My walk around Rodden Reserve didn't produce anything particularly exciting birdwise, but it was just lovely to be out walking under a beautiful blue sky. The resident Buzzard was sitting in the sunshine in one of the larger trees along the river Frome.
I can never seem to get very close to raptors, so here are some cropped photos to show him (or her) a bit better.
When it started to bend over, I thought it was just about to fly off but.....
......instead, it was going through one of those necessary functions!
Luckily I missed the most relevant moment! (-:
The Canada Geese seem to come and go from the reserve. Last year a pair did breed here and raised 5 young. Being an non-native species and also given their possible aggressive natures towards other wildlife, breeding here is met with mixed emotions.
They were certainly viewing me with interests, but with little fear
One of several pairs of Mallards that breed on the reserve. One of my BTO survey tetrads covers this reserve, so it will be interesting to see what stays around to breed this year.
On my walk around, one of the loudest and most distinctive bird songs came from the Song Thush. It was great to hear this varied but repetitive song again after the long winter!
Again, I wasn't able to get a close shot, so here's a cropped version of the photo above.
The forecast is for rain for the next few days, so it might be a while before I get to walk around here again.
11 comments:
Lovely photos Jen - especially love the Buzzard shots! Ashamed to admit it but I'm actually quite scared of Canada Geese - memories of being chased by at least 100 when I was about 4 yrs old carrying a loaf of bread (my aunts idea of a "nice day out")!
Hey Jen, the Buzzard, how did you even get that close.
Yes the Song Thrush is getting loud now, thats all I heard today, but its good that they are around and singing. Great new colouring and set up on the blog.
I love that little song thrush. I'm hearing more singing going on as well. Love that buzzard too. I see a little green which is another great sign.
Jen what a nice new look you decided to have! Very nice. The header is very pretty. The Rodden Reserve is just such a great escape. Especially nice when a little music is added :) Rain sounds better than snow which they keep mentioning two inches for here. I think I may need some Harvey's late this afernoon if snow starts falling!
HI Jen,
you got a lovely set of pictures there, and I would be very happy to spot a song thrush over here ;-) I've never seen one ;-)
Hi Sharon, I think that would affect anyone at 4 years of age! Not your favourite aunt then! (-:
Hi Roy, after he pooped, he did fly off. Apart from the first one, those photos were pretty heavily cropped. I was lucky to get even a half decent image from them I think. Thanks for all your help with my blog issues!
Hi Evie, the song of our Song Thrush reminds me a bit of your Brown Thrasher. I'm looking forward to see some greening up of the trees....another couple of weeks off I guess.
Hi Pix, I can't believe you might still get some snow. I hope that's wrong, but I'd have a Harveys just in case! Hic! (-:
Hi Chris, I just looked up Song Thrush in my Collins Bird Guide and see that you don't get them in Iceland at all! I guess you've seen them in France though?
Hi Jen. Good job on the buzzard - he's very dark isn't he.
...what a lovely bird walk you had! I love your spotted little Song Thrush--a beautiful bird, and a beautiful songster too, I bet! The shot of the mallards and Canada Geese on the pond could be right off a pond here. I see that sight a lot...
Great shots of both the Buzzard Hawk and Song Thrush. I've always called Vultures "buzzards" so this was a little confusing to me :-) You always see a lot when you do these walks and it is always interesting for us.
Hi Tony, yes he's quite a dark one. He seems to be the resident Buzzard here.
Hi Kelly. Yes the song of the Song Thrush is quite piercing and it can be difficult sometimes when surveying to get past it's song to hear others! (-:
Hi Roy, please can you tell me, if you know, the country of origin for the oriental commenter. I'd love to know so that I can reply in some way or other!!!
Hi Mary, yes, my friends in Iowa have always called Vultures 'buzzards', but we don't have any vultures over here, so we don't have that confusion. (-:
Great shots nonetheless. The hawks and eagles here are a plenty. Come on over and you'll get a good crack at it. *grin* Hope you didn't get rained in for too long. I've been managing a few walks here around the block and such. The sun shines each day; it's nice.
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