Another one from Spain, at la janda, a black winged kite. Great birds and seems to be doing rather well in pockets.
June 8, 2025 at 6:52 AM
Another one from Spain, at la janda, a black winged kite. Great birds and seems to be doing rather well in pockets.
I love a cuckoo, this one was keeping up with me as I was walking in Spain. I've never seen this behaviour here in Britain, I can only assume that I was disturbing insects. It followed me for about 400 metres Smashing bird
June 4, 2025 at 7:00 AM
I love a cuckoo, this one was keeping up with me as I was walking in Spain. I've never seen this behaviour here in Britain, I can only assume that I was disturbing insects. It followed me for about 400 metres Smashing bird
Another photo from Spain that brings back memories of good times. This photo of two young Eagle Owls was taken from more than 800 metres away and is therefore heavily cropped. At the time, these two kept us amused for hours, dancing about and waiting to be fed. What an evening.
May 26, 2025 at 5:15 AM
Another photo from Spain that brings back memories of good times. This photo of two young Eagle Owls was taken from more than 800 metres away and is therefore heavily cropped. At the time, these two kept us amused for hours, dancing about and waiting to be fed. What an evening.
Good morning to everyone. I've decided to share a few bird pictures from the past couple of years and I'll start with this stunning breeding plumage Squacco Heron from one of my favourite places in Spain. Remember, I don't claim to be a photographer
May 25, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Good morning to everyone. I've decided to share a few bird pictures from the past couple of years and I'll start with this stunning breeding plumage Squacco Heron from one of my favourite places in Spain. Remember, I don't claim to be a photographer
If by some fluke, anyone missed the thousands of Wigeon that graced us with their presence and cheered me with that wintery call that I love so much, it's not too late. We still have one and what a little beauty he is.
May 21, 2025 at 1:52 PM
If by some fluke, anyone missed the thousands of Wigeon that graced us with their presence and cheered me with that wintery call that I love so much, it's not too late. We still have one and what a little beauty he is.
When I'm out enjoy the dawn chorus, I try to immerse myself in the event and not mess about with technology. Therefore here is a picture of what the dawn chorus looked like the other morning.
May 18, 2025 at 8:08 AM
When I'm out enjoy the dawn chorus, I try to immerse myself in the event and not mess about with technology. Therefore here is a picture of what the dawn chorus looked like the other morning.
If you look very carefully, you will be able to make out a Whinchat in the middle of this picture. It's always good to see one of these beauties locally, though I usually hope for better views than this elusive swine gave. Still better luck next year 😁
May 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
If you look very carefully, you will be able to make out a Whinchat in the middle of this picture. It's always good to see one of these beauties locally, though I usually hope for better views than this elusive swine gave. Still better luck next year 😁
This time of year is tiring. Why? Because I love the dawn chorus so much that my alarm clock is set for 03.55 every morning so that I don't miss it. I'm out for 3-4 hours, then home, coffee and... You've guessed it, out birdwatching with Mrs Megapode. One of the contributors, a willow warbler
May 12, 2025 at 2:21 PM
This time of year is tiring. Why? Because I love the dawn chorus so much that my alarm clock is set for 03.55 every morning so that I don't miss it. I'm out for 3-4 hours, then home, coffee and... You've guessed it, out birdwatching with Mrs Megapode. One of the contributors, a willow warbler
Despite knowing how lucky I am, I do have a tendency to bemoan my luck. The other day I was coming to the end of my patch walk and thinking " look how good it looks, where are the waders. The I remembered that I've seen 15 species of waders this year on the patch. Never satisfied. Ruff from today 😁
May 9, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Despite knowing how lucky I am, I do have a tendency to bemoan my luck. The other day I was coming to the end of my patch walk and thinking " look how good it looks, where are the waders. The I remembered that I've seen 15 species of waders this year on the patch. Never satisfied. Ruff from today 😁
This Whimbrel the other day brought up 125 species on the patch for the year. I've had this as my patch for eighteen years but sadly that run may be heading towards an end. Still, if it ends, there will be another patch.
May 7, 2025 at 7:34 AM
This Whimbrel the other day brought up 125 species on the patch for the year. I've had this as my patch for eighteen years but sadly that run may be heading towards an end. Still, if it ends, there will be another patch.
Somebody, the other day, said to me "you must have the best patch in Cambridgeshire". Well maybe I have. 79 species on my five mile walk around the patch this morning, nine short of my record. The warblers are the star of the show for me at the moment.
May 6, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Somebody, the other day, said to me "you must have the best patch in Cambridgeshire". Well maybe I have. 79 species on my five mile walk around the patch this morning, nine short of my record. The warblers are the star of the show for me at the moment.
Some of our Lapwing chicks are growing fast. Some are disappearing as would be expected. By my reckoning, the number present has halved in the last week and the size of those surviving has doubled.
May 6, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Some of our Lapwing chicks are growing fast. Some are disappearing as would be expected. By my reckoning, the number present has halved in the last week and the size of those surviving has doubled.
No reminder needed that I'm not a photographer but how about this, a wood Sandpiper photographed from my doorstep. Add that to other birds seen this week from my step, a White Stork, 11 Black Tern and a Red Footed Falcon, with a whimbrel as supporting act. What a week. What a patch to treasure.
May 5, 2025 at 12:02 PM
No reminder needed that I'm not a photographer but how about this, a wood Sandpiper photographed from my doorstep. Add that to other birds seen this week from my step, a White Stork, 11 Black Tern and a Red Footed Falcon, with a whimbrel as supporting act. What a week. What a patch to treasure.
There is a lot of cuckoo noise on the patch this year, maybe more than I've heard in a couple of years. Difficult to be sure how many birds are here but at least four. Only heard one bubbling so far.
May 4, 2025 at 8:56 AM
There is a lot of cuckoo noise on the patch this year, maybe more than I've heard in a couple of years. Difficult to be sure how many birds are here but at least four. Only heard one bubbling so far.
After a short feeding frenzy, nine of sixteen Great White Egret settled down for a preen and to digest their fishy breakfast.
May 3, 2025 at 2:49 PM
After a short feeding frenzy, nine of sixteen Great White Egret settled down for a preen and to digest their fishy breakfast.
For a while, last year, it was looking like I might have to face a year without seeing a lifetime first. It would have been the first year in over half a century without a life tick. Saved by the Frampton Marsh Baird's Sandpiper. As already stated, I'm not a photographer. 😁
May 2, 2025 at 12:49 PM
For a while, last year, it was looking like I might have to face a year without seeing a lifetime first. It would have been the first year in over half a century without a life tick. Saved by the Frampton Marsh Baird's Sandpiper. As already stated, I'm not a photographer. 😁
Odes have been written to the nightingale, but I prefer the Blackcap. Even better, for me, is the garden warbler. This is a good year for them on my patch and one has finally taken up a traditional territory, either its old or the territory is an heirloom, passed from generation to generation.
April 28, 2025 at 2:54 PM
Odes have been written to the nightingale, but I prefer the Blackcap. Even better, for me, is the garden warbler. This is a good year for them on my patch and one has finally taken up a traditional territory, either its old or the territory is an heirloom, passed from generation to generation.
Not the rarest of birds, but a Spotted Redshank on my inland patch was my 113th patch species of the year.
April 23, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Not the rarest of birds, but a Spotted Redshank on my inland patch was my 113th patch species of the year.
Sometimes the birding gods just find in your favour. I really did keep my distance in order not to disturb this Grasshopper Warbler but man, was he belting it out. A skulky species? This one hadn't read the books.
April 18, 2025 at 10:57 AM
Sometimes the birding gods just find in your favour. I really did keep my distance in order not to disturb this Grasshopper Warbler but man, was he belting it out. A skulky species? This one hadn't read the books.
Another welcome, if scratchy, sound. On my patch in good numbers for this time of year but more to come. I like whitethroat a lot, they are showy, cocky and confident little birds
April 15, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Another welcome, if scratchy, sound. On my patch in good numbers for this time of year but more to come. I like whitethroat a lot, they are showy, cocky and confident little birds
I'm more used to seeing Golden Plover in their more dowdy winter attire, so a fine chap like this is something of a treat
April 14, 2025 at 7:49 AM
I'm more used to seeing Golden Plover in their more dowdy winter attire, so a fine chap like this is something of a treat
I'm no a la carte chef, but at the moment I'm having to do the cooking. Unfortunately, what I'm producing is more like carrion or roadkill than proper food. With this in mind, I know how this heron feels, I had the same trouble with last night's "spaghetti". Sorry Mrs M
April 13, 2025 at 8:36 AM
I'm no a la carte chef, but at the moment I'm having to do the cooking. Unfortunately, what I'm producing is more like carrion or roadkill than proper food. With this in mind, I know how this heron feels, I had the same trouble with last night's "spaghetti". Sorry Mrs M
Gradually the numbers of the more common migrants are arriving. Due to the significant fall in numbers of Sedge and Reed warbler on my patch last year, these last few days have been nerve-wracking, waiting to see if we've lost them. How much relief can a scratchy song bring. Sedge Warbler.
April 12, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Gradually the numbers of the more common migrants are arriving. Due to the significant fall in numbers of Sedge and Reed warbler on my patch last year, these last few days have been nerve-wracking, waiting to see if we've lost them. How much relief can a scratchy song bring. Sedge Warbler.
Along with the sights and the heady aromas of spring, the current Mrs Megapode and myself like to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sounds. Few are better than the song thrush, although an older blackbird takes some beating. This song thrush hardly stopped his chorus in nigh on an hour. What a beauty.
April 11, 2025 at 12:41 PM
Along with the sights and the heady aromas of spring, the current Mrs Megapode and myself like to find a quiet spot to enjoy the sounds. Few are better than the song thrush, although an older blackbird takes some beating. This song thrush hardly stopped his chorus in nigh on an hour. What a beauty.
It's very cold early in the mornings at the moment but with the cold nights comes the bright days. The problem is keeping the optics clear of mist in those early hours. Not a great picture but nice to see migrating Ring Ousel before the dog walkers and children on bikes disturb them.
April 8, 2025 at 3:45 PM
It's very cold early in the mornings at the moment but with the cold nights comes the bright days. The problem is keeping the optics clear of mist in those early hours. Not a great picture but nice to see migrating Ring Ousel before the dog walkers and children on bikes disturb them.