From Russia with love

Cut a long story short I googled my old Zenit camera, a 12XP. Something I had used once back in the 90s and since either lost or thrown away. It was a tank but did see me well through my walking trips through Europe back in the day. I then came across something that caught my eye. A Zenit Photosniper (Or Fotosnaiper). It just screamed 'boys toys' to me. I had to have one. Its an interesting story if you care to look into it. Anyway a few trawls through ebay and within a week I had one. An FS-3 version to be precise. Its just pure Soviet industrial simplicity. With a quick mock up to use my 70D on it I was all set. Im going to mod it properly as others have done in a bit so watch the 'Andrews DIY' section.

Today James text me for a quick trip to Catcott Lows. I needed no encouragement, I was off. It was quiet save for a Marsh Harrier, a few deer and some Pintails amongst the usual stuff. The waters aren't quit high enough yet for a good display. We also met Lee Dutton again who was perched up in the hide. The SNiper did give everyone a smile so I let them have a bit of a play. James was impressed.

James: I was.  Although you must understand Andrew is quite mad...

 He just needs some camo gear now...

Then again so was I. I had read that the Tair 3 300mm f4.5 was pretty good but I must say its amazing. Manual focus and no Image Stabilization doesn't stop this baby one little bit. Its so easy to use and is very comfortable. Heres some pics taken with both my Canon 100-400 L and the Tair 3. Both with the 70D.

Crow Tair 3

Starling Canon

Starlings Canon

Starlings Canon

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tair 3

Starlings Tamron 400mm

Marsh Harrier tair 3

Marsh Harrier tair 3

There was a moment after James left when Lee and I thought we had seen a Merlin (I have never seen one) Unfortunately it was a Kestrel. Oh well. I must give Lee credit for spotting and giving me the photo opportunity for this one. Well he insisted!

Kestrel Tair 3

kestrel Tair 3

kestrel Canon

Kestrel Canon

Black Headed Gull Tair 3

Starling Tair 3

This last Starling pic does show the Tair 3's flaws. Its susceptible to light giving that chromatic aberration so a lense hood is a must. Its a big rubber sink plunger.

EDIT: Lightroom is brilliant!

So for £80 I've got one hell of a lense as well as a 'gun' stock to use with it. The Starling pics above in particular seem to have a colour that I like. Almost film like. Plus the cool tin and filters and screw drivers and Helios 44mm etc. I love it. Unfortunately there is another version, the very early Grey one. Its the coolest thing ever. Guess what? Ive just got one.

Bridging the gap

It was grey, dark and raining.  Not ideal birding weather.  But who cares!?

I made my way to Greylake, which was indeed living up to its name!

But, brighter things were on the horizon.  At the feeders a few little brown birds were skittering about and these two posed quite nicely (the sun even came out for a minute or two).

Robin (just in case you didnt know) and a Dunnock

On the way to the hide I nearly stood on a Snipe.  I don’t know who was more distressed if I’m honest.

At the hide it wasn’t quite as wet and flooded as I thought it would be (lets not get too cocky though, remember what happened in February).

Anyway there was still quite a few winter ducks milling around and I got some good views of my favourites, the Teal.

Then the sun came out and some Mallards flew in at just the right time (unusual)

I settled down and ate my crisps.  At just the wrong time a Buzzard flew right in front of the hide.  The ducks were worried for a moment but when the realised that it wasn’t a Peregrine they calmed down again.  In the meantime I had dropped my crisps all over the floor trying to get a shot (I didn’t).  Now I am not one for litter and did tidy up the foodstuffs afterwards.

Then, in the far distance I noticed a scythed grey shape.  Oh yes, a Peregrine.  What a great bird.  There was a problem though it was A LONG way off.  Luckily I was armed with the Bridge camera Andrew and loaned to me.  Now Andrew uses the SX50 as a door stop since he got his fancy SLR camera.  Now I am a little more positive about these little bits of kit.  For a start its got 50X zoom!

Now I went a bit crazy and zooned to 100x (half of it is digital though).  So here it is... ahem.

Its above the cow.

 

It didn’t do a lot, just sat and looked around as they do.  So off to Catcott...

The light was failing pretty quickly.  There was little chance of any decent photos but I did see a Female Marsh harrier at the back of the reserve (what a surprise) and a very odd occurrence.

In the middle of the reserve their was a sudden din followed by a pair of hunting birds rising from the floor.  One was certainly a Peregrine.  The other was smaller, really not sure.  Anyway they clashed a few times before disappearing behind some trees.  Moments later the Peregrine seemed to be dropping what looked to me like feathers from its talons...

She then landed (at the back of the reserve).

 

With the light almost gone it was time to pack up.  There was a lot of big gaps between me and the birds today but the SX50 at least tried to bridge them.

Bittern by an Otter

Thank goodness for German efficiency.  New lens ordered and received with 48 hours!

Now I could have gone and seen the Pallid Harrier today.  But I didn’t.  I don’t know why.  Instead I went to Westhay.

Everything was really calm down at the reserve.  Even the gentle rustle of the reeds was completely absent.  The light was awful and there want much to see (yet).  But was was enjoying myself.  It was rather relaxing.

At the raised platform I saw some long tailed tits and in the distance a Great White Egret sat on a tree.

I noticed that the Egret was near a hide.  If I could get over there I cold get a rather nice shot...

Off I went, trudging through the soft mud.  Along the trackway a Jay flew overhead and a flock of Long Tailed Tits skittered from tree to tree.

I looked about for the Egret.  It had left its platform and was busily fishing in the lake.  

I had a chat with a very nice warden who had a very handy bean bag for camera support.  As I was looking at a Grey Heron a Bittern flew up from next to him and went for a nice white poo.  I suspect the Bittern had been their for sometime . Need to be more observant!

At the North hide I spied a pair of squabbling Water rails and a load of Coots.

I then went along to another hide/screen adjacent to the North hide.

These swans provided a nice photo opportunity

Then I noticed a disturbance in the water.  My heart jumped as I realised what it was... OTTER!!!

He  fished for a good 20 minutes catching lots of fish and occasionally glaring his rather sharp looking teeth.  Wouldn't want to be bitten by one of those!  To be honest I was so excited that I hardly noticed the 2 Kingfishers zipping about.

 Fantastic!!!!

Just outside the reserve this egret was rooting around for a tasty morsel.  Great birds which always make for a nice photo.

Westhay was a a good decision.

A magical moment

Reports of the Pallid Harrier and Short Eared Owls meant that I had to take a trip down to Steart.

It took me bloody ages to get their, mainly due to the throng of tourists visiting Wookey hole caves.  Well it is the season of wizards and warlocks I suppose...

At the reserve I rejoiced as the sun started to peek out from behind the grey shroud.

Walking along the bank of the Parrett I scanned for Avocets but didnt see any.  Plenty of Godwits though along with Shelduck and Lapwing.

I didnt really know where to go so just kept on going straight.

The Harrier didnt seem to be anywhere about.  I had a feeling that I may have made a wrong turn...

Is it over there chaps?

I noticed some comotion over the river as a crow was attacking a Kestrel.  Who decided to fly pretty close.

After a while I had reached the end of the trail. I stayed, looking over the reeds for about 30 minutes without success.  I decided to not get obsessed with finding the Harrier and scan about the place.  As soon as I had adopted this more relaxed attitude, this happened...

I was actually texting Andrew at the time.  I couldnt believe my eyes.  She swept in low and landed in front of me.  I dropped all my gear save for my camera and crept as close as I could.  I believe its a female Merlin.  Absolutely brilliant!!!

The sun was slowly falling and as i went back along the bank a Peregrine flew low from the near bank and scared everything in the river.  It was flying quite slowly and dropped into some long grass on the other side.  A great sight.

I took a cursory glance across the marsh and didn't see a Harier or an owl.  But to be honest Merlin had cast an amazing spell already...

The next big thing

What with all the talk of a Pallid Harrier down at Steart I thought I had better take a look. For some reason I wasn't very enthusiastic about all this. I'm not a Twitcher. The EFRS is not about trying to tick things off although I will be the first to admit I do have a wish list but thats not the same thing. I overheard stuff like "Yep I've seen it so now we can go". What!! Look around you, there's far more to Steart than ticking one bird off in your book.

The estuary was looking splendid in the occasional glimpses of sunlight. Especially with the flock of Avocets.

Avocets

Avocets

Avocets

So I plonked myself down on the Estuary side. Quit a few people but not as many as I had expected. I had visions of thousands lining the banks. Thankfully I had a space in the main car park where I helped bump start a car. The paths are very cycle friendly which was a pleasant change. Just as I did plonk myself down I disturbed a Kestrel with a fresh kill a few feet away. Steart really is Kestrel central. There are loads flying around and very close.

kestrel Diving

Kestrel Diving

Kestrel

Kestrel on the look out

Within 20 minutes the Pallid Harrier flew up then down then up again then down again. This was worse that the Little Bitterns. I didn't have the wherewithal to sort out a shot but I did get a very good view through the bins and scope. I was happy but I needed that shot. (Otherwise how would you lot see it!). The hours passed and I spent most of my time looking at the fellow birders on the opposite bank to see where the scopes were pointing.

Some familiar faces at a safe distance ;¬)

They all seemed to be looking to my left well away from view or photo opportunity. I found myself alone on this side. Should I go with the flow or stick to my convictions? No Andrew you stay put. It will fly past in a bit. Its bound to come back isn't it. I amused myself with the Goldfinches that were flying back and forth cheerfully

Goldfinch

Along with the Black Tailed Godwits

Black Tailed Godwit

Black Tailed Godwit

Then it happened. Way over to the right I saw a dark bird flying low. Swiftly I grabbed my bins and yes there it was. Why wasn't anyone else looking? And more to the point how did I miss it going passed? I blame those Goldfinches. Oh well I grabbed the camera and fired. Far too many at once since I was over excited and had to wait for the buffer to clear. When it did go down I did a little 'YES' with a clenched fist and raised knee. Two guys were watching and laughed. I showed them the pics and we were all suitably impressed. However looking at them on the big screen they don't seem so good! Manual focusing with the x2 converter is a skill I haven't mastered yet and sods law dictates that the 'best' birds are always elusive. If it was a Black Headed Gull it would be the best shots you could ask for. Anyway heres the money shots................

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier (it's behind you)

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier

Pallid Harrier

And by special request heres a shot of it flying by two guys who I showed the pic to. They had seen it cross the estuary just after this shot.

Pallid Harrier and Birders

And that was that. Another bird ticked off the list and on to the next big thing. Its a shame there has to be big things. It would be nice to have them all as common as muck. Im sure they would like it that way.