This Weekend

I’ve not had very much chance to get out with the camera of late, and this weekend wasn’t much better either! With the dull weather I decided to do some work in the garden, and as I was sowing some seeds all the Woodpigeons in the hedgerow scattered, and the small birds dived for cover. A Sparrowhawk twisted through the air after the birds and I smiled to myself – it’s always a treat to get a glimpse of a top predator. To my surprise, the next time I glanced up, she (I think?) was perched on the garage roof! I quietly grabbed the camera, and carefully went outside.

 

Then, to my delight, she flew straight towards me, swooping above my head as I stood by the back door. Tentatively I looked up around the gutter, and there she was perched on the roof! I thought she’d probably fly off when she noticed me, so I carefully framed up and took a couple of photos, but she didn’t care about me at all, barely glancing down. To her I was totally insignificant.

 

She surveyed her territory for a while, and then quietly dived from the roof and soared away over the village, a chorus of alarm calls following her.

Not bad for a dull and damp day!

 

Similar Posts

  • On Safari

    The 4×4 bounces along the rough rutted track, rounding a corner we spot the herd. 150 animals strong, they move through the pale dry grass and dust drifts in the air as one individual shakes out its coat. Ear’s flick away flies, a mother calls gently to it’s calf, there’s a roar in the distance….

  • Operation Turtle Dove

    Regular readers will know I have a real passion for this wonderful rare bird. I’ve just heard about Operation Turtle Dove – a three year project to reverse the decline of the Turtle dove. The project is a partnership between the RSPB, Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, Natural England, and Conservation Grade. For more information visit their…

  • House Sparrow

    Quick post before I head out with the camera. Here’s a House Sparrow I photographed yesterday in Drew’s parents garden. What an incredible sight it was – their garden was heaving with birds, constant activity at all the feeders and I counted 14 Blackbirds on the ground together, and I’m sure there were more than…

  • Bearded Tits

    Out in search of the Bearded tits again this morning. It was a frosty start and the fen was shrouded in mist. I walked along past the oaks, not a good year for acorns it seems and consequently there are very few Jay’s around. A small mottled brown bird darts silently out of a tree…

  • The Murmuration

    You may have noticed from my Facebook page that I have had the most amazing luck to find a Starling murmuration on my way home from work. If you’ve never witnessed a murmuration before, I strongly suggest you go and see one next Winter as it is one of the most enthralling spectacles in the…

  • Japan – Part 3

    The final part of my Japanese wildlife blog focuses on the bird life of Kyoto Imperial Palace Park. Kyoto is so different compared to the neat, reserved, business city of Tokyo, it’s more vibrant, and full of temples with little green spaces tucked in everywhere. Down by the river, Grey Herons, Little Egrets and Great…

One Comment

  1. Dawn, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed looking at your blog. The stories you tell of your time in Norfolk yearn me to return. I live in the East Midlands and manage to get to Norfolk at least once a year but not often enough. Norfolk is one of those places that draws you back and I love it especially for its opportunities for photographing the wildlife that thrives there. Wildlife had a special place in my heart and I truely believe that if everyone were to be aware of the difficulties it faces and the changes that can be made to reverse these threats we can succeed and make the world a better place.

Leave a Reply