I had another visit on Sunday morning actually arriving after the gates were open! and I'm really glad I did because as soon as I started walking towards the first blind I heard the characteristic 'ping' of the Beardies and sure enough saw a small flock of them. They were too far away to get anything other than a record shot and flew deeper into the reeds as I approached but nevertheless any sighting is good. _
I saw a few ducks around in the lagoons, Gadwalll, Teal and Shoveler in addition to the usual Mallards. Viewed from the hide I saw Little Grebe feeding. Walking along the sea shore I didn't see the Stonechats down on the riverside reeds and grasses like I did on Wednesday but it was rather windy. As I approached the coastal path I saw two tugs towing a larger boat into Newport Docks and I thought I'd use it to test out my new Lumix Bridge camera. This has got a massive 60x optical zoom and is the equivalent of a 20mm to 1200mm system lens if such a thing existed.Obviously the sensor is only a fraction of the size of the full-frame SLRs so I'm not expecting miracles but to be honest it's been fine for what I've been doing. Here's an example going from ultra-wide angle to full telephoto
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Walking further down the path I saw this Dunnock on a bramble and trapped a quick shot
By the screens at the power station end I watched a pair of Little Grebes diving
heading back towards the first screens there was a perky male Stonechat on the post!
Whilst I was photographing the Stonechat I heard a pinging began in the reed bed behind me and I tracked down the source of the noise - a small flock of Bearded Tit's - unfortunately the majority of them immediately flew deeper into the reeds but I did manage to capture a couple of id shots. Hope you like!
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Quite a few flocks of Goldfinches around!
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Camera looks fine John, must admit I went from Bridge to DSLR.
That looks like a very good camera. It is sharp at the high magnifications. Nice photographs. I'm always pleased to see pictures of Bearded tits from the Wetlands. It's good to know they're active even if we not lucky enough to be there at the time. They're not always about on breezy days. We have our expectations of what a good time is and what are good weather conditions for when they may be about.
Completely agree Colin - I think we all have a fair understanding of when they might be about although I was surprised the Winter before last when I saw this one in the snow.
I have processed another Little Grebe shot and this is my favourite so I'll post it here.
Lovely photos, John--thanks! Well done on seeing and catching shots of the Beardies! Amazing magnification on your camera with that ship. There weren't any Beardies where we went on Sunday, though we did see a Little Grebe (at the WWT London Wetland Centre).
Kind regards, Ann
Thanks Ann for your kind comments - glad you saw a Little Grebe and with all of the new wetlands being established I'm sure you'll see a Beardie before too long. My son lives in Walthamstow so I know that there are plans to create the 'largest urban wetland nature reserve in London' around the existing reservoirs - should be amazing! The camera has been an absolute revelation and I've been able to get reasonable shots of subjects that would have been well beyond my SLR.
John, We've seen Beardies before, though rarely! Most recently saw some at Newport Wetlands when we were there in June, but only fleeting glimpses! And I hope they get going on the new reserve you mentioned--I'm fairly ancient and falling apart so don't know how much longer I'll be wandering around reserves!
Ann I'm glad you've seen them before, such a treat. I was talking to a couple yesterday who'd come all the way from Birmingham just hoping to catch a glimpse. As they just passed out of earshot two flew over. Anyway I caught up with them later and they said they'd seen two, an adult and a youngster, near the grit tray in the short pontoon (if you know where that is) They said they were really happy because it was a very close encounter!
Newport Wetlands have mobility scooters if you do encounter difficulty walking. Over the past couple of days I'd thought of requesting one as I've had a very painful foot condition, but touch wood it's clearing up now.
Cracking shots again!
I've not been completely inactive. I did manage a trip to Slimbridge recently. There was a large flock of Shovelers on the South Lake. The males in their eclipse plumage .. never really looked before, but by heck it is one stunning bird this time of year. Incredible subtle colours!
Ant
Superb shots Ant! So far I've never got close enough to one to get anything decent with my kit.
Funnily enough I have been trying to get a good shot of a shoveler for a while now but they will not come close enough for me. This was a long distance shot greatly cropped. Shots from Ant far superior.