SOME OF MY FAVOURITES OF THE YEAR.

With the weather in England having been so appalling  lately and after trying on three occasions  to venture out with the cameras, unfortunately to no avail, { I managed one poor image per visit}  I have decided to post some of my favourite images of the last twelve months, If it ever stops raining be assured me and the cameras will be out , this weather is sending any birder demented.

I start with my header which was taken when the Barn Owl Owlets had been ringed  on the 14 th of September. I am still having sightings of Barn Owls but until I can get some images I am unsure as to whether the birds are the adults or the youngsters  still hanging about. Hopefully they are the adults overwintering in the box.

Red Kite, Eyebrook Reservoir.

Th is bird was feeding on some road kill , So I reversed into a gateway, the bird was then disturbed by a car and flew away  only to return and land in this tree prior to returning to its feast.

Male Osprey 03/2009, the adult male from site 'O'.  Eyebrook Reservoir.

Taken opposite Stoke Dry Village whilst the bird was on a fishing trip.

Buzzard , Near Allexton Village.

Luckily spotted early whilst driving to Eyebrook Reservoir, you cannot get very close to these birds, they are so nervous. 

Great Crested Grebes. Shallow Water Hide, Rutland Water.

An early visit for the Ospreys last Springso I had a visit to the new Shallow Water Hide where this pair had started nest building  and some displaying. 

Adult Tawny Owl,   In my friends Regand Jill Garden, 
They finished up with a pair,   I put Reg in touch with the Hawk and  Owl Trust,  and they had a box put up and when the box was checked by the trust.a very angry female and two Owlets  were in the box but unsure as to the outcome  

AVRO Lancaster, Eyebrook Reservoir.

This aircraft is a regular attraction in the area as the Captain lives locally, wonderful to see this old aircraft in such superb condition. 

Barn Owl Owlet, Our Garden Ring Number   GR 4965.

We are still seeing and hearing Barn Owls on our land but as to whether they are adults or young birds  I am unsure but hopefully adults then after over wintering they an have an earlier  start breeding making it much easier for me to get some decent images, and not having to shoot at such high  ISO settings.

Male Teal, Crake Hide, Rutland Water.

Crake Hide is the smallest Hide on the reserve but is always worth a visit, always something appears worth watching. Teal are such a showy duck.

Short Eared Owl , Near Eyebrook Reservoir. 

Three of these birds took up residence around Christmas time last year and remained until late March, still waiting for them to return this year, but it has been very mild an wet and I have not seen any reports in the Midlands of any being sighted.

Common Tern, Eyebrook Reservoir.

not the easiest of subjects but wonderful to watch in flight, you never can guess where they will go next, what with diving, swerving and all other antics so difficult to follow with the camera.

Red Kite, Eyebrook Reservoir.

a farmer was turning his hay and this bird was following the tractor seeing  if anything had been injured .

Shelduck, Rutland Water,Shoveler Hide,

Several of these birds flew in but only stopped for a matter of seconds, you have to make the best of these short visits.

Kestrel, Upper Bunker Hide, Eyebrook Reservoir.

Another bird that did not stay around Very long, feathers  fluffed out, it was a very cold day, but at least it was dry, we are hoping for more dry days.

Badger, Calke Abbey.

With the Barn Owls taking up so much of my time this summer, I could not get as many visits in with the Badgers as I would have liked, but they will have to wait until next year.



I hope you have enjoyed your visit as much as I did in the getting of the image sand hopefully soon  I will manage to get out ans get some new images without it raining.