Fowlmere - a Miscellany from Bees to Cockerel

A mixed bag of snaps from Fowlmere including a bee swarm in a willow - in fact there were two swarms in the same tree. A very confiding warbler allowed some good shots - although it didn't sing, I am sure this was a Willow Warbler with the pronounced eye stripe and supercilium and the paler legs  (compare to photo of a know Chiffchaff). I also managed a photographic glimpse of a Cetti's Warbler as it hopped around the undergrowth while the Long-tailed Tit happily displayed. As usual the only abundant birds were Grey Lag Geese with a few Canada Geese looking great among the emerging reeds and two very noisy cockerels.

 

RSPB Reserve at Fowlmere

 A cloudy morning at Fowlmere produced only Greylag and Canada geese, an Egret and a hovering Kestrel. Could do better!!

Fowlmere in Evening Light

As an antidote to a day spent indoors foe the EA Region RPS, I had a walk round Fowlmere in the evening. The usual species were around including Dabchick, Marsh Harrier, Reed Warbler and obliging Blackcap female. The Coot appeared to feed its youngster a closed mollusc - it managed to swallow it but wondered if its digestion would deal with this - any ideas? The ?Chinese Water deer was very frisky - charging around the area.

 

Sunlight at Fowlmere RSPB Reserve

Beautiful sunny afternoon at Fowlmere shared only by some Greylag geese, a few ducks and moorhens and a very obliging Heron.

A couple of images playing with shutterspeed and timing to get the moment when the goose head is completely enveloped in a skin of water like this swimming image shared on facebook today 

Here to try and stop the wing beat of the myriads of flies rising from the reeds. This is 1/5000th second.

Geese at Fowlmere

 Almost the only birds seen at Fowlmere on Friday were Greylag and Canada Geese. However, the light was perfect for capturing flight so here a few action shots.

Fowlmere RSPB Reserve

 Beautiful sunny day yesterday so couldn't resist a trip out. Fowlmere looked superb in the winter sunshine but was practically a bird-free zone - only 2 mallard and 2 moorhens came within range of the camera. Resorted to reed patterns etc - the last image reminds me of a viking boat.

Fowlmere

 Not much activity at Fowlmere RSPB reserve today though we did see the Kingfisher briefly at 2 hides. The Heron managed to catch a fish, drop it, recatch it and then finally swallow it.
Amazed to see a Migrant Hawker still on the wing in November.