that day that I like is this one of an immature black headed gull. It was hovering over the pond in front of the hide and diving into the water - at it's reflection?

Taken with my usual kit with 1.4 multiplier - 1000ISO f8 @ 1/5000sec.

Walking out to the beach we had distant views of skylarks but not decent photographs.

Photographs taken on Saturday 27th. March

2010-04-10T05:33:00.000-07:00

On Friday we travelled to Norfolk for a week's holiday - staying at a cottage in Blakeney. On Saturday we did not want to travel too far so went to Cley Next the Sea - only about 2 miles away. We narrowly missed seeing bearded tits! The photographs that I did manage are:

A pair of mating greylag geese:

Using my Canon 50D with 500mm f4 lens - 1000ISO f8 @ 1/2000sec.

And a pair of flying shelduck:

Using the same equipment and the same settings.

Photographs taken on Saturday 6th. March

2010-03-06T07:36:00.000-08:00

Decided to go up to Aberaeron to see if the turnstones were still there. When we arrived in Aberaeron it was cloudy so decided to carry on to Aberystwyth to see if the Purple Sandpipers were still on the front there. Success - here is one of the photographs I took of the Purple Sandpipers:

This photograph taken with Canon EOS50D, Canon 400mm f5.6 L lens - ISO1000 f8 @ 1/800sec.

Picture taken on Monday 22nd. February

2010-02-24T04:09:00.000-08:00

We went for a short run down to Newport and did not see many birds from the bridge so decided to continue down to Goodwick. This is a photograph of a very co-operative oyster catcher taken from in front of the 'flags' in Goodwick harbour.

Taken with my usual equipment (with 1.4 converter) ISO8-- f8 @ 1/3200sec.

Photographs taken on Saturday 20th. February

2010-02-21T09:23:00.000-08:00

Went to Llanelli WWT yesterday - not many birds about but saw a distant view of the adult spoonbill. Managed this shot of a coot coming in to land:

This was taken with my usual Canon setup - ISO800 f8 @ 1/4000sec.

Walking back from the wetlands area to the entrance of the centre saw this obliging song thrush:

Again the usual setup ISO800 f8 @ 1/2500sec.

Photographs taken on Wednesday 10th. February

2010-02-11T09:39:00.000-08:00

This Bewick's Swan was taken with my Canon 500mm lens, f8 @ 1/1600sec. It was taken at WWT Slimbridge on a very cold day - had to close the shutters in the hide most of the time as the snow was driving in on my lens!

Photographs taken on Saturday 6th. February

2010-02-06T11:37:00.001-08:00

A great day at WWT Llanelli today. Followed two spoonbills for most of the afternoon - an adult with juvenile. In the end managed some close shots like this one of the adult catching a fish. Taken with Canon 50D with 500mm lens - ISO800 f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Photographs taken on Monday 1st. February

2010-02-02T09:39:00.000-08:00

This is a photograph of a Meadow Pipit - though perhaps it should be a Rock Pipit perched on the rocks like this. I do not think it is a Rock Pipit as it does not have dark brown or blackish legs and it does have very long hind claws.
Added on Wednesday 3rd. February - I entered this on Bird Forum and was told that it is a 'littoralis' or Scandinavian Rock Pipit.
It was taken on the 'beach' in front of the Boat Club in Gwbert, near Cardigan. I used my Canon 500mm lens with x1.4 converter - using 800ISO, f8 @ 1/500sec.

This second photograph was taken at the same location. It is a photograph of a Sanderling. Again I used my usual equipment with 800ISO, f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Photographs taken on Thursday 28th. January

2010-01-29T09:29:00.000-08:00

For the last week there has been a Great Grey Shrike at the Welsh Wildlife Centre, Cilgerran. This is the best photograph I have managed of it so far. It is a fairly distant shot as it has a habit of perching on the talest trees so sees me coming from a long way and flies off when I approach too closely.

This was taken with my 500mm lens x1.4 converter,ISO800, f8at 1/320sec.

In addition there have been several reports of a bittern been seen from the Kingfisher hide. Again after several hours of no sightings the one sighting that I had was when the light was very poor.

Again taken with 500mm lens x1.4 converter, ISO800 f8 at 1/40sec!

Photograph taken on 6th. January

2010-01-13T03:37:00.000-08:00

This fieldfare was one of two attracted to our front lawn by the snow - and the apples! Photograph taken with Canon 500mm lens f8 @ 640sec.

Photograph from 5th. January

2010-01-12T08:38:00.001-08:00

OK it is not a bird but I wanted to show it anyway!

Photograph taken from our back garden to the field behind - notice that there is snow on the ground. If you look closely you will notice that the fox has a 'film' over his right eye.

ISO400 500mm lens with 1.4 x, f8 @ 1/1600sec.

Photograph from 1st. January

2010-01-12T08:26:00.001-08:00

Trying to catch up with the photographs I have taken. My New Year resolution to keep a blog of my bird photographs. Here is the first one - taken at Gwbert. It is of a turnstone. My photographic equipment when taking birds is: Canon EOS 50D camera with Canon 500mm IS F4 lens. For this photograph I added a 1:1.4 converter as well.
The photograph was taken at ISO400 f8 @ 1/1250sec.

My first blog

2010-01-10T07:32:00.000-08:00

I intend to us this blog to keep a diary of my latest photographs.