......a thread full of the usual suspects! However, my first bird is one I don't see very often - and it was unusually obliging in letting me snap it without fleeing:
I love tree creepers!
When I reached Island Mere Hide I got a surprise - I couldn't see a single bird! This didn't last for too long, though:
This obliging crow pottered about for a few minutes, stopping to shout every so often. I don't know whether he was shouting at the three marsh harriers in the distance or whether he was trying to attract the attention of a suitable friend.
Off he goes! I'm pleased that he, at least, came close enough to the hide to be snapped.
It turned out that this swan has been lurking in the patch of bright sunlight which was too bright for me to look at!
Perhaps this is why the Island Mere was so quiet.
I couldn't resist snapping this. I've heard of galls but this is more like someone stuck two elderly Christmas puds on either side of this branch. What a strange sight.
Back at the Visitor Centre the small birds were out in force:
'Under starter's orders......'
A fat-filled coconut shell brings out the social side of the tits.
Mr Blackbird doing some digging.
A lovely dunnock.
Goldfinches are among our most beautiful birds. I never tire of seeing them.
I'm still trying to work out exactly what finch this is! I'm now inclined to agree it's a female chaffinch. Thanks, guys.
I finally worked out where the noises were coming from! It was trying to snow at this point so I don't blame him for taking shelter.
Pausing to show his beautifully coloured feathers before resuming his attack on the coconut.
Mmmmmm!
The man selling scopes kindly drew my attention to this gorgeous bird!
This one's for you, Hazy. Cheeky so-and-so (the Cyril, not you.).
This lovely female pheasant highlights her beautiful markings as she drinks.
He was certainly eyeing us all up! It was lovely to see him so close to the windows.
Hope you all enjoy this set!
Our herring gulls are red listed birds. Think about that the next time you hear some flaming idiot calling for a cull of them.
Awww, great set of photos Clare and love the treecreeper :) Corvids always make me laugh with their antics and "shouting" never a dull moment with them lol Nice to see the smaller birds too and the fat filled coconut being raided !
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Regards, Hazel
Thanks, Hazy! I've posted the rest of the photos now, and there's one in there for you.
I see you added some more lovely pics :) but you can keep the Cyril lol I have enough of them already !! Handsome pair of pheasants and good to see Mr. Woodpecker and smart looking magpies. The corvids are looking spectacular at the moment. Finch looks like a female Chaffinch but you better wait for the experts lol
A lovely collection, Clare--thanks for posting! Lucky that you spotted the Creeper. One of these years we really must get up to Minsmere again. It was my first RSPB reserve and we have seen an awful lot of gorgeous birds there in the past. I'll never forget my first view of Bearded Tits, several of them in plain view, feeding on the path in front of one of the hides.
Kind regards, Ann
I would suspect from the sign of a bar on the wing that the finch is a female Chaffinch, but I could be wrong!
I suspect from the slight sign of a bar on the wing that the pic is of a female Chaffinch, but I could be wrong!
Thanks, Peter. I think I'll run with that as that's now two of you who have thought it's a chaffinch.
Some lovely captures there Clare but I'm quite taken with the handsome Pheasant pair, never see them myself!
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