Coots and Moorhens
Coots and Moorhens are fairly familiar birds of lakes, ponds and canals. They are both members of the Rallidae, a family which include Rails, like the …
When your mates arrive pre-loaded
It’s an evening out in England and your friends are meeting at yours. The cost of alcohol in pubs and clubs means …
A Mandarin Duck spectacular
The light’s just right. And so is the duck. Photographs of Mandarin Ducks just never get old. Unlike me. After lying down …
And then there was one.. again!
I’ve loved watching Coots have ugly-beautiful chicks and the dedication of the parents to raise them. One of the pairs on Stover …
Grey Heron flypast
A Grey Heron flies past me from left to right at Stover Country Park. I don’t notice it until it’s too late …
Look at the nictitating membrane on that!
Birds have several superpowers. One is that they can blink and still see, even when in the middle of blinking. Just look …
Coot cuties
Last week this Coot was sitting on six eggs. I waited until the incubating parent had a brief rearrange of their eggs …
How do you get this close to a Jay?
How do you get this close to a Jay? They’re famously reclusive birds, often only seen after they’ve seen you, and showing …
Vogue
I love it when a Nuthatch strikes a pose!
An inexperienced male
The female Great Crested Grebe at Stover Country Park has been making all the right moves. She’s been prostrating herself on their …
Supplementing their diet
Great Crested Grebes eat fish. Here’s a shot from the weekend showing just that: What I didn’t know is that they supplement …
Running late
Having a family is a stressful time. It’s particularly difficult if you’ve laid six eggs and have to incubate them and turn …
Great Crested Grebes
The pair of great Crested Grebes on Stover Country Park lake are getting frisky: They’re in full breeding plumage, with their spectacular …
Chaffink
The word finch comes from the Middle English word fynch. This, in turn, comes from the Old English work finċ. And that? We can trace …
Prunella modularis
I recommend looking. Seeing the ordinary and realising it’s extraordinary is a habit which can bring you much joy. This Dunnock is …
Grebe action
A little bit of sunshine meant I got up with a spring in my step and hot-footed it to Stover Country Park. …
Robin with sparkles
This Robin is having a quiet wing-droop moment on a branch in front of a Holly bush. The out-of-focus highlights from the …
What’s occurring?
If you had to come up with three words to describe the Water Rail, Rallus aquaticus, they would probably be skulking, secretive …
Dunnock
Warm winter light on orange fallen leaves. Beautiful, isn’t it? It’s even better when a Dunnock is fossicking in them. The closer …
Bringing home the sausage
This Blue Tit is a thrill in this light: It has a wonderful crest with a beautiful powder blue iridescence. Blue Tits …
Male Chaffinch
Chaffinches are one of my favourite birds. I’ve taken many photographs of them and blogged about them before. Here’s my most recent …
Great Spotted Woodpecker in flight
I’m working at the moment, so time is precious, and every moment of light is a marvel in these dark, short days. …
Environmental ‘improvements’
If someone uses the word ‘improvements’ you know it’s likely to be a euphemism. It means ‘damage limitation’ or ‘rectification of errors’ …
Male Blackbird
This early morning sun is beautiful on my bicycle ride. So is this male Blackbird. Just look at the rictal bristles surrounding …
The Upside-Down Bird is hatching nuts again
I’m fascinated by Eurasian Nuthatches. They’re unlike any other bird in the UK. That’s because all the world’s other nuthatches live elsewhere. …
When Robin and Blackbird meet
Within bird species there’s a strict pecking order. It’s played out in battles over territory, food and mates. Robins are some of …
Robins – a classic gateway drug to hardcore nature appreciation
It’s lovely light in South Devon today and there are Robins galore: This one appears possessive over its stash of seeds. The …
Stock Dove
Slowly, very slowly, I’m getting closer to a decent photograph of a Stock Dove. I need to get closer. I need to …
I’m never going to complain about having sore feet again
I love photographing Chaffinches. You have to get the exposure just right to show their plumage in all its glory. The females …
Fluffy Blue Tit
Isn’t this a gorgeous little character?