Translate

Monday 30 August 2021

WHAT DO BIRDS UNDERSTAND  ABOUT THE WEATHER THAT WE DON'T.

It was obvious on my trip to Eyebrook Reservoir on the 12 th of August that some birds had gone, no signs of any Common  Terns all but one,  the gent who rings the young Terns  said they had gone much earlier than usual, no Swallows  and for the first time in a while no Osprey to be seen. Do birds have  a sixth sense that tells them its time to go, in a week you will have a head wind or a storm over the Sahara. Where as we with our millions of pounds of satellites and computers have great difficulty in saying what the weather will do tomorrow  let alone in a week with any accuracy.

I have only had two outing since my last post but have spent several evenings attempting to get some decent

 images of the Barn Owl,. the bird does not appear until virtually dark as it seems he may be getting some hassle from a pair of Tawny Owls, I have heard them calling on several evenings when in my hide, so this gives a reason for his speed in leaving the box and  lateness.

So on with my attempts  below with the Owl, all  having to be taken at ISO 125600.












This time he almost stopped  but still blurred.





I had difficulty in seeing the bird it was so dark.





He appears and is gone, I just haven't got any time.



Slight improvement.



Please remember these are all at ISO 125600/





Again it was virtually dark, difficult to see the bird.










EYEBROOK RESERVOIR THE 12th of AUGUST.





My last Common Tern of the Year. But this bird disappeared  mid afternoon.




On my trip out I again saw the Peacocks and found it difficult not to take some images.






EEyebrook Rervoir 26th of August.




Then some House Martins appeared for a short time , but these then went away.











They were harder to get a decent image from than the previous few weeks ago  Swallow




Where the Common Terns had nested, now the domain of Cormorants.






Lesser  Black - backed Gull.

Denoted by the white feathers on the back of the wing.



Then a farmer on the far side of the water arrived with his Combine and started harvesting a field, so round to the other side I went and asked if I could drive up the track  as several Red Kites arrived very quickly and were following the Combine,  I was told to help my self but keep on the track and away from the working area.





They really are such wonderful birds to  photograph and watch as they picked up any prey.

























Then for a short time they were joined by a Kestrel.



It has been so good for me to get out twice plus the Barn Owl evenings, I hope you all enjoy my efforts. I should manage to get out this Thursday but the week after  I have to return to hospital for the stone that caused the Sepsis to be surgically removed, after this the knee can be replaced and I can start to get out farther afield and walk.


About Me;


Titus White:
Hi I am Richard Peglers friend Titus White, and those who follow Richards posts will understand the name and reason for it. I have been birding with Richard for 3 years and a volunteer at Rutland Water on the Osprey Project for 2 years. My early images were taken on a Nikon D80 with a 70 - 200mm lens. I updated the lens to a 70 - 300mm VR lens but still was not happy with the results. Eventually when Nikon announced the D7100 I decided to change so upgraded the camera and also invested in a Sigma 50 - 500mm lens.
I first met Richard through Arthur Costello as I was having the occasional visit from Little Owls on our land. We eventually found the Little Owls through another contact about 100 metres away. Photo's will follow on future posts.
I have recently upgraded my camera to full frame, this is a challenge I am at the moment enjoying trying to get the best out of the beast.
Free counters!