Robin

Refilled feeders

Today I heard the birds singing in the garden. Probably happy that I had refilled the feeders. The Robin was the most vocal.

Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!
Peace on earth and mercy mild,
God and sinners reconciled.”
Joyful, all ye nations rise,
Join the triumph of the skies,
With th’angelic host proclaim:
“Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Christ by highest heav’n adored,
Christ the everlasting Lord!
Late in time behold Him come,
Offspring of a Virgin’s womb.
Veiled in flesh the Godhead see,
Hail the incarnate Deity,
Pleased as man with man to dwell,
Jesus, our Emmanuel.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace!
Hail the Son of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings,
Ris’n with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays His glory by,
Born that man no more may die,
Born to raise the sons of earth,
Born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing,
“Glory to the newborn King!”

Lyrics by Charles Wesley

I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Colours of change – autumn to winter

These images observe and record the colour of the Dorset countryside as the season transitions from autumn to winter. The sun shining low in the sky cast long shadows and either back-lit subjects photographed against it or created strong light when facing away from it. The overriding colour recorded here is brown, with one or two colourful exceptions, such as the blue tit with its blue, yellow and green plumage.

The animals and birds seemed curious. Not all dashed for safety at the first sign of a human, but a few were content to stop, stare and assess the danger. The deer particularly held my gaze for quite some time before being spooked. The female stonechat was bold perched on a teasel very close to me and was in no hurry to move on. Others were more skittish – the heron took to the skies at the first sign of human presence.

Digiscoping

Digiscoping is a new word credited to French birdwatcher, Alain Fosse, in 1999. It refers to the technique of attaching a spotting scope to a digital camera for the purpose of taking close-up photos of birds and other wildlife from a distance. Two other pieces of essential equipment are: an adapter to attach the camera to the scope, and a tripod to hold the combined camera/scope.

There have been subsequent technological improvements in cameras and lenses, giving the amateur wildlife photographer the ability to capture stunning close-up images with light weight, hand-held cameras. However, for the past few months I have been experimenting with digiscoping with mixed results. Early results were disappointing: poor focussing, lack of sharpness, and dull images.

I reached a turning point in January during a morning visit to Stanpit Marsh, on the eastern shores of Christchurch Harbour. There was bright sunshine, low in the sky. I set the magnification of the scope at a mid-point. On maximum magnification not enough light is let into the camera, and on the minimum setting the image is distorted around the edges. My subject was a Little Egret, a large white bird, which stood out very clearly from its background. It wasn’t troubled by my presence and in any case, I didn’t need to get too close.

Spurred on by this success I returned a few days later in similar conditions, but this time it was colder and there was a frost covering on the grass. My attention was drawn to a small dark coloured bird flitting around a gorse bush, a male stonechat. It stood out from the white frosted background. This bird was more challenging than the Egret. It was constantly moving and was a lot smaller.

The activity requires a lot of concentration to track the bird as it moves and to keep it in focus. There may have been some frustrated muttering under my breath. I had chosen to set myself up just next to the main footpath. There were only a few people around, due to the cold. One passer-by was walking her dog and, curious at my concentrated activity, she engaged me in conversation. I felt torn between maintaining my focus on the stonechat and not ignoring a polite request to chat. I chose to chat. After a few minutes I was able to resume my photographic efforts, feeling slightly more relaxed. Fortunately, the stonechat was still around.

I moved on to other subjects: a redshank and a curlew. In my opinion these were less successful due to the contrast between the subject and the background.

In subsequent months I have used the technique to capture close images of the Great Spotted Woodpecker and the humble, ever present Robin. I have yet to perfect the tracking of a bird in flight. I recently tracked a Buzzard but struggled to keep the bird in shot as well as manually adjust the focus on the scope.

Digiscoping requires the right conditions: strong light and a strong contrast between subject and background. It requires patience and persistence to perfect the technique. Advances in technology may ultimately render the technique obsolete, but not yet.

Kingston Lacy in autumn

The sun shone today and the rain stopped. Yellow leaves underfoot clearly indicated the season.

The cafe courtyard was occupied solely by a chaffinch. All human patrons headed indoors and shunned the al fresco dining at the external tables and chairs

We could hear the wren from the path, but could not see it. Following the sound and heading into the undergrowth it suddenly showed itself, before disappearing deeper into the foliage.

Not so timid, the robin. Bold and brazen he perched in front of the camera as if asking which profile I preferred.

The Robin

What can be said about the Robin? Quite a lot as it happens. I have a 200 page book on my bookshelf by Stephen Moss dedicated to the Robin. I will restrict myself to some lines I was inspired to write as I observed this bold, inquisitive little bird that is deeply embedded in British culture:

"Please, mister, please,
Take my picture, if you will;
I will sit here on this post,
And keep ever so still."

The juvenile lacks the bold colour of the parent, but has the unmistakable stance and those large, black eyes.

Garden visitors – September 2019

Rare visitors this month include peregrines overhead as well as willow warblers hiding deep in the foliage. Dragonflies, bees and butterflies maintain their seasonal visit. September has also seen the ongoing presence of resident birds such as sparrows, robins and blue-tits.

Colourful flowers

Colour continues into September. The purple Clematis particularly provided a beautiful backdrop. The roses revival is nothing short of resurrection, considering the dry, brown state of the whole bush in August. A trip to the local garden centre injected some additional colour. No idea what we got – the sole criteria was that anything we bought had to be in flower.

Dragonflies

The dragonflies continued presence was as welcome as the warm, late summer temperatures. My photography skills limit my ability to catch these bugs in flight. I have to wait until they land before approaching with the camera.

Sparrows

There are long stretches of time when there are very few birds present in the garden. Sparrows arrive one or two at a time, but these gregarious birds are not on their own for long.

Our sparrow population has risen this year. There is now a group of about a dozen birds. When they are in the garden they chat to each other as they move around. However, they can be very quiet once settled.

Peregrine

We are used to seeing Common Buzzards circling overhead. This Peregrine Falcon was a pleasant surprise and represents a first sighting from the garden. It was instantly recognisable, as we had seen some close up at Bird of Prey centres earlier in the summer.

Long-tailed tits

The long-tailed tits are similar to sparrows; they come in groups. After a summer break they are returning to the garden.

Finches

Greenfinches are difficult to spot. They blend in so well to the background; its only when they move that one’s eye is drawn to them. Goldfinches are regular visitors, but tend to stay high in the trees. Some of the juveniles are tempted down onto the feeders occasionally.

Blue tits and Great tits

Warbler

A first sighting of a willow warbler in the garden.

Garden visitors – July 2019

Temperatures have exceeded 30 degrees Celsius. Not since 1976 has Dorset been this hot. There have been great opportunities to photograph widely differing species, some like the dragon flies and butterflies quite exquisitely beautiful. The sparrow population in particular has increased significantly since spring.

Bugs and butterflies

The garden has well and truly come alive with all sorts of creepy crawlies: peacock butterfly, red admiral, greenbottle flies, hoverflies, dragonflies, bumble-bees, honey bees.

Dragonflies

Buzzards overhead

Record temperatures have encouraged buzzards to soar on thermals in search of prey. As they pass over the garden, smaller birds call out warnings to each other, as they scurry around seeking cover.

Juveniles

Jays, blue tits, robins, goldfinch and sparrow are among the juvenile species seen this month.

Sparrow population growth

At least two clutches of juvenile sparrows have produced so far. Judging by the antics of these two, there are more to come.

Garden Visitors – May 2019

The temperature is rising in the garden and there is plenty going on. Life is busy with family commitments, taking photos, editing photos, refurbishments among other things.

A bit of landscaping was needed. The bluebells and primroses have gone. Other flowers are appearing, but a helping hand was required to fill in a bit of a lull in colour. An old tree trunk was removed to make way for this beautiful, vividly red Azalea.

When removing the trunk we found two stag beetle larvae, which have been re-housed and have become family pets. These larvae remain in this state for up to 7 years and survive on a diet of rotting wood and leaves. They are yet to be named.

Colour continues to be a feature: some homegrown and some acquired along with the Azalea.

This juvenile robin is a regular visitor, attracted by the mealworm on the bird table. Other species of juveniles and fledglings are also visiting daily.

These starlings are quite raucous. They are gregarious and chatter away to each other, hoovering up any available food, both competitively and cooperatively.

We are yet to see any sparrow chicks, but if you look carefully at these two photos, you’ll see that its only a matter of time. These two are doing there bit to continue the recent recovery in the sparrow population following the more longer term decline from the 1960/70’s levels.

Blue tits are a constant presence in the garden, performing their acrobatics effortlessly.

We have a couple of great tits visiting daily at the present time. The coal tit is a shy visitor, but the long tailed tits appear to have moved on for the moment.

Sparrows and dunnocks chirp and sing respectively and are never far away.

Hoverflys are enjoying the increased temperatures and move jerkily around the garden in an attempt to make it difficult for predators (and photographers!).

Garden visitors – April 2019

The garden has seen an explosion of colour this month. I must have been aware of this in previous years, but this year I have observed it more closely – yellow primroses and daffodils; white snowdrops and blossom; purple crocuses; pink camellia, cherry blossom, clematis and apple blossom; blue bluebells; green grass and new foliage.

Whilst the background colours and textures have changed, the change in visiting bird-life has been more subtle and not quite what I expected. The bird species I have seen are: sparrow, dunnock, pigeon, magpie, starling, robin, goldfinch, blue tit, blackbird.

There have been absences too. Where are the long tailed tits, siskins, chaffinches, coal tits, wrens, blackcaps? Have they deserted the garden feeding stations now that nature is producing abundant new growth and insects?

My photography knowledge has increased. I leave it to others to judge whether this has resulted in improved quality. I now photograph in RAW instead of JPEG, giving greater flexibility in the post production stage. My camera is now set on manual rather than automatic and I now select the ISO, shutter speed and aperture setting. Most wildlife photo ops are fleeting, lasting only a few seconds and require patience and perseverance. Familiarity with camera controls and settings are essential to respond when those brief seconds present themselves.

With warmer temperatures and school holidays I have ventured beyond the confines of the garden. These are a few pictures taken at Brownsea Island, Pamphill and Moors Valley.

Garden visitors – March 2019

March coincides with the Church’s observance of Lent, a period of repentance and penitence. Jesus himself was the model for the Lent period. Following his baptism he was ‘led by the Spirit’ into the wilderness and emerged 40 days later ‘in the power of the Spirit’. The Church of England has produced a series of devotional readings and prayers using the Beatitudes from Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount. They offer timeless teaching of spiritual rebirth with the ultimate promise and hope of sharing in Jesus’ resurrection.

Access to the garden has been restricted in March for various reasons and so it has been a joy in recent days to get back to see what I have been missing, particularly now that the storms appear to have passed and temperatures are slowly increasing.

Spring has arrived and the number of daylight hours now exceed the hours of darkness. The bird population that has survived the winter will now begin the process of renewal and rebirth. Insects are reappearing. Blossom and green shoots are bursting into life.

Bee collecting pollen
Honey bee

In the garden two themes are apparent: nesting activity and birdsong.

Nesting

A few years ago we put up a nest box in the garden. Its never been used. I saw a blue tit inspecting it the other morning, but it must have found a better site, as it has not returned. To be fair the location isn’t brilliant. Its close to a feeding station, but it lacks privacy and security from squirrels, cats and other threats.

Male sparrow collecting nesting material

Female blackbird collecting nesting material

Whilst I have yet to see any evidence of birds actually nesting in the garden, there have been plenty of birds collecting nesting material.

Birdsong

Blackbird “Billy” in song
Dunnock perched prominently in song

The dawn chorus starts at 5.30 am. Robins, blackbirds, dunnocks and pigeons are clearly discernible. Throughout the day birdsong in the garden will rise and fall as the birds come and go.

Female sparrow
Male sparrow

In recent days the sparrow population has been particularly vocal.

The starlings click, whistle and squawk at each other and then descend on the feeding station, hoovering up the meal worm as fast as it is put out.

New visitors

I have seen a wren on a number of occasions and actually managed to capture a few images this month.

Despite the wren being one of the UK’s most numerous birds (see UK population table below), my experience is that it is quite secretive and normally scuttles away into the undergrowth.

The siskin, male and female, has been a constant visitor, but difficult to spot as it usually ‘hides’ among a group or charm of other finches.

Goldfinches are regular visitors to neighbouring gardens, but despite putting out seed specifically for finches they seem very wary of hopping over the fence. Maybe they can sense the presence of our cat – not that he’s ever caught anything bigger than a fly.

A very distinctive bird, but quite restless, the coal tit is constantly on the move.

Slightly smaller and sleeker than a wood pigeon…

Population – UK

The table below lists a few of the birds observed in the garden, showing their UK population and an indication of the trend, i.e. increasing or decreasing.

Siskin	420,000 pairs	increasing
Goldfinch	1,200,000 territories	Increasing considerably
Chaffinch	6,200,000 pairs	Increasing slowly
Sparrow	5,300,000	Declined by 64% since 1969
Great tit	2,600,000	Moderate increase over 40 years
Blue tit	3,600,000	Modest increase recently
Coal tit	760,000	No overall trend
Long tailed tit	340,000	Modest increase in recent years
Goldcrest	610,000	Long term trend is slight increase
Chiffchaff	1,200,000	Increasing in recent years
Blackcap	1,200,000	Increasing since late 1970s
Blackbird	5,100,000	15% decline over 40 years
Wren	8,600,000 territories	Stable population
Dunnock	2,500,000	Numbers fell (1975-1995), now partially recovered
Bullfinch	220,000 pairs	40% decline in 25 years

Source: RSPB Handbook of British Birds (4th Edition) – 2014