WOODLAND BIRDS AT THE LOCAL WOOD

Wondering if the birds at the local wood could possibly be needing a feeder, went during the morning and placed a nut feeder in a suitable tree and stood back.
The first bird was a Blue Tit, following quickly came in the Nuthatches keen to fill their larder and the chain of other birds quick to catch on.  The sun was filtering through the leafless trees making it easy to spot the otherwise hidden birds.  A Treecreeper just for once came on the Willow branches and similar followed a few Long-tailed Tits.  The black and pink feathers brightly shinning in the sunlight.
The Blue Tits were queuing to get to the feeder outnumbering the Great Tits.
Two Greatspotted Woodpeckers were drumming for insects high above the wood in the tallest and oldest trees, a Jay in the far end of the wood was screeching.  The Blackbirds were making an alarm call, what that was about I didn't see.
Deep in some Bramble scrub was a Wren singing, then began a warning call, I think it had seen that I was there.
Difficult to leave a feeder over night when there are Grey Squrriels about.

BOTTLENOSE DOLPHINS

Always on the lookout for Dolphins managed to catch a glimse of them on Saturday 28th November.  Standing on the top of Nefyn point, the Dolphins did a circle of the bay at Nefyn, it was impossible for me to know if they were feeding or just swimming to where their destination was.
It looked like three adults with three youngsters, that was going by the size of the fins.
I know the bay is rich in fish so they have chosen a good place.  I'll continue the search for them again, fingers crossed.

SONG THRUSH IN THE EVENING SUN

The Song Thrush cannot hide within the leafless shrubs and trees, its feathers the shades of Autumn subtle browns.
Rare in flocks they prefer to be solitary.  After Autumn they will be one of a few to start singing but in the meantime feeding is the most important job of the day, keep warm at night and survive.
I have noticed that the Snails have hibinated and gather within tree bark, or under a terracotta plant pot, Snails are the main food for the Song Thrush. Earthworms are especially important during winter and spring.  Saw a Song Thrush on the 25th Nov on a manure heap on one of the local farms, it was pulling the straw to one side and finding the worms and grubs.  Having seen me jumped onto a stone wall and tried to hide in a thicket.

WAITING AT THE FEEDER

Waiting and watching the feeder, lots of places to hide.  A selection of birds spending time at the table and assorted feeders.  The Robins holding their territory and will fight to the death.  Their space is valuable and lots of watching places keeps them busy.

BLACK-HEADED GULL

Often seen at the pond, feeding and calling as it flies in.  Resting on the jetty.

 

LEUCISM MEADOW PIPIT

Single Leucism Meadow Pipit in the field this morning, I really thought it was very interesting,  it clearly stood out amongst the grass.

A feast of berries

The birds are feasting on the berries, flocks of Redwings are flying from tree to tree.  Amongst these small Thrushes are a few Song Thrush but they don't appear in flocks,  maybe two together, their golden brown feathers giving them away.
The Blackbirds in the garden trying to keep tightly their berries and not giving way to any other birds, always on the look out for intruders.

 

Ringed Birds

My photos of the ringed birds that I have seen and photographed whilst bird watching around the Lleyn Peninsula, my recent find was a Rock Pipit on the shore at Aberdaron, most likely ringed on Bardsey.    October 29th 2014

Redwings are back

In the rain and wind I noticed Redwings flying around the hedges along a field nearby.  The Blackbirds were not impressed at all and gave chase.  One settled briefly and I got photos but they were in the far end of the garden so not the best but the red feathers and the face markings were stunning and clear.

Fancy a ride on a train at Porthmadog

See more when the leaves fall off the trees and its cheaper in the winter.
First class is the best.  The train which goes from Porthmadog  to Caernarfon is superb, going through outstanding beauty of Snowdonia, no where better.

The days are getting chilly and the garden is wet with dew each morning, signs of Autumn as the leaves start to fall, the flowers are turning to seed pods.  The little Cyclamens peeping amongst the annuals, pink and white.
Starting to fill feeders and a few takers were the Great and Blue Tits. By the front gate is a nut feeder and a Great Spotted Woodpecker comes in early morning for a feed but he never carries the nuts away always likes to pecks little pieces and eats them.   The Robins singing again, marking their territory, its a wonderful sight as its uses the bird bath with water droplets everywhere.
Lots of shrubs dripping with berries this year, the Pyracantha laden with orange berries has already attracted the Blackbirds.
 The Willow Warblers have gone leaving a hand full of Chiffchaff, occasionally a call is heard from the hawthorn tree as the Chiffchaff makes its Autumnal call. 
Waiting patiently for the Fieldfares and the Redwings, I've heard they are on their way, coming from the Shetland Islands.
                                           Blackberries

Guilder Rose

                                       Hips and Sloes

                                    Himalayan Honeysuckle

                                          Pyracanthus

                                                 Sloes

 

                                       My Garden Robin

Mediterranean and Black-headed Gulls

Aberdaron beach, fresh water running from the river onto the beach providing drinking water for all sorts of sea birds which gather in great numbers.
Along the river Grey and Pied Wagtails are often seen on the walls and rocks.  Returning to the beach mixed Gulls feed amongst the rocks and even to-day a Grey Heron joined the gulls.  Mediterranean Gulls mix with Black-headed Gulls for safety and they all feed together, when disturbed they are more obvious in flight where the pure white wings are clearly seen.
Getting to grips with a new book I bought (on good advice) The Collins Bird Guide.  Juvenile Med Gulls are very similar to the BHG, very little difference separates them.
I want to search the estuary in Criccieth, Pwllheli marina and my patch Porth Dinllaen and Morfa Nefyn over the comming months for any gulls with a difference.

A Small river at Edern

A small river at Edern, clean water from the hills heading for the sea.  Having seen a Kingfisher but not as yet caught it on camera.  During the summer I saw the beautiful sight of a Grey Wagtail  a juvenile, it must be a sign of a pair breeding somewhere along the river.   To-day the 29th September I caught sight of a mature Grey Wagtail, indeed a beautiful sight with the brightest yellow ever.  Its bobbing movements with it tail, feeding in the shallows.
Also seen to-day were about three Meadow Pipits enjoying the clean water bathing and feeding, their appearance bright and fresh.  A Robin ever present or maybe more in the way of the migrate Robins, these Robins visiting us for the winter, its hard to tell them apart.  I'm told they are darker, time will tell in as many photos I can get of different individuals.
How many photos of a Meadow Pipit can I take, thank goodness I have a blog, so here goes.

The search for the Kingfisher

My search for a photo of a Kingfisher was until to-day proving extremly difficult.When at last I saw one perching on a stick on the edge  of a local river.  Many photos were taken.  Silver fish were jumping in the shallows, a Little Egret was fishing madly and in the depth of the tall grassses I could hear a Water Rail.  Further up the river was a Common Sandpiper prodding its beak into the mud, it was there for quite a time so the feed must have been plentiful.
Around the Island opposite the council offices were along side one of the many places for the waders were Turnstones, Dunlins, Ringed Plovers,Wigeon, Mute Swans, Godwits, Oystercatchers and many mixed Gulls, I searched for a med gull but didn't see any.
The day was very warm and even saw butterflies, Small Copper, female Common Blue and many Whites.  Wild flowers still edge the grassey banks.

Local Buzzards

There are a lot of Buzzards close to where I live and there are two pairs nesting around the village.  The juveniles tend to call as they fly trying to keep contact with the adults.
This morning I came across one youngster perching on a fencing post, he flew to the ground and then returned to a post and then shortly took off again.
A fantastic opportunity for good photos, it was very windy and  I'm sure he didn't hear the shutter as it clicked away a few shots.