Psilos
Bird Journal |
Thursday November
24th 2011 |
||
"Getting
started" |
||
 |
||
For over six months I have
wandered through Seven acres country park and been fascinated by
the bird life that lives within it. Always on my way to work it
never occured to me to stop and really watch what was going on.
I was always in too much of a hurry. In the summer I had been seranaded
by the melodious songs of the warblers. All the way from Africa
to breed, the Blackcap, Whitethroat, Willow warber and Chiffchaff
were numerous. Down on the river I would get the occasional glimpse
of the Kingfisher and Dipper. It was all enchanting stuff. Slowly
summer changed into autumn and the park became much more quiet as
all the warblers departed for warmer climes. The leaves fell solumely
from the trees and the park took on a very different look. |
||
 |
||
Jays, birds that are normally more elusive in the summer started to appear. Foraging for acorns their harsh call echoed around the park. Creatures now of habit I knew where to find them, The nearest oak tree is where they like to hang out. Here is one sat in the tree and only seconds later he took flight to the other side of the river. This week it finally occured to me just what an opportunity for photography I was missing out on. I yearned to take pictures but didnt have the time. It is an hours walk to work via this park and an hour walk home again. Suddenly though the answer seemed to become clear. Leave home a couple of hours earlier and take my camera with me! That way I have the best hours in the morning in which to let this story unfold. Therefore this is what I have decided to do. |
||
 |
||
Over the last two weeks I have
been watching a pair of dippers. I know the call of most birds but the
song of the dipper was unfamiliar to me. Almost like the call of a warbler
it guided me to the river and showed me a pair displaying to each other
on a log. Necks stretched upwards they danced before each other. Their
behaviour was enchanting and I yearned to learn more. It was from that
experience that I have decided to follow them closely through the winter.
It will however not be an easy task. These birds are wary and getting
close enough to get decent photographs will be a challenge indeed. I
am still not yet quite sure how to do it. The photograph above shows
my first photographic encounter with these birds. Light levels today
were low and this was the only shot I got before the birds flew away.
I was never to get close enough to them again for the rest of the day.
I am hoping that in the weeks to come they will get used to me and allow
me closer into their world. |
||
 |
||
Also on the river today were
two Grey wagtails, a very elusive Kingfisher that I saw briefly twice
and at least two Grey Herons. I saw few herons in the summer but numbers
now seem to be increasing. For such large birds they are also difficult
to get close too. The bird in the photo below was having a siesta and
did not seem to hear me approach. |
||
 |
||
My slower reccie of the area also provided me with a positive contact in the form of John Anderton, the parks bird recorder. A mine of useful information we merrily chatted about the birds and wildlife in the park. He also told me about the wild Roe deer that can be found in the early mornings. Something that I am greatly looking forward to. Due to the low light levels it was not a great day for photographing the small birds in the park but there was certainly alot about. Several high vocal flocks of Long tailed tits flitted from tree to tree, mixing also with Blue tits, Great tits and one Goldcrest. Small flocks of Chaffinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Bullfinch were also about. Large numbers of Blackbird, Robin and Wren are everywhere with one Song thrush up near the top end. I left as the wind began to blow harder and the threat of rain hung heavy in the gathering grey clouds. Despite the heavy frost yesterday, the weather is still very mild. Winter has yet to hit Seven Acre park, but when it does I will be ready. |
||
 |
||
