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UK Bird Pics Winter 2018/19
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Black Redstart, Ferrybridge, Dorset
23 March 2019
Imagine my surprise when we spotted this beauty hopping around
the car park almost immediately after driving in for a speculative
visit. In the morning, the weather was very dull and it even
started raining. It was even more surprising the bird was still
present in the afternoon after we'd walked round Portland Bill.
This time the weather was brighter and I got this shot very
soon after arriving (for the second time).
Click to enlarge
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Black Redstart, Ferrybridge, Dorset
23 March 2019
Another photo showing the back and tail a little better
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Black Redstart, Ferrybridge, Dorset
23 March 2019
The view from behind, albeit from slightly further away.
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Lesser Yellowlegs, Lodmoor, Dorset
23 March 2019
During our stay in Weymouth, I'd popped in to look for this
rarity a couple of time previously. Both times it was showing very
well from the western track but the conditions were extremely
dull.
So on the last afternoon, I tried again after the
Black Redstart (above) and again found the "legs" almost
immediately on arrival. This time my photos benefitted from the
slightly brighter conditions, with the yellow legs particularly
prominent!
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Lesser Yellowlegs, Lodmoor, Dorset
23 March 2019
Another photo of the bird - more in the water this time.
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Lesser Yellowlegs, Lodmoor, Dorset
23 March 2019
Another photo - on dry land!
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Lesser Yellowlegs and Ruff, Lodmoor, Dorset
22 March 2019
The "legs" seemed to be associating with this white Ruff for
my earlier visits, when it was quite dull.
This is probably
my most interesting shot, showing both of them together, with
their almost perfect reflections an added bonus!
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Ruff, Lodmoor, Dorset
21 March 2019
This white Ruff seemed to be associating with the Lesser
Yellowlegs - see also above!
The photo was taken in very
dull conditions. Hence the grey mud behind.
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Stonechat, Bury Down, Berks
21 February 2019
No
sign of my main target this afternoon, but in this Stonechat was
some compensation in the glorious light just before sunset.
Click to enlarge
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Waxwing, Crossgates, Leeds, West Yorkshire
5 January
2019
These birds weren't being very obliging and the light was truly awful! This
was the best I could do before it got dark. Always a nice bird to
see though. They don't often make it as far south as Oxfordshire,
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Mistle Thrush, Crossgates, Leeds, West Yorkshire
5
January 2019
I visited this area after Adel Dams (see below) to try to connect
with the Waxwings that had been reported. This humble thrush briefly made a good
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Jay, Adel Dam YWT, Leeds, West Yorkshire
5 January 2019
Note the distended crop - this bird had just swallowed at least
one large acorn!
I'd spotted Jay pics from this site
on-line, so took the chance to visit, for the first time, on a
weekend trip to see relatives nearby. Getting natural photos of
Jays at the first hide (away from the feeders) wasn't
easy here though - and this was my only worthwhile image during a
stay of over 2 hours. This small hide, and the whole reserve, was
very popular on this Saturday but the birds coming to the feeders
(Jays included) didn't seem too bothered.
The second hide is reputed to have
Kingfishers but I didn't get that far - as the Waxwings in nearby
Crossgates were calling (see above).
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Jay, Coate Water, Wiltshire
28 December 2018
Thanks to Brian Waller for providing me with info on this site,
and where best to see the Jays. Also thanks to Tony.
After
a fair wait, at least one came in! My first photos of this
normally very wary (and hence distant) species.
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Jay, Coate Water, Wiltshire
28 December 2018
Another image, this time one of the few I managed to get with an
acorn in the bill.
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Jay, Coate Water, Wiltshire
28
December 2018
Another shot!
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Water Rail, Coate Water, Wiltshire
28 December 2018
At least two of these normally very wary birds were pottering
around almost all the time!
This photo was taken as the
light was fading but the sun suddenly made a welcome appearance.
Click to enlarge |
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Coal Tit, Coate Water, Wiltshire
28 December 2018
These birds were very fast and difficult to photo.
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© All pictures copyright Stephen Burch |
