British Wildlife Photography: April 2013

Saturday, 20 April 2013

Old Lodge Ashdown Forest April 20th 2013

What started out to be a fairly quiet visit.... suddenly turned into one of the bets visits to this nature reserve. From the moment the Red Kite was spotted there were several opportunities to get some good photos...

Chiffchaff

Cuckoo

Red Kite

Male Common Redstart

Robin (I love that a Robin will usually come over to see who you are

and announce that this is his or her territory.

Although some Holly.. Robins are not just for Christmas!

This photo shows the Robin a little 'spooked' as it spotted a larger bird flying overhead -

(although it was only a pigeon - it could have been a predator)

Willow Warbler - not to be confused with a Chiffchaff

First Cuckoo of 2013

The first cuckoo I have heard or seen in 2013! (and lucky enough to get a photo!)

All the way from Africa! - Find a partner, do what nature does and then fly back to Africa....

Nikon D300S and 500mm Lens

Tuesday, 16 April 2013

Nightingale and Chifchaff at Pulborough Brooks

A visit to Pulborough Brooks yesterday and over 30 different birds sighted and wasn't including any waders from the vast amount of water - (vast due to the current 'flooding').

Two favourites from the visit in the afternoon and early evening were Nightingales and Chiffchaffs. Quite amazing really that these birds fly all the way to Africa for the winter and are now arriving back in the UK. The first thing they do is establish their territories and start to sing for a mate! It's a hard life!

A Nightingale in full song with a Chiffchaff below that and the bottom one the Nightingale...