Wonderful Willsbridge
I visited the park on Monday 8th March armed with camera and long lens. My intention was to look for a sparrowhawk seen on the previous Thursday, and also try to spot and photograph goldcrest. The latter is Britain's smallest native bird, smaller even than the diminutive wren. It is very active, seeking out insects and grubs in nooks and crannies in the woodland trees. It has a preference for conifers but will visit deciduous trees as well.
At the Mill I disturbed a grey wagtail which headed down to the brook. Seeking to stalk it for a photo, I failed dismally, and already alerted, it took off upstream. But while on the stream platform I saw a tree creeper. Although I got a few shots, none were particularly exceptional. While watching that bird, I was distracted by two goldcrests directly in the tree above me. I frantically ran off a dozen or more shots trying to catch one or the other. The tree creeper was joined by two others, and although I would have dearly loved better shots of these, the goldcrests were the bigger draw.
I caught the sparrowhawk later along the footpath, and also nailed a couple of 'lotties' for good measure.
A cracking day out, Gromit!
The somewhat elusive tree creeper, there are several in the park currently. It grips the treetrunk with its long claws, using its curved beak to probe for grubs in the bark.
The diminutive goldcrest, Britain's smallest bird. Named after the yellow flash on its head. Can be difficult to spot as it hunts for grubs and insects in nooks and crannies in the trees.
As agile as a bluetit, the goldcrest is very active so I was as pleased as punch to capture this delightful little bird.
This sparrowhawk had surprisingly cryptic plumage. It was only when I saw it move briefly that I spotted it. Even then it was only easily visible through the telephoto lens of my camera.
Longtailed tits, often called 'lotties' by birders, must be one of Britain's favourite birds after maybe the robin and bluetit. Sometimes likened to a ball on a stick, they roam the woods in groups of up to a dozen or more. Numbers have been hit by the hard winter but they are still easy to spot around the park. They make delightful photographic subjects, if you can catch them!
Another 'lottie'.
At the Mill I disturbed a grey wagtail which headed down to the brook. Seeking to stalk it for a photo, I failed dismally, and already alerted, it took off upstream. But while on the stream platform I saw a tree creeper. Although I got a few shots, none were particularly exceptional. While watching that bird, I was distracted by two goldcrests directly in the tree above me. I frantically ran off a dozen or more shots trying to catch one or the other. The tree creeper was joined by two others, and although I would have dearly loved better shots of these, the goldcrests were the bigger draw.
I caught the sparrowhawk later along the footpath, and also nailed a couple of 'lotties' for good measure.
A cracking day out, Gromit!
The somewhat elusive tree creeper, there are several in the park currently. It grips the treetrunk with its long claws, using its curved beak to probe for grubs in the bark.
The diminutive goldcrest, Britain's smallest bird. Named after the yellow flash on its head. Can be difficult to spot as it hunts for grubs and insects in nooks and crannies in the trees.
As agile as a bluetit, the goldcrest is very active so I was as pleased as punch to capture this delightful little bird.
This sparrowhawk had surprisingly cryptic plumage. It was only when I saw it move briefly that I spotted it. Even then it was only easily visible through the telephoto lens of my camera.
Longtailed tits, often called 'lotties' by birders, must be one of Britain's favourite birds after maybe the robin and bluetit. Sometimes likened to a ball on a stick, they roam the woods in groups of up to a dozen or more. Numbers have been hit by the hard winter but they are still easy to spot around the park. They make delightful photographic subjects, if you can catch them!
Another 'lottie'.
posted by Mike Dimery at
7:55 AM
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