A Return to Gigrin

Sunday 24 January

Laura shares my love of Gigrin and the Elan Valley so was eager to see the hundreds of Kites that were present last weekend. I was also hoping for another chance to get some pics of the Black Kite.

Unfortunately today was another overcast day with grey sky, so not great for photography. Good numbers of Kites began to gather and were soon swooping down for food. Then, after twenty minutes, the Black Kite showed up!





He gave wonderful views flying around the feeding area. In my panic to take some pics I didn't adjust the exposure correctly, but nevertheless I was pleased to at least get some this time.









He left, empty taloned, and it was back to capturing the Reds.










Twelve Buzzards were on the ground enjoying the feast too.



I hadn't tried this lens with birds in flight before so these trips to Gigrin are giving plenty of opportunities to try it out, with and without a tripod. Now what I really need next time is a nice blue sky.

A bag of chips and drive along the Elan Valley reservoirs finished off a good day very nicely!

Chelmarsh

The Alders (and feeders) by the hide at Chelmarsh always attract good numbers of finches and tits at this time of year. They look a little fed up with the constant rain!









Water Rails are always skulking around this area in the winter. There were two there today, but too quick for pics this time!

A visit to Haughmond Hill recently found dozens of dog walkers and a few Nuthatch in the car park.

Gigrin Farm Rhayader

Sunday 17 Jan

Rhayader and the Elan Valley are one of my favourite areas with beautiful scenery and lots of cycle tracks and walks to enjoy. I've been to Gigrin Farm many times, but never in the middle of winter. At this time of year there can be up to 500 Red Kites in the vicinity of the Farm.



The presence of a Black Kite for the past week or so was an excellent excuse for another visit. Unfortunately I didn't manage any decent pics of this bird despite several sightings (see the bit about 'learning about exposure' on the right of the page!!). Guess I'll just have to go again then! The Red Kites were absolutely amazing, with over a hundred circling and feeding together just in front of the hide and several hundred more awaiting their turn. Far more than I'd ever seen before.









I found the large numbers of birds present actually made it much harder to get any shots. Not easy to pick a target and follow it when there are so many others getting in the way of a clear view!







Of course there were others keen to take advantage of the easy meal...







The Black Kite was a lifer and the hundreds of Red Kites were an awesome sight!

Velvet Scoter

Monday 28 Dec

A Velvet Scoter had been on a small area of water at Barrow Lodge near Clitheroe for a few days. This was a lifer and probably the best views I'll ever have of one.





It was repeatedly dividing for freshwater mussels which it swallowed whole!

Black-necked Grebe

Priorslee Lake in Shropshire was the place to be on 8 December when a Black-necked Grebe was found. It spent most of its time in the north west area of the lake and at times came very close to the bank.







One for a 'guess the species' quiz!

Pomarine Skua

Sunday 6 Dec

This bird had been present at Beachley for a few days, mainly feeding on a sheep carcass on the shore. On our arrival it was asleep on the bank amongst the grass. After about an hour, it took off for a short flight, soon returning to the same area and tucking into a fish it spotted on the bank.









It was absolutely amazing to see a Skua so close, such a powerful looking bird.
Having seen a Glossy Ibis in Worcs on the way down to Glouc, it was two brilliant lifers in one day!

Grey Phalarope

Saturday 28 Nov

Having just purchased a 400mm lens, a very obliging Grey Phalarope at Crosby Marine Park gave me a wonderful opportunity to try it out. Not at all bothered by the small group of birders, it came to within a few feet of us!





Such a busy little bird!

Jan 2010 - First Post!

To start off, I'll post some pics taken (mainly in Shropshire) during the past year or so.

These first ones were taken at Venus Pool, mostly from the old Memorial Hide.













Some Peregrines...







Water Rail often show very well close to the hide at Chelmarsh.





In June of last year a Wood Sandpiper spent a few days at Chelmarsh.







Tawny Owls have been breeding in some old trees near my home for many years. One afternoon in April the two youngsters were enjoying some sun.







A Firecrest was present on the Wrekin for a few weeks in Nov/Dec. It was difficult to even catch a glimpse of this bird, so I was very pleased to get a record shot of it on 8 November.



A large group of Whooper, Mute and Bewick's Swans spent last winter at Whitemoor Haye.







Another VP Kingfisher posing nicely in front of the main hide.





This gorgeous Mandarin Duck has spent the past few winters in Bridgnorth but always leaves every spring, presumably downstream to the brooks in the Highley area to breed. More Mandarin can usually be seen on the river by walking a few miles either way of the town.







That's all from the archives! Thanks for reading. The next posts will be of more recent days out.