Giving the Foxes a rest today I set off in pursuit of Spotted Flycatchers.

RSPB at Burton Marsh is the place they have been reported several times. On arrival I had word with the warden for information on their location, he directed me to the fence line on the woods and I set off. Not long after I detected the family of Spotted Flycatchers but at some distance, too far for a photograph.

So I decided to try my luck in the woods, as I walked down the path I came across them feeding in a oak tree but getting a shot proved a bit difficult, I'm happy with the results under the circumstances.

The Vixen showed up to put on a show, sitting just feet away from me.

Using a 300m lens was too close most of the time, so close that I couldn’t get the shots I wanted.

What a fantastic and problematic position to be in.

She just walked towards me with not a care in the world

More in the Fox folder.

With the hide set up it’s just a matter of time before the Foxes show up (that said I have failed in the past to get any shots).

Lady luck and the Foxes have smiled on me today. 

The Vixen decided to sit out in the open.

 Even coming too close at times.

As for the Dog fox he wasn’t having any of it and kept his distance.

Being able to photograph Foxes this close is unusual, and a privilege, even better if I could Photograph the cubs.

I think this may come to fruition soon.

More in the Fox folder

In the evening light Rabbits emerge from their burrows to feed ever watchful for their nemesis the Red Fox.

Safety in numbers is a good defence with many eyes and ears constantly monitoring for any signs of danger.

The Fox too is looking for any opportunity to feed scanning the fields so it can snatch any unwary prey.

 It can be a matter of life or death for both. The odds of catching a rabbit are not good when they are so close to the safety of their burrows.

But with young to feed he will have a go. As he charges down the bank to catch one all the rabbits bolt down their holes.

He is unsuccessful this time and looks around to see if any stragglers can be found.

He spent some time loitering around before finally disappearing into the undergrowth

He will return later to try again

Back for another try

More photographs in the Fox folder

As we sat low down on the bank this Foxy lady appeared at the Rabbit warren, sniffing around and expecting to catch one out of its burrow.

No easy meal today

No doubt she will be back later to try her luck again

To see more images of the Fox visit the Fox folder.

Weekends are not the best time to see foxes with the flying club in full swing and lots of birders around. Graham and I were surprised to see the foxes out in full view.

We positioned ourselves on the river embankment trying not to give our position away and were treated to over an hour of Fox activity.

The Foxes seemed nervous of our presence at first

 A smart looking male Fox showing off this bushy tail

To see more foxes look in the fox folder.

Last Wednesday I decided to visit 3 sites in one day starting at Conwy Reserve, South Stack and Cemlyn Bay for the Terns. The weather forecast was not great, but in true form I decided it could be wrong and I would be able to squeeze out the odd photo (some of mine are). Sometimes you only need a short window on opportunity to get your shots.

I arrived at Conwy Reserve at 9.30am; the plan is to start at the benarth hide and finishing up at the cafe for a cup of tea before departing for South Stack.

Checking the hides and open areas proved uneventful, I had a brief sighting of a Blackcap but didn’t manage a photograph however a Sedge Warbler was more obliging.

A Spotted Flycatcher was reported but I failed to see it, after a chat with the wardens and a cup of tea in the cafe I set off to South Stack a bit disappointed.

Info on the Reserve

Situated on the banks of the Conwy estuary, with magnificent views of Snowdonia and Conwy Castle, this reserve is delightful at any time of year.

Conwy's a great place to get close to wildlife, to spend time with family and friends, or just take time out in fantastic scenery that embraces 4,000 years of human history. There’s a network of pushchair-friendly trails with viewpoints and hides to make the most of your visit and plenty if information to explain what you're watching. Perhaps you’ll meet one of our friendly volunteer wildlife guides who can help you discover just a little bit more?

In our Visitor Centre, our warm welcome will ensure you have exactly what you need for your visit. We have events to suit everyone from keen birdwatchers to beginners or young families, whether your interest is wildlife, history, art or any number of other subjects.

We love our food at Conwy so why not visit our monthly Farmers' Market or call in at the Waterside Coffee Shop, overlooking the lagoon, and enjoy a drink, a snack or light lunch using delicious local produce. We have a well-stocked shop, too, with good advice on everything from feeding birds to new binoculars.

We welcome group visits, but please book these with us in advance so that we can give you the best possible service. Entry rates are listed below, but we can also organise guided walks for a flat-fee of £30 for a group of up to 15 people, £50 for a group of 15 to 30 people. Please ring the reserve at least six weeks before your proposed visit to arrange a group visit.

Opening times

The shop and visitor centre is open every day (except Christmas Day) from 9.30 am-5 pm. The coffee shop is open from 10 am-4.30 pm (to 4 pm from November to March).

Entrance charges

Members free. Non-members: adults £2.50, concessions £1.50, children £1. Family ticket £5.

If you are new to birdwatching...

Why not join a guided walk with our volunteers every Saturday at 11 am? They will help you spot and identify the birds. You can hire a pair of binoculars from us (£3 a visit). Just ask at reception.

Information for families

From our Visitor Centre, you can collect one of our Bingo cards, encouraging you all to take a closer look at the reserve. Bingo cards change according to season and are available in Welsh or English. Bring it back and children receive a goody bag. There's a self-guided Discovery Trail, and all the tracks are pushchair-friendly. The Waterside Coffee Shop has a popular toybox to occupy little hands while you're enjoying a cuppa.

Information for dog owners

Sorry, we don't allow dogs, except registered assistance dogs, because there are breeding birds and, in winter, roosting birds on the reserve. There’s a popular dog walk along the estuary, running north from the reserve.

When I arrived at South Stack I was greeted with banks of fog covering the site and light rain (Great).

I headed for the cafe for another cup of tea, and think about my options, stay, Cemlyn or home

I decided to stay and hope the weather would improve sufficiently enough to be able to get some shots of Stonechat, Raven and chough.

By the time I had finished my cup of tea the fog had lifted, it stopped raining and the sun came out. I set off to find the Stonechats thinking how lucky I was with the weather turning in my favour.

 Stonechat

Raven

Chough

 With all three species photographed it was off to Cemlyn Bay to try and get some better shots of the Terns.

When I arrived at the noisy Tern colony it was 5.00pm equipped with a 500f4 lens, not what you need to photograph birds in flight.

With it being late in the season most of the birds had already gone, the rest would be gone in days.

Armed with my unsuitable lens I set off down the shingle beech to see what I could photograph. Using the tripod was not practical so I had to handhold the lens.

With the light being poor my shots were no better than my last visit here, I took a few shot and left for home.

Male Kingfisher

I was hoping the Kingfisher would land closer, but noise from the hide prevents this.

Juvenile Green Woodpecker, part of a family group feeding on ants

They can be difficult to get close to as they always seem to have a lookout ready to sound an alarm.

Adult feeding on ants

Didn’t manage to get close to the adults as the habitat lacked the necessary cover

 I set out to photograph Corn Bunting and Yellow Wagtail at a location not far from my home.

After some searching I first found the Yellow Wagtail collecting insects. I am fortunate to have found the bird, however the photographs are disappointing.

Yellow Wagtail

The same goes for the Corn Bunting on a wire.

I would have preferred the Corn Bunting on a fence or in a bush; they would have made for better photographs.

I will have to settle for the shots I have, as they are the only ones I have.

I picked up my Mk4 from Lehmanns at 8.30 this morning, handed over £440.00 and set off home.

I hope that will be my last visit for some time.........................

On my way home I called in at the reserve just to try it out and say hello to Graham who had called in for a short visit too.

After a few trial shots all seems ok so I set off back to the car, I put my camera in the boot, sat in the front seat and looked up at a young Fox walking towards the car. Quick as a flash I returned to the boot grabbed my camera in a frantic effort to get some shots as it passed by.

However the Fox seemed in no rush and just looked at me expectantly............................................

I returned to the boot and retrieved some dog biscuits, scattering them in the direction of the Fox.

It came within six feet of me.

 I had to back off to get some shots.

Not what you call a apprehensive fox

More shots in the Fox folder.

At times the 7d can be a great camera, if the light is good that is. Today it came into its own, producing very nice shots.

I sat in the hide for over two hours waiting for the Kingfisher to put in an appearance but it didn't turn up.

I was contemplating a move when this Heron landed and started to hunt in the reed beds.

With its superb eyesight Herons are normally difficult birds to get close to, being shy birds most of the time.

I was surprised when this one decided to put on a show just feet away from the hide.

What’s on the menu? Think I’ll have a starter.

That was lovely what can I eat next

Think I’ve got a fish bone stuck in my throat.

Just been sick on my feet

And all down by chest

I am so annoyed

Get me the manager

It’s so embarrassing

Get my coat I’m leaving

I parked the car and scattered some dog biscuits, now I just have to wait. It's 7.45pm and the car park is quiet with just two cars here. I did start to feed the foxes some weeks ago but gave up when it became obvious my spot had been discovered and I found it difficult to keep up the feeding regime.

It's my second visit of the day; I was here at 9.00am struggling to get some shots in difficult light using the 7D.

The Mk4 will be ready in 7 to 10 days when I will be £440 pounds lighter, (Isn't life great).

The morning visit did not go well; I was waiting for a chance to photograph a Kingfisher and Little Grebe... The light has to be just right and with no ripples on the water. That didn’t happen.

The end result, poor shots of the Little Grebe; the Kingfisher was just too far away to get any detail. After spending most of the morning in the hide I decided to move on.

Little Grebe

Later in the day at one of the other hides a pair of Black Swans turned up and a family of Little Grebes with chicks.  I was not happy with the shots so I deleted them.

8.25pm and already the good light has gone off the car park, rabbits have started to venture out to feed things starting to look good...........

By 9.00 I was on my way home empty handed.