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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
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 …
White wedding
Swans are exceptional birds. I particularly like Mute Swans, but that’s because I’ve yet to see a Bewick’s Swan or a Whooper …
A harrying Marsh Harrier
Having a day out to walk around, surrounded by nature, is a wonderful thing. It’s even better if there’s a natural spectacle. …
The Lesser Yellowlegs and the Snipe
I love this photograph. The light is poor. The colours are dull. The composition’s nothing special. It’s the poise of the little …
Feeling Ruff
There’s a wader at RSPB Lodmoor. Obviously I don’t know which species it is; it’s a wader. How would I know? A …
Noisy chirping
I’ve put a bird feeder outside my front window in Devon. It’s buzzing with activity, with House Sparrows, Robins, Dunnocks, Blue Tits, …
The Four Elements
The Classical world had four elements, earth, air, fire and water. Canada Geese seem to inhabit all four. Here’s one on earth …
Scricciolo
The Italian name for the Wren is scricciolo. When you hear just how loud they screech, that makes perfect sense:
Lesser Yellowlegs
It’s beautiful weather in Weymouth. The sun is out, birds are singing and I’m full of the joys of spring. I’m back …
Gulls in Weymouth
RSPB Lodmoor is in Weymouth on the south coast of England. I’m travelling through and have brought my camera for a few …
Teal Green
Teal are small, very decorative ducks. The males have chestnut and green coloured heads and strange beige bottoms: The females are subtle …
Sheldrakes
There’s a Shelduck walking on mud at RSPB Lodmoor. It’s sinking gently, despite its webbed feet, into the black ooze. It’s a …
Not a cute tummy button
She was looking at the beef steers when she said, “I love the cute tufts of hair on their bellies.” I looked …
The Lesser Yellowlegs of Lodmoor
I always feel sad when I see a bird which is so spectacularly out of place. Whether it’s an American Blackbird in …
Mallard malady
This male Mallard looks so healthy in the spring sunshine: It takes a lot of nutritious food to make the complex chemistry …
A Marsh Harrier harrying the waterbirds
There’s a distant Marsh Harrier across the water at RSPB Lodmoor. I’ve seen some wonderful photographs of it that were achingly close. …
Flying Godwits
I enjoyed going to RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth so much that I decided to have another trip. I stopped off on the …
The Three Ravens
We’re at RSPB Lodmoor in Weymouth. It’s a grey day. It’s the perfect dramatic atmosphere for Ravens. There are a group of …