Third Bird Photography: Siskin

Monday, 16 May 2016

Mull of Oa and Bridgend

Although we visited the Mull of Oa on the first day we didn't get very far. So we went back to the full walk around the Mull and the Monument. The day started off extremely dull with thick, heavy cloud. At lunchtime this all disappeared very quickly, changing to sunny skies again.

We had finished the Mull by late lunchtime so had a walk around the woods at Bridgend. Great carpets of Bluebells, as well as brief glimpses of Dipper and Grey Wagtail. We vowed to return when we had more time.

Mull of Oa route

Bridgend route

Feral Goat

Extremely distant Golden Eagle over the cliffs by Beinn Mhor

The Mull of Oa

American Monument

Bluebells

Wren

Spotted Flycatcher

Siskin

Grey Wagtail

Feral Goat

Chough

Gannets

Rock Pipit

Fulmar

Flock of Gannet (with juvenile) skimming the sea's surface

Raven

Big, heavy cloud over the sea

American Monument

Lush woodland at Bridgend

DIY hide and tripod

Friday, 29 March 2013

Burton Marsh

A longer day than expected at Burton Marsh, as we were expecting it to be Burton Wood. A quick recon trip ended up taking all day as we waited around for Siskins (plenty) and Redpolls (never showed). The feeders are patrolled by boisterous families of Brown Rats which have become quite tolerant of the visitors.

Water Rail and Snipe were visible by the visitor centre but the awful plank hide/fencing around it make it almost impossible to a) get down to anywhere near ground level or b) even get the barrel of a large lens through the gaps. This is extremely frustrating, even for using binoculars if the birds are at an awkward angle (and when aren't they?!)

Jackdaws are nesting in the trees, although they need to either learn to pick smaller twigs or pick a larger hole to nest in.