Birds I See

A place to put my photos of birds I see when I'm out and about. All pictures are taken by me.

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Grey Heron

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Moorhens

Parents feeding their babies

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Mallard Duckling

They were sat on the banking with their mother, having a lounge in the sun.

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Mandarin Duck

Super cute birds. They're sexually dimorphic, only the males are brightly coloured, the females are shades of grey.

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European Robin

Just about to take flight with the sun on his butt.

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Canada Goose

Once only a migratory bird here, they were introduced in the 1700's. They've since lost their migratory instinct due to lack of competition and live here permanently.

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Dunnock

This little guy is a dunnock aka the hedge sparrow or, amusingly, a titling.

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Egyptian Goose

Despite the name, they're not actually true geese, they're more closely related to shelducks

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European Robin

Nice and round for the winter.

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White Chinese Goose (I think)

Goose being dramatic as always.

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Common Kingfisher

My favourite bird. Beautiful little guys.

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Mallard ducklings

These are from last spring. I saw them grow over the months, they all did well.

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European Robin

Another little guy doing well so far this winter.

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A Common Buzzard

If I have a nemesis in my bird photography it's this guy. This is the best photo I've ever managed of them and it's still heavily obscured.

I see them circling in the distance every now and then and any attempt to get close results in me losing them in the trees. I sat for hours in the only spot I've ever seen them return to get this picture.

Despite frustrating me frequently by their reluctance to be photographed by me, they're one of my favourite birds and one of the few large birds of prey we get around here with any frequency.

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European Goldfinch

These guys are cool. Quite a rare sight near me, but there's a heronry I visit occasionally that has a small blind that looks on to a feeding site. They pop up every now and then there.

I find them difficult to photograph. Like a lot of small birds, they move quickly when out in the open and rarely stand still for more than a second or two. Snapping them while they feed is the easiest way to get a decent shot.

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A Grey Heron silhouetted against the sky, perched high in a tree.

I see these guys regularly if I walk the canal near my house. By far the biggest bird we get around here, they're impressive to see take off with their huge wingspan.

I see them far more often at ground level, often hunting for fish. They stand motionless in the water and strike at fish that swim too close.

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A male tufted duck.

I love these guys, with their striking blue bills, yellow eyes and funky tufts on their heads. Only the males have the blue bill so they're easy to tell apart.

The only similar bird is the Scaup, but the tuft on the head is the big giveaway.

The female's call is pretty funny, they tend to almost growl as they fly, it's quite distinctive.