Bradgate Birds etc

Final few from the Bradgate trip - mainly birds that I enjoyed for various reasons - the Jackdaws intent on removing ticks etc from very patient Fallow deer, pictorial views of Peacock and Pheasant, water-level views of Swans etc.

Paxton Pits Afternoon walk

Yesterday morning was too wet to do outside work at Paxton Pits so we were undercover putting nest boxes together. In the afternoon, the rain stopped and clouds cleared to give beautiful light for a walk around the reserve. There are hundreds of Gadwall and Widgeon on the Lakes at the moment together with resident Cormorants, Swans and Gulls which provided plenty of activity to photograph. The flies are still active with three species of hoverfly in one small patch together with a Sarcophagid fly on a toadstool.

Welney - Moon Set, Sun Rise

Members of the RPS Nature Group attended the Swans Awake event at Welney WWT yesterday and witnessed the setting of the full moon as the sun rose to give us a bright clear day for the rest of our time at the reserve. Here a few images to give the atmosphere; unfortunately the wind direction meant the swans departed away from us except for a few groups. The Barn owl over the bank was a great addition and later would become the focus of our photography. 

Welney Winter Landscapes etc

Final images from Welney showing the frozen water and frosted vegetation, and some of the birds around the centre.

Welney Swans on Ice

We visited Welney on Wednesday in subzero temperature and misty conditions which made great backdrops for the Whooper Swans, Greylags and ducks. There is very little unfrozen water  for the swans so numbers for the roost were much lower than usual.