Hi all
We went to a different place yesterday as I was hoping to see a kingfisher and TJ had very kindly sent me a link to BerksBirds that showed sightings in the Woolhampton gravel pits area.
Sadly I didn't see a kingfisher, but I heard one, so we're going back today. Meanwhile I saw all of these birds, and as someone who can't pick out birds in trees very clearly, I'm so pleased with myself for spotting what I think is a goldcrest in a green conifer. In fact I heard it before I saw it and despite not knowing exactly what it was I took several photos. Sadly I had forgotten to switch on my Image Stabiliser, but some are OK.
I'm also so pleased that I saw another hobby, and although he was very high up, this time I was able to do a slightly better job than the blurred image I took last time.
This first bird is up for identification. Following the RSPB identifier gave me wheatear, but I thought it was generally more blue than the wheatear and with a longer tail. So any help would be gratefully appreciated please:
Second up I think is a whitethroat
Third is I believe a goldcrest?
The distant hobby.
The kestrel
and there were loads of these demoiselles (and several photographers of them)
Best wishes Chris
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Hi Chris,
Lovely photos. Your mystery bird is a male Reed Bunting. I bet he was singing 'Swee, swee, drrrrrr'... The damselfly looks like a male Beautiful Demoiselle rather than a Banded (broader wings which look all dark, rather than just dark in the middle, and a greenish rather than blueish sheen on the body).
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What lovely photos, I love your Hobby, Kestrel (perfect!) and also your Goldcrest. I know what you mean about spotting birds in the trees, we did a walk yesterday too and although I could hear them singing away, so many warblers, I just could not see them.
I wish you luck for today in spotting the Kingfisher, we also sat for a lonnng time yesterday trying to catch one but like you was unsuccessful.
Regards
Kerry
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Hi Chris
Great set of photos and nice to see a different variety of birds at a new location. You'll have to put Woolhampton on your regular visiting list as it's very close to you. Must pay a visit there myself.
Great shot of the hobby even though it was high up. If there a lots of dragonflies about that's what he will be after With this warm weather I wouln't be surprised if you see him again.
Hope you see the kingfisher although photographing one unless you are in a hide is going to be a challenge
Tony
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Fantastic photos Chris I bet yer well chuffed with yourself. I sure would be :)
The first bird is indeed a male Reed Bunting and a nice one too . I love the Goldcrest Thats a fantastic shot .The Hobby and the Kestral are both fantastic . Well done
Cheers
AL
If its no fun Yer no doin it right!
Thanks for your kind comments and well done 'aiki' for identifying the male reed bunting.
So I went again this morning, have nettle stings all up my legs, got bitten to shreds by loads of flies and mosquitoes, but here it is:
the kingfisher, although it's probably a baby.
Once I had my eye in I saw another one
Next up come 2 more for identification please:
#1
and #2
TJ I can show you where I believe the kingfisher nest is, where you are very likely to see at least a young kingfisher. I'm going back again tomorrow as it's so close.... I want to see an adult fishing next. No matter how hot it is, you need long trousers or jeans to protect your legs!
Well done indeed on tracking down the kingfisher. You're getting really good at this. Another cracking set of photos.
They certainly look like a young kingfishers. They've got that slightly dishevelled look and appear to be waiting to be fed.
At first I thought #1 was a garden warbler but on closer inspection I think it's a female whitethroat. You can just make out the rusty brown edges to the wings. Quite different to the lovely adult male in its full summer plumage that you took yesterday.
I think #2 is a song thrush. If you look carefully you can just about make out the speckling on its breast. Does that fit with the size of the bird?
I think I might make a sortie out there tomorrow morning before it gets too hot so I might see you there. It does seem like a good spot.
Regards Tony
Hi TJ
I was in a cool shady spot.
If you haven't been there before, the far bottom corner of the Rowbarge car park is the best spot to park. That's where the occasional walkers park.
I'm not sure how early I will get there.
Hi Chris, absolutely thrilled that you found the kingfishers and photographed them. We have spent quite a lot of time sitting on our local little river, on a spot where they usually always appear, but no joy. Plenty of fish but no kingfisher.
Hi Brenda
I'm really pleased. It's the first time I've ever seen a kingfisher!
The adults kept zapping past us in a blur, but we quickly learned to spot them. I never saw an adult land to feed either of these youngsters, but at least I know where to go to try again, and it's less than 10 minutes drive.
I think that the reason that this place is popular for birds, is because it doesn't have visitors. There is an occasional fisherman in a different part of the river, but that's on private land.