Birding on the Move

Work or not I'm always keep a record of the birds I see on my travels. One job before work is to top up the bird feeders. All the usual suspects were in attendance: Blackbird, Robin, Wood Pigeon, Jackdaw, Magpie, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Long-tailed Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Dunnock, Starling, House Sparrow, Collared Dove but unusually no Reed Bunting. Over the past month or so this list can be repeated on most days (probably everyday if I had the chance to watch rather than go to work).

I had 15 minutes to spare on my way to work so I called into Riverside Pond in Priory Country Park. The list there was Cormorant, Grey Heron, Canada Geese, Moorhen, Black Headed Gull, Mute Swan & Mallard. Also some common songbirds. Off to work and past the Rooks that can always be found by the A421 Roundabout at Renhold.

On arrival at work there was just time to grab the camera to get this image of a House Sparrow.

Unfortunately I don't have a good view of the garden at work (well any view really) but did see a black and white flash in the orchard as I arrived. A quick scope around the trees and I soon picked up the unmistakeable red mark of  the Great Spotted Woodpecker, a first for work.

After work at this time of the year there is just enough time to drop into a local spot to clock some birds. I had read on the Beds Birds Message Board that a Stonechat was in residence at Fenlake Meadows so went in search of it. Fenlake Meadows are a series of water meadows next to the Great Ouse and at this time of the year they are very wet. My first mistake therefore was not taking the Wellington boots! Stonechats are not a common bird in these parts so the wet feet were a small price to pay as the bird was just where described. No chance for photography as it was already getting dark but I did get some general views of the area.

The Great Ouse From Fenlake Meadows

Fenlake

Fading Light

In the "lake" (a small depression in the meadow) was a Grey Heron, some Gadwall and Pochard, on the River Canada Geese, Moorhens, a Coot and Mallards. Fieldfare and Redwing were feeding on a wide swathe of grass which is managed and cut short next to the riverbank. I thought I'd spooked them as they took to the trees. It soon became apparent that my preasance was not their main concern as a Common Buzzard followed then in coming out empty handed. There were plenty of Corvids in the area too (Crows & Magpies) and Black-headed Gulls.

Grey Days

There's only one solution when you want to photograph birds in very poor light. Choose large white birds and hope they don't move too much as you'll probably be limited to a slow shutter speed and a high ISO too. Hence down to Bedford Embankment in the gloom to get some captures of the resident Feral Geese.

All a bit samey - pick your favourite

Back to the Grind

Work leaving just a small window to see some birds this morning before heading off to earn the proverbial crust. Popped into Riverside Pond which on 1st view looked very quiet with just a Black-headed Gull sitting on the post by the island. A Song Thrush was singing loudly and persistently from high in the trees on the north west side of the pond, it never moved and carried on singing the whole time I was there.

Five Drake and a couple Duck Mallards were by the footbridge and a Moorhen was flushed from the reeds on the far side. Once over the bridge a pair of Canada Geese came into view and a Grey Heron was sitting on the far bank. As I made my way down to where the brook empties into the river I heard the familiar chirp of a Kingfisher, it was easily located as it flashed over the pond passing under the footbridge as it headed upstream.

As I headed downstream a pair of swans came into view as they made their way towards the pond while the trees along this stretch cast a gold reflection on the water surface.

Time was now unfortunately against me so I hurried back to my car quickly scanning 100 acre on opposite bank of the Great Ouse. I only had time to make out large number of Canada Geese and Greylags with several Black-headed Gulls before heading off. On the path back one tree had 5 Great Tits squabbling and a several Long-tailed Tits sped from tree to tree.

After Shopping & Before The Rugby

A short time in the garden today didn't reveal anything out of the ordinary but the usual subjects posed in timely fashion. Here is a small selection:

House Sparrow

Starling

Starling

Goldfinch

 

Goldfinch

Woody

Woody

Light

As the majority of my photography is carried out before and after work I inevitably accumulate a lot of shots when the sun is low in the sky - especially at this time of the year.

BTW if you click on any of the images you will see a larger version. If you'd prefer there is a larger selection of pictures on my Flickr page

Morning Light

Evening Light

Riverside Pond

I called into Riverside Pond on my way to work this morning. Needless to say it was dull and raining and the only birds within shooting distance was a pair of Mute Swans. For such a small pond the bird list this morning was pretty impressive. Apart from the Swans I spied a pair of Canada Geese, two pairs of Gadwall, Mallards, Moorhens, Cormorant, Black-headed Gulls, a Greylag Goose and the sparking highlight as a Kingfisher sped down Riverside Brook. 

Pen Mute Swan

Cob Mute Swan

Collared Doves and Robins

Collared Doves and Robins are probably the most noticeable birds in my Cardington garden, this is probably because of the Robin's very distinctive song and the Collared Dove's constant call. Whereas the Robin has been a constant sight I am of the generation that remembers a time when Collared Doves were absent. I even remember thinking how "exotic" they seemed when I first began to see them!

These images were capture through my not so clean kitchen window.