Grub Time

                              

                              

Most of the Jays local to me are persecuted by the local Farmers and shoot syndicates and are very wary. So this was a unexpected meeting. And he was more interested in hiding his grub. You can see that his crown is striped. Unlike the Jays that I have photographed in Turkey or North Africa. So another new UK species for my blog. Only taken me 15 years to photograph one locally. Till next time peeps please keep safe.

Heavy Crop

 

One of my earliest memories as a schoolboy at 10 years of age. Was seeing my first Fieldfare.

It was a Sunday afternoon and my grandfather and me where sitting in his upstairs hobby room. He was a very keen philatelist and would show me stamps from all over the world with birds on. Then all off a sudden we both noticed a Fieldfare feeding in the Rowan tree in the front garden. My grandfather pulled out his big heavy ww2 naval binoculars and I had my first ever view of this striking Thrush  It was at that  moment I knew I wanted to be able to capture an image as striking as what we had just witnessed. Forty plus years on and a chance came. Although heavily cropped a pleasing result. And one I'm sure my grandfather would have enjoyed seeing.

 The rare Firecrest the second smallest bird in the Uk. Has had me wondering around the local wood during my daily exercise hour for the last few days. Such a joy to find on a cold lockdown walk. He had me dancing around like I was listening to The Firestarter. He was very active flitting about the area and seriously added to my daily exercise routine. And the excitement and adrenaline that one gets from such a small creature became quite emotional. Get out and have a walk its great for the Mind. Till my next post please stay Safe peeps.

My Favourite type of Snow.

 Well as promised in the last post. Here are some photo's off  the Snow Buntings. Just cant get enough time with these little favorites of mine. It might be freezing cold but just laying on the beach letting them feed around me is such a great feeling. That its not long before you forget that you came to photograph them and end up just watching them feed and interact. Hope they stay around till a bit of brighter weather returns. Because I will when the sun finally shines. So get out for an hour and let wildlife help you feel better. Till my next post Stay Safe Peeps.

New year new post.

 The new year has begun and Covid19 has kept us all with restrictions. A little walk to Cudmore grove would give me the oppurtunity to start my 2021 Bird list and this Purple Sandpiper was a bonus mixed amongst the Ringed Plovers. Unfortunately the light was fading and it would have taken a while for the rising tide to push him in for some close shots. Another tame favourite of mine was the Snow Buntings. Some images of the buntings will be in my next post. But just being able to get out really helped to lift my spirits during these harsh horrible times. Till my next post Please Stay Save Peeps, 

Follow on.

This Osprey was Hunting the Estuary around Mersea island A few weeks ago. A nice surprise which gave me some pleasing photo opportunities. 
 

Painting the Nest

Osprey India 2019.

There was me thinking lockdown would give me a chance to sort through some photo's. How wrong could I have been!. But then on a good note the house is now decorated from top to bottom. Which should allow me some more time out in the field.

Magnificent Seven

After an hours drive we had reached the Sorroco Plateau. The light wasn't great and as you can see in the picture it was very overcast. Digiscoping in these conditions is not ideal. But a record shot is better then nothing. On our way to the clearing that Rayman knew about we came across seven Brahminy Kite perched in a tree. But by the time i had stood the tripod up only four remand. Still it was early and hopefully the sun would soon shine through.

Birding by Torchlight.

It's 5:35am and i am full of excitement it's my first guided trip in goa.Rayman is waiting at the gates of the Marinha dourada Hotel. As we start the short drive to Pick up another birder called Stuart. Rayman my guide tells me that he has heard of a Brown Wood Owl at a little place called Saligao that we will visit on route with Stuart. Twenty minutes later we are all standing in, what in the dark was like a garden of a house with Rayman shinning a torch into a tree whispering it's here. A couple of clicks later without using the camera flash and after watching it in my binoculars i managed a few snaps for my records.

  Here is a list of birds for Saligao (Brown Wood Owl in torchlight in the dark!) and Socorro plateu (grassland/trees area in daylight). A day full of new life ticks pics and memories. 

Brown Wood Owl

Peafowl

Asian Palm Swit

Golden-fronted Leafbird

White-browed Bulbul

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Red-vented Bulbul

White-bellied Drongo

Asian Paradise Flycatcher

Black-headed Cuckoo-shrike

Chestnut-tailed Starling

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Rosy Starling

Indian Golden Oriole (M + F)

Common Woodshrike

Small Minivet (M + F)

Brahminy Kite

Thick-billed Flowerpecker

Chestnut-shouldered Petronia

Pale-billed Flowerpecker

Orange-breasted Green Pigeon

Black-headed Ibis

Coppersmith Barbet

Scaly-breasted Munhia

Marsh Harrier

White-rumped Munhia

Purple Heron

Booted Eagle

Exchange and Info

My wife and i  had the pleasure to meet the very helpful Mr Veen at the Currancy exchange. Not only could he change my money up. It was him who put me in touch with Rayman who was a fantastic Bird guide who really knew the best places to visit and had eagle eyes for finding the birds too.This Female sunbird was photographed whilst at Mr Veens contacting Rayman to plan my first Meeting and trips.

Click and Go

Another species that was a lifer for me was this Bronzed-winged Jacana. But with so many birds to see and photograph it was a case of just click and go.

Flaming missed it.

Whilst taking some photo's of the Pond Heron. This Flameback landed on the opposite tree. By the time i had found the bird in my scope it had dissapeared behind the trunk of the tree never to be seen again. This was the only photo i managed and only time i saw a Flameback this one i believe is a blacked -rump. And a new tick for me. yeppi this place was going to keep me busy. Here is my List for my first real morning's birding in Goa. Many thanks to Paul Neale a fellow Blogger for inviting me to share a taxi with him and his wife Sandra and for showing me the area.

GOA 2019

27^th November

Siolim causeway & paddyfields.

Other Observers:  Paul & Sandra Neale “nealesbirdsblogspot.com”

White-throated Kingfisher

Pied Kingfisher
Asian palm Swift

Wire-tailed Swallow

Blue-tailed Bee-eater

Grey Heron

Purple Heron
Indian Pond Heron

Red wattled Lapwing

Spotted Dove

Redshank

Spotted Redshank

Wood Sandpiper

Temminck’s stint

Black-rumped flameback

Black-winged Stilt

Black Kite

Brahminy Kite

Marsh Harrier

Booted Eagle

                         Cinnamon Bitten (seen from car)

Bronzed winged Jacana

Asian Openbill

White Stork

Barn Swallows

Black drongo

Grey wagtail

Green Bee-eater

Kingfisher

White browed Wagtail

Paddyfield Pipit

Stonechat

Red-whisked Bulbar

Plum Headed & Rose ringed Parakeet
Zitting Cisticola

Siolim Experiance

        The first trip out for me was to the Village of Siolim and its paddyfields and marshland. But most of all the chance to gain some new life ticks. To be Continued!!!

Garden Bird

This Magpie robin was quite happy to pose for me on my first walk around the hotel gardens of the Marinha Dourada.

Common Rocks

            This Common Sandpiper was a pleasure to watch feeding on the rocks one morning.

Kingfisher Time

The Marinha Dourada hotel had two large lakes which enticed White throated kingfishers most evenings. So i was able to watch them from the balcony while enjoying a cold beer.

Yellow wattled road.

 Another find along the road to Little Vagator beach was these Yellow-wattled lapwing.

Not kite flying Weather.

A trip to little Vagator beach produced this Juvenile Black Kite. And a nice start to a relaxing day at the beach.