Foggy Photos from my last 2010 patch walk.

I haven't been "on line" for several days, and it has been a least a week since I have had a chance to visit my adopted patch at the Church, so even though its was fog just about everywhere on the 29th of December! I had a couple of hours spare, so I thought I would still take a trip out in the poor weather conditions, just to see what might be about. Just before I arrived at the Church, as I approached Mereworth roundabout, I spotted what looked like a Kestrel on one of the street lights, so I parked the car near the roundabout, and pointed the camera out my car window, taking 3 shots before the Kestrel flew off. I then drove the short distance to the Church, parked up and started a brisk walk. The usual suspects were seen, such as Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Blackbird, Robin, Wren, Great/Blue/Long tailed Tits, GS/Green Woodpeckers, Pheasants, Red Legged Partridge. I also saw a perched Buzzard, Coal Tits, and 3 Peacocks! I still have yet to see the Little Owl, but I'm sure I will do that next year?!!!

I also saw a Deer, but the long range photo was a waste of time in the thick fog.

Some "foggy photos" then, to accompany my Ramblings.

Happy New Year to you all, cheers.

Kestrel on street light above roundabout

2 Coal Tits.

GreenWoodpecker.

Long range shot of one of the Buzzards.

And those Peacocks!

Waxwings continued.

Well, I did take a fair few shots of these lovely birds, so here are some more photos of them. It seems I arrived at about 10.00am on the 24th, and I didnt leave till gone 11.30am!

Ive had a count here and I make it 42 in this pic(there were others in another tree though)

This is a strange shot, they are very acrobatic, and seen here with the local Sparrow colony.

A ringed Waxwing here.

With all those berries being eaten, its got to exit too!

This last one is a close up, but I would love to get some shots with the sun/light in the right place.

Waxwings a Plenty

I couldnt resist the lure of seeing a Waxwing for the first time ever, and being so close to home, who could blame me. I was already skating on thin ice with the wife!!! (well it is Christmas Eve) should I be really chasing birds today? errrrrrrrrrr yes!
A special thanks to the home owners(Seb and his wife) for allowing us to get closer to these beautiful birds too. There were well over 50 of them, and possible closer to 75.
It was also a pleasure to meet and chat with Alan, and we were literally rubbing shoulders in order to capture some good shots. The light wasnt the best for most of the time(hence editing contrast/light etc.) But the sun did shine for us, especially when the birds drank water from the gutter.

Thanks once again for the tip off Alan.

A Merry Christmas to you all...cheers.

Possible Red Kite photo/sighting?

I had to take one of my daughters to Aylesford today, so I thought I would check in on the river activities at Aylesford village, I only had an hour to spare, so I had to make good. But when I saw the high river level, I thought I wouldnt see much!!! These are the highlights then- After scaring off 3 Snipe at the rivers edge, I'd given up hope of capturing a decent close up shot of a Snipe(I still didnt have one at that point) Then I stumbled on a Snipe, that was approx. 10 feet from me! We both froze, so I took 4 shots, but the reed was right in the front of the shots, like a fool I tried to move in order to get a better photo, the Snipe was gone.
Then I looked skyward and saw what I thought was a Buzzard, it had flown over me towards the church, I took a long range distance shot, but didnt think nothing more of it. I made my way to the corner of the old bridge and stopped to see if anything was about, at that point a black cat made a leap towards a small dark bird, the cat very nearly got it too, it was a Water Rail, which then flew under the bridge(No photos of that incident, but what a sight).
I then made my way across the old bridge and walked down the riverbank, took some long range shots of yet another Snipe, then my daughter phoned me, time to go...A good hour spent.

As I've said, I'm very much a novice at this "Birding lark", I've never seen a Red Kite before, so feel free to put me either right on wrong on this. Some photos then, cheers.

Ive finally got that close up shot of a snipe(shame about the reed position though!)

The possible Red Kite?

Across the river shot of another Snipe(with Moorhen)

Black headed Gull(with ring)

Close up cropped pic of ring.

Three new birds to our garden list.

I have spent some time lately(along with my young son)watching the bird activities in our back garden, and this week we have added three new birds to our Garden List. I managed to take a couple of photos of two of them, but the 3rd was just too evasive for us. These new birds are-  1)  Treecreeper, 2)  Pied Wagtail, and 3)  Goldcrest.
The majority of Photos I take are from a bedroom window, behind double glazing, and normally from at least 15 feet distance, but in most cases a greater distance. Depending on available light, these photos are sometimes poor, however if the sun is in the right place, I can get some good images.

The Treecreeper, this was taken on the 14/12/10, and a bit of a surprise for us!

Next up is the Pied Wagtail, this was seen on 12/12/10, and it was within 6 feet of our backdoor.

The Goldcrest was also seen on the 14/12/10, but no photos as yet!

 As I said, despite taking most of my photos through the wrong side of a modern window, if the light is right, then I can get reasonable results, here are several examples.

A Robin.

A Bluetit.

A Dunnock.

Church patch birds.

My adopted church patch is relatively new to me, although as a teenager back in the early 80's, I used to visit a friend who lived near this church, so I spent some time in and around the area. Fast forward 30 odd years, and for the last 6 months or so, I've tried to make regular visits here. The church is set on high ground, with fantastic views, and a good place for Buzzards/Kestrels. So here are several photos which were taken recently.

A male Kestrel taking flight from the church roof.

A Buzzard above the church yard.

The next 2 photos are of a Spotted Flycatcher.

A poor long distance photo of a Nuthatch.

Beginners luck.

After once again, meeting up with that "sharp" eyed man called Phil, he gave me a tip off on where to locate the Goosander. So the following day, I parked up in the main car park at Leybourne lakes, and started my trek through the snow. I met a couple of chaps on the way, but they had no luck in spotting the Goosander, so I thought that was it then! But I was in luck, I did see it at Steamside, and managed to get some long range photos, although poor light. I then carried on down the Millstream, and also shot some pics of a couple of Snipe. Time wasnt on my side, so I made my way back the same route, and I thought I might just check to see if that goosander was still in the same area...beginners luck, because the Goosander showed well for me.
The following photos tell the story...Cheers.