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Nature Notebooks

Marsh Harrier - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Marsh Harrier over the reeds

A highlight of my trips to RSPB Lodmoor is the sight of Marsh Harriers flying over the reeds. Their languid flight, interspersed …

Northern Shoveler - The Hall of Einar - (c) David Bailey (not the)

Three Shovels

I was attempting to get my ducks in a row at RSPB Ham Wall as these Northern Shovelers had an energetic flypast. …

Robin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Robert

The white spot in the centre of the Robin’s breast is so intense, it’s often blown-out in photographs. If it’s brightly lit, …

Goldfinch - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Tinkling in the trees

There’s a tinkling I recognise in the trees. I see it as it flies down to a barbed wire fence. It’s a …

Treecreeper - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Treecreeper

There’s a small brown object in the distance doing what Treecreepers do. It’s too far away for me to see any details, …

Siskin - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Twittering Siskins

The trees surrounding us are full of noise. At first we can’t see what’s making the high-pitched sound, but we persist. High …

Mallard Duck - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Quackers

I spot a group of Mallard Ducks taking off from the water at RSPB Radipole. They’re a hundred metres away, but it’s …

Chiffchaff - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Chiffing and chaffing

A trip to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth revealed scrubby field edges, hedgerows and brambles full of Chiffchaffs. They were active in the …

Redwing - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Redwing

I love to see winter Thrushes in the UK. They seem so wild and unrestrained and when I see them I feel …

Tufted Duck - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Tufties

I love to see Tufted Ducks. Here’s a close-up with an overview of the workings of their iridescent plumage: And here’s my …

Little Egret - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Little Egret

A Little Egret overhead at the Lower Otter Restoration Project. I love the way the colour of their irises coordinates with their …

Black-Headed Gull - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Playful

If teenagers did this, would it be called play? Two young Black-Headed Gulls are playing chase with a piece of vegetation. It’s …

Water Pipit - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Water Pipit

I’ve seen Meadow Pipits and Rock Pipits before. I’ve even seen Tree Pipits. This is my first time seeing a Water Pipit. …

Sparrowhawk - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Sparrowhawk

The other birds can see it before I can. They’re up in the air in a mad panic, flocking into a defensive …

Cormorant - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Cormorant sunset

I’ve come for the day to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. It’s grey and dull and there’s little action from the wildlife but …

Buzzard - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The pale Buzzard retreats

We are at Challacombe Farm when we see four Buzzards overhead. It’s that time of year again, when there are territorial battles …

Shag - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Shag again

There are two species of Cormorant found in the UK, the Common Cormorant and the Shag. This is a Shag. If you’re …

Rock Pipit - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Rock on concrete

There’s a Rock Pipit on Brixham Breakwater. I love seeing them here, as they skit along the top of the breakwater, looping …

Mediterranean Gull - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Waiting for the change

I can’t wait to see some Mediterranean Gulls in breeding plumage. Until then, I’ll just have to appreciate how handsome they are …

Pied Wagtail - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Little mover

The scientific name for the Pied Wagtail is Motacilla alba. Motacilla means ‘Little mover’ and alba means white. This one certainly has …

Grey Seal - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Cuttlefish for breakfast

When I’ve visited Brixham harbour over the past few years and walked down the historic slipway near the breakwater I’ve often seen …

Great Northern Diver - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Drip

It’s always a delight to see a Great Northern Diver in Brixham harbour. What I’d really like to see is one of …

Sidmouth - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Trunk

A trip to Sidmouth allowed me the chance to attempt to emulate the artist Paul Nash’s talent in photographing fallen trees and …

J1P4 Black Headed Gull - the Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

The return of J1P4

Hello! I’m back after a little time away, working and enjoying myself. It’s good to be back. It’s also good to see …

Great Northern Diver - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Down the hatch

There’s a Great Northern Diver in Brixham harbour. It’s spent a short while removing the legs of a crab and is about …

Mediterranean Gull - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Mediterranean Gull flypast

I love it when birds spot me as they fly past, and then give me a decent stare. They’re curious creatures, aren’t …

House Sparrow - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Sparrow

I love seeing Sparrows. They were my gateway drug into wildlife conservation. They were almost the only bird which visited our back …

Shag - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Green-eyed Shag

The beautiful eyes of this Shag are like emeralds glinting in this bright sunshine. The natural world is more precious than anything …