Wild Cumbrian

River Kent

2015-03-29T14:36:00.000+01:00

I've been rubbish at posting anything on here for far too long, sorry for that.
Here's a quick selection of photos of the River Kent last week when I took my eldest for an evening walk down by Helsington Weir.
Click on the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

View across the fields towards the Helm.

View up river towards the weir.

Gorse in flower - it always is.

Fluffy water coming over the weir.

Birkrigg Common and a new camera

2014-08-24T19:31:00.000+01:00

Here's a few photos from a jaunt onto Birkrigg Common to try out my shiny new camera system.
As usual click on the photos or here for larger versions.

Here's some fine Cumbrian views

And here's a few of the Birkrigg locals

So on to the shiny new camera then.
I've been shooting wildlife with Canon gear for a good 15 years now, from when I was young free and single. Back then I could, and did, spend all weekend and most evenings out with the camera. Now I'm all grown up (allegedly) with a young family that's just not an option. I've been squeezing in odd hours here and there, but not enough to be really meaningful. So while I've not been doing so much wildlife photography the wildlife kit is massive, way too big to cart around for other stuff really like landscape and family photos. Also ever try taking a photo of a sleeping baby with a big pro body rattling away at 10 frames a second ? I did, once. Woke baby, as you would expect, and got me into all sorts of trouble, also as you would expect. Never tried that again.
So I traded the Canon gear in for the Sony A7 and a couple of zoom lenses. The new kit is tiny, certainly compared to the Canon gear. The sort of thing that I'm more likely to just pick up if we are going out for a gentle stroll somewhere. I'm sure there will be times when I miss the long lenses and performance of the pro bodies, but I'm sure I'll get more use from the new kit, and so far it has performed very well.

Leighton Moss

2014-05-28T18:50:00.000+01:00

Having done very little with the camera over the last few months I had a day to myself yesterday, and despite the initial gloomy skies decided to pay a visit to Leighton Moss. Although cloudy to start with it never really felt like rain, and brightened up considerably as the day went on - possibly too much so as it became a little contrasty later on. There's just no pleasing some people.

I had a vague idea I'd like to get some photographs of Reed and Sedge Warblers. I've been before with this idea and not seen either, and so it proved yesterday, but adaptability is I'm told the key to survival, so I took what was there and enjoyed a very nice day.

Click on the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

First up, on the footpath towards the central causeway, overlooking the reserve, were a family of Greylag Goose and a couple of Magpies in a grassy area. To be honest the Magpie got the better of me slightly and I will admit the photo is a little shaky round the edges, but I'm going to include it because I like the pose and I think Magpies are actually rather attractive and not at all deserving of there much maligned reputation.

As I made my way down the causeway, pausing to listen to and look for the elusive warblers that I never really caught up with, I had a couple of flyovers from a male Marsh Harrier. In the second flyover you can see the Harrier is carrying a food item, presumably back to the nest. Magic stuff.

After working the causeway for some time I moved round towards Lower Hide, and found some of the wet woodland edges to be quite productive with Treecreeper, Blackcap, Wren, Willow Warbler, Long-tailed Tit and Bullfinch, some of which were more co-operative than others.

On the way back there was a nice Broad-bodied Chaser Dragonfly, along with the seemingly omnipresent (Common?) Blue Damselfly.

2013 retrospective

2014-01-01T21:23:00.000+00:00

It is traditional at this time of year to take something of a look back at the year gone, and perhaps make some plans for the year to come. For today I will concentrate on the year gone before worrying too much about making plans for the year to come. Without further ado here are ten of my favourites from 2013.
Click on any of the photos to enlarge

No.10 Fieldfare
This bird was part of a large mixed flock of Thrush which gradually came towards me as they worked a local field.

No.9 Wren
Wrens are packed full of character flitting about proclaiming their territory with a range of whistles, rattles and staccato clicks. The mossy tree trunk seems so fitting here.

No.8 Bluebell Woods
Is there a more archetypal Lakeland scene than a Bluebell Wood, only enhanced by a waft of the wonderful scent these flowers give off.

No.7 Coot displaying
Although not scarce, Coot are wonderful value, always displaying, chasing each other or fighting over something or other. This display pose immediately preceded such a chase and fight.

No.6 Goldfinch
A frequent visitor to my garden, Goldfinch are a bird I always enjoy seeing.

No.5 Chaffinch
This particular Chaffinch was collecting insects along the banks of the River Kent, presumably to feed a nearby brood. It was also surprisingly confiding, often coming so close that I could not focus on it as it worked its way along the river.

No.4 Pied Wagtail
I always think these are rather smart and dapper little birds. On this occasion very much in its environment.

No.3 Red Squirrel
Red Squirrel are always going to score high on cute alone, this one is no exception.

No.2 Coot
The light reflecting off the water was illuminating this Coot beautifully when a gust of wind put it off balance and ruffled its feathers - literally.

No.1 Red Squirrel
My number one for 2013 is another Red Squirrel, again full on cute, but this time scurrying up a tree trunk. Just a Squirrel doing what Squirrels do.

River Kent

2013-05-28T12:42:00.000+01:00

Had a couple of visits down to the River Kent over the last week, trying out a couple of different areas.
Click on the photos or here for larger versions and more photos.

First up a Blackbird on what I thought a rather attractive perch as I walked through the fields adjacent the river.

And while we are on attractive perches this rock isn't bad either, so a Grey Wagtail dropping in on it was very much welcome.

Grey Wagtail were one of the birds I was after, and more of them later (oops spoiler...) but I just won't ever say no to a Dipper.

As I moved through a small wooded section above the river bank an arboreal Grey Wagtail caught my attention, I was quite surprised how much time they spent in the trees.

Followed by another Grey Wagtail in a more traditional setting.

A common Sandpiper dropped in as I came down towards a beach on the river. Another minute later and I'd have been settled down and in position, but as I sat down quietly where I was it didn't seem overly concerned by my presence, feeding as it worked its along the bank.

Settled into this area now I had an excellent Dipper encounter, with a juvenile and then an adult coming in to join it.
It would appear the juvenile is capable of hunting for itself though.

A couple of birds that aren't maybe so typically associated with a river bank were a Robin which regularly dropped down from the nearby trees - mostly to drink I thought although with food here.
And an extraordinary chaffinch which not only behaved just like a Wagtail, working the river bank for insects, but actively sought my company as I tried out different parts of the river bank, often coming too close to photograph, sometimes as close as within 12". I've known Chaffinch to be confiding at a picnic site or perhaps an outdoor cafe, but there was no such thing here, and this bird actively came to me rather than simply tolerating my presence.

Back to the more usual fare with some more Wagtails, both Pied & Grey.

And one more of the Dipper family to finish with.

Weekend photos

2013-04-21T21:05:00.000+01:00

Just a bunch of bits and bobs over the weekend.
As usual click on the photos or here for larger versions and more photos.

I spent some time by the Kent at the bottom of Sedgwick Saturday afternoon. Settled in by the river I had a couple of Pied Wagtail come in nice and close.

After enjoying the Wagtails for a while I moved up from the river bank into the field, initially spotting a pair of Blackcap that did a disappearing act on me before I could get anywhere near a photo, but I did get a Willow Warbler in the same bush.

I then turned my attention to the skies with a mixed hirundine flock, first of the season so shaking off the rust a little - especially the House Martin but as I had the full set I wanted to include it anyway.

I then picked up an early Swift among the hirundines, it was only a couple of weeks ago I was taking photo's of Fieldfare & Redwing just a couple of hundred yards away from this spot.

Sunday morning I saw a Siskin on the feeders again with the Goldfinches, so while the weather stayed dry I decided to see if I could get a photo of one. I had a few practice runs with a Goldfinch, but the weather turned decidedly damp before the Siskin showed again.

A thrush sort of a day

2013-04-06T22:52:00.000+01:00

I had a thrush sort of a day yesterday.

I glimpsed, or at least I thought did, a Siskin (not a thrush I know) on the feeders in the garden. I grabbed my camera and settled down in the car on the drive to see if I could get a shot of it. All I got in half an hour was a Blackbird, so I decided now that I had my camera out that I'd have a look at Sizergh, see what was about in the car park.

Blackbird in the garden

In the event I never made it to Sizergh as I bumped into Fred Gould on route, scanning a field which as it turned out was full of thrushes. I stopped for a bit of a catch up with Fred and the thrushes seemed quite unfussed about our presence, if anything coming closer as we chatted, so I grabbed my camera and settled down for some photography with the Thrushes. They were mostly Fieldfare with a couple of Redwing and the occasional Mistle Thrush thrown in. I really noticed how variably marked the Fieldfare were, with some well coloured and marked individuals, presumably coming into breeding plumage, while others were quite pale and less marked in what I took to be first winter plumage.

Fieldfare showing the variation in plumage

Redwing and Mistle Thrush remained a little more distant.

Click on the images or here for more and larger photos.

Red Squirrels

2013-04-01T21:45:00.000+01:00

Spent a very pleasurable, if somewhat fresh, couple of hours with the Red Squirrels at Shap Wells this afternoon.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Favourites of 2012

2013-01-04T19:39:00.000+00:00

As is traditional at this time of year I have spent a little time looking back at the images of the last 12 months.

To be honest birding and photography took something of a back seat to family during large parts of 2012, as is evident by some large gaps in between blog postings. I apologise for the gaps in my blog, but not for prioritising my young family who are the most important thing in my life. That doesn't in any way mean I'm giving up my interest in wildlife, just that I need to work out better & smarter ways to combine these two aspects of my life.

Despite the limitations on my time, and for that matter those imposed by the weather, there have been some nice images through the year. Here, in no particular order are 12 of my favourite from 2012.

A group of Pink-footed Geese that were associating with some of the astonishing numbers of White-fronted Geese in the county in the early part of the year. While I did get some photographs of the White-fronts they weren't quite as co-operative somehow, and most of the images are what I consider record shots.

I also spent some time in the early part of the year photographing Hawfinch, along with a few of their woodland compatriots. The background is maybe not quite as clean as I'd like, but the interaction here gets me every time.

Again an image containing a slightly messy element - there are a couple of twigs that I might have preferred not to be there, but hey there's a bit of nature in the raw for you and I'm not going to change it.

One particular early June day provided me with what may just rank as my favourite Warbler encounter, simply a pair of Willow Warbler that paid me absolutely no heed as they went about their days work.

I also spent a fair bit of time on the River Kent this year, photographing Dippers, Sandpipers and Wagtails. This brace of Wagtails are my favourite from the time spent alongside the River Kent

Those who know me won't be surprised that I spent some quality time with the Swallows & Martins when they returned from their winter sojourn in climes somewhat warmer than ours.

Can't go wrong with a Marsh Harrier and a nice bit of habitat to boot.

Heron on a wall, a very nice wall it is too

And finally a Kingfisher, for once when I had my camera with me.

For a larger versions of any of the above, plus the rest of my top 40 of 2012 click here

Kingfisher

2012-10-12T23:18:00.000+01:00

Enticed by reports of Otter showing well I donned my wellies and made a couple of visits to Leighton Moss last weekend, catching the last hour or so of light both Friday & Saturday.
I stopped in briefly at Lillians hide, grabbed a few shots of a young Little Grebe and some Coot before Paddling on down to Public Hide

I settled in to Public Hide hoping for the Otters that had been reported as showing well. Instead I got a pair of Mute Swans & a small group of Coot. Little Egrets started to drift in to roost in one of the trees at the back.

The light, which for the most part wasn't fantastic anyway due to the level of cloud cover, was starting to go when a Kingfisher flew by. Just too fast, I couldn't get on it, but at least it was nice to see & gave me incentive to hold out for a little while longer. And that turned out to be a good thing, because I was already watching the flight path from last time when it flew the same route again, this time I got a couple of shots away as it flew past. Not the most technically brilliant images I've ever taken I will admit, but hey flight shots of a kingfisher I was happy. A quick scan along the reed edges showed where it had perched. A good distance away, but I managed a couple of shots before it moved on again.

Having bagged a few shots it was time to go home, but next day the light was beautiful & golden, so I made a return visit. The Swans were again present, accompanied by a couple of Cormorant, with Mallard & Moorhen supporting. All looking magnificent in the late honeyed light.

Unfortunately I didn't see the Kingfishers on Saturday in that sweet light apart from one brief flight view right over the over the side of the water, and I never saw the Otters at all. There's always next time though.

Click on any of the photos above or here for more photos and larger versions

River Kent

2012-09-28T16:02:00.000+01:00

Just a few more photos from the river Kent at the weekend.

Click on any of the photos below or here for more photos and larger versions.

Goosander

2012-09-25T22:19:00.000+01:00

After a few weeks tied up with things at home and generally not too much good weather I finally got out with the camera to spend a few hours on the river at the weekend. A group of half a dozen Goosander were hanging around for a while.

Click on any of the photos below or here for more photos and larger versions.

Swallows over the Canal

2012-08-16T22:14:00.000+01:00

Spent the last hour of sunlight yesterday at Crooklands by the Canal.
There don't seem to be as many Swallows there this year as there have been in the past ?

Click on any of the photos below or here for more photos and larger versions.

Bumble Bees

2012-08-05T20:53:00.000+01:00

Just a couple of shots of (Red-tailed ?)Bumble Bees in the garden this afternoon.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions.

Nuthatches on Helsington Barrows

2012-07-21T15:16:00.000+01:00

Spent a couple of hours up on Helsington Barrows yesterday. It was nice to get out in the sun for a while, although the birding was quiet - as you might perhaps expect at this time of year.

Saw Great Spotted Woodpecker, a couple of Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Raven, Wren, Robin, but only got any shots of Nuthatch, a small group of which came out to play for a bit.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Marsh Harrier

2012-07-01T18:53:00.000+01:00

Just a few photos of Marsh Harriers at Leighton Moss yesterday.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Helsington Barrows for a Redstart

2012-06-05T19:25:00.000+01:00

Back up to Helsington Barrows yesterday morning, armed with the location a Redstart had been the previous day. Got up to the top and could hear it for sure, but it wasn't for showing itself. After a while some dog walkers came by and the bird went quiet.
Had a walk out onto Scout Scar, and got some photos of a Meadow Pipit, also had a probable Tree Pipit a little further away - it was getting a bit to hazy to be 100% sure though.
Walked back in to the reserve and after a little time watching the tree tops picked the Restart out, and got a rather dodgy photo, again affected by the heat haze.
Grabbed a shot of a rather confiding Crow on the way back down.
Was tempted to go looking for a Green Woodpecker that was calling, but the heat haze was getting too bad & I was already ate for a jubilee party...

Click on the photos for larger versions

Willow Warblers

2012-06-03T17:32:00.000+01:00

Another visit to Helsington Barrows yesterday afternoon, which was quite frustrating until a very co-operative pair of Willow Warblers saved the day.

Down by the bottom entrance the Nuthatches had fledged and were visible, but would not sit and pose. I did manage to grab a couple of shots of a Song Thrush though. Working across the bottom of the reserve Great Spotted Woodpecker & Jay were also both seen but not photographable. Then a Kestrel did a very good impression of a Cuckoo flying away from me.
Spent a long time stood next to a Yew tree that clearly had Goldcrest in it, but it just wouldn't come out for me either. Plenty of newly fledged Tits in evidence. A couple of Spotted Flycatcher were seen at the top, but again no photo to be had. Then I found a pair of Willow Warbler that were practically oblivious to my presence, and finally got some photos before being further frustrated by Green Woodpecker calling all around me on the way back down.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Helsington Barrows

2012-05-31T14:34:00.002+01:00

Spent a couple of hours exploring Helsington Barrows yesterday evening.
Nuthatch feeding young - when I realised I was near the nest site I grabbed a couple of shots of the parent & young and then left them to it, although given the location of the nest I don't think they are too bothered about disturbance.
Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker & Great-spotted Woodpecker calling, but none of these were seen.
Marsh Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Wren, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush & Song Thrush all present.
No luck with Redstart as yet though.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Helsington Weir

2012-05-29T21:13:00.000+01:00

Made a couple of visits with camera to Helsington Weir over the last couple of days, pretty much a selection of Hirundines, Swifts, Pied Wagtail and the occasional Grey Wagtail with one Dipper through.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

An hour by the Canal

2012-05-12T21:48:00.000+01:00

I spent a pleasant hour with the camera by the canal at Crooklands this evening. The usual mix of Swallows & the odd House Martin although numbers fairly low yet, Mute Swan, Mallard, Jackdaw, Chaffinch & House Sparrow all around and about.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Pied Wagtails

2012-04-16T22:36:00.000+01:00

Made a brief visit to the River Kent after work today.
Pied Wagtail were the star turn showing really well at close range, with a supporting cast of 2x Common Sandpiper, Grey Wagtail, Dipper, Swallow.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Common Sandpiper

2012-04-14T14:29:00.000+01:00

Brief visit to the River Kent yesterday picked up a Common Sandpiper working the river edges. Grey & Pied Wagtail also present.

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Grey Wagtails

2012-04-06T21:02:00.000+01:00

I had an afternoon to myself today so I took the opportunity to get out with the camera, and headed for the river Kent to explore for good places to photograph Grey Wagtails. After half an hours walk I found a likely place and set up, struck lucky almost straight away, don't you love those days.
When I got home some of the photos show the bird with prey items in it's beak, any ideas what they are ?

Click on any of the photos below or here for larger versions and more photos.

Sizergh Woodland Birds

2012-03-02T20:01:00.000+00:00

Here's a few shots of the other birds that were knocking about at Sizergh last weekend when I went for Hawfinch.

Click on the photos or here for larger versions and more photos