Just Wild Images by Will Bowell

Farnes 3rd - 4th July 2011

2011-07-05T17:00:00.001+01:00

A week off and a good weather forecast early on, meant a couple of days getting sun burnt on the Farnes was in order. Bad swell and mist meant the first day wasn't the most successful, but still resulted in 100's of photos and Matt seemingly getting island fever. The second day was better with landing on both islands and full sun and more island fever for Matt.

Everybody loves Puffins

2011-07-05T16:59:00.007+01:00

May just be static shots of soft targets, but still great to get.

2011-07-05T16:58:00.000+01:00

Perhaps I need to go back early on in the season to get more displaying shots?

Around the islands

2011-07-05T16:57:00.004+01:00

Some of the sights from around the islands, including Grace Darling's Lighthouse.

Grey Seals

2011-07-05T16:56:00.004+01:00

Always a crowd pleaser. Not sure the animals appreciate the constant disturbance, though they must be used to it by now...

Guillemots

2011-07-05T16:55:00.001+01:00

Famously named after the band of the same name...

Shags

2011-07-05T16:54:00.001+01:00

Past their best.

Arctic Terns

2011-07-05T16:53:00.004+01:00

Great birds, full of attitude.

Arctic Tern attacks

2011-07-05T16:52:00.004+01:00

The usual head bashing on Inner Farne was as entertaining as per usual.

Sandwich Terns

2011-07-05T16:51:00.004+01:00

Last time I visited I didn't take a single shot of this species, which is surprising considering how few images I have in my library. I seemed to think they just didn't come close enough as they flew to their colony. I was completely wrong of course and this time spent a large amount of time taking photos as they flew in and out with fish.

Common Tern

2011-07-05T16:50:00.001+01:00

Another species I ignored last time, due to how many I get around here. However, the photo opportunities on the Farnes are ace.

Tern fights

2011-07-05T16:49:00.003+01:00

Although Arctic Terns were the most aggressive towards Humanoids, Common Terns were the most aggressive toward other Tern species. Unfortunately I never completely got the shots I was after but there is always next time.

Awww...

2011-07-05T16:47:00.001+01:00

Several Puffin chicks emerged from their burrows while we were there. This one got lost and had to released on the sea by a warden on Staple Island.

Norfolk Dragonfly action

2011-06-26T10:39:00.001+01:00

Spent the day around the Norfolk broads with Kev Du Rose. Being the first hot, sunny day in a while, everywhere was hooching with Dragonflies. Our first site secured us excellent views of Downy Emeralds though they just never landed for photos.

In the afternoon we moved on to find Norfolk Hawkers and Swallowtail Butterfly- just one of the latter made an appearance but the Hawkers put on a fine display (bottom two photos). Also seen were several Four-spotted Chasers (top photo) and Scarce Chasers (second photo).

Night Heron

2011-06-12T15:25:00.004+01:00

An excellent find for Bob Titman at Bainton GP this morning, Mike Weedon and I were quick on the scene and enjoyed a couple of hours trying to get prelonged views of this bird as it fed along the Maxey Cut. These shots are just grab shots taken in the pouring rain.

My 227th species in the PBC area (I think!) and my 205th in the Deepings area.

White-throated Robin

2011-06-08T18:23:00.004+01:00

When a bird hits the national news in such a big way, you know you should probably go for it before your non birding friends and family start asking you embarrassing questions like "Have you been for that Robin in Hartlepool?"

To avoid such questions Kev Du Rose and I made our way to the White-throated Robin this morning and joined the elbowing crowds on a small balcony over looking a garden. The views were okay but hardly enjoyable.

Sitting it out for the early part of the afternoon by the bowling green proofed hugely rewarding though with views of the bird down to four metres and at times crowds down to four as well (which for a third for Britain on the mainland on it's third day, is pretty exceptional!).

Considering the effort I made when in Turkey, back in the day, to see this species it was amazing to see it wandering about under cars on Olive Street!

Gannet

2011-05-30T21:56:00.003+01:00

Will have to give Bempton a couple of visits in the next month, maybe even return to the Farnes...

Whinchat

2011-05-30T21:52:00.003+01:00

Found this on Deeping Highbank, Lincs on the 8th May. Remarkably this appears to be the only Whinchat recorded in the Peterborough area this spring. If only I had got out of bed an hour earlier I might even have seen the White-tailed Eagle which apparently flew over an hour previous to me finding this bird.

BBC2

2011-05-02T20:44:00.002+01:00

This emerging Broad-bodied Chaser is the offspring from last years single visit from a female. At least four have emerged so far, with one not surviving the whole process.

Godzilla!

2011-04-20T20:31:00.001+01:00

Underwater photography isn't easy from over water. This female Great-crested Newt was laying eggs on water solider in my pond. However, I am yet to see the male...

Rock Star

2011-01-03T20:34:00.003Z

American Green Heron in Kernow

2010-11-03T20:26:00.001Z

Taken on the back of the twitch for the American Bittern also in Cornwall, with Josh Jones and Oliver Metcalf. This was my third in Britain and as ever a great bird.

Alder Flycatcher

2010-10-01T19:27:00.003+01:00

Well where else could be better for a stroll, than Blakeney Point on a Sunday afternoon in gale force winds, rain that bounces two feet into the air when it hits the shingle which are constantly struggling to walk in....???

Red-backed Shrike

2010-08-31T12:42:00.003+01:00

This female Red-backed Shrike was reportedly showing well in Bedfordshire over the weekend so Matt and I paid a visit. Unfortunately it kept it's distance whilst we were there and the backgrounds were often less than ideal (railway), still good to be out with the camera for a change.

The BBC....

2010-06-06T19:31:00.003+01:00

A female Broad-bodied Chaser resting after laying eggs in our pond...

Lesvos, Greece. 29th April- 6th May 2010

2010-05-14T22:55:00.000+01:00

Spring migrants were plentiful on arrival at this Mediterranean migration hotspot. A huge influx of marsh Terns resulted in good numbers of White-winged Black and Whiskered hanging on for much of the week. Wader passage picked up nicely towards the end of the week and it was pleasure to find random migrants scattered around the west end at the beginning of the week. Unfortunately it seemed much of the spring flowers were over but insects such as Dragonflies increased daily. Shall definitely be going back.

Terek Sandpiper- 5th for Lesvos

2010-05-14T13:59:00.000+01:00

Great luck meant we got our bags and hire car extremely quickly on our arrival on the afternoon of the 29th April. After quickly checking into our hotel we headed straight down the Kalloni Saltpans where we found Lesvos' fifth ever Terek Sandpiper.

Whiskered Tern overload

2010-05-14T13:58:00.000+01:00

Whiskered Terns were everywhere in the first few days so we took too many photos so undoubtedly I have missed a crippling shot on my memory card somewhere.

Rufous-tailed Bush Robin

2010-05-14T13:45:00.003+01:00

We found a few of these gorgeous birds during the week.

Kruper's Nuthatch

2010-05-14T13:15:00.000+01:00

Masked Shrike

2010-05-14T13:14:00.000+01:00

This bird went for the Kruper's Nuthatch several times during our two visits.

White-winged Black Tern

2010-05-14T13:10:00.000+01:00

Really hard to photograph- but stunning!

Crag Martin

2010-05-14T13:07:00.000+01:00

Eastern Olivaceous Warblers

2010-05-14T13:03:00.000+01:00

Very common with the odd bird showing well.

Collared Flycatcher

2010-05-14T13:02:00.001+01:00

These were not as scarce as I imagined there would be on Lesvos. The males were truely stunning.

Little Crake

2010-05-14T13:01:00.000+01:00

What a stunning bird.

Red-backed Shrikes

2010-05-14T12:59:00.000+01:00

Squacco Heron

2010-05-14T12:57:00.001+01:00

Black-winged Stilt

2010-05-14T12:56:00.000+01:00

Glossy Ibis

2010-05-14T12:55:00.001+01:00

A flock was regularly seen on the floods around the Saltpans.

Kentish Plover

2010-05-14T12:54:00.000+01:00

Garganey flock

2010-05-14T12:53:00.000+01:00

Common Tern

2010-05-14T12:52:00.000+01:00

Could have been at Baston & Langtoft Pits...

Little Bittern

2010-05-14T12:51:00.001+01:00

Something a bit different to just standard static shots...

Wood Sandpiper

2010-05-14T12:50:00.001+01:00

A common wader on Lesvos in spring.

Little Ringed Plover

2010-05-14T12:49:00.000+01:00

Storks

2010-05-14T12:48:00.002+01:00

Black Storks were regular in small numbers around the saltpans and a single White Stork was seen most days on the floods nearby.

Minx

2010-05-14T12:47:00.000+01:00

On the last few days good numbers of these Temminck's Stints turned up with Little Stints.

Little Stint

2010-05-14T12:46:00.000+01:00

Cirl Bunting

2010-05-14T12:45:00.000+01:00

Corn Bunting

2010-05-14T12:44:00.000+01:00

Lesser Kestrel

2010-05-14T12:43:00.000+01:00

Oriental Pratincole, Frampton Marsh, 11.05.10

2010-05-11T20:53:00.004+01:00

A stunning bird for Lincs. Thankfully the views were much improved on Sunday's visit, though cold winds, cloud and heat shimmer still made things hard. Ta to Mike Weedon for the lift today and Chris Orders on Sunday.

Little Gull at Ferry Meadows

2010-04-25T21:49:00.002+01:00

This graceful beauty was floating briefly above the Watersports lake at Ferry Meadows, Peterborough this morning.

Just add water...

2010-03-19T13:52:00.004Z

This is our new garden pond, which I first started digging in the autumn last year.

Back in 2008 a couple of mates dug out a small pond in the same site, unfortunately this dried up last summer so I took the opportunity to expand and improve it. Learning from mistakes made the first time round, I hope this pond will be more enduring and attractive to the local wildlife.

As you can see there are two parts to our pond, a small pebble lined pool and a large deeper pool. The former will remain plant free and hopefully ideal for birds to bath and drink from. Already up to 20 individuals use it at any one time.

The deeper pool has very few plants in it at the moment (waiting for the garden centres to restock for the summer!) but these have been kindly donated by Kevin Du Rose and Mike Weedon. Over the coming months I will hopefully lightly stock the pond with a few water lillys and water soldiers.

Already up to 18 Frogs are in the pond, with lots of croaking and chasing going on, so hopefully a bit of frogspawn will be produced soon. Smooth Newts are also back, though I am not sure how successful they will be in breeding this year.

Hopefully this site will produce plenty of photos for my blog in the future.

Goosander in Wales

2010-03-15T18:54:00.002Z

Ta to Kev Joynes for getting us onto these birds.

Glaucous Gull

2010-03-15T18:52:00.003Z

Juvenile at Sherringham, Norfolk.

Red Kites

2010-03-15T18:07:00.002Z

An afternoon spent at Gigrin Farm in deepest Wales early last week was pretty productive though the Black Kite only came in when the food had all gone.

I warned you, the white one was evil....

2010-03-10T12:29:00.005Z

This (not so) Blackbird arrived in our garden yesterday. It is quite interesting to watch it's different behaviour to the other Blackbirds. Unfortunately, this different behaviour includes being ultra wary of humanoids and other birds making it hard to get any photos. Hopefully I will get some more over the next few days.

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xsqFqaBNqkc - where the title comes from)

Snow Buntings at Salthouse

2010-02-28T14:47:00.004Z

Will go back on a sunnier day.

Camargue area, 8-14/2

2010-02-16T19:28:00.005Z

A week in southern France in the company of Kevin Du Rose, Graham Catley and John Wright wasn't especially productive for photos though some excellent birds were seen. The weather was perhaps to blame for the lack of photo opportunities with strong, icy winds being uncomfortable conditions for both us and the birds.

Wallcreeper at Les Baux

2010-02-16T19:27:00.007Z

Perhaps should have taken more of these as the rest of the lads got some alright shots of this rather special bird wintering at Les Baux. There only appeared to be one present and it was rather mobile and I was never in the right place at the right time to really nail it unfortunately. The strong wind on top of Les Baux meant that all the Alpine Accentors were sheltering in impossible to reach places so didn't even get any shots of these usually soft targets.

Greater Flamingo shapes

2010-02-16T19:26:00.001Z

I had never seen Flamingos display before and it was quite an impressive sight but it was incredibly hard to get a good composition out of.

Slender-billed Gull

2010-02-16T19:25:00.001Z

Saw a few of these during the week but couldn't do any damage until the last day when the sun came out and the wind dropped. Amazing how the different light condtions affect how pink the birds look.

2010-02-16T19:24:00.002Z

A worn first winter- very tame.

Cattle Egret

2010-02-16T19:23:00.001Z

Black-necked Grebes

2010-02-16T19:22:00.001Z

Common Buzzard

2010-02-16T19:21:00.001Z

Last one from Camargue- Buzzard in the rain.

Redwing

2010-01-09T20:42:00.001Z

Black Redstart

2010-01-04T18:00:00.001Z

The Eyebrook Bittern showed immediately on arrival this morning but a Grey Heron forced it into hiding and with my toes nearly falling off I decided to head to Exton instead for the Black Redstart. Between hiding in warm barns this stunning male showed rather well, allowing for some nice photos in the snow.

Freezing Pewits

2009-12-28T17:52:00.000Z

Two Deepings firsts

2009-10-12T11:24:00.000+01:00

A lucky break today when Kev Du Rose and I found Deeping's first Yellow-browed Warbler at Deeping Lakes this afternoon. See Kev's shots here.

Whilst waiting for better views, we got news that the Glossy Ibis was back at Maxey Gravel Pits. We enjoyed lovely views of the Ibis in the excellent light until it eventually flew off south.

Yellow-legged Gull

2009-09-07T19:21:00.001+01:00

Black Terns

2009-08-24T18:37:00.001+01:00

Been ages since I went out with the camera, so yesterday morning's excursion to Snettisham was more than a little bit disappointing when I failed to get a single decent shot. However the day was saved when a chance visit to Deeping Lakes produced six Black Terns. Our patience was eventually rewarded with some half decent shots.

Banded Demoiselle

2009-07-10T18:55:00.001+01:00

Sparrowhawk

2009-07-10T18:52:00.000+01:00

This male Sparrowhawk caught a juvenile House Sparrow outside my house, just after a recent heavy rain storm. Unfortunately it didn't stay for the sun.

Something for the weekend...

2009-06-26T19:49:00.001+01:00

Eye to eyes.

Farnes 21-22/6

2009-06-23T21:19:00.001+01:00

In need of some shots, finally made the effort to go to the Farne Islands in Northumberland on Sunday morning, for two days with John Wright and Kev Du Rose. Nothing really prepares you for the sights, sounds and smells of the Farnes nor the endless photo opportunities. It's fair to say we mainly targeted Puffins for photos, though a few pot shots of other species were taken when the opportunity presented itself. A very small selection of the thousands of photos taken can be found below.

Arctic Terns

2009-06-23T21:13:00.001+01:00

One of the most remarkable birds on earth- the tiny chick and chick coming out of the egg in the second picture have (hopefully) got quite a life ahead of them!

Puffins

2009-06-23T20:52:00.002+01:00

They might be standard shots- but you still want to get them when you go.

Puffins in flight

2009-06-23T20:30:00.001+01:00

Puffin flight photography proved to be rather addictive and I ended up with over a thousand images of these great birds in flight over the two days, and hardly any shots of anything else!

Terek Sandpiper

2009-06-18T18:16:00.000+01:00

Last night, having come home from work and had a bite to eat, I casually checked the pager to see a Terek Sand had been found at Gib (presumably the Cleveland bird?) during the afternoon. I nearly didn't bother going as I was rather tired but then after speaking to Jones, I decided I would probably be just as tired the next evening so decided to just go (unfortunately Josh was working). Thankfully it was still present when I arrived at 19.45 and gradually got closer to the hide. Even better there was no elbowing crowd at this lifer, with just a two of us present- if only it was always like that.

Peregrine

2009-06-16T20:27:00.001+01:00

Lessons have been learnt for next season about these birds but perhaps it's not over this year yet...

Black-tailed Godwits

2009-06-15T15:54:00.000+01:00