As a Griffon Vulture approaches, with its fingered-wings spread, and its tail deployed downwards to brake its flight, it gets ready to land. This involves lowering the neck and raising the feet so that they cross: They have such fine control for such enormous birds.
It’s tricky when you get a fish stuck on your bill. Especially when you have no hands. This Dalmatian Pelican managed to …
Griffon Vultures have a wingspan of 2.3–2.8 metres, which is 7.5–9.2 feet in old money. The technical term to describe them is ‘massive’.
Griffon Vultures have a most curious walk. It’s a high-stepping display walk with neck and wings outstretched. It looks ridiculous, as well …
There’s a strange faculty which humans and other animals have. It’s the ability to see faces in things where there aren’t faces. …
Cinereous Vultures are scruffy. Ragged wings, unkempt body feathers and tattered tails. Maybe it’s just moulting. Or maybe it’s just scruffy.
The Golden Jackals are the next to arrive after the Griffon Vultures have descended upon the carcass outside our hide, high in …
The Cinereous Vultures in Bulgaria are constantly mobbed by Hooded Crows. They don’t get a moment’s peace. The Crows are compelled to …
The Dalmatian Pelican’s gular pouch changes colour to an intense red as the breeding season approaches.
Being surrounded by giant birds is an awe-inspiring experience.
Can you stand yet another cracking Northern Nutcracker photograph from me? Yes, I think you can. When indulging in ritualised fighting on …
In Britain it’s Jays which are often credited with spreading the oak forests which thrived before humans cut them down. Jays cache …
If I only had one word to describe Northern Nutcrackers it would be quarrelsome. Their ritualised battles are entertaining. They use their …
The backlit wings of Northern Nutcrackers and the glorious rim-light they display are a delight. The powdery snow is so pure and …
The wings of the Northern Nutcracker are broad, very much like a Jay. Their tails are short and their beaks sharply pointed …
You can probably tell how much I’ve been enjoying seeing these Northern Nutcrackers. Aren’t they lovely? The scientific name for the Northern …
The Northern Nutcracker, Nucifraga caryocatactes, was previously known as the Spotted Nutcracker. It’s easy to see why. It flies past us through the pines with …
The Northern Nutcrackers on this Bulgarian ski slope are an absolute dream for me. I could never have imagined that I would …
We’re on a Bulgarian ski-slope armed with peanuts. We’re on the trail of the Northern Nutcracker, with the aim of giving them …
The Common Buzzard is quite a large bird, with broad, rounded wings and a short neck and tail. We’re waiting in a …
The scientific name of the Jay is Garrulus glandarius. It means ‘Talkative Acorn-Eater’. This one is certainly garrulous (excessively talkative, especially on trivial matters): Jays …
I’m taking photographs of a Goldfinch in the snow when a Blue Tit flies past. I think it’s an elegant composition with …
You have to admire how plucky Blue Tits are. For such a small bird they have a great attitude. Humans think it’s …
Bramblings are entertaining birds to watch. They appear to act very similarly to Chaffinches and they are the same size and shape. …
There’s a slightly bedraggled Goldfinch in the snow. It’s been snowing lightly with gentle flakes so its plumage is wet. It’s also …
It’s poor light but the snow on the ground is reflecting the light beautifully. The softness of the sound and the softness …
Hawfinches are quarrelsome bullies. They’re bigger than the other birds which frequent bird feeders and they don’t mind throwing their weight around. …
There’s something so ugly-beautiful about Hawfinches. They’re the Pre-Raphaelite equivalent of Jane Morris, the famous embroiderer and also artists’ model. This is …
There appears to be a strict social hierarchy and sense of corpse-etiquette amongst the Cinereous Vultures. These three have ganged up on …
It’s been minus 9 degrees overnight and we’ve been in the hide since before dawn. It’s vital we don’t disturb the wildlife …