Tuesday 7 February 2012

Winter Woodcock . . .

The chase was on - for the last two days Phil and I have attempted to track down and photograph one of Britain's most iconic bird species in Suffolk - the Woodcock! We searched for Woodcock in open areas of sparse broad-leaved woodland, with the sudden snow fall on Saturday night Woodcock were tamer than usual and not hard to find. Once we found some (8+ in total) it was a case of getting into various freezing cold positions (hoping they didn't fly off as we approached - 70% did) and then waiting silently as they fed and came closer. Of course 75% of shots were of unfavourable light direction, obligatory twigs between me and the bird etc etc the usual stuff, but we were pretty pleased with the 25% achieved - a small selection of which is here. We also scraped areas, removing the snow so the Woodcock could feed more easily, which they did. They consumed large quantities of earthworms and it was a real insight into their feeding behaviour and movements! I've never seen Woodcock so well and indeed it is a dream bird for me and one i've always wanted to photograph so it really was a red letter day!








Sunday 5 February 2012


Let it Snow! Let it Snow!

Last night, after a Winter lacking in the magic white stuff, 6 inches of snow fell on Suffolk! So of course the day involved ringing and photography. Phil spring trapped a Black-headed Gull and Common Gull on our shed roof and then we spent time out locally where I photographed Yellowhammers and a good thrush mix of Song Thrush, Redwing, Blackbird and Fieldfare. The sudden harsh weather conditions forced these birds onto garden berry bushes where they frantically removed hundreds of berries, totally unfazed by humans walking past along the pavements and thankfully - me with my lens! A great snow day!




'Up Helly Aa' 2012

On the 31st January I enjoyed a special event in Lerwick, that of the famous 'Up Helly Aa' fire festival, a real taste of Shetland which attracts folk from all over the world on the last Tuesday of January each year. . .here are a few of the many images I took during the evening procession through the streets of Lerwick, starting yards from my front door! I look forward to many more Up Helly Aa's in the future! If you get a chance to go, I highly recommend it.



Friday 3 February 2012

Icelandic Invasion!
A few images from Lerwick harbour where I had at least 46 Iceland Gulls,2 Glaucs and 2 Kumliens Gulls. Great to be able to enjoy some of the recent unpresidented influx of White Winged Gulls in Shetland this Winter. . . .













Iceland Gull













Above: A Kumliens Gull . . . .












More Icelands . . . .




























































Glaucous Gull in Flight . . .