I read awhile ago on the RSPB site that Blackcaps were being seen more and more overwintering in the UK. I just assumed it would be down South where the winters aren't quite as harsh as they can be in Yorkshire so was surprised to see a female enjoying the berries on the trees near my home. I've never noticed one in the area before so to see them here at this time of year was a very pleasant spot this morning. Its quite a suburban area with lots of big gardens and plenty of feeders around so there must be enough food to see her through till Spring.
I've had the title of this blog drafted out since I first spotted a shrew under the bird feeders at work. It was definitely something I decided to get a picture of but I've struggled. Like the voles I spotted them in the retaining wall but unlike the voles the only shots I've got have been blurred or blank. The first thing you might spot is their quite long nose sniffing the air before shooting out to grab any food and then disappear. Quite simply they are the fastest thing I think I've seen! The picture below is one of 4 I took in rapid succession at 1/160 sec and is the only frame on which it appears, on the second of the four there is a smudge of grey and the others are blank. Its definit
I've recently noticed a lot of Goldcrests out and about and it's definitely one of the birds I've been hoping to get a picture of. However, being not only the countries smallest birds it's also the countries biggest fidget. In the past I've described trying to photograph them as like nailing jelly to a tree whilst wearing welders gloves and a blind fold. I have got some really poor shots in the past which were definitely record shots and I'm not saying the following are that much better but they are definitely an improvement. These were taken at Cromwell Bottom my local nature reserve in the main feeding area, not somewhere I have ever seen one before. Not only did the bird never sit still b
It's that time of year when I start filling up the feeders and helping out the birds as the nights draw in and the temperatures drop. It seems as though peanuts seem to be the number one protein choice at the moment with a variety of both feathered and furry friends. The magpies, jays and jackdaws are able to grab a beak full in one visit, the squirrel sits and takes his time while the vole zips in and out taking one at a time and stashes them away for the odd occasion I run out. The shrew on the other hand is just too QUICK, but I know he's there!!
