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Nature Notebooks

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

Wigeon

I love how beautiful Wigeon are close-up. Their patterns and colours are a delight. Many come to the UK from Iceland, Scandinavia …

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

Smew two

The Smew in The Regent’s Park in London are a thrill to get close to, even if they are in shadow: Here’s …

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

Finally, a Little Owl

It’s been a dream of mine to see a Little Owl again, ever since I looked after a juvenile one when I …

Fossil worm casts - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Signs of life

There are signs of life everywhere on Westray. In this case it’s signs of life from 380 million years ago from species …

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

Fish on parade

The Arctic Terns which breed on Westray come back with a constant procession of fish and then parade them up and down …

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

Giant nocturnal woodlice

Sea Slaters are giant nocturnal woodlice. They are common in crevices and rock pools and under stones along the coast of Westray. …

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

Time, slowed

Arctic Terns live their lives in a rush. They’ve got to get their family ready for a journey from pole to pole …

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

Watching sky and water

Kingfishers are vulnerable to predators. Apart from cats, rats, stoats, weasels and mink, there’s the threat of death from the air from …

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

Smew

A trip to London for half a day’s work means I can pack my camera, change out of my suit into outdoors …

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

Meandering

It’s not just the River Irk which meanders through Chadderton Hall Park. It’s the path too. Having a simple meander to the …

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

Patience

If patience is a virtue, Kingfishers are very virtuous birds. This one sat watching for ripples and underwater silhouettes for five minutes. …

Kelp-burning pit - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Kelp! I need somebody

I’ve often wondered what kelp-burning pits looked like on Westray. There was a huge industry here, exporting the ash from burning seaplants …

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

Near and far

I love to see a Kingfisher, Alcedo atthis. This female is stunning even though she’s far away in the reeds. And she’s …

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

First flight

I watched an Arctic Tern colony struggle to raise chicks over the last summer. There was plenty of food, although maybe not …

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

Fish from a stranger

What happens when your colony collapses, your numbers are too low and you can’t protect your chicks from predators? What if there’s …

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

It’s Goosanders all the way

I’m having a trip to Stover Country Park in cold weather when I’m delighted to see there are Goosanders on the lake. …

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

Nuthackers

This Nuthatch had a lot to say at Stover Country Park. The noise they make is just like an insistent car alarm. …

Sketching Newton Abbot - The Hall of Einar - (c) David Bailey (not the)

St Paul’s Church

Do you know that feeling of going somewhere every day and being so familiar with it that you don’t see something special …

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

Goosey Goosey Goosander

I’m fascinated by Goosander. Just take a look at the ‘teeth’ on this beak. They first bred in the UK in 1871 …

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

Talkative acorn-eater

The crow family clearly has more than mourning clothes in its genetic wardrobe. This pink Jay with electric blue wing flashes is …

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

Marsh Harrier at Greylake

We’re on a trip to RSPB Greylake in Somerset. There’s a male Marsh Harrier harrying the marshes. I love its grey go-faster …

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

Goosander

There’s a Goosander on one of the ponds at Daisy Nook. What a fabulous experience. I have to lie down on the …

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

Queenfisher at Medlock Vale

A lovely, cold, New Year walk in Daisy Nook Country Park was brightened even more by a flash of emerald green. It’s …

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

Sneezing

We’re on board the Kelly’s Hero out of Brixham when a loud sneeze echoes across the water. This Grey Seal has a …

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

Common Guillemots on the turn

This is a Common Guillemot in its non-breeding plumage. Some of them, however, are getting frisky. This one is in breeding plumage …

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

Blubber

The pontoons in Brixham harbour are the dry dock for up to forty Grey Seals, Halichoerus grypus, at the moment. They’re curious …