So after years of standing watching wildlife come and go in the garden and reading what all you lovely people writeand post about the great outdoors I thought it was about time to get on my boots , grab my camera and binoculars and jump in the car for a new adventure.....3 minute drive up the road to....yes its basically on my doorstep!
Sun was shining, carpark pretty busy but excited to see new things so I will need your help identifying what I saw ....
Looking up at the sky......a flock of???( sorry not great pics)
plenty buzzards(I think) soaring around in the sunshine
Then hiding in the distance....(my other half said they look like kangeroos!)
Time to search the water......(looks like a fake duck to me )
Goldeneye I think!
Then a wander over to the river to hopefully see a kingfisher as I have never seen one but had no luck.
Ended up taking lots of pics of this duck but no idea what it is...help please!
Back to dry land and some stunning scenery
Who knew there was life beyond my kitchen window. Can't wait to get back out to discover more of our wonderful world.
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
So today didnt look to bad outside and decided to head up to RSPB Barons Haugh again
From my back door to the car I got caught in a heavy hail shower...just my luck but no turning back!
On arriving carpark was pretty empty but I had my daughter with me for company.
As we headed down towards the hides it was squlech all the way...
On arrival at the first hide the wind was horrendous and there were a couple of guys there already saying there was nothing doing and asked if we saw the tawny owls on the way down...eh no...never even seen an owl in the wild before and the very kindly took us to where they were. Only the male was in the tree and all we got to see was its bum but I was happy with that for now!!
Yes I know its a rubbish pic but I got something!! lol
Right time to head back down to the water and find something else....
yes it looks not too bad but my eyes were weeping from the wind!
Some ducks were brave....not sure what they are...
obviously better with head under the water than above lol
and a heron building a nest..... well it flew in with twigs in its mouth but I was too slow to catch that
Right by this point I have had enough of the cold and on the way back a lovely buzzard enjoying the wind
And these crows just cried out to be photographed...
this one just sitting on the grass!
Hope to go back soon when its a little less windy.........
Lot to learn
Pete
Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can
Linda257 said:
Lovely photos and it did look a bit like a bogfest, but always nice to get out, when you can.
I'm struggling to get a dry weekend down here, and add to that, the local reserve which is quite low as far as the water table is concerned, will be a bogfest!
The three ducks in the photo that you weren't sure about, the far right looks like a goldeneye. Careful enlargement shown what looks like strips along the wing, typical of a goldeneye.
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler
Linda257 said:Thanks Mike , yes it is nice to get out now and again. Ah I see now looking at my other pics it is a goldeneye thanks for pointing that out. Hope you get back out and about soon!
You're welcome Linda.
Psst, the weekend forecast down here is for.... More of that wet stuff! :-/