BIRD NEWS:219

Just two more shots of the magpie taken on my new camera, before we move on to the Angmering Fayre. I must recall to lower the file storage size on the new camera shots - they come out twice as large as my giant old camera ones and have to be resized to find anything!

At the fayre there was a birds of prey exhibition, where several birds were stationed on or at little perches to look at. There was a display on the program, but I had left by the time that began as the friend I had pushed down in a wheelchair did not like the look of the black clouds building up in addition to the wind that was quite strong, and was ready to leave after an hour. I did however get several shots of the birds themselves.

In case you wonder what species they are - as I did - I included a shot of the plaques. I figured that two were owls, which was correct, but had no clue what the other two were til I read their info boards.

Next along, was a hawk doing a solo act, though why this one was not with a group, I am unsure - maybe it was the one used for the display, or perhaps it was a grumpy bird and the others did not get along with it very well.

There was just one more set of birds in the exhibit...

Unfortunately, the signs did not come out clearly in my shot, this time - but at least one is a falcon.

BIRD NEWS:218

Still adjusting to the new camera - I took a few shots of a bird in the tree to see the difference also. I had to change setting after seeing the results of this group, as the new camera decided to focus itself on the dirt marks on my window instead of the bird...

As you can see the two above did not come out as well as the two taken on my old camera shown below.

Next up, a bunch of shots I took to practice using the new camera. A magpie landed on my tree as July began, and out came the camera...

The magpie was young and preening, also hopping about a few branches. It was not seemingly afraid of me - or my camera.

BIRD NEWS:217

It was the weekend, hence time for another excursion - but not to the Wetlands reserve this week. I took the 700 for a run. I stopped off for 20 minutes in Worthing and then for a 20 minute short coffee grab in Shoreham. I then went on to Brighton where I spent a few hours searching for and purchasing a new camera.

This is so I will have one upstairs and one down and stop missing photo opportunities - also in case my current camera breaks down on me as it has twice threatened. The above shot was taken while wandering along the sea front in Brighton. I have no idea who the leg belongs to, other than a nasty-hearted man - who soon after attempted to kick the pigeon, who trustingly was rambling along when this human decided to enter his pathway and attack it!

While there are no pigeons in this shot, there are no nasty-minded humans either! It shows the mass of seagulls swarming about over the pier.

Next, a little experiment. I purchased a new camera with 20.1 megapixels rather than 12... The first two shots were taken on the new camera and the third on the old. I thought I would take the same bunch of birds on the feeder-poles to compare the cameras...

I am still experimenting with the new camera - but I think I have finally sorted out what setting to use - hopefully. My last pair of shots for today's post are of Pidge - who wondered what the black box was - being so used to the pink one! Pidge came onto the sill and I was still practising with camera settings...

BIRD NEWS:216

Another mother with young in tow, this time taking an afternoon snooze. I am now very close to the close of sharing Arundel Wetland reserve photos from my third 2016 visit. I have just a few more shots of information boards to share.

Back home, and the third week of June began with the bird table collapsing. It was tilted over for a week or two, but this time it was completely fallen. I did not bother to prop it back up - but made it into a hedgehog hut and re-used it in that way.

This giant 'weed' attracted the goldfinches. My friend and I were chatting over our regular coffee and she mentioned a feeder and seed for goldfinches that I could have, seeing as they visited my yard and not hers. They used to live in a tall tree that got chopped down next door between tenants, but still sometimes came to my yard, so assumedly have found another nearby nesting tree.

This was how the feeder pole looked prior to my friend's donation. I washed out the feeder, dried it, filled it with niger seeds and grinned hopefully...but I have yet to catch sight of any bird using it other than one sparrow on one occasion - so far.

BIRD NEWS:215

This is a better shot of the woodpecker taken in the woodland hide. I had seen one briefly for a few seconds earlier that day in the open area feeder woodland station, shortly after the squirrel was chased away by a duck. This time, the woodpecker stayed around long enough for me to get some photos, though.

The robin came back again, also. It was not a bit scared of me sitting on the wooden bench, camera in hand, staring through the open windowway. I took note of the fact that ducks and pigeons and blackbirds and doves have something in common illustrated in my next picture. They all stand around UNDERNEATH feeders when other birds are using them and eat the crumbs that the smaller birds drop.

This beautiful duck caught my camera next, as it preened when I passed by. I soon came across a couple more of the same variety. I expect by the time I have attended for my full year of membership, I shall know every species present, but for the time being, I will skip this one ID wise and just call it 'a duck'.

Readers of my last post will be able to identify this swan. (If you missed the link given - HERE is a useful page for identifying swan varieties.)

I am almost at the end of my Arundel Wetlands shots for this third trip of 2016 - but not quite! I caught this pair on a log.

BIRD NEWS:214

Well, regular readers may not be surprised to see this photograph appearing amongst my wetlands reserve collective. Being a pigeon/dove fanatic, I had to shoot this wood pigeon snoozing on the top of the restaurant while stopping for my refreshments, before wandering around for the second loop!

I caught up with a swan on the path again. This time, a duck was wandering along with it. You can tell it is a mute swan because of the orange beak. The Bewick and Whooper swans have yellow beaks. HERE is a link that details the yellow beaked swans.  THIS link is one of the best for showing the variety of swans present in the UK wetland reserves.

I took a photo of 3-4 more information boards on this excursion and here is one detailing two similar birds from the reedbed walk. I have not seen either of these birds in person as yet, though. I returned to the woodland hide, upon which my friend Liz and I agree is one of the nicest spots to birdwatch at the reserve. A familiar to British birdwatchers appearance stood on the open-air windowsill shortly after I sat down for my second short watch of the day here - a robin.

My next few shots were very exciting - well, to me - as they capture a bird I had not seen in person before - the woodpecker. According to an identification plaque in the hide, they are a recent and welcome newcomer to be viewed. I do not know when the plaque was installed though - maybe months or years ago. However, here it is on the peanut feeder, munching away.

BIRD NEWS:213

As promised, better quality pictures of the mystery bird. The answer was that it is a coal-tit. I took quite a few photos as it demonstrates the species for identification purposes, distinguishing it from other tits.

The blue-tit is smaller and has blue/yellow on, the great-tit is fatter and has a very strong thick black stripe on its belly, but the coal-tit is more greyish-yellow bellied and has a single striation upon the wing. HERE is a link to more information o the species. 

Here are some more ducks - photographed in the next section of my first walk around the reserve on my third trip for 2016. The next shot is also of ducks - with young. Hopefully, by going to the reserve every 3-4 weeks, I will be able to photograph the various life stages of the different species over the entire year.

Find out about birds within another interest topid of mine - Buddhism - HERE.