Siskins in Alder
They’re noisy, tiny, green and yellow, and at the top of a tree. The Siskins, Carduelis spinus, are here. There’s a large …
The brown-headed Black-Headed Gull springs forth
It’s spring and the Black-Headed Gulls are showing us just how unobservant the person who named them was. This one at RSPB …
Tipitiwitchet
The Venus Flytrap, Dionaea muscipula, is a fascinating plant. I’ve kept one as a pot plant in the past, but was excited to …
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 …
Three Shovels
I was attempting to get my ducks in a row at RSPB Ham Wall as these Northern Shovelers had an energetic flypast. …
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, …
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
There’s a small brown object in the distance doing what Treecreepers do. It’s too far away for me to see any details, …
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 …
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 …
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
I love to see winter Thrushes in the UK. They seem so wild and unrestrained and when I see them I feel …
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
A Little Egret overhead at the Lower Otter Restoration Project. I love the way the colour of their irises coordinates with their …
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
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 other birds can see it before I can. They’re up in the air in a mad panic, flocking into a defensive …
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 …
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 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 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 …
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 …
Little mover
The scientific name for the Pied Wagtail is Motacilla alba. Motacilla means ‘Little mover’ and alba means white. This one certainly has …
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 …
It’s not an animal, plant or a fungus
This is not an animal, mineral or vegetable. It’s not a fungus, either. It’s a Slime Mould. Slime Moulds spend most of …
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 …
Trunk
A trip to Sidmouth allowed me the chance to attempt to emulate the artist Paul Nash’s talent in photographing fallen trees and …
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 …
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 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 …