Mallards (Anas platyrhynchos) are often taken for granted, but I hadn’t seen one for quite sometime. So when I came across several males and females on the local canal they were a pure delight to see as they paddled across the still waters with autumn reflections.
An immature Black-headed Gull (Chroicocephalus ridibundus). Lots of these around, and they appear to have become quite used to people.
Mute Swan (Cygnus olor)
Around teatime today around a dozen Goldfinches flocked around my bird feeder, something I have never seen before, as I normally get 2 or 3 of them visit. This young one decided to have a look at my pond and came face-to-stony-face with this fellow. In the end it must have thought all was okay… Read More Not Sure About This Guy?
Greenfinch (Chloris chloris) – I caught this one intially taking a few sips of water from my birdbath. I was looking through my patio window, and thought to myself I bet I won’t have time to swap over lenses, will I? I had my macro lens on, and I half expected the bird to fly,… Read More Caught Napping
Grey Heron (Ardea cinerea) – In a large field close to the river these birds hide in the tall grasses. I have seen them a few times now, and one can easily pass them by without knowing – unless you stray too near them, and then they take flight on their wide arching wings. This… Read More I can See You
Moorhen (Gallinula chloropus) – On a stroll along the local canal I spotted the nest first and the bird second on the opposite side of the bank. I was taken by the construction of woven stems which form this nest, and how it was built on a section of submerged tree. There are jokes about ‘birdbrain’… Read More Amazing Builders
Also called the Ruddy Turnstone (Arenaria interpres), this was another first for me. There were many of these little birds on the seashore bulldozing the seaweed out of their way with their heads in search of invertebrates hiding underneath it. Feel free to click the images to enlarge and click again to get even closer… Read More Turnstone
When the tide goes out to reveal shallow pools and masses of clumped seaweed it is time for the waders to come and feed. This Little Egret (Egretta garzetta) does an odd little dance to agitate the water to stir up small fish and invertebrates on which it feeds. Feel free to click the images… Read More When The Tide Goes Out
Blackbird singing out the day from a lofty perch …
The garden bird feeder is quite busy at the moment. These Blue Tits Cyanistes caeruleus are certainly taking advantage of it and they are welcome too. May 2019, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman.
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer Herring Gull (Larus argentatus) juvenille, Shanklin Beach, Isle of White, England, August 2018 © Pete Hillman.
This evening I heard a bang whilst watching some tv. It sounded like a bird had hit the patio window, and when I went to investigate I found this little fella lying sprawled on the decking. I feared the worst, but it had its head held up and looked dazed. I kept my distance for… Read More A Happy Ending
I think this goose was actually watching me! It was a beautiful start to the day again down by the lake. An easier day beckoned after walking up and down Walla Crag the day before, so what better way to spend but down by the shimmering waters of Derwentwater. The Greylag geese were certainly enjoying… Read More Watching The Geese
The crow black dropped his sack at my dusty feet As the sun beat down on the dying ground even the desert had to shy away A single hooded eye that told no lie pierced my very soul! And a cracked voice spoke a riddle to evoke from the haze of a distant dream “Catch… Read More Catching The Moon
Afloat in the water heading with purpose to the bank … Single file in a line they go … Finding lush green to feed upon. Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer Canada Goose Branta canadensis adults and goslings, May 2018, the pond, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England. © Pete Hillman
Click once to expand view, click again to get that little bit closer I always hear these birds on my walks through the local fields or the woods, but rarely see them. On the two occasions I have seen them they have flapped out of nowhere before my eyes and have scared me half to… Read More Pleasant Pheasant
I had been watching this Song Thrush Turdus philomelos making its way along the bank of the river hunting and looking for worms and grubs for a while until it flew up into a tree with its beak quite full of dinner. May 2018, banks of the River Severn, Stourport-on-Severn, Worcestershire, England. © Pete Hillman… Read More The Bird’s Got The Worm
Canada Goose Branta canadensis chick, May 2018, local canal, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman. Sigma 18-300mm lens.
Trying a long shot at full stretch 300mm, earlier this evening with the new 18mm-300mm lens where the light was a little better. Blackbird Turdus merula, May 2018, neigbour’s lawn, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman
Out on an early morning walk through the woods this morning I made a beautiful encounter with this little Robin which was on the path before me. He flew up into a tree nearby and allowed me to take a few shots with my Sigma 105mm macro lens before flying off. May 2018, local wood,… Read More Rockin’ Robin
My neighbour has a large cherry tree and one or two Starlings have been perched in it of late in the high branches. They make the most varied and curious bird song I have ever heard, which is quite fascinating. Starling Sturnus vulgaris, April 2018, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. © Pete Hillman
April 2018, Bridgnorth, Shropshire, England. © Pete Hillman
I spotted this little Robin when I peered out my window this morning as the rain fell from darkened skies. Because of the low light, distance and because I took the shot through the windowpane, I did not think it would turn out very well. Even when viewed on the PC I thought there was… Read More The Robin Always Braves The Rain
I have seen Blue Tits, Great Tits and Long-tailed Tits visit the garden, but never one of these, a Coal Tit Periparus ater on my nut feeder. Double click on images to enlarge. December 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
Blackbird Turdus merula male December 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
December 2017, Rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
This beautiful female Greenfinch stopped by to feed on the sunflower hearts on my feeder the other day. A Blue Tit can be seen dropping by in the background. December 2017, Rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
Looking out the back window the other day I spied this beautiful Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea, which is the first time I have seen visit the garden in all the 25 years I have lived here, and was quite a lovely surprise. I have only ever seen it down by the local river, and here… Read More A First For The Garden
Blackbird (Turdus merula), August 2017, Shanklin, Isle of White, England.
Thanks to this little Robin who suddenly appeared and flew across my path to land in a tree nearby. I had gone for a walk in search of toadstools, but the ground is bone dry, almost like in the middle of summer, and although not completely fruitless, there were not many of them about. But… Read More You Made My Day Today!
I was across the other side of a field when I watched this large winged bird of prey set down atop a tall tree in a hedgerow separating another field. It was a Buzzard (Buteo buteo), and I have spied many of them round and about over the years, but they are usually soaring through… Read More Spot The Beauty IV
Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) taking a moment on my birdbath, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. September 2017.
Dunnock (Prunella modularis), September 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
Dunnock (Prunella modularis) juvenile, September 2017, rear garden, Staffordshire, England.
This little young Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) was discovered pm my decking. It appeared to have got itself in a bit of a bother, and may have either been attacked by a cat or hit my patio window. But when I ventured to see how it was it took wing and flew into the treetops, so… Read More All In A Feather
As I was pottering about in the garden this morning this little one suddenly appeared out of nowhere close by me. It is a young Dunnock (Prunella modularis.) It appeared quite inquisitive and didn’t fly far. Rear garden, Staffordshire, England. June 2017.
This little Goldfinch has been singing its little heart out from on high most of the day. Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis), from rear garden, Staffordshire, England. June 2017.
Greenfinch (Carduelis chloris) male, rear garden, Staffordshire, England. May 2017.
This Blackbird was singing so beautifully from my rooftop aerial this late afternoon when it decided to take off. Blackbird (Turdus merula), Staffordshire, England. May 2017.
Nature Journeys 