Not always what it seems

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Looks can be deceptive cant they. And you can't always believe what you see. You have to take a second look especially with nature. Most of the time they are trying to look inconspicuous or like something else. Insects are a good example of that. I thought I'd spotted a Goshawk up in the sky but confirmation from James told me it was a Sparrow Hawk. Sparrow Hawk it is then. Wishful thinking is a dangerous thing and can often lead some people to see what they want to see. Even if it leads to deception!

Goshawk Sparrow Hawk

This was the first day out on the bike for me for what seems like ages. Illness struck and I was bed ridden for a week. Lovely day for it though and the Raptors were out in force even though they were too far away for pics sorry. VP1 and 2 were lovely to see and the Tor hide was starting to show green shoots.

Little Egret amongst the green shoots

There were three Great White Egrets together in the reeds. Here's one coming in.

From the Tor Hide

Those green shoots from the Tor Hide

The highlight at the moment has to be the Scrape over on Shapwick. Black Tailed Godwits and Garganey being the stars.

Black Tailed Godwits

Lapwing

Lonesome Lapwing

Two of the four Garganey

Buzzard

Buzzard

A lovely cycle up and down the length of Hamwall and Shapwick was beautiful in the hot sun even with the chilly wind.

Roe Deer malting

Another Buzzard

A final stop at VP2 Hamwall was a quiet affair even with these two beasts coming straight at me!

Chaffinch

I was stopped in my tracks as I cycled back home. Just before the end of Hamwall a pair of Marsh Harriers were quartering very close to the track. I've never seen them in this spot before. Perhaps just having a look whats around.

Male Marsh Harrier

Crow

Female Marsh Harrier eyeing me up!

Female Marsh Harrier

Fantastic day all round. I'm looking forward to using my macro lens a bit more once the insects come out. Especially the Dragonflies. Someone mention Dragonflies? Wheres a Hobby when you need one ;¬)

The artist formerly known as...

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He is/was Prince but is now simply a symbol.

This is the bird formerly known as a Bearded tit. 

But now you must refer to him as a Bearded Reedling

(yes I know you are used to seeing them sitting nicely on a tall reed but my one preferred scrabbling about in the grit). This photo is from last year.

Today however was looking like a good day to see a Bearded Reedling...

The sun was out (a rarity) so I headed down to Westhay.  I love walking along London Drove.  It feels quite atmospheric, especially with many birds now out in full song.

Here is a bad picture of a Treecreeper to get us started.

I walked right up to the hide at the end.  It was all pretty quiet but the weather was so nice that it didn't matter to much.

Then this flew over.............

It was so low I couldn't fit it in my lens.  It scared up loads of Greylags, a Snipe, a GWE and some Mallards.  A Bittern would have been better but you cant have it all.

Panicking Greylags

I had a bite to eat and then gave up.  Only then from the main track I heard a Bearded Tit Reedling (formerly known as tit).  I couldn't see it for the life of me though.   I hung about a bit,  pacing about and generally being ineffective.  Then I gave up again and walked back along the track.

Once more I heard the sound.  This time I saw one, briefly ( for about 3 seconds).  The camera was so confused, focusing on reeds, flying bugs and everything else in between.  I didn't get a picture. But I was still pleased. 

I then got a message from Andrew who was clearly keen to get in on the action.  Half an hour later we met up at the raised platform.  Now Andrew is gadget mad and he quickly unveiled a variety of new lenses and kindly gave me some of his to try (watch this space!).

All sorts of retro lenses came out of the bag and soon Andrew was off amongst the undergrowth.

Spring is on its way!

Then he was back, bugs were also on the agenda.

A bit of blood and gore

Whilst we were distracted by the little beasties.  Some bigger ones put in an appearance.

What a super bird.  We never tire of these Marsh Harriers. He actually landed and then a Bearded tit/ Reedling flew across! Amazing. A Harrier and a Bearded Tit Reedling at the same time!

Then a Bittern decided to make a short flight.  First one of the year for me.

It might be its bum, but its a Bittern so who cares!

The atmosphere was peaceful and it was nice just to soak up the rays and discuss camera equipment and general birding stuff.  Before we left a Greylag made a flyby.

And a Grey heron was watching from a safe distance

Maybe next time we might even get that photo of a Bearded Reedling looking smart on a reed...



Stop the Pigeon

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Dick Dastardly had the right idea.

Pigeons, they are really rather annoying birds.  Especially at this time of year.  They are flying all over the place.  Sometimes they look like Sparrowhawks.  Sometimes they look like Peregrines.  Sometimes they even do a good Cuckoo impression.  The problem is all of these birds are rather interesting and exciting.  A Pigeon isn't...

I have been fooled at least half a dozen times in the last week or so and it probably wont stop anytime soon.  Still, I have been quite poorly over the last few weeks, so I was happy to find the strength to get back on the saddle and go and see some wildlife and countryside (even pigeons).

I headed out to Tealham Moor, where the herons were very busy.  Unfortunately it was rather dark and taking pictures of them was pretty useless.  Luckily a camera friendly swan did swoop in front of my lens.

After listening to the strange gurgles and cackles of the herons I drove on, stopping and starting and generally making a nuisance of myself for other drivers.

Still it proved quite worthwhile with some quite camera friendly birds of prey.



A handsome fellow

I was lucky to get close to this Kestrel

I really like it down on the moor.  Its bleak but has a certain wild quality to it.  Most enjoyable.

I did notice this odd looking duck.  A weird hybrid or something?

  

After driving about \I thought I\ would do a bit of foot slogging.  I went over to Westhay and wandered up London Drove.  On the way a Dunnock held still for just a moment.

You've got to be quick to get this bird on a stick

I was also lucky to see two Sparrowhawks (unless it was one of those trickster pigeons again).

Everything was really still and quite warm.  Sadly there was very little sunshine.  But I still had some good luck with a Great White Egret flying close along with some geese.

Its bill isn't yellow at the moment.

These geese looked nice and cant be mistaken for Pigeons

Then something really good/bad happened.  A Kingfisher landed about 5 feet away from the hide on a branch.  What an amazing bird.  I slowly reached for the camera... It was gone in moments.  It would have been fantastic to get it but if it were that easy then it would be boring I suppose...

Meanwhile up above Dick Dastardly had a new flying machine and was busily searching for Pigeons to stop.



It was flying all over the place and causing quite a disturbance.

Sadly, I couldn't quite make out Mutley.

Despite the grey weather I had enjoyed myself.  On the way home I spied a couple of roe deer.

Always alert. 

Its a Peregrine. No its a Sparrowhawk. Oh its a pigeon...