This is the first year that I've been able to get proof of breeding for our pair of Reed Buntings at the Reserve. This male was in the process of feeding the young bird with its back to the camera. It's a shame I didn't get a decent shot of the actual feeding, but you can't have it all!
Here's the young bird waiting for some more food to be brought!
Another bird I was pleased to get proof of breeding for is the Winter Wren. This is the only wren we get in Britain and it is widespread and common. There were 5 young birds waiting for their parents to bring food to them. I managed to get three in one photo in the end.
If you enlarge the photos, you can still see the fluffy tufts on their heads and the baby gape is still evident.
Another young bird I managed to capture was this Blue Tit. It's the same bird in both photographs but you can see the young Blue Tit plumage better in the second photo.
We have sheets of corregated iron put down in various places around the Reserve and I always take a peek underneath to see what is about. Here is a Short-tailed Vole (probably the most common mammal on our Reserve). You can see the reason for its name in this photo!
Last but not least, is this Common Toad under one of the iron sheets, which also seem to be doing well on our Reserve. 
There'll be more from Rodden Reserve soon. 
17 comments:
Hi Jen, your observations have paid off and you got some really nice evidence. Love the sweet little Wrens the best of course.{:)
My fav is the toad shot... :) Nice images...
Hi Jen! I love seeing photos from this reserve. Those little birds are precious. Particularly, I love the blue tit because it's so prevalent in art but they don't live here. Such pretty birds! ADORE that toad! What a great looking guy!!!
Hi Roy, I'm kind of sorry that the 4 years of the BTO atlas are over now. Will look forward to the book coming out tho! (-:
Hi Angad, many thanks for popping in to comment on my blog! (-:
Hi Debs, he is pretty handsome isn't he! (-; I'll have more from the reserve soon! Pwomise! (-:
Hi Jen. Great to see you have captured evidence of successful breeding at Rodden. Can't remember the last time I spotted a Vole .. sweet little criters.
I love those wrens. My parents have wrens at their place but I can never get close enough to get a good photo. love that toad! It has quite the ears...
your photos are beautiful, congratulations !!!!!!!!!!
Welcome back to blogland Jen. You'll have to take us round "your" reserve when we come over - sounds like a lovely spot.
Just discovered your blog and really enjoyed it! I'll be stopping here often!
Hi Frank, I think the short-tailed vole is our most common mammal over there. Yes, very cute! (-:
Hi Christine, yes the toad seems to have had quite a few admirers! (-: I can only get half decent shots of those wrens because I have my 300mm lens!
Hi Elettra, thanks for stopping in and commenting on my blog! (-:
Hi Tony, yes I'll get special permission, as most of it is closed to the public during the breeding season! Looking forward to it already! (-:
Hello Missing Moments. I'm glad you found me, I'll hope to have another post up during this coming week! (-:
The Wren series is delightful. Patience and observation paying off in spades. Lovely work.
Great to get some proof of breeding Jen. I've never been lucky enough to find a Vole sat still long enough to photograph before so am quite jealous. Adam @ My Life Outside
After this summer I am glad to catch up with you and your beautiful photos again. The winter wren is awesome as is the Toad.
I love that little Wren...they are always so perky looking, they make you smile. Neat to find the wildlife under the iron sheets! Great photos as always!
Hi, you won't know me but I have often visited your blog and enjoyed it. I just wanted to say, I hope all is well as you haven't posted for some time. Hopefully you are just taking a blogging break.
Super shots of the young Wrens.
A really great post! I'd love to see a blue titmouse, they're so pretty. Sweet photos of the wrens! :o)
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