Psilos
Bird Journal |
Friday September
12th 2008 |
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Statues
and limitations |
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Today I waslooking forward
to a trip to Leighton Moss. This is one of the RSPBs premier birding
sites in the north and has an impressive list of bird species to be
seen. These inclue Bittern, Bearded tit and Marsh harrier. I have been
here many times and only ever seen Bittern fleetingly and the Marsh
harriers from a great distance away. As for the elusive bearded tits
its any ones guess where they can be found. From a photographic point
of view I have never found this site inspiring but you never know what
you are going to find. Om arrival there was a very long walk to the
back of the reserve. |
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At this time of year there
should be alot of ducks present but water levels are too high and so
the waters are bare. Four Cormorants are fishing on the lake and a couple
of Little Egrets and a Grey heron sit huddled together far away. In
the trees over t he back Buzzard and Sparrowhawk can also be seen. Apparently
most of the Marsh harriers have now gone back to Africa for the winter
and only one or are lingering round but we didnt see any. A Kingfisher
sits in a tree and dives for fish. It is a lovely thing to watch but
is too far for my camera. |
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The only bird that comes near
enough for me to photograph is the Grey heron. In he flies and starts
to hunt right outside our hide. Typically he catches something to eat
behind some reeds so we cannot see him. Eventually he comes out and
walks slowly but surely towards us. He continues to hunt in the water,
keeping as still as a statue, intently watching the water for so very
long but fails to catch anything. He is a very tame bird and is not
fazed by our presence at all. When we finally move on he does not even
bat an eyelid. |
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The only other bird I photographed
at Leighton Moss was a Magpie as I was leaving. His vivid colours were
flashing in the sun and I really could not resist him. |
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Having left Leighton moss in
the mid afternoon we paid a visit to the Eric Morecombe hide. This is
a hide that overlooks a lake nearer to the estuary. Here there was more
chance of being able to photograph some waders. Approaching the hide
suspense was in the air. All around was the sound of Redshanks calling.
We were hoping to see some Greenshank but we did not know what we would
really find. |
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The light here is not at its
best as the sun comes straight towards us. Here the range of my camera
is tested to its furthest limitations. Everyone assumes that because
you have a big lens you can photograph anything at any distance. Of
course this is not true especially when it comes to something the size
of even a medium sized bird. |
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The Redshanks were numerous
with large numbers huddled together. I was very pleased to see half
a dozen Grenshank in with them. The Redshank, smaller than the Greenshank
were very flighty and often took to the skies. Of course I lose no time
in photographing them even if the light is poor. |
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There are also some ducks here
including quite large numbers of Shovelers. These are one of my favourite
ducks to photograph in flight. |
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