Thursley Common: May/June

Amazingly Colin the Cuckoo returned again this year, for his sixth season. Despite the initial lockdown restrictions, and then a bad fire on the Common, with limited other opportunities I visited him on four different dates. My first was on 21 May shortly after the lockdown eased to allow non-local travel (thanks to the Early Birder for the heads up that he was present again) and my last was on 11 June - just a few days before he departed.

I had varying levels of success during these visits, but every one was different, with a variety of weather conditions (from harsh all sun/heat to much cooler, overcast conditions). My first visit was an all day 10-hr marathon, after which I decided on shorter visits starting at around 3pm, to include the key period immediately before any sun moved off the perch.

Here is a selection of the photos I obtained on these visits. For more info on each visit, click here.

For a gallery of all my shots, at higher resolution go to my website page. 

Farmoor - 22 May

I arrived at just after the 10am opening time to find the car park already surprisingly full and a long convoy of fishermen's cars streaming up the approach ramp to F2. Clearly the gates must open a little earlier than 10!

It was very windy on the causeway with little to see. I spotted a couple of small waders in the distance but by the time I had reached their location I was told they were 2 Sanderling and a Ringed Plover which had flown off in few minutes earlier and were very wary.

I had been hoping that some of the lovely full summer plumage birds, seen earlier this week, would still be around. Unfortunately they had moved on, leaving only two much greyer birds.

On my return a bit later, I was pleased to find the two Sanderling back on the causeway, walking towards me.  One was at least just beginning to show some summer feathers.

This backlit photo from above was all I could manage in this brief encounter.

Click here for a larger image.

Sanderling (c) Stephen Burch

West Hagbourne - 17 May

Had bit of luck when I encountered a large (50+) flock of Red Kites feeding on a freshly ploughed field right by the A417. Some were even still there about 1/2 hour later when I returned with my photo gear!

For a larger image, click here 

For a larger image, click here

Red Kites (c) Stephen Burch

Farmoor - 14 May

Arriving at just after 10:30 at the recently re-opened Farmoor, I was greeted by a message from Badger saying that there had been  a Curlew Sandpiper just minutes earlier but it had flown and was being looked for. Unfortunately as you can read on  Black Audi's Blog, it was not seen again.

However there was definite compensation in the form of a very showy Sedge Warbler that has adopted a particular twig along the river. I spent just under an hour with it, during which time it was remarkably obliging.

Click here for a larger image

Click here for a larger image

Sedge Warbler (c) Stephen Burch

More Garden Birds!

And some more...

As before, for larger images, click here

Lockdown continued - garden bird photos

Some more from my recent garden sessions. To see larger versions, please go to my website page.

Another Hoverfly!

Sideways on this time. I think its the same species (Common Drone) but I'm not entirely sure.

Probable Common Drone Hoverfly (c) Stephen Burch

Lockdown: Hoverfly in flight!

A FIF or Fly in Flight in my garden.

I believe it to be a Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax).

Common Drone Fly (Eristalis tenax) (c) Stephen Burch

More garden photos!

A few more on the same general theme. To see larger versions go to this website page.

Garden photos

Without any other options, I've been trying some garden bird photography. My setup is evolving but it is not easy when the patrons are  pretty few and far between. Some sessions, nothing at all has landed on the tempting perch carefully arranged for them near to the feeders!

For larger images, see here