Robin Pettitt
@robinwildlife.bsky.social
Natural world enthusiast and wildlife photographer (especially Epping Forest, UK), making a mid-life career change into nature conservation.
Also on Insta as: https://www.instagram.com/robinwildlife/
Also on Insta as: https://www.instagram.com/robinwildlife/
Today I spent a very enjoyable 5 hours getting familiar with the areas of #EppingForest where I will be doing ecological monitoring this summer. The 2 main points of focus this year are butterflies and reptiles, and to my delight I had my first encounter with a Slow Worm! Beautiful thing. #slowworm
April 16, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Today I spent a very enjoyable 5 hours getting familiar with the areas of #EppingForest where I will be doing ecological monitoring this summer. The 2 main points of focus this year are butterflies and reptiles, and to my delight I had my first encounter with a Slow Worm! Beautiful thing. #slowworm
Whilst taking a new lens out for a spin a few days ago I had a very “Spring-is-Here” encounter: a Buff Tailed (I think) bumble bee extracting nectar from an English bluebell. I love this time of year with its longer days and reawakening fauna and flora #bumblebee #spring #bluebell
April 6, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Whilst taking a new lens out for a spin a few days ago I had a very “Spring-is-Here” encounter: a Buff Tailed (I think) bumble bee extracting nectar from an English bluebell. I love this time of year with its longer days and reawakening fauna and flora #bumblebee #spring #bluebell
Today in Tarup-Davinde in central Denmark, I had my closest ever encounter with a Lapwing. It was confidently foraging next to one of the big lakes and only took flight when called by one of its fellow Lapwings. I love the iridescent plumage and the bold crest. #lapwing #birding #birdphotography
March 20, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Today in Tarup-Davinde in central Denmark, I had my closest ever encounter with a Lapwing. It was confidently foraging next to one of the big lakes and only took flight when called by one of its fellow Lapwings. I love the iridescent plumage and the bold crest. #lapwing #birding #birdphotography
My first butterfly shot of 2025! I have seen brimstones a few times, but the little blighters won't sit still! So, I was very pleased when this comma agreed to pose on some beautiful cherry plum blossom.
#commabutterfly #butterfly
#commabutterfly #butterfly
March 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
My first butterfly shot of 2025! I have seen brimstones a few times, but the little blighters won't sit still! So, I was very pleased when this comma agreed to pose on some beautiful cherry plum blossom.
#commabutterfly #butterfly
#commabutterfly #butterfly
On a recent walk I saw this Kestrel hunting. Judging by her behaviour a small mammal was a split second away from going through what might be described as a 'significant emotional event'. As the she emerged empty taloned, said small mammal seems to have avoided becoming 1 with the Kestrel #ukbirding
March 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
On a recent walk I saw this Kestrel hunting. Judging by her behaviour a small mammal was a split second away from going through what might be described as a 'significant emotional event'. As the she emerged empty taloned, said small mammal seems to have avoided becoming 1 with the Kestrel #ukbirding
2671 to 1
Now that we finally have some sunshine, I am again trying to photograph birds in flight. I staked out the garden birdfeeder and let loose with the Canon R7 ‘s 15/s frame rate. The light was good so I went all the way to 1/8000th/s shutter speed. Of the 2671 shots, this is the one I kept!
Now that we finally have some sunshine, I am again trying to photograph birds in flight. I staked out the garden birdfeeder and let loose with the Canon R7 ‘s 15/s frame rate. The light was good so I went all the way to 1/8000th/s shutter speed. Of the 2671 shots, this is the one I kept!
March 3, 2025 at 8:20 AM
2671 to 1
Now that we finally have some sunshine, I am again trying to photograph birds in flight. I staked out the garden birdfeeder and let loose with the Canon R7 ‘s 15/s frame rate. The light was good so I went all the way to 1/8000th/s shutter speed. Of the 2671 shots, this is the one I kept!
Now that we finally have some sunshine, I am again trying to photograph birds in flight. I staked out the garden birdfeeder and let loose with the Canon R7 ‘s 15/s frame rate. The light was good so I went all the way to 1/8000th/s shutter speed. Of the 2671 shots, this is the one I kept!
Another rare encounter with a Water Rail at Connaught Water, #EppingForest. This 1 sidled along the edge of the lake before disappearing into thick vegetation. I spent the next 45mins catching glimpses of it. Water Rails are hyper elusive, so getting even one clear shot was amazing! #ukbirding
February 27, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Another rare encounter with a Water Rail at Connaught Water, #EppingForest. This 1 sidled along the edge of the lake before disappearing into thick vegetation. I spent the next 45mins catching glimpses of it. Water Rails are hyper elusive, so getting even one clear shot was amazing! #ukbirding
My encounter with a Socorro dove at @zslofficial.bsky.social London Zoo today. One of only about 150 left in the world, the species is regarded as extinct in the wild.
February 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
My encounter with a Socorro dove at @zslofficial.bsky.social London Zoo today. One of only about 150 left in the world, the species is regarded as extinct in the wild.
A, for me, unusual encounter with a Nuthatch *not* in a tree. This one was searching for scraps around "The Original Tea Hut" in Epping Forest. I do love a Nuthatch, with its blues and gold, and rakish eye stripe.
#nuthatch #ukbirding #eppingforest
#nuthatch #ukbirding #eppingforest
February 17, 2025 at 6:29 PM
A, for me, unusual encounter with a Nuthatch *not* in a tree. This one was searching for scraps around "The Original Tea Hut" in Epping Forest. I do love a Nuthatch, with its blues and gold, and rakish eye stripe.
#nuthatch #ukbirding #eppingforest
#nuthatch #ukbirding #eppingforest
A rare and delightful visitor to the garden – a male Green Woodpecker. It is so rare we get one in the garden, so it is always a joy when one does come by. #ukbirding #birds #eppingforest #greenwoodpecker
February 16, 2025 at 10:11 PM
A rare and delightful visitor to the garden – a male Green Woodpecker. It is so rare we get one in the garden, so it is always a joy when one does come by. #ukbirding #birds #eppingforest #greenwoodpecker
After a productive conservation session in #EppingForest my fellow volunteers and I were joined by a very inquisitive fox. At certain points it came so close my lens could no longer focus (less than 1.8 meters). It’s close approach meant I could get some really close up shots, of which this is one.
February 12, 2025 at 9:06 PM
After a productive conservation session in #EppingForest my fellow volunteers and I were joined by a very inquisitive fox. At certain points it came so close my lens could no longer focus (less than 1.8 meters). It’s close approach meant I could get some really close up shots, of which this is one.
Over the last month or so I have been making a dead hedge, both to benefit wildlife and for a more pleasing way of using garden waste. Today I was delighted to see this little thing exploring it. Wrens are rare in our garden, so double joy of seeing one and it appreciating my efforts #ukbirding
February 9, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Over the last month or so I have been making a dead hedge, both to benefit wildlife and for a more pleasing way of using garden waste. Today I was delighted to see this little thing exploring it. Wrens are rare in our garden, so double joy of seeing one and it appreciating my efforts #ukbirding
On my way home from after a day of volunteering in Epping Forest I was treated to the sight of this beautiful female Kestrel. She gave me enough time to drag my camera out of my bag and get a few shots of before flying away. The Kestrel is probably my all time favourite bird. #ukbirding
January 31, 2025 at 7:53 PM
On my way home from after a day of volunteering in Epping Forest I was treated to the sight of this beautiful female Kestrel. She gave me enough time to drag my camera out of my bag and get a few shots of before flying away. The Kestrel is probably my all time favourite bird. #ukbirding
An unusual visitor to Wanstead Flats: Tundra Bean Goose.
Breeds in Siberia and a few 100 will make their way to the UK in winter. They will usually stay on the coast and will often return to the same fields and ponds each year, so to see one in East London is unusual to say the least! #eppingforest
Breeds in Siberia and a few 100 will make their way to the UK in winter. They will usually stay on the coast and will often return to the same fields and ponds each year, so to see one in East London is unusual to say the least! #eppingforest
January 28, 2025 at 5:21 PM
An unusual visitor to Wanstead Flats: Tundra Bean Goose.
Breeds in Siberia and a few 100 will make their way to the UK in winter. They will usually stay on the coast and will often return to the same fields and ponds each year, so to see one in East London is unusual to say the least! #eppingforest
Breeds in Siberia and a few 100 will make their way to the UK in winter. They will usually stay on the coast and will often return to the same fields and ponds each year, so to see one in East London is unusual to say the least! #eppingforest
Sometimes it’s the small things!
As is often the case this time of year I was recently waiting for a visiting Kingfisher. She did show, but I was actually more excited by a much smaller presence: this charming Wren. It posed very briefly over still water giving a lovely mirror effect. #ukbirding
As is often the case this time of year I was recently waiting for a visiting Kingfisher. She did show, but I was actually more excited by a much smaller presence: this charming Wren. It posed very briefly over still water giving a lovely mirror effect. #ukbirding
January 27, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Sometimes it’s the small things!
As is often the case this time of year I was recently waiting for a visiting Kingfisher. She did show, but I was actually more excited by a much smaller presence: this charming Wren. It posed very briefly over still water giving a lovely mirror effect. #ukbirding
As is often the case this time of year I was recently waiting for a visiting Kingfisher. She did show, but I was actually more excited by a much smaller presence: this charming Wren. It posed very briefly over still water giving a lovely mirror effect. #ukbirding
There's one thing I always look for when photographing birds on, in or near water: a nice reflection. This one combines the bird and the culvert that makes it an attractive location for fish. It's shot through reeds, but I hope that only adds a bit of context. Connaught Water, #EppingForest.
January 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
There's one thing I always look for when photographing birds on, in or near water: a nice reflection. This one combines the bird and the culvert that makes it an attractive location for fish. It's shot through reeds, but I hope that only adds a bit of context. Connaught Water, #EppingForest.
A rather exciting encounter today - the first Water Rail I have ever seen in #EppingForest. Not rare, but extremely secretive and not often seen. Light was poor and they look better out of the water, but I'll take it!
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
January 20, 2025 at 9:09 PM
A rather exciting encounter today - the first Water Rail I have ever seen in #EppingForest. Not rare, but extremely secretive and not often seen. Light was poor and they look better out of the water, but I'll take it!
#UKbirding
#UKbirding
Today was pretty special! For the first time I was paid to lead a group of volunteers doing conservation work in #EppingForest. A big step in my journey into a new career in conservation! And on the "commute" (walk through the Forest) I encountered this beautiful female #Kingfisher. #UKbirding
January 17, 2025 at 10:57 PM
Today was pretty special! For the first time I was paid to lead a group of volunteers doing conservation work in #EppingForest. A big step in my journey into a new career in conservation! And on the "commute" (walk through the Forest) I encountered this beautiful female #Kingfisher. #UKbirding
After four months of seeing just the occasional blue flash, I finally had a proper encounter with one of the Kingfishers that visit Connaught Water in Epping Forest in winter. This female gave me several minutes of good views, albeit in poor light. #eppingforest #ukbirding
January 15, 2025 at 7:57 PM
After four months of seeing just the occasional blue flash, I finally had a proper encounter with one of the Kingfishers that visit Connaught Water in Epping Forest in winter. This female gave me several minutes of good views, albeit in poor light. #eppingforest #ukbirding
It's cold!! Helped out on a guided bird walk at Highams Park Lake in #EppingForest on Saturday, and spotted this Robin standing on the frozen lake. Lots of wildlife really struggling at the moment, so if you are able to put out seeds and water, please do so! #ukbirding #robin
January 12, 2025 at 9:17 PM
It's cold!! Helped out on a guided bird walk at Highams Park Lake in #EppingForest on Saturday, and spotted this Robin standing on the frozen lake. Lots of wildlife really struggling at the moment, so if you are able to put out seeds and water, please do so! #ukbirding #robin
Portrait of the young male Sparrowhawk that visited our garden a few days ago.
#sparrowhawk #ukbirding #eppingforest
#sparrowhawk #ukbirding #eppingforest
January 12, 2025 at 11:16 AM
Portrait of the young male Sparrowhawk that visited our garden a few days ago.
#sparrowhawk #ukbirding #eppingforest
#sparrowhawk #ukbirding #eppingforest
With a last mad-eyed glance in my direction he flew off and the encounter (see previous posts) was over!
This is the 3rd close encounter I have had with a Sparrowhawk.
The 1st was also in the garden – just a couple of steps from where this one was perched.
#ukbirding #eppingforest
This is the 3rd close encounter I have had with a Sparrowhawk.
The 1st was also in the garden – just a couple of steps from where this one was perched.
#ukbirding #eppingforest
January 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
With a last mad-eyed glance in my direction he flew off and the encounter (see previous posts) was over!
This is the 3rd close encounter I have had with a Sparrowhawk.
The 1st was also in the garden – just a couple of steps from where this one was perched.
#ukbirding #eppingforest
This is the 3rd close encounter I have had with a Sparrowhawk.
The 1st was also in the garden – just a couple of steps from where this one was perched.
#ukbirding #eppingforest
Our Sparrowhawk visitor yesterday did not seem to enjoy the rainy weather much! Can't blame him!! Hopefully slightly more settled conditions are coming. #ukbirding #birdingeppingforest #eppingforest
January 6, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Our Sparrowhawk visitor yesterday did not seem to enjoy the rainy weather much! Can't blame him!! Hopefully slightly more settled conditions are coming. #ukbirding #birdingeppingforest #eppingforest
Alerted by my wife to something exciting in the garden I hurried downstairs to see this beauty on our bird feeder pole. When I am home my camera always 'lives' by the back door, so I was able to grab it and fire of a 100 odd shots before he (I think) flew off. More poses to follow 😀 #ukbirding
January 5, 2025 at 10:39 PM
Alerted by my wife to something exciting in the garden I hurried downstairs to see this beauty on our bird feeder pole. When I am home my camera always 'lives' by the back door, so I was able to grab it and fire of a 100 odd shots before he (I think) flew off. More poses to follow 😀 #ukbirding