PETER'S PORTFOLIO..............Bird & Wildlife Photography

Common Crossbill

2012-01-18T16:16:00.000Z

Common Crossbill, male at Hawkshill Inclosure, New Forest, Hants

A Mega and a Rarity in Hants.

2012-01-17T16:35:00.001Z

Male Spanish Sparrow. We were lucky to have such views of this mobile sparrow even though it persisted on being on the wrong side of the feeder!
The theory is that it has been in Calshot, Hants for some time because of a number of hybrids which resemble both House and Spanish Sparrow.

Being in the area we spent an hour or so before locating this rare Black-eyed Junco.
Hawshill Inclosure, New Forest , Hants.

Arctic & Lesser Redpoll

2012-01-10T12:27:00.002Z

Lesser Redpoll

Coues' Arctic Redpoll

Coues' Arctic Redpoll
Feeding on main reserve path at Tichwell, North Norfolk

VISIT TO COSTA RICA

2011-12-17T12:58:00.000Z

Images of a visit to Costa Rica can be seen by clicking on the relevant entry in the GALLERY on the right hand side of this page.

Visit to St Margaret's Church, Cley, Norfolk

2011-12-02T16:52:00.001Z

White-crowned Sparrow immortalised in a stained-glass West window in Cley's Church.

The day began with a trip to Norfolk to see a Semi-palmated Sandpiper which we had previously 'seen' but at a vast distance. The visit was to 'confirm' our tick and also to appreciate the the finer ID points.

On interrogating the Internet ,during our journey, to find out if any other interesting species were around we noticed that the Semi P had been potentially upgraded to the Megaspecies-----a Western Sandpiper.

The 'new' bird was duly observed at Cley Marshes.

An ordinary birding day was therefore transformed to a Congratulatory Mega day.

In thanks for this transformation we decided to visit St Margaret's church in Cley to offer our Gratitude to the Great Ornithologist in the Heavens for sending us this rarity.

Whilst in the church we hunted for and eventually found ( the sign of persistent birders) the small painting of the rare White -crowned Sparrow which visted Cley from North America in January 2008 and which was reponsible for donations in excess of £ 6,300 which was used for the 13th century church's West window restoration

Shag

2011-11-28T13:13:00.000Z

Shag, with Fish Hook? attached at Grafham Water

Sandhill Crane

2011-10-03T15:47:00.001Z

Sandhill Crane. This was our first opportunity to nail this North American Crane on its travels south from Aberdeenshire.
Taken at Boyton Marshes, Suffolk through the heat haze

American Black Tern

2011-09-25T13:54:00.000Z

Juvenile American Black Tern at Covenham Reservoir, Lincs.

TARIFA, SOUTHERN SPAIN---Lesser Kestrel

2011-09-19T11:48:00.004Z

The Lesser Kestrel was only one of the 120 species, including 21 lifers, seen during a 5 day tour of Southern Spain centered on the charming old town of Tarifa in early September 2011.

The main prpose of this trip was to witness the migration into Africa from mainland Europe.

In addition to the photographs included we also saw the following key species---Audouin's and Slender-billed Gull, Griffon Vulture, Black Stork, Black Shouldered Kite, Black-eared Wheatear and Blue Rock Thrush.
Dipping on both Lesser Crested and Elegant Terns, Spanish Imperial Eagle and Azure winged Magpie may necessitate a return visit!

A mixture of Birds, Beer and Beatiful Scenery can only hearten the Inner Self of the older Generation!

Stonechat

2011-09-19T11:25:00.000Z

The ubiquitous Stonechat, male

Ruppell's Vulture

2011-09-19T11:19:00.000Z

Distant record shot of a probable Ruppell's Vulture.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Woodchat Shrike

2011-09-19T11:16:00.000Z

Woodchat Shrike, male.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Montagu's Harrier

2011-09-19T11:13:00.000Z

Female Montagu's Harrier

Tarifa Southern Spain

European Bee-eater

2011-09-19T11:10:00.000Z

We encountered many 'swarms',containing up to 40 individuals, of these Bee-eaters
.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Rufous Bush Robin

2011-09-19T11:05:00.000Z

A distant record shot of a Rufous Bush Robin ssp Galactotes. One of the best finds of the trip.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Egyptian Vulture

2011-09-19T10:55:00.000Z

Egyptian Vulture

Tarifa Southern Spain

Short-toed Eagle

2011-09-19T10:51:00.000Z

Tarifa Southern Spain

Short-toed Eagle.

Black Kite

2011-09-19T09:34:00.002Z

Juvenile

Black Kite. Only a small number of Red Kites were seen. Often in excess of ten Black Kites were seen at one time.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Swallowtail

2011-09-19T09:26:00.000Z

Swallowtail butterfly of the race gorganus which is supposedly slighly paler than our race britannicus.

Tarifa Southern Spain

Bonelli's Eagle

2011-09-18T21:57:00.004Z

Juvenile Bonelli's Eagle

The initial ID as a Booted Eagle was questioned by Mac Bell; further investigations led to the Andalucian Bird Society confirming it is a Juvenile Bonelli's Eagle. A Key find for the trip. Thanks Mac.

Tarifa, Southern Spain

White Storks

2011-09-18T13:05:00.001Z

For me the highlight of the trip was witnessing in excess of 400 White Storks attempting to cross the 14 miles across the Straits from Tarifa to Morocco. On the third attempt they decided to 'go for it' having turned back for reasons of elevation, wind etc.on two previous occassions.

Tarifa, Southern Spain

Booted Eagle

2011-09-18T12:52:00.004Z

Pale Morph Booted Eagle
Tarifa Southern Spain

Red-necked Nightjar

2011-09-18T12:39:00.001Z

Red-necked Nightjar. Following the finding of a road-killed Red-necked Nightjar in mid afternoon it was decided to stay in the vicinity until nightfall in the hope of seeing a live one.Not only did we see one but about seventeen others evenly spaced along the same stretch of road apparently warming themselves on the road surface.
This photograph was taken using the mini bus's headlights as illumination but did require an ISO setting of 6500!

Tarifa, Southern Spain

Slender-billed Gull

2011-09-17T13:51:00.001Z

1st winter Slender-billed Gull

Tarifa, Southern Spain

Red-veined Darters

2011-09-17T13:41:00.002Z

Female & Male Red-veined Darter. These are frequent migrants to southern Britain .

Tarifa, Southern Spain

Little Swift

2011-09-17T13:25:00.003Z

Distant record shot of a Little Swift near Chipiona, They had been nesting with House Martins in a building belonging to the local fish market

Tarifa, Southern Spain

Whimbrel

2011-09-17T13:20:00.002Z

Whimbrel. We unfortunately dipped on our target birds for this stretch of beach, Lesser Crested and Elegant Terns
Tarifa, Southern Spain

Sabine's Gull

2011-09-14T14:08:00.000Z

Adult Sabine's Gull at Grafham Water, Cambs blown in land by the tail end of the American Hurricane

Grey Phalarope

2011-09-14T13:59:00.000Z

Grey Phalarope, Grafham Water, Cambs. One of many blown off couse by the tail end of the American Hurricane

Great Horned Owl

2011-08-04T10:32:00.000Z

Great Horned Owl, Rutland Falconry Centre

Lanner Falcon

2011-08-04T10:30:00.000Z

Lanner Falcon, Rutland Falconry Centre

Saker Falcon

2011-08-04T10:28:00.000Z

Saker Falcon, Rutland Falconry Centre

Eagle Owl

2011-08-04T10:15:00.000Z

Eagle Owl, Rutland Falconry Centre

Bateleur Eagle

2011-08-04T10:12:00.000Z

Bateleur Eagle, Rutland Falconry Centre

Common Buzzard

2011-08-04T10:10:00.000Z

Common Buzzard, Rutland Falconry Centre

Harris Hawk

2011-08-04T10:07:00.000Z

Harris Hawk, Rutland Falconry Centre

Great Grey Owl

2011-08-04T10:05:00.000Z

Great Grey Owl, Rutland Falconry Centre

Barred Owl

2011-08-04T10:03:00.002Z

Barred Owl, Rutland Falconry Centre

Barn Owl

2011-08-04T10:02:00.000Z

Barn Owl. Rutland Falconry Centre

Barn Owl

2011-08-04T09:59:00.000Z

Barn Owl, Central & Eastern sub species, Rutland Falconry Centre

Gatekeepers Mating

2011-07-27T17:22:00.000+01:00

Gatekeepers mating at Tanholt Pits
He's still at it despite missing half a forewing!

For additional butterfly images see the Gallery

Chalkhill Blue at Hills & Hollows, Barnack

2011-07-09T14:46:00.000+01:00

Chalkhill Blue

Green-veined White

2011-06-30T13:28:00.000+01:00

Mating Green-veined Whites near River Nene , Peterborough

Mute Swans

2011-06-30T13:25:00.000+01:00

Mute Swans on River Nene, Peterborough

Silver-washed Fritillary

2011-06-28T13:19:00.000+01:00

Male Silver-washed Fritillary at Bedford Purlieus
For other butterfly images see THE GALLERY

Common Whitethroat

2011-06-17T17:59:00.000+01:00

Common Whitethroat at Kings Dyke, Peterborough

Marsh Harrier

2011-06-17T08:55:00.002+01:00

Female

Male Marsh Harrier, Kings Dyke, Peterborough

Reflections of Hungary

2011-05-31T15:22:00.003+01:00

Ornithological Symmetry

The following images are a record of a Photographic holiday in or near to the Hortobagy National Park in NE Hungary. Based in the town of Balmazujvaros we travelled each day to hides situated in specific habitat locations often positioned in the vicinity of particular bird species.

A total of 94 species were recorded of which 38 were photographed. Nine additions to my Western Palearctic list were made including:- Great Bustard,Black and Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Moustached Warbler and Pygmy Cormorant.

Red-footed Falcon, Hungary

2011-05-31T15:11:00.001+01:00

Red-footed Falcons

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Hoopoe, Hungary

2011-05-31T15:01:00.000+01:00

Hoopoe

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Long-eared Owl, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:49:00.000+01:00

Long-eared Owl

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Corn Bunting, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:47:00.000+01:00

Corn Bunting

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Gadwall

2011-05-31T14:45:00.000+01:00

Gadwall

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Night Heron, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:43:00.000+01:00

Black-crowned Night Heron

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Ferruginous Duck, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:41:00.001+01:00

Female Ferruginous Duck

Male Ferruginous Duck

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Purple Heron, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:36:00.000+01:00

Purple Heron

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Great White Egret, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:33:00.000+01:00

Great White Egret

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Marsh Harrier, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:28:00.000+01:00

Marsh Harrier

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Pygmy Cormorant, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:25:00.000+01:00

Pygmy Cormorant

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

European Bee-eater, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:19:00.000+01:00

European Bee-eater

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

European Roller, Hungary

2011-05-31T14:11:00.000+01:00

European Roller

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Starling, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:43:00.000+01:00

Starling cooling off

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Hawfinch, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:40:00.000+01:00

Hawfinch

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Marsh Tit, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:33:00.000+01:00

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Marsh Tit

Blackbird, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:30:00.000+01:00

Female Blackbird, Hungary

Tree Sparrow, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:27:00.000+01:00

Tree Sparrows

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Middle Spotted Woodpecker, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:25:00.001+01:00

Middle Spotted Woodpecker

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Great Tit, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:22:00.000+01:00

Great Tit

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Nuthatch, Hungary

2011-05-30T16:16:00.000+01:00

Nuthatch

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Blackcap, hungary

2011-05-30T16:13:00.000+01:00

Blackcap, male & female

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Great Spotted Woodpecker

2011-05-30T16:09:00.000+01:00

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Yellowhammer, Hungary

2011-05-30T14:54:00.000+01:00

Yellowhammer

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Red-backed Shrike, Hungary

2011-05-30T14:51:00.000+01:00

Red-backed Shrike

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Garden Warbler, Hungary

2011-05-30T14:46:00.001+01:00

Garden Warbler

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Spotted Flycatcher, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:44:00.001+01:00

Spotted Flycatcher

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Nightingale, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:42:00.000+01:00

Nightingale

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Nightingale

Greenfinch, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:35:00.001+01:00

Greenfinch

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Collared Flycatcher, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:32:00.000+01:00

Female Collared Flycatcher

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Song Thrush, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:30:00.000+01:00

Song Thrush

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Black-winged Stilt--HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:23:00.000+01:00

Black-winged Stilt

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Redshank--HUNGARY

2011-05-30T14:20:00.000+01:00

Redshank

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Lapwing

2011-05-30T14:18:00.000+01:00

Lapwing

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Great White Egret, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T13:57:00.000+01:00

Great White Egret,

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Grey Heron

2011-05-30T13:54:00.000+01:00

Grey Heron,

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

White Stork

2011-05-30T13:52:00.000+01:00

White Stork,

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Blue Throat, HUNGARY

2011-05-30T13:49:00.000+01:00

White spotted Blue Throat,

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Night Heron--HUNGARY

2011-05-30T13:44:00.001+01:00

Black-crowned Night Heron,

Hortobagy National Park, Hungary

Blue tits

2011-05-13T18:00:00.001+01:00

A pair of Blue Tits. But what gender are they? The scuffy one was doing most of the work feeding the young. At times the smarter one didn't know whether food should be taken into the box or from the box!

Sedge Warbler

2011-05-09T12:18:00.000+01:00

This singing Sedge Warbler performed well whilst we waited for the Citrine Wagtail to appear at Cley on 8th May 2011

Nightingale

2011-05-05T16:18:00.000+01:00

Nightingale at Paxton Pits, Cambs.

Turtle Dove

2011-05-05T16:16:00.000+01:00

Turtle Dove resting on an amazing piece of Modern Art! Paxton Pits, Cambs

Garden Warbler

2011-05-05T16:14:00.000+01:00

Garden Warbler at Paxton Pits, Cambs.

Wheatear

2011-04-18T14:13:00.000+01:00

Male Wheatear at Maxey Pits, Peterborough

A RECORD TWITCH

2011-04-12T10:01:00.001+01:00

It certainly turned out to be.

Since Mr. T was swaning around in France trying to attract some rare feathered friends from the Folies Bergere , no doubt and Mr. B was preparing for his tour of the Kuwaiti oil fields. I wandered lonely South to Arundel WWT for a Big Tick for a Little Bird.

My intention was to quickly ‘get’ the bird and then spend the rest of the day photographing some of their large collection of rare captive wild fowl from around the world.

I soon located the ticking group after being stripped of £10.30 for the honour of treading on the WWT’s holy land. Why the extra 30p I never found out. Lonely I was no more, about 200 other like minded people were squeezed into two viewing areas on a two foot wide boardwalk attempting to look down two water channels both about 10 foot wide into a large reed bed where this wanted specimen was apparently seen some 30 minutes ago. It’s strange at these twitches, whatever time you arrive you are with some degree of glee always told IT was seen 30 minutes ago; usually accompanied with the comments ‘’we had cracking views down to 5 yards’’

The vigil started. Two hours later after witnessing two water voles and a grass snake gently swim by we all began to get a bit fidgety but to turn around or even try to discreetly stretch was frowned upon, especially by those on the edge of the boardwalk.

Another two hours went by and now not only was the sun at its peak in a cloudless sky on the hottest day of the year but most were now becoming hungry and thirsty. What a sweaty, starving bunch of Crazies we were since no one dare leave their position in case the sought after little creature appeared ; and in any case once you quitted your spot there was no chance of regaining it. We all had to suffer in silence apart from the grumbling stomachs!

After a further two hours a lot of people were now questioning their own sanity especially since the Malaysian Grand Prix, the Heineken cup quarter- final and the Masters golf were all being televised. Never mind we all said we were having some cracking ( of course) views of courting Mallards, tussles between Buzzards and Red kites and the constant serenade of an annoying Cetti’s Warbler which burst into song every 5 minutes or so about 5 Yards away. If I don’t hear another Cetti this year I will be most pleased.

You would think after six hours there would be a gradual decrease in numbers since we had had not a sniff of any possible indication that this horrible little thing was still present. None of it, no one was going anywhere!

However when six and a half hour was reached I decided that was it . If I left now I wouldn’t be home for ten so reluctantly I started to gather my bits together and was just going to move off : when------

‘’There she is—just come out of the reeds at the back’’ Dropped everything ,bins up , spotted, ticked, time to go home ( after a visit to the bushes for the first time in 7 hours, a record in itself)

What it had been doing for SIX AND A HALF HOURS heavens knows but who cares.

A Big Tick for a LITTLE CRAKE, an attractive, rare vagrant and elusive Rail from Eastern Europe.

Was it worth it. Of course. Where else would you get a chance to experience the emotions of Expectation, Suspense,Frustration,Impatience,Elation and Satisfaction all in one day.

A record day indeed

Male Mandarin

White-faced Whistling Ducks

Male mandarin

Although no opportunity arose to get shots of the Female Little Crake there was just enough time at the end of the day for a few shots of some of their captive Wildfowl

Garganey at High Wash , Peterborough

2011-04-02T13:14:00.001Z

Female

Male

Pair of Garganey on partially flooded field adjacent to both River Nene and the Thorney/Whittlesey road

Ruff

2011-03-30T11:22:00.000Z

Ruff at Tichwell, Norfolk

Avocets

2011-03-30T11:21:00.000Z

Avocets feeding at Tichwell, Norfolk

Coot in Ferry Meadows, Peterborough

2011-03-30T11:17:00.000Z

Am I really at the centre of the universe

Oystercatchers

2011-03-30T11:13:00.003Z

Oystercatchers at Snettisham, Norfolk

Knot

2011-03-30T11:10:00.000Z

Knot at Snettisam, Norfolk