Sunday 7 March 2010

Sunday 7th.March 2010

I had only one thing on my mind all last evening and this morning , was the repaired lens working properly . The quick shot of the Coal Tit last night gave hope that it was , but a good work out was the only way to be sure . Before breakfast , I was watching for the birds to come in for theirs , but a hard frost and the feeders still being in the shade , meant not much was about . eventually a female Chaffinch appeared in next door's Laburnum tree , and the first shot of the day was snapped .
I had some stuff to take to the recycle depot , so after getting rid of that , I donned several layers of clothing and set off with camera and binoculars to South Norwood Country Park . The lake was my first stop , and immediately on stepping onto the feeding platform , waterfowl began to fly in . The good number of Shoveler that have been around on my last few visits have now reduced to just one , a male , and he was not interested in posing for a shot , paddling away as soon as he saw me . Not so with the male Pochard , who had a glint in his eye , as he has a 2:1 ratio with the long staying two females , and I'm sure he was smiling . Also looking very dapper were the male Tufted Ducks , with a purple sheen to their head feathers when the light caught them right . Leaving the lake to see what else was about , I came across this male Kestrel , enjoying the sun , in a tree just below the nest box that they regularly use in a Scots Pine . The middle of the Country Park was very quiet compared to the lake , if you discounted the Rose Ringed Parakeets , arguing noisily as they flew over . I visited another platform on the opposite side of the lake , and had the opportunity to get male , on the right with the larger white plate on it's forehead , and female Coot , both in the same frame ( Sorry to rub it in Warren ) . Also from the same spot , a better view of the large number of Black-headed Gulls , lazing about on the surface , until someone appears with a loaf of bread , when things get really noisy . The single Common Gull was with them , but no sign of the LBB Gull . Talking to another birder , a Glaucous Gull was reportedly seen earlier , but he didn't lend much credence to the ID . On the same platform , I was joined by a very confiding Dunnock , who obviously knows that bread fed to ducks leaves crumbs on the platform . Another quick look around the Park and started heading back to the car , via a 'what's that down there' quizzical look from a Robin on the side of the path .
All in all , a total of 32 species , but the most important thing , the lens worked perfectly , so now , hopefully , my problems are over , and I can just enjoy working with it .

4 comments:

Wilma said...

The lens is definitely in good working order -- great shots! My camera and long lens are both out for repair; I am having severe withdrawal symptoms. :-(

ShySongbird said...

That would have been on my mind too in your position but I'm sure you are much more confident now, these are great results! As you say you can just relax and enjoy it now and we can enjoy it with you.

It was lovely to see all the birds plumage gleaming in the sunlight, it really did show the purple sheen on the Tufted Duck. I particularly enjoyed the Kestrel photo.

Warren Baker said...

Lots of Duck goodies today Greenie, If one of those rarities was to grace my patch lake, it would be off in a flash at the site of my camera!

PS I still have a Coot!

Kingsdowner said...

Looking good....