Mud baths and a bit of rutting

Day off today, and as we're edging into deer rut season, I decided to take an early-morning trip to Bushey Park, to see how the action is shaping up. Personally, I prefer photographing the deer at Bushey than on the nearby Richmond Common; for a couple of reasons. Firstly, it's generally easier to find the deer without having to trek far, but more to the point, I prefer the backgrounds that are possible to achieve at Bushey. 

It was a beautiful, crisp & misty morning when I arrived. However, a slight dampener was not being able to get into the park until 8am. This seems to be down to a handover of the management to the Metropolitan Police, with a stricter policy on locking the gates outside of official hours! 

16 Point Stag

Never mind, it was still a really enjoyable morning. The Red Deer rut hasn't really got underway yet, but there were plenty of signs that the stags were gearing up for the testosterone-fuelled chaos. I only heard a few grunts and bellows, but observed several wallowing in the mud and thrashing their antlers through the bracken and long grass. 

22 Point Stag

I did achieve one shot I've been after for a long time today. The does have their 'rut' slightly ahead of the stags, where they box with each other to establish dominance. While I've had glimpses of this behaviour several times in the past, it's generally lasted only split-seconds. Today, I was privileged to come across a group of about 20 does, attended by a magnificent 22-point stag. Several of the ladies were really going at it, so I was pleased to be able to get a few shots off!

Bushey is also a good site for birds; I saw lots of Egyptian Geese, Canada Geese, Jays, Ringneck Parakeets and Green Woodpeckers this morning. There didn't seem to be too much in the way of migrant waterfowl in evidence yet. I was on the look-out for Red-crested Pochard, as I've seen big numbers here in the last couple of autumns. There were none to be seen on the fountains or lakes when I arrived, however a small group flew in just as I was leaving. Several were starting to moult into courtship plumage; always a treat to see.

Canada Goose 

I'll definitely be heading down here quite regularly on my days off over the next few weeks, as the rut gets into full swing. However, next week I'll be photographing their Spanish cousins in the beautiful Sierra Morena mountains - so be sure to check in for regular live(ish) updates!

Fawn Sniffing

16 Point Stag

Deerie me -WARNING Contains Spaiders

Hello strangers! Many apologies for the long silence; work has been absolutely crazy the last few weeks, with 12 hours days the norm & days off a bit of a rarity. Compounding that, it's been a bit of a funny time of year for wildlife in the local area; the summer migrants are by & large departing, but winter arrivals haven't put in an appearance just yet. Vegetation is still very high in most sites, so the few occasions I've managed to get out for an hour or two, there hasn't been a huge amount to see!

On the plus side, I have recently upgraded my main lens to the spanking new Canon 500mm f/4 IS II, so I've been itching to give it a proper test-drive! Thankfully, the last week or so, I've managed to get out and about a little bit & I'm pleased to say it's performing very well!

I spent a few hours one afternoon on one of the local private lakes, watching a pair of Little Grebes fishing. I really enjoy working with these entertaining little birds. The female seems to have a particular penchant for eating newts  - while the male tends to stick to minnows & sticklebacks.' 

Little Grebes

Sadly 'Lonesome George' - a male Great Crested Grebe I've been watching for the last few years, is once again an eligible batchelor. I'd hoped that, after he paired up with a female this spring, he'd succeed in raising a brood. Unfortunately, after two failed clutches, his mate seems to have disappeared & poor George is all alone again. Hopefully, better luck next year.

Lonesome George

I was also pleased to be able to spend a couple of hours watching the resident pair of Hobbies catching dragonflies over the lake at Coate Water - although the site was otherwise very quiet for this time of year.

Hobby

Common Darter (Lunch)

Last weekend, Lou & I spent a few hours in a hide in the Midlands. It's a site where I've previously had good luck with Muntjac Deer, but no joy this time around. For the first 90 minutes or so, a Buzzard was perched close to the hide, which meant that very little was stirring, apart from a few rather handsome pheasants. Once it left, the bird life picked up a little, with a pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers and one of their juveniles spending some time on the feeders. Although we didn't see any Muntjac, we were rewarded with a pair of Fallow does and their fawns, which were very nice to see.

Fallow Deer - Fawn

Now that some of the hay fields have been cut, it's starting to get easier to see hares again. I managed to get fairly close to one more or less at eye-level through the stubble. They seem to have had a good year - we saw over a dozen in one field, albeit rather distantly. 

Brown Hare

One of my local pair of Little Owls have also had a successful season; I was delighted to spot two owlets out and about on my last visit to their territory.

Little Owlet

This morning, we made the decision to get up mega-early and head down to the lovely RSPB reserve at Arne, on the edge of Poole Harbour. We especially like to visit during the autumn, when the Sika deer are rutting. It's still a little bit too early for that yet, although we did hear a few of their squeaky bellows this morning. We arrived just before sunrise, and spent several hours wandering around the heathland and mixed woodland. An unexpected bonus on the way in was coming across a Nightjar sitting on the entrance road; I'd thought that they would have all made their way across the channel by now. We also spotted a Little Owl flying off a fence by the side of the road. 

Little Owl - Not from Arne

The Sika deer were out in force. We saw around 50 over the course of the morning; although mainly does and fawns/ juveniles. Unusually, we only came across a couple of stags. They seem to be mainly congregating under the chestnut trees, and appreciating the windfall nut mast - as were the multitude of Grey Squirrels! 

Sika Deer - Doe

Sika Deer - Fawn

Green Woodpeckers are also abundant at Arne - although tricky to get close enough for a decent shot. However one did pose quite obligingly for a few minutes on a dead tree limb in the sun's first rays. We also spotted a Wryneck flying through the glade, but couldn't quite see where it had landed. 

Green Woodpecker

It was a good day for raptors, with distant Ospreys out in the channel, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Buzzards. On the Salt marshes, we also saw 9 Spoonbill, Cormorants, Little Egret, Shell Duck, Greenshanks, Herons, Curlew and various gulls.

Small birds were also out in force; highlights were the resident Dartford Warblers, but we also saw Treecreepers, a female Stonechat, Long-tailed Tit, Great-Tit, Coal-Tit, Gold Crest, Gold Finch, Chaffinch, Swallows, Housemartins and  Wheatears (in flight).

Stonechat

For me, the invert life was a particular highlight; we found a nest of hornets, which were quite something to watch, as they carted caterpillars and other insects into the chambers at a great rate. I also saw my first Raft Spiders today - a big tick, after several years of looking for them. We saw at least 10 spiderlings (which are still big enough to make most people feel rather uncomfortable!), but no adults today.

Hornets - Trying to be a bit arty

Hornet Nest

Raft Spider

Think that's probably enough for now - I promise not to leave it so long between posts in future! 

Mull Trip Episode 5; Treshnish Isles - Puffin paradise

Despite having made an annual pilgrimage to Mull since 2009, we've somehow managed to miss visiting the nearby Treshnish Isles; an important breeding colony for thousands of seabirds, particularly puffins. Yesterday, we finally rectified that omission, and with blazing sunshine & barely a breeze stirring, we could hardly have picked a nicer day to be out on a boat. The sea was as flat as a proverbial mill-pond, making the ride out to the rocky, uninhabited small isles very pleasant indeed. Although an overcast day might have been easier for photography than the strong sunlight, I'm certainly not going to complain, as it made for a fantastic day out. The waters were so blue & crystal clear, you;d have thought we were in the Mediterranean, rather than the West Coast of Scotland!

We sailed out from Ulva Ferry with Turus Maras on the Island Lass - which calls first at Staffa, for a look at Fingal's Cave & the famous columnar basalt geological formations; before sailing on to Lunga, the main bird sanctuary. As we drew closer to the Treshnish Isles, we passed large numbers of birds out on the water, including Puffins, Guillemots and even a Little Awk. 

Disembarking at Staffa, we made our way over to the far end of the island,for a little introductory Puffin action in preparation for the main event. There are a few Puffins nesting there, but mainly on overhanging cliffs, so although it was lovely to see them, it was tricky to get much in the way of decent shots - particularly as the surrounding vegetation was quite high!

However, this proved not to be reason to be despondent, since it became very clear that obliging & accessible Puffins were not in short supply almost from our first moments on Lunga! After a bit of a scramble up the boulder beach and a short, steep climb up to the main ledge, you are met by hundreds of very confiding Puffins, with the added bonus of neatly nibbled-short grasses sward, courtesy of their rabbit neighbours. 

Baby Rabbits - The Puffins also make their home in unused Rabbit burrows

An aside here on equipment; I get quite a few comments about why I use a 500mm lens in situations like this, when it's possible to get so close to the birds that a much smaller lens will do - and in fact, on Lunga, it's perfectly possible to get decent snaps of Puffins on your phone! There are a few reasons; firstly, for many shots, I prefer the blurred-out background that a large fixed prime lens gives. Secondly, it gives me the flexibility to go for shots of the more distant birds - especially the Guillemots & Razorbills on the main stacks, as well as flight shots. Finally and most importantly, it also means that, as I don't have to get so close, I'm not directly on top of the Puffins and their burrows, like so many people with their wide-angle lenses getting right over the entrances to get their shots. I did have a smaller lens with me, but it didn't come out of the bag!

Puffin calling

Razorbill

After a few warm-up Puffin shots, we hiked round to the main Guillemot colony on a craggy stack further back from the landing site. It was a bit of a puff up & down steep & narrow paths on such a hot day, but well worth it. The site, sounds - and smell!- of so many Guillemots, Razorbills and Kittiwakes all packed onto the ledges was quite unforgettable. I was pleased to spot a number of Bridled Guillemots (my secret target species) amongst the standard colour- morphs. The path also passed with about 15ft of a Shag nest, wedged in the shelter of a crevice between two boulders. Again, with the advantage of a larger lens, I was able to take a few shots without disturbing the adult bird. 

Bridled & Normal Guillemots

Shag Chick - Adult in forground

After spending a little while with the Guillemots, I headed back round to the main Puffin burrows, in search of the elusive, iconic 'beakful of sand-eels' shots. Despite the number of Puffins present, it was more challenging than you'd expect! I suspect this is largely down to the marauding Fulmars, which were patrolling along just a foot or so above the cliff top, ready to ambush returning Puffin parents & pirate their cargo. This meant that incoming Puffins first did a reconnaissance circuit of the cliff edge, before usually flying straight into the mouth of their burrow; with very few birds actually pausing on the open while carrying food. So, to be in with a chance of a sand eel shot, you do have to be observant, react fast - and have a bit of luck, too! Two hours on the island is just about enough, depending on what shots you have in mind, but 4 or more would be even better, I'm sure! I didn't quite get the pictures I had in mind, but then, that's wildlife photography for you.

Fulmar

After leaving Lunga, the skipper took us round some of the skerries, and Large & Small Carnaburgh - passing a number of Atlantic Grey Seals hauled out on the rocks - mainly juveniles. We also saw Shags, both Artic and Great Skuas - colloquially know locally as 'Bonxies'. It was really pleasant being out at sea on such a calm, clear day - we could see all the way to Skye in the North, and Jura & Coll were both clearly visible to the south. Coming back towards the North end of Gometra & Ulva, I even had a very distant view a pair of Dolphins, bow-surfing a small rib. All in all, a great way to spend a day, and well worth a visit.

Artic Skua

Great Skua

Atlantic Grey Seals

I mentioned in my last blog that we'd been visited by the local Tawny Owl. She seems to be a regular caller at the farmhouse, preferring to perch (and making slightly disturbing screeching noises) on the porch directly below our bedroom window in the small hours. I managed to get a rather blurred record shot of her last night - will try and get something a bit better before the end of our stay if I can! A barn owl was also spotted floating over the field next to the house last night, although I'm not holding out any hope of getting pictures of it, since neither species seem to be active until full dark up here, which at this time of year means 11.30pm onwards!

Tawny Owl

Mull trip episode 4 - otter hunting

We're having a nice, relaxed time here on Mull; the sun's been shining, the sky is blue - and there is always the chance of spotting some amazing wildlife around any corner. We've spent the last two or three days ambling around a few of our favourite spots - and checking out one or two new ones. 

Otters have been one of my target species this week, so we've spent quite a bit of time checking out some of the most likely spots, with some success. We've seen the local large dog Otter several times, including getting a good view of him grooming himself on a rock, before resuming working the kelp beds for butterfish. We also saw another huge male briefly on Loch Spelve, from the track to Croggan, but it vanished very quickly. We've yet to see a female or youngsters this year, but hopefully before the end of the trip!

Dog Otter at sunset

Also at Croggan, I spent a little while under the lush green shade of the beautiful, twisted boughs of the Sessile Oak woodland, photographing the antics of a pair of Wood Warblers as they brought food to the nest.

Wood Warbler

Along the track from Croggan, I also had a close encounter with this rather engaging little Sandpiper, a beautifully coloured Fieldfare (which sadly was not at all willing to pose for me!) and a family of Lapwings with a very cute, tiny speckled chick. Despite the parents' warning calls, it was too distracted by a tasty-looking bug to do a very good job of pretending to be a stone! Lots of Greylag Geese with goslings of various sizes dozing on the Loch edge, too.

Sandpiper

Lapwing Chick

Driving on from Croggan towards Lochbuie, I was very pleased to come across two stunning Fallow deer does grazing in a meadow on the edge of a stand of ancient mixed woodland. These ladies were looking absolutely gorgeous in their dappled summer coats, especially with the sunlight streaming down on them! 

Fallow Deer

A visit to the beautiful bay at Ardalanish is always a wonderful way to spend a few hours. As well as the spectacular views across to Jura, the wildflower-laden streambed & orchid-studded dunes attract a good variety of birds and butterflies. I had fun photographing a gregarious family of Wheatears of varying ages.

Wheatear - Female

Wheatear - Juvenile

Wheatear - fledgling

 I also had a pair of Sedge Warbler in the reed beds by the stream. 

Sedge Warbler

There are lots of moths and butterflies, such as this lovely Small Tortoiseshell and High-brown Frittilary.

As well as the ubiquitous Hooded Crows!

An unexpected added bonus was a trio of Red-throated Divers in the bay. Not too close in, but wonderful to see these lovely birds in full breeding plumage.

I was also back for another look at the Mountain Hares yesterday evening, and was rewarded by a very obliging beast, right out on the shorter grass. We saw at least 5 individuals in the course of the evening, so they seem to be doing well.

In the same area, I also got some really good views of the resident pair of Hen Harriers - both the male & female this time. Both birds were seen quartering, with the female coming close at times. I even witnessed a couple of distant food-passes, which were fantastic to see.

Visiting a smallish, freshwater lochan added a few more species to our list. We spotted a fledging Cuckoo, still being fed by it's tiny adoptive warbler parents. There were also two Black-throated Divers, 4 Red-throated Divers, Little Grebe, as well as Turfted Duck, Herons and more Geese. I was particularily interested to note a pair of Whooper Swans, which flew in to the head of the loch just at sunset. 

Round Loch Scridain, we've mainly seen smaller birds, although we've seen both of the pair of White-tailed Eagles which nest across the loch flying past several times. Curlews standing sentinel above their chicks have been nice to see, as well as juvenile Goldfinch, Rock Pippits, Meadow Pippits, Sky Lark and Sanderling

Meadow Pippit

Curlew & Chicks

On the mammal front, we'd been commenting that we haven't seen too many Red Deer down by the loch this year, compared to previous visits. Apparently, this is down to the very high numbers of midges about after the rains, as the deer hate these airbourne pests & tend to keep to the hills when they are particularily bad. However yesterday evening, the stiff  breeze must have lured them down, as we had several groups of young bucks and more mature stags grazing in the meadows along the road, all with their antlers still re-growing & covered in velvet.  

We also clocked up another mammal species in the form of feral goats, with a small flock grazing along on of the rock crags above the moorland. Usually they stick to the more inaccessible coastal cliffs, so it was great to see a few in relative comfort! 

Goat - Nanny

Just to round things off, I've just been watching a Tawny Owl hunting in the courtyard of our farmhouse. It even landed just below my bedroom window. Too dark for photography, but always a buzz to see!