JWBirdPhotography

Whats that phrase? .....

2009-06-04T13:15:00.000-07:00

Oh yeh, Fail to prepair, prepair to fail! Well over the easter break i went away and of course took ye olde camera, but failed to put in the charger for the camera oh and i completly forgot to charge the batterys before i travelled! But and this is a but!...... I went away during whit - week (Apologies for spelling) and remerbered to charge everything and managed some photos! Which i am processing very slowly! They will appear here sometime in the next week or so! I tell you what i got a couple of lifers while i was away!! Black Gulliemot and Siberian Stonechat. But pictures paint a thousand words!! They will be here soon keep coming back and checking!

Thanks all

Easter Birding

2009-04-07T09:41:00.000-07:00

Half Term and holidays seem to be the only time i can get out and about, and now the easter hols are here i will be going out! As of next week i will be in Wales so hopfully i can get some good hours in and get some year tick and maybe even life ticks!! Im hoping to get the Porthmadog Ospreys again like last year! And with a new camera lets see if cant make those shots better!!

Lets go birding!

15 for the year and 1 for the life!! What a day!

2009-02-19T11:28:00.000-08:00

Well.... After my day out on Monday was canceled by other things today was the only other available day to get in some decent birding! So off we went to Venus Pool basicly only in search of the Bittern and Water Rail for the only reason i wanted them for the year list to try and bump it up a bit!! So with out further ado...........

First off onto the list was Mute Swan ticked just before the turning for the road leading upto Venus Pool, note alot to note tavelling down the lanes to the car park but as soon as we pulled up in the car park Song Thrush! First Year tick of the day. Song Thrush

Song Thrush

Second to go on the list was Great spotted Woodpecker 2nd Year tick done! Also a robin sat on the gate of the car park! Over head was a Canada Goose and as i opened the door of the hide it revealed more Canada Geese! On the Pool was; Snipe, (3rd Year tick) Oystercatcher (4th year tick) lapwing, Shoveller (5th year tick), Wigeon (6th) Grey lagg goose Teal (7th) Shelduck (8th) Gargany(9th) Shelduck (10th) Cormorant (11th). Not alot more to note on the pool so moving on to Lena's Hide (the feeding station)!

First bird i picked up on was Greenfinch, there was quite a few of them here!

Greenfinch and Great Tit

Greenfinch

Greenfinch

Other birds of note here include; Great Tit, Coal Tit, Robin, Chaffinch, Blue Tit, Long Tailed Tit, Tree Sparrow (12th) Nuthatch (13th) Brambling(14th and Life tick)

Brambling and Chaffinch

Brambling

Nuthatch

Tree Sparrow

Chaffinch and Tree Sparrows

Brambling

Brambling

Brambling

A quick look around at the Fen hide brought only a Male and Female Bullfinch (15th) Although on the way back to the car i did get onto a Kestrel!

Kestrel
Kestrel

Well thats all from todays trip! Dowt i will be able to get out tomorrow but how knows!

Glaucaus Gull

2009-02-10T15:21:00.000-08:00

Just a quick note to say that the Glaucaus Gull at Prioslee Lake was still present on my trip there today. It is believed that there are two of these birds about, spending the days at Prioslee and then roosting at Belivde in an evening. This bird was the darker bird, differnet from the one Jim had earlier in the week which was rather pale!

Thanks all and Happy new year! - Ive just seen the last post was december!!

Wales - Tonfanau

2008-12-30T10:27:00.000-08:00

The third and last day of the holiday was spent trying to fit in a few last minute year ticks which of course i did!! First we traveled to Tonfanau, a place just before Twywn. A very peaceful place where we dominated the whole beach, it was brilliant. But even before we had reached the beach id ticked off Red Kite. Travelling down the lanes its a good job someone else was driving because i would never of seen the things that i did! A shout from the Front of the car STOP!!! But nothing unusual, just a Curlew! - But its one for the day list!

We parked up and waled over the railway track into the field, and found Golden Plover. Not one for the Year but one for the day, and its always a pleasure to see them about!

We walked onto the beach and scanned the shore line and found Eider, Cormorants and Oystercatcher.

As i was getting closer and closer to the eider they were getting further away from me, so i stopped after around 40 photos of them! I think i over did it with the button!! I started walking back to the sand, when a Turstone flew in front of me, photo opportunity! So off i went, found it! Click, Click, Click, Click...... Whoops Ive done it again, 3 hours its taken me to sort through all 517 pictures taken today!!!

Then a shout Grey Plover... I nearly dropped the camera, I rushed over the the scope, had a good look, then set off on my next mission, to get photos of the Grey Plover!! Well mission accomplished!!

As you can see there were may waiders, Three types of plover, Dunlin, Oystercatchers, Turnstones.......

Walked along the beach for a bit and picked up Rock Pipit!

Ive been keeping a close eye on the Bird Guides and there have been Some Waxwings in Machynlleth, so off we went in search of waxwings! Found them and guess what.... yep! Click, Click, Click!!!

Well, I doubt i will get any more birding in the year. Last day of 2008 so will have to start again in the new year!!
See you in January (Hopefully)

Wales - Mawdacch Trail

2008-12-29T10:21:00.000-08:00

Second birding day of December, and from what i saw today, a great end to the year! It always helps to have a decent camera with you also, as i discovered. So lets get started on the day. We got dropped off about 8 miles away from Fairbourne at a place called Penmaenpool. First out of the car was Canada Geese some good pictures coming up so get ready!! Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Canada Geese

Then a walk in the opposite direction only brought 3 Chaffinchs the pictures arent much to shout about but there you go!

Chaffinch

What did i say?.....

What next little Egret? Well actually thats Spot on!

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret

Little Egret

Well, Before the little Egret we had had Great Spotted Woodpecker, Red Shank, Robin, Blue Tit, Coal Tit, Wren and Long tailed Tit. Pictures too Faint to publish!! But there are some pictures of the Red Shank to come!
We also had a couple of herons which were quite a way away but lets see how the pictures come out!

Heron
Red Shank

Ready for a year tick? I sure am!!! Enter Pintailed Duck! With Wigeon!!

Pintail and Wigeon

Pintail and Wigeon

Ok, i admit they are poor images but you can just about make out what they are!!

Im going to end with a robin becoming very interested in my tripod!!

Robin

Robin

Robin

The Robin and the Tripod

The Robin and the Tripod

And to end the day with a Buzzard

Buzzard

Buzzard

Wales - Tunstones

2008-12-28T12:00:00.000-08:00

Day One of Birding in Wales turned up just a flock of Tunstones, a couple of Wigeon Mallards, Ringed Plover, Redshank and a Buzzard!

Turnstone

Turnstone

Turnstone

Lets see what we will see tomorrow!!

New Camera

2008-10-25T12:46:00.001-07:00

Well.... Ive brought my self a new (2nd Hand) Camera! Canon 400d with 70-300mm Lens and 18-55mm Lens! So hopefully some better images coming up! Sadly it wont be here for my trip to venus pool, but im sure i can find something to test it out on! so i will upload them when i have sorted the software out, just to compair them with my old camera, my fuji fine pix S5700!

Back soon.

Such a long time

2008-10-23T11:22:00.000-07:00

Wow.. Looking at my last post its been a while since i last posted, i have been birding since, but forgot to upload everything, and in the process of clearing my hard drive of photos ive deleted them... woooops!
Anyway, hopeing to put in a good session in at Venus Pool on monday just heard along the birders vine that there is a bittern and a Gery Phalarope there so hopfully two year ticks there for me! and maybe some photos!
Will check in on monday!

Shropshire - Birding through a window!!!

2008-06-06T10:40:00.000-07:00

The Following pictures were taken through my bedroom window! Today and Yesterday!

Enjoy.........................

Swift in flight.... not that good

Is this bird real??? It sure is

Wales - Faibourne

2008-05-26T03:00:00.000-07:00

This time i was on holiday!!! So i could fit in some birding!
Mawdacch Trail and Arthog Bog was where we went, Some more Year ticks for the list including; Willow Warbler, Common Sandpiper, and Redstart!

After parking the car in the car park of the Mawdacch train station i started the camera up and there sat above me on the electricity wires was a single Willow Warbler. Great Stuff, first year tick within seconds of parking up!!

Willow Warbler

Moving on i heard a Chiffchaff singing rather close to me, i looked up and there it was sat on the electricity wires, wow year tick #2. We decided to walk anti-clock wise around Arthog Bog. Just through the gate we ticked for the day! Walking around the bog brought tits. Great Tits, Blue Tits, and Long Tailed Tits. Nothing for the year list but great little birds to tick on the day list!! Other small birds include.... Robin, Black Bird and Greenfinch.

Robin Singing

Robin

further on down and round the bog a single Jay made himself known by flying out of the tree in front of us. No pics of the Jay too quick for my shutter speed!!
Quite a few Swallows and house martins flying around looking for food!!
We started walking towards the Estuary where we heard a lot of noise. At first we couldn't see where it was coming from even standing right under it!!
We carried on walking and kept looking up to see if we could see any signs of what the noise was. Ill leave you to guess for a bit!! We walked through the gate to were we were amazed with a breath taking view of the Estuary and on the fence post was Year Tick #81 or the 3rd year tick of the day however you look at it! A Redstart a lovey bird!
So. What was that noise we heard?? well after looking at the redstart we walked back through the gate to see if i could get a descent picture of it - no such luck, but i did catch this Great Spotted Woodpecker Flying to its nest, where we were standing!!

Great Spotted Woodpecker returning to its nest!

Following the path to places Ive never been before brought a Stonechat(some rather rubbish photos coming up) - just warning you.!!

Stone chat (one of the better photos)

Not the best Photo Ive taken but i think you can tell what it is.

We carried on walking and ended up at the estuary where there wasn't much about. Noted we 2 Common Sandpipers, 2 Mute Swans, 4 Shelduck, and a couple of Herring and Black Headed Gulls.
By this i was getting quite hungry, so it was a quick walk back to the car, through high winds, and flying dust but we made it back and i was fed. The times when I'm most happy!! But when we was walking back to the car in the same place we saw it the first time round. A Chiffchaff sat on the wires. Not bad to finish off the day.

Chiffchaff

Chiffchaff

By these two pictures you can probably tell that Ive got way too much time on my hands!!!

Wales - Fairbourne

2008-05-11T01:30:00.000-07:00

After Venus Pool, it was staight down the M54 to Wales Fairbourne if we are going to be accurate!! Not much of note, it was fairly wet. Noted Birds on the Beach were :- Dunlin, Gannet, Ringed Plover, Shelduck, Herring Gull, Black Headed Gull, and Stonechat.

Ringed Plover at Fairbourne

Ringed Plover at Fairbourne

Dunlin at Fairbourne

Dunlin at Fairbourne

Dunlin at Fairbourne

Dunlin at Fairbourne

Dunlin and Ringed Plover at Fairbourne

Barmouth Beach

Barmouth Harbour

Fairbourne

4 Year Ticks this weekend!! Little Ringed Plover, Grey Lagg Goose, Sedge Warbler, and Gannet. Not Bad!!! More Birding Soon!!!

Shropshire Birding - Venus Pool

2008-05-11T01:00:00.000-07:00

My first visit of the year to Venus Pool today ending in a few year ticks. My main intention for going was to see the Temminck's Stint that had been present for the past few days!!
I sat down in the hide and scanned the island infront of me and picked out 2 Little Ringed Plovers. Year Tick #1. I havent seen this bird for about 2 years or so, so i was made up with this little wader!!

Little Ringed Plover at VP

Little Ringed Plover at VP

Little Ringed Plover at VP

Little Ringed Plover at VP

Panning left of the hide brought Lapwing, not for the year but still nice to see!!

Lapwing at VP

Lapwing at VP

Lapwing at VP

I also noted at Venus Pool that day; Oystercatcher, Greylagg Geese, Swallow, House Martin, Buzzard, Tufted Duck, Coot, Mallard Duck, Morhen and Sedge Warbler - Year Tick!!

Coot Hiding in the reeds - Yes i can see you!!

Coot at VP

A good mornings birdwatching at Venus Pool. Now off to wales any more year ticks? ............................

Porthmadog Ospreys

2008-04-18T00:09:00.000-07:00

Hi Ive just heard that the Osprey i saw at Porthmadog has layed one egg! all is revealed in the Cambrian News!

Check Back for more info...

Shropshire - Back to basics

2008-03-29T05:36:00.000-07:00

Back in Shropshire now, and after missing out on a Cetti's Warbler at Monkmoor Pool, feeling pretty disappointed. So as my blog title Jack Wildman Shropshire Birder, it looks like some birding in shropshire, Venus pool is calling, and maybe Chelmarsh could do no harm.

So now as I'm writing this post its 12:42, on a Saturday, its raining, and I'm just getting ready to go out and swap my bins, scope, and camera, for a Whistle and two Flags, yes I'm off to referee a football match in Broseley, in the rain.

Don't forget to call back, i guarantee some photos by next Friday!!

Wales - Porthmadog

2008-03-27T04:55:00.000-07:00

Well, today's 'Birding Trip' to Porthmadog started off at the beginning of the Porthmadog Cob - Glaslyn Marsh's. We'd been walking for around 2Min's after leaving the car, and the First bird we saw was the Porthmadog Osprey! What a spot!!! Although Ive seen the ospreys breeding in Porthmadog every year, the thrill of seeing this Bird of prey never wears off!!! Today it was being mobbed by a Red Kite and a Buzzard! Three Birds of prey all in one view, sadly i couldn't fit the Buzzard into the Frame of the camera but i did manage to get both the Red Kite and the Osprey!

Red Kite at the top of the Picture and the Osprey at the bottom

After the Osprey had been mobbed it flew off over the top of us and over the wall of the railway.

So we carried on walking along the path of the cob, and spotted some Black Tailed Godwits, Another year tick!! and some dunlin, wow another year tick, that's three year ticks in the space of 30Min's.

whilst watching the Black tailed godwits, i was just casually looking around for anything that we had missed, and but my bins on to the Osprey again, and this time it was coming towards us, wow, we had some breath-taking views of it......

The Porthmadog Osprey giving us breath-taking views.

The Porthmadog Osprey giving us breath-taking views.

The Porthmadog Osprey giving us breath-taking views.

Wow, what views, and even if i do say so my self, some good photos!!!!!!! I'm so pleased with the way they have come out! After watching this bird, we carried on walking and went over to the railway to see what was on the estuary, Teal, shelduck, Oystercatcher, nothing unusual.
Now to walk to the over side of the cob, where the Black tailed Godwits had move to for some closer shots,

Black Tailed Godwits

After Porthmadog, we went back to Fairbourne along the coast, and via a place Ideal for the osprey to fish, but no such luck. So we went through Harlech an Barmouth.

With the day list at 32, it was time to call it a day, and after yesterdays trip out everyone was rather tired!!

The Day list

Song Thrush
Osprey
Red Kite
Buzzard
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
House Sparrow
Raven
Black Tailed Godwit
Dunlin
Red Shank
Little Grebe
Teal
Mallard
Black Headed Gull
Herring Gull
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Wigeon
Collard Dove
Wood Pigeon
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Shelduck
Crow
Jackdaw
Magpie
Canada Geese
Mute Swan
Moorhen
Chaffinch
BlackBird
Starling
and
Heron.

Wales - Aberystwyth, and surrounding area

2008-03-26T14:07:00.000-07:00

Even Before leaving the house I counted at least 13 Magpies all on one roof! Great! The day lists started! It soon built to over 47! What a day! And to believe it all started at breakfast with 13 Magpies, wow! Anyway.....

Aberystwyth was the first place of stopping, ticking off Purple Sandpiper for the year list, then on to the Library/Church yard to try and get the Black Redstart that we had Sunday! Ticked, that another two for the day list, and one for the year list, from here we stayed in Aberystwyh but we walked to to South Beach where we ticked off Wheatear, Stone Chat, Buzzard, Red Kite, Kestrel, Raven, Cormorant, and Chaffinch. Not bad for a mornings Work.

Purple Sandpiper at Aberystwyth

Purple Sandpiper from a Different angle.

Purple Sandpiper at Aberystwyth

Black Redstart at Aberystwyth

Red Kite at South Beach in Aberystwyth

Wheatear at South Beach Aberystwyth

From South Beach we went to Devils Bridge to The Arch, we went wanting to see Cross bill, but because we wanted to see them, they weren't were we were, we settled with Great Spotted Woodpecker, Siskin, and Jay, all for the year list, so not bad!

Siskin at The Arch in Devils Bridge

From here we went over to Nant Yr Arian, to where they feed Red Kites. Although it was getting on for 6pm, i still managed a few shots of the Red Kites.

Red Kite at Nant Yr Arian

Also Present at Nant Yr Arian were: Coot, Gooseander, Heron, Chaffinch, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Tufted Duck, Robin. Most of Which were year ticks!!!

Well what a day, out at 11am, and on our way back to Fairbourne at about 7pm.

But we did have two more stops on the way, Borth - were we added Common Scoter to the day list, and Machynlleth - Were we saw Water Buffalo

Water Buffalo at Machynlleth

Home by about 8:15pm, Not a bad days birding! Oh forgot to mention that we stopped off in Llandre again to see weather the Cattle Egret was still present, it was still there but in a further field, where the cameras 10x Zoom wont reach, oh well, there will be other days! But on the Plus side, comming home last night along the coast paied off as we had a Tawny Owl sat in a tree by the side of the road, Beautiful!

Off to Porthmadog tomorrow a walk around the Cob there might drum the year list up! there will no doubt be more pictures to come from that trip, all will be on tomorrow night!!!

A quick List tally:

Year List: 59
Life List : 177
Today's day List: 49.

New Changes

2008-03-25T12:38:00.001-07:00

As you can see i have made a few changes to my blog, new design, colours, etc.....

Hope you like them

Jack.

Wales - Aber Dysynni

2008-03-25T11:30:00.000-07:00

Rain, Rain, and even more rain today, but we did eventually manage to escape out of the house for a couple of hours. Two more year ticks taking the list up to 50, with Eider, and Turnstone.

We arived at Dysynni Point this afternoon wit ha quite welcome from the birds. We walker under the railway bridge and up the path and spotted a wheatear, Great stuff, not a year tick ticked it off last night! The little bugger woundnt stop still longer for me to get the camera out! so no pictures of this bird, but will keep trying! so wse carryed on walking towards the point with even more Wheatear jumping out infront of us. On arival at the point itself, a quick scan brought in Eider, great photo opportunity, but sadly the batteries had gone in my camera, damn, it just isnt my day, so no pics of the Eider, but theres still time! I did however manage to get some pictures of Mute Swan, Pied Wagtail, and Stonechat!

Male Mute Swan at Dysynni Point

Mute Swan at Dysynni Point

Male Stonechat at Dysynni Point

Juv Mute Swan at Dysynni Point

Another Juv Mute Swan at Dysynni Point

And finaly a Pied Wagtail at Dysynni Point

More birding to be done in the next few days, all the latest birds seen by myself will be posted....

Back Soon

Wales - Cattle Egret, Black Redstart RedKite, and a Shag

2008-03-23T10:57:00.000-07:00

Well, today ive had two life ticks, and four year ticks, bosting both lists!
This morning after a night of wind went in search of a Cattle Egret that has been present in Ceredigion for many weeks! following the instructions for Bird Guides i found it in a field, with yes you guessed it, cattle! some beautiful views of it but the pictures are poor! you can just make out what it is!

After Sucsessfully ticking the Cattle Egret, it was on to Aberystwyth for the Black Redstart, after years of going to aberystwyth and dipping on the Black Redstart. I was on a role with the life ticks, and would you believe it i had got another life tick. Black Redstart, beautiful bird, and displayed long enought to get some decent photos of it! (Much better than the Cattle Egret!!) :-D

I Just managed a quick picture of the bird as it flew behind a house!

If you read my last post i would have said something about seeing a Red Kite but not being able to get a picture of it! well, this morning just before going off twitching, a beautiful Red Kite Flew over, I managed to get a few snaps of it before it flew off towards the dark mountains!

Anyway back to the twitching, after the black redstart, we decided to come back via the coastal roads, and just past twywn there is a lay-by overlooking the sea, we stoped there and put the scope up, after about 5 mins we had got shag in the scope! bonus- Year tick! I had got if for my life list about 3-4 years ago up at Anglesey! but always nice to see them! Then just below were we parked a few Fulmar were on the water and flying around! No sucsessful pictures of them, it was a bit windy for the camera! also seen there were Common Scoter! another Year tick!

All in all a good birding day! Life list boosted up to 177, Year List up to 45

I did go home a happy Bunny - haha Bunny + Easter ha im so funny! (it took me all day to think that one up)!! :-D

Ill be back with more birding news very soon!

Wales - Easter Hols - Fairbounre Birding

2008-03-22T03:37:00.000-07:00

Within around an hour of beeing in Fairbourne i had a year tick, Red Kite, perfect, what a view you could see everything on it! Unfortunatly, camera was not on my side and wouldnt turn on, so no pics of that, but ive still got a week to get it!! Anyway, down to the beach, nothing on the beach exept Oystercatcher, so onwards to the marsh, Were i have pics! First to be spotted was Shelduck, another year tick for me!

Then one, not for the year list but good views of it, Red Shank, There were around four in one area.

Again not another one for the year list, but good views of this bird!

Male and Female Mallards

and to finish the day list off Stone Chat and Meadow Pipit.

The Days Full Day List:

Shelduck
Red Shank
Lesser Black Backed Gull
Herring Gull
Ringed Plover
Black Headed Gull
Sky Lark
Great Black Blacked Gull
Oystercatcher
Meadow Pipit
Stone Chat
Red Kit
Jackdaw
Crow
Buzzard
Starling
Collard Dove

(Not in order! i wrote this list after i came home trying to remember from the pictures i took, next time i will have to take my note Pad!)

A quick List Count:

Year List: 41

Life List 175

Lists Update!

2008-03-17T12:03:00.000-07:00

Life List: 175 - Getting a lifer is rather hard!!

Year List: 39 - poor start

Saturday 1st March Mothers Day Weekend in Wales

2008-03-06T00:04:00.000-08:00

Well, Saturday went down to Fairborne - Mothers day (day early!) So why not take the opportunity to get a bit of birding in. Well i got a couple of year ticks, Red Brested Merganser, Ringed Plover, Oystercatcher, Stone Chat, Cormorant, Wigeon, Teal, Red Shank. . Well its got that list up again, but that will be all the time ill get to go birding till next half term, due to other comitments.

No pictures to upload from this trip, all were to distant for the camera...

P.S I dipped on a Male Manderin. Just down the road on the River Severn. It just isnt my Year!!

Could it be a Year tick??? part 2

2008-01-22T08:40:00.000-08:00

Did i get the Great Grey Shrike??? No i bloody didn't! Got to morville with only instructions that it was north of the village! We searched and Searched for the little bugger! But it didnt appear! Oh well there wil be other days! But i did get some other birds, Buzzard, Kestrel, and SparrowHawk.

Else where in Shropshire, Due to flooding you cannot get to telford on the main telford road. Today i wet to telford via worfield, and got another 100 Golden Plover and a Grey Heron! Grey Heron - No 31 on the Shropshire Year List.

Appologies for the quality of the images. - Its giving Jaso a run for his money...

Could it be a year tick???

2008-01-21T13:12:00.000-08:00

Could i finaly get a twitched year tick? You will have to call back tomorow and see if i got it!!

Jack.