Another bright, breezy if not completely sunny start today so once again I set off in a northerly direction. Well there are worse places to bird than Conder Green, I can assure you.
The sun wasn’t quite up so I had to use a less than ideal and "noisy" ISO800 to snap the Kingfisher again, either that or hope the bird might reappear in the bright sunshine which threatened. Often the Kingfisher is hard to find, especially once passing traffic starts and more people appear. The responses from around the globe to my Kingfisher pics invariably relate how members of the kingfisher family are shy the world over.
Kingfisher
When the Kingfisher sped off towards the road bridge it was “search for Little Grebes time” as they are often partially out of sight, tucked into the edges of the islands or at least one or two of them constantly diving for food. Just seven today makes me wonder about the turnover of birds and how many in total have passed through the site in recent weeks.
Little Grebe
Apart from the grebes the pool was pretty much deserted with Wigeon numbering just four on the pool although another 25 or more could be seen from the railway bridge. A single Cormorant, a lonely Little Egret and a few Teal completed the count on the pool. Luckily the creeks proved more rewarding with 2 Spotted Redshank, 18 Redshank, 3 Snipe, 3 Curlew , 40 Teal, 1 Goldeneye, 2 Pied Wagtail, 1 Grey Heron, 1 Grey Wagtail and the Kingfisher again.
Redshank
A Chiffchaff was along the old railway track together with a flock of 30 Goldfinches. Activity above came in the form of a Kestrel, a Sparrowhawk, and as the air warmed, a movement of Swallows numbering some 30+ birds flying determinedly south in loose twos, threes and fours.
There was another Chiffchaff at Glasson, this one making location easier by singing from the trees opposite the Victoria pub.
A quick count of the wildfowl, 25 Tufted Duck, 75 Coot, 1 Grey Heron and 1 Cormorant then it was home time.
Tufted Duck
No birding on Mondays for Another Bird Blog, but never fear, back soon.
Linking today to Stewart's Photo Gallery.
Linking today to Stewart's Photo Gallery.
HI Phil Well i saw a flash of a Kingfisher today!!! That photo you have on the poat today is stunning. Also saw a Little. Grebe but didn't get as good a shot as you. It was scurrying into the reeds! Better luck next time. Enjoyed your post.
ReplyDeletePhil, these are all wonderful birds. The kingfisher is one of my favorites and I love the Little Grebe and the Tufted Duck! Great outing and photos.
ReplyDeleteeach of these birds is delightful Phil. When away inland just recently, I saw one, but it was so far in the distance and preening and very hard to get a brief moment when it was still. My photos weren't at all good. I was planning to slowly walk a little closer but then a group of people walked up from behind me and headed in the direction of the kingfisher... They're very elusive birds, I get very excited the few times I've seen one and never close
ReplyDeleteOh yes, yes, yes, your Kingfisher images are quite the grand entries...every time, even on a bad weather day, I must say!
ReplyDeleteRed-backed Shrike for your blogger/banner/header is sensational Phil~
Oh, this is much nicer, Phil. I can look at your photos as I comment. The Kingfisher is lovely despite the light or lack of it, and the Little Grebe looks so sweet peering off to the right...I wonder what he sees. But the finest shot today has to be the Redshank. It would look wonderful framed in a warm dark grey colour, or maybe even black or white. The reflection in the water is lovely, and there's just a suggestion of his shadow behind him. A beautiful photo despite, or perhaps because of, its lack of bright colour.
ReplyDeleteAnd the Tufted Duck with its bright golden eye and saucy "hairdo" is priceless. I don't believe I've ever seen a duck like that.
I can only imagine what a flock of 30 Goldfinches must look like. Wonderful, I'm sure.
K
Kingfishers, Little Grebes and Tufted ducks are staples here too (Redshanks are a bit rare though).
ReplyDeleteYes they are completely shy. I often think why bother evolving all those colours if you can't realax and flaunt it?
Love the pose of the kingy, Phil, and I always admire the moss on the stones that really add to the framing. I think it's moss...a rare sight from growing up in sub-tropical oz.
ReplyDeleteBonitas capturas Phil.Un abrazo
ReplyDeleteThat kingfisher is so vibrant! Beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI love your birds, Phil! The kingfisher is SO colorful and beautiful! Thanks for sharing!!
ReplyDeleteKingfisher is fascinating with its colors and your photography is fascinating and excellent! ~ carol ^_^
ReplyDeleteWonderful birds and enviable counts (for most of us ordinary human beings))). Not only is " our" Kingfisher shy, but also it is much less colorful.
ReplyDeletedid not realize a kingfisher could be so colorful.
ReplyDeleteWould not even attempt to capture birds -so elusive! But the kingfisher image is very tempting -beautiful coat of feathers:)
ReplyDeleteReally like that Kingfisher shot, a bit different as normally they are clinging to a branch over the water.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful little kingfisher, and such a nice close-up photo.
ReplyDeleteLots of detail in that Kingfisher photo. I do not have much luck in low light situations. Nice set of photos!
ReplyDeleteDitto the comments above - a lovely series of captures Phil, especially that striking Kingfisher. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDeleteLove the close-up of the kingfisher. It makes me homesick for East Africa while I holiday in South Africa! I'm new to your blog but will continue to follow it. Regards Jo (East Africa)
ReplyDeleteHow nice it must be not to have to worry about that constant sun in the Greek sky! :)
ReplyDeleteThe new header image is a stunner! What a beauty that Shrike is!
Yes, I'm going along with your multitude of fans in praising the Kingfisher images!
Our Belted Kingfisher migrates north for the summer and a few are just now showing up to spend the winter with us.
I really enjoyed the post and summary of the bird counts.
Hope your week is off to a great start, Phil!
i love your european kingfishers!!!
ReplyDeleteHi Phil
ReplyDeleteMy first thought when you mentioned the high ISO was of the impending 6 months we are coming into when we have constant grey skies..... us UK photographers don't half suffer with the weather don't we..... lol
The kingfisher is beautiful but I especially like the redshank. You always seem to see a great number and variety of birds. I guess part of that is knowing where to look!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous series of photos. The little tufted duck is adorable, but the kingfisher tops the list for colour. Amazing how shy the kingfisher can be, yet its relative, the kookaburra, is far from shy in my world.
ReplyDeleteThat is the cutest kingfisher I have ever seen, such bright colours as well!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful birds! I love the kingfisher. It's a very handsome bird.
ReplyDeleteVery beautiful, special in his colors,Great shots
ReplyDelete