Honey Buzzard
Our friend Tina sends a message on the local wildlife WhatsApp Group. It’s a photograph of the back of her camera showing …
Eider
I’ve never had a close view of a male Eider drake before. And now I have. They’re sailing the coasts of Orkney …
Close up with a Great Northern Diver
As I drive past I can see there’s a Great Northern Diver in Pierowall Bay. It’s unusually close to the shore. That …
Red-Backed Shrike
There’s been an influx of Red-Backed Shrikes throughout Orkney and Westray has had its fair share. I’ve seen one before, in Italy, …
Little Tern
I’ve never had such close views of Little Terns as I’m getting today. They’re strange, compact birds, unlike the other more elongated …
Sandwich Tern
I’ve seen Sandwich Terns before, but only briefly. There’s one parading along the beach at the 3rd Churchill Barrier in Orkney and …
Wait for it to dive and then run like the clappers
I’ve just arrived in Orkney and have an afternoon free to get a badly sunburnt neck at the 3rd Churchill Barrier. There …
I made a film
I’ve been busy. I’ve got a camera and I’m going to use it. I made a film here in Orkney for a …
Bear’s Garlic without the bears
There’s a small track through these old Somerset woods. I like to think it could be made by Badgers, although they are …
An open mouth
I find the shape of this gull’s open mouth fascinating. It’s rare to see the fully open mouth from the front so …
Ledge nesting
How do you land on a narrow ledge, high above the sea, in a stiff wind, which is already full of other …
Gloss
If this was an album cover, what would be the name of the band and LP? A group of three Shag in …
Waves
A life on the ocean wave. This Common Guillemot is bobbing up and down furiously, as am I, on this boat. It’s …
Common Guillemot take-off
Seeing the power of a Common Guillemot as it takes off is awe-inspiring. They have surprisingly short, narrow wings for a bird …
Grey Seal surfacing
A bull Grey Seal is a seriously large, impressive beast. Here’s one on a wildlife cruise out of Brixham: I’m glad I’m …
Kittiwake
It’s always a joy to see an elegant Kittiwake, especially when it catches a fish. Their population has been under significant pressure, …
Hanging wings on the washing line
This Shag is hanging its wings out to dry: So many years of evolution and they’re still not waterproof.
Common Dolphin off Brixham
We’re on a boat trip off the Devon coast and have a few sightings of Common Dolphins. Tantalising, aren’t they? I used …
A Stock photo
Curiosity got the better of this Stock Dove. I’m still chuckling about it.
Black-Tailed Godwit
Incoming! There are Black-Tailed Godwits at Seaton Wetlands. Elegant, aren’t they? Their colours are wonderful.
Shelduck squabble
There’s a squabble among the Shelducks at Seaton Wetlands. One had to make a hasty escape. There’s so much behaviour on display …
Pipit in the meadow
Meadow Pipits are the most common songbird in upland areas. We’re on Dartmoor and it’s true. They are everywhere here, with their …
Pied
I love the texture of granite on the roughly-hewn stone walls of Dartmoor. This Pied Wagtail was being ruffled by the breeze …
Oenanthe oenanthe
The Northern Wheatear’s scientific name is Oenanthe oenanthe. It means ‘Flower of the Vine’ in Ancient Greek. Its binomial name is a …
Cuckoo!
We’ve off to see the Cuckoos, the wonderful Cuckoos of Dartmoor. We’re not following the yellow-brick road, but we are driving at …
Fixed with a piercing stare
I’m watching a Long-Tailed Bushtit’s nest from 20 metres away when I notice a Buzzard heading straight towards me. Those eyes are …
Coal Tit at home
I’m in Somerset in Swell Wood. There’s a Coal Tit checking out the nesting possibilities of a natural tree hole. It’s a …
Hatching a plan
Here’s an unusual photograph for you. It’s a Nuthatch the right way up.
Nest building
My favourite Pied Flycatcher has been successful in defending his chosen nest box and attracting a female. Well done, my young chap. …
Dinner
I’m staring up at woodpeckers in a tree when I’m aware a large bird has landed nearby. It’s too close for my …