SOME OF MY FAVOURATES FROM 2017.

May I take this opportunity to wish you all a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS and a HAPPY NEW YEAR, and may we all see the elusive birds we have been trying to target. 

I decided to have a look through my images from last year, firstly to make a Calendar but then remembered that last year I did a favourites of the Year post so I have repeated this. 

Buzzard, Eyebrook Reservoir.


Image taken in April, this bird flew over part of the Reservoir towards me.

 Buzzard, Near Stockerston Village.

I was leaving Eyebrook and on my way home when I spotted this bird sat in the top of a tree at the side of the very narrow country road I travel, so it was stop the car, camera up and shoot. January.

Chiffchaff, Eyebrook Reservoir.

I was stood on the bridge over the inlet stream watching for the Kingfisher when this little beauty came and sat in a tree alongside the stream. Again April. 

Waxwing, Glenfield Village.


This apple tree had the greatest concentration of birds in our area, up to 150 in two flocks had been counted {not by me however} whilst visiting birds were continuously coming and going, wonderful to watch. February.

Male Barn Owl, Our Garden.

Having returned with food for the young inside the box, he appeared back on the front of the box to have a bit of a break, and had a quick shake before flying away on the hunt again, I sat under a willow tree in my hide some 60 metres away. June.

  

Water Rail, Waderscrape Hide, Rutland Water.

This image was taken whilst I was on Osprey Duty in August. We had the one adult and two young in the channels to the front of the hide. August.

Juvenile Water Rail.

Wood Sandpiper, Shallow Water Hide, Rutland Water.

This beautiful Sandpiper was unfortunately not that close but luckily I finished up with a reasonable image. I was put onto the bird when I booked in for my Osprey Duty so it was a quick visit to the hide prior to going on duty.     July.

Such a beautiful head with the white stripe above the eye.

Female Barn Owl, Our Garden.


Just returning to the box with a mouse to feed her growing young. She normally only did one hunting trip early evening { still nearly dark however } then until the Owlets were that much bigger, she would let the Male supply the rest of the food.  May.

Water Vole, Waderscrape Hide, Rutland Water.

Water Vole were introduced into the Reservoir some years ago, some were left over in a box and Tim decided to put them into the channels to the front of the hide and they certainly appear to have taken. May. 

Juvenile Male Kingfisher, Kelham Bridge Reserve.

These birds were regular visitors at the Reserve and I have been told the juveniles are still visiting so I must have another visit. September.

Owlets, Our Garden After being Ringed.

These are the three Owlets produced in one of our Owl boxes, we had two females and a single male. Made for some wonderful evenings sat in my hide watching the birds. June.

Juvenile Female Osprey, 3AF/17, a bird Fledged from Site O.

This bird spent a little time flying to the front of me and appeared to be fishing, she then flew some way down the Reservoir and myself and another gent saw her catch a fish. First time I have ever seen a juvenile catch a fish. August.

Linnet, Rutland Water, Shallow Water Hide.

Even though they are a reasonably common bird, not to me so upon seeing this bird I made sure of a few images.  July.

Juvenile Barn Owls, Our Garden..

The three fledged Owlets, two females and a single male. It was an absolute delight going out in the hide of an evening to monitor them. August.

Female Juvenile Barn Owl.

Just returned from a quick fly around the garden. August.

Lancaster Bomber, Battle of Britain Memorial Flight. Eyebrook Reservoir.

On a test flight after an engine fire grounded the plane for a while.  September.

Red Kite, between Stockerston and Eyebrook Reservoir.

Those of you that follow my blog will have realized I am very fond of these birds, they are just very graceful in flight. September.

Little Owl, Site No. 8.

Just not possible to have my favourites without a Little Owl. They have been very thin on the ground of late, so lets hope I will very soon find some more and things will look considerably better. November

Thank you for your visit, I hope you have enjoyed the blog as much as I have in putting it together.