Tuesday 8 September 2009

Birds birds birds.

Here's another bundle of fluff that I came across while walking around the reserve. This Long-tailed Tit was unusual in that it was on its own. They can generally be found flitting through the trees in quite large parties, often with other Tit species.I love the light in these photos which is emphasising the fluffiness of these lovely birds.That is easily the stubbiest bill of any of the Tit family.There was a Common Buzzard circling over the reserve. It never got very close so this is a pretty heavily cropped photo, but it had some great markings in the wings. Common Buzzard can be very variable in it's plumage.I was lucky to get this photo of a Reed Warbler. They are generally quite skulking birds, often preferring to stay deed down in the reeds. This one was making its way up and down this lot of vegetation looking for tasty morsels. It will soon be making its way down to Africa for the winter.

11 comments:

Chris said...

Hi Jenny,
Wow, the long-tailed tits shots are awesome. I've been trying to get them so often but never managed to do so. They move so quickly, your shots are superb!

Kelly said...

Oh Jenny! I like those little Long-tailed Tits. They come close to usurping the cute little Robin as my favorite European bird. I don't know why, but the Long-tailed Tits remind of the Ewoks from Star Wars... Lovely photos. I also like how the light emphasizes their puffy feathers.

Dog Trot Farm said...

Love that first photo Jenny, what a fluffy little Tit and such a long tail.

Eve said...

That is one cute bird! They should make that a cartoon character!!
Great pictures. The buzzard is beautiful too.

Rural Rambler said...

That Long-tailed Tit is absolutely the cutest feathery face I have ever seen! A little puff of feathers. Great shots Jenny!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jen, that is unusual for the LTT to be on its own. Now he is "stumpy" apart from the tail.
You have certainly got a better image than I have ever achieved of the Common Buzzard.

John said...

Hi Jenny,

That LTT is an awww moment. You have to love Long-tailed Tits, so small yet delightful. Supeperb photos Jen well done. Great to see the Reed Warbler, not too long and they will all be gone for the Winter : (

John

Jenny said...

Hi Chris, yes normally, they're always on the go, but this one was kind enough to stay still long enough for a couple of shots.

Hi Kelly, yes, they're pretty high on the cute stakes I think. I'm trying to remember the Ewoks? Were they the furry things in the forest in the third film???

Hi Julie, yes, I'm not really sure why they've evolved with that long a tail, but it certainly makes them distinctive.

Hi Evie, I hope to get a closer and better shot of a Buzzard one day.....

Hi Pix, that's a great way to describe them, 'a little puff of feathers'....like it! (-:

Hi Roy, yes I guess that is proper job stumpy! (-: Buzzards are getting more common in your area I think arn't they? Hopefully.....

FAB said...

Aaaah..the 'Bottle' Tit, such a charmer. Amazing to think that they fold the tail back when inside the nest because of the limited space. FAB

Anonymous said...

Yes Buzzards are getting more frequent in this area now, trying to get a decent photograph is the problem though Jen.

Mary said...

That long-tailed tit is so cute! What an adorable bird.