Another very nice day on the farm. 30/08/09 arrived early as normal, keeping one eye out for the Marsh Harrier that has been sighted by others! I have never seen one up here before but have seen Hen Harriers at Vane Farm before. It was all going well, Greenshank (2), Ruff (2), Water Rail (1), Great Crested Grebe with chick, Large flocks of Lapwing and Curlew, and all the usual selection too many to list. Its was quite sunny and windy. I noticed a Crow getting excited and heading up from its fence post. Up above and pretty close was an Osprey hovering in the wind over the lagoon. I managed to get a shot before the Crow got there to pick it's fight. Some times it's a shame I don't carry and cam-corder but any way, here's a few shots!
No real harm, the Crow is a pain in the ... but nothing more. The Osprey just moved on, to where I don't know. I wonder if any one was tracking one there at that time (09:00)?
For viewing or photography right place right time is everything. I'd rather be in the right place with poor kit than have the best kit and be in the wrong place.
What a fantastic experience and you managed to get some wonderful photos. We have a pair of red kites that regularly quarter the sky above us and a couple of months back I saw (minus camera - always the way) a carrion crow go into the attack to see them off. It was rather like watching a "dog fight" but avian rather than Red Baron aeroplane variety.
Squirrel
The necessity of bird-watching is a really good reason for avoiding all forms of housework.
The dust will still be there tomorrow - the birds may not be!
Absolutely brilliant photos but I have read before how persistent crows can be. Thanks so much these are definitely for keepting.
Margobird
Fantastic photos and a wonderful experience to share. Thank you :)
I wonder where this osprey hailed from. Would I be right in guessing from the colouring that it may be male? Can't see if it has leg rings.
Make the most of today because, unlike Sky+, there isn't a rewind button.
A really top series of photos, Highland McHale! Perhaps in your photo-editing program you may be able to maginfy the legs of the osprey in the first photo sufficiently to see if he is wearing a leg band , and fi so, what colour? To me it seems ther eis a tinge of blue in the appropriate place, but it could just be noise since it's a digitial image.
Smiles, Jan.
Sorry Wattle15 I see no leg band, I have checked all photo's in that series and no luck.
Thanks for checking though. At least 'no leg band' eliminates all the birds we know to be banded, doesn't it?
;-)
Hi Highland McHale
What a fabulous sequence of pictures of the Osprey and the Crow, and a great selection of birds to see. There are some interesting species that you have mentioned on your report. Water Rail - so lucky!. I have only heard one so far, and they have a strange call , and it is hard to describe to the untrained ear.
You are lucky to catch the Osprey, and to have the Crow for extra interest goes without saying. You happened to be in the right place at the right time. I would have loved to have capured that action shot any day. Pity that there was no ring on the leg to take note from. That would be of interest to see how the birds are managing in their area.
Never understood why Crows like to chase BOP's everywhere they fly, and if there is a motive behind it.? I could see this happening with Red Kites in Bedford. At least the BOP's never seen to bothered as they are so much larger.
Anyway - thank you for sharing your wonderful experience.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Dear Blackbird,
I always found the easiest way to describe a water rail's call was the noise a pig makes when its being killed! Maybe a bit bloodythirsty for this day and age :)
Reedbed, freshwater scrapes, saltmarsh and wet meadow. Frampton Marsh has it all! Come and pay us a visit soon.
Crows do give birds of prey and large birds like herons a hard time. Only goshawks regularly take crows as prey but most other birds of prey get this treatment. This mobbing behaviour is designed to alert other animals to their presence and eventually harass the bird until it flies away. The bird being mobbed is rarely harmed but probably quite annoyed. There is more information about mobbing on our website here
Hi Chris
Yes, you have described the Water Rails call very well, LOL.
Was trying to think of something to compare it with and that is the best answer you have given.