A day on Brading marshes

Finished work at a reasonable time, so decided on the spur of the moment to take a trip onto Brading marshes, passing the sewage works, and onto Centurians copse.
At the sewage works I saw my first Swallows of the year, a pair were flying overhead. I managed to get a picture as one landed on the overhead wires. Spring is here!!

On the sewage tanks, (Not sure of the real names!) lots of Chaffinches and Reed buntings were sifting through the stones for grubs. Very difficult to spot the small birds especially the reed buntings amongst the stones.



A robin was singing from amongst the spring blossom ...

As I passed through the copse, I heard a rustle to my side. Through a gap in a fence I could see a pair of eyes watching me! I tried to get a picture but decided that I needed to get closer. So I walked up quietly to the fence and gingerly peered over it, to be met by a beautiful pheasant hen. i was quite surprised that she didn't fly off or run, and managed to get a nice portrait...

Over the marshes onto Centurians copse, I managed to see 3 red squirrels, all of which were very shy, and not at all interested in posing for my camera! The best pic is below...

The spring blossom looked beautiful in the warm spring sunshine, although there was still a brisk wind...

                                                            All in all a very pleasant day!



Owl's about that !!!

Firstly, apologies for the headline, but read on for explanation!!
Had a free afternoon on saturday, and the weather was fine, so I decided Id visit Bembridge for a change.
I parked up opposite the boat houses, which must be ancient now, as I have lived here for 45+ years and have always known of their existence. Captain Hook and his mate were keeping an eye on me!!

I walked off the main road and started to walk towards the ponds. As I did a Mallard flew overhead, managed a quick series of shots, the best of which is below.

Six Tufted ducks, 3 male and 3 female were paddling round the first pond, along with a swan and the ever present mallards.

Onwards to the next pond. Black tailed Godwits were on show, Id seen my first ones a week or two ago, so recognised them. With them were a similar bird, like a black and white version (!!) being a new birder im ashamed to say I havnt yet found out their name, help anyone?? I have the Collins massive bird book, but not had time to look it up yet (*Embarrassed*) 

Two Shelducks, a Dunnock and a beautiful Chaffinch were sighted shortly afterwards.

Onto the shore at Bembridge harbour I checked a pair of Great black-backed gulls off my life list.

A lone Canada goose posed for me, as did a distant Cormorant, fishing in the harbour. The tide was almost at its lowest, so I decided to call it a day, and returned via the ponds. A robin was singing on a fence post. The views across brading marshes are beautiful.

As I walked along the path, I wondered if the Little owl would be at the hole in the tree. I had heard about it and had seen photos, and a kindly man had shown me the tree on my outward journey. Imagine my delight on reaching the tree, when I saw the little beauty perched in the hole, another first for me. He was about 150 yards away, and my 300mm lens hardly reached, so had to crop the picture heavily. Cant wait till I can afford a 2x converter for my Nikon camera!!

I returned to my car with a big smile, and a few ticks, a very enjoyable hour or so.....

A day out in the West Wight

We had a week off last week. Most of it was spent erecting a 9 foot square shed in our garden. Towards the end of the week I was getting withdrawal symptoms from a lack of birding, so as we had to buy a few bits in Newport in the morning, we decided to go onwards to Newtown and Yarmouth in the early afternoon. Just outside Newtown Carol pointed out a pheasant just ahead. I stopped the car and walked towards it. The light was perfect and the bird quite tame, but I didn't get to close in case he took off. Managed to get some lovely pictures (Below)

Onwards to Newtown. On arrival we were disappointed to find that as the tide was really high there were hardly any birds to be seen on the creek, what a disappointment! We managed to see a beautiful Little Egret, and managed to get a shot of it in flight.

As there was nothing much to see we set off for Yarmouth ponds, a site that had been recommended to visit. The ponds are next to a disused railway station, and also right next to Yarmouth estuary. As before, the high tide meant that the ponds were the best option. Would have loved to have had a scope with me, but still saving up for that one!! Saw a few Black tailed godwits, a first for me, did I mention I'm a new birder? The one below seemed to be guarding his own little island! 

Other birds seen were another Little Egret, Teal, Redshank, and Mallard. Next time we venture off out, a check of the tide tables will be a must!

Despite this, we had a lovely day out in the spring sunshine. Lots more locations to check out, keep watching!! 

IWOG Walk, onto Brading marshes...

Today we went along with members of IWOG (Isle of Wight ornithological group) on their monthly walk. We just wanted to see what the world of birding is all about, and wether or not we wanted to join the club! This month we visited Brading marshes, and had access to paths that are normally kept out of bounds. Among the birds sighted were, Chiffchaff, Cormorant, Reed bunting, and the beautiful Wheatear (pictured below), none of which I had ever seen before, so a few more ticks for the list!

Everyone was very helpful to us newbies, and they let us look through their scopes and £600 bins.Was really impressed with the brightness, clarity and image of these superb optics, compared to my £2.99 bins and Carols expensive £40 Minolta pair!! Need to start saving methinks, already on my shopping list is a 2x teleconverter for my Nikon camera, to transform my 75-300 lens into a proper birding lens.
A good set of binos is a must sometime, and before the winter some new waterproofs might be a good idea!
Yesterday (saturday) went for a walk along the cliff path from Sandown to Shanklin and back along the seafront, managed to get a nice pic of a Dunnock (below).

More birding this week hopefully, as we both have a week off work :) Watch this space!!



Year list progressing nicely :)

Well, its been 6 weeks since I started birding, and my year list is now up to 41, which Im pretty pleased with, as I also have to work!
This morning was sunny so went for a walk with the wife on the cliff path. Saw my 1st dunnock chirping away in the hedge by the cliff edge, never noticed them before, as they looked so like a sparrow. But after reading my books, are obviously different!

Saw a magpie, robin (pictured), and some (probable) greenfinches high up in the trees, too distant for clear pics, heard lots of chirping in the trees and bushes but nothing came out for a picture!
The robin, ventured close when we were sat on a seat, but didnt stay around too long to model for me.

Hopefully will go to Alverstone hide on tuesday, hope to see more of the great spotted woodpecker, only got a quick snatched pic last time. Maybe something unusual too aside from the usual Great tits, Blue tits and the like, fingers crossed!

Blue tit

Blue tit
Originally uploaded by Dave IOW