Sunday 27 April 2014

Male Common Redstart.

During a recent visit to Thursley Common I spent some time in a small area of deciduous woodland listening to the soft but melancholy, high pitched song of the [Common] Redstart (Phoenicurus phoenicurus) high in the overhead canopy. One of the more colourful visitors during April to September that migrates to the UK from Africa to breed.

After a while one male decided to descend nearly to my level and briefly perched before disappearing behind a nearby tree trunk only to reappear a few minutes later and burst into song.

Not the sharpest of images but they will do for now.   FAB.

Sunday 20 April 2014

Stonechat.

After a lot of head scratching I very recently raided the savings and upgraded my cheaper Cannon 70-300mm 'kit' lens to the EF70-300mm  f4-5.6L IS USM lens and tested it out during a very brief walk at Witley Common. 

There was unfortunately very little bird life on view apart from a distant perched Stonechat (Saxicola torquatus). Above is the original shot taken hand-held as usual and below is a more detailed crop.


So am I pleased with the performance so far ..... definitely yes.  FAB.

Saturday 19 April 2014

Dabchick.


A Little Grebe that for once came close enough during a visit to WWT Barnes during early March ....FAB.

Tuesday 15 April 2014

Sedge Warbler.



A few images of Sedge Warbler (Acrocephalus schoenobaenus) photographed during a stroll around Dungeness RSPB. (See the post on my main blog)

Check out its red gape as it utters its distinctive call.




Linking to WILD BIRD WEDNESDAY.

Thursday 10 April 2014

Curlew.


A chance shot of a Curlew in flight taken at Thursley Common at the end of February......FAB