Oxon Bird Pics Spring/Summer 2010
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Ruff, Farmoor 21 August 2010
The complete opposite of the Kittiwake - very wary
indeed; one of two. This was the best I could do, with
all my stalking efforts failing miserably!
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Kittiwake (juv), Farmoor 21 August 2010
Very tame, and probably not too well?
Click on pic to enlarge.
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Kestrel, Berkshire Downs 8 August 2010
I managed to get quite close to this bird, by using
the lie of the land to good effect.
Click on pic to enlarge.
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Dunlin, Farmoor 7 August 2010
Taken in between heavy showers.
The male Redstart would have been a more exciting
subject, was not obliging at all.
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Mallard in the garden 19 July 2010
To our amazement, this duck nested in our garden,
which is almost a mile from the nearest water. After
about a month on the eggs, 11 ducklings hatched. This
photo was taken a day or so later, by which time they had
been reduced to 10.
After a few days, she led them under the back gate,
and away... It could have been interesting to have
followed them, but we weren't around when the left.
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Mallard in the garden 19 July 2010
The family enjoyed the bird bath, which we moved round
for their convenience! Also later the childrens' old
paddling pool proved equally popular and somewhat more
spacious.
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Yellow Wagtail, Downs 16 May 2010
A very yellow picture of a Yellow Wagtail in a field
of oil seed rape!
Another pic taken out on a walk, with my 'reserve'
gear - EOS350D & 400mmf5.6.
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Reed Bunting, Otmoor 15 May 2010
A very approachable bird singing by the path to the
first blind. I suspect it has become reasonably used to
the constant stream of people passing close by!
Click pic to enlarge.
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Sparrowhawk, Home. 27 April 2010
This splendid male is unfortunately decimating the
bird population in our garden, with three kills in just
the last few days. We think this was an unfortunate juv
Blackbird, as was the previous corpse!
Taken at dusk with a shutter time of 1/40sec -
handheld but resting the lens on the window frame.
Click pic to enlarge.
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Sparrowhawk, Home. 27 April 2010
Nature in the raw!
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Whitethroat, Berkshire Downs 25 April 2010
My first of the year - taken with the 'reserve' gear -
the more portable EOS350D & 400mmf5.6.
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Grasshopper Warbler, Pinkhill, Farmoor 24 April
2010
The word soon got around that there was a showy
Gropper round the back of Pinkhill this morning. Not easy
to get unobstructed photos, though.
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Grasshopper Warbler, Pinkhill, Farmoor 24 April
2010
Out in the open, but less contrast and not as sharp.
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Little Gull, Farmoor 24 April 2010
From the causeway, early on. This one even settled on
the causeway briefly. Later there was the splendid sight
of 14-15 all together over F1.
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White Wagtail, Farmoor 24 April 2010
More obliging than usual. Only one on the causeway
today, and I saw no Yellow Wags.
Click on pic to enlarge.
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Coot, Pinkhill, Farmoor 17 April 2010
A very quiet day at the reservoir today - the weather
was too good. I was reduced to photographing this Coot!
Note the intent expression - it is about the pick the
tiny fly off the side of the post!
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Barn Owl, Shrike Meadow, Farmoor 10 April 2010
Hunting in broad daylight, well into the morning.
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Barn Owl, Shrike Meadow, Farmoor 10 April 2010
More hunting.
Click pic to enlarge.
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Barn Owl, Pinkhill, Farmoor 10 April 2010
Somewhat later from the hide at Pinkhill... Success at
last!
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Oystercatcher, Farmoor 27 March 2010
A wary bird on the causeway early on today.
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© All pictures copyright Stephen Burch |