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.

On Wednesday I dropped off my camera at Lehmanns for the repair to be done, don’t know the cost yet, but in the end it costs what it costs.

The dreaded error message comes up every time I press the shutter and nothing happens

As it was a nice day I decided to visit the Grasshopper Warbler again but it wasn’t playing ball and I ended up at Moore again. By the end of the day I had nothing to show for my efforts, didn’t really press the shutter. That’s how it goes sometimes.

On a recent Visit to Gilfach Farm in Wales my camera and lens came crashing down to the ground.

S---, that is going to cost I thought. After inspecting the damage the 500m f4 seemed ok and the mk4 just seemed to have some minor scuffs on it. I carried on thinking how lucky I had just been.

As the day progressed I became aware that the sound of the shutter had changed, (S--- I didn’t get away with it).  My camera was now living on borrowed time, at some point I would pay the price for my lack of attention.

That was on 28^th May this year and today it bit the dust, but not before I was able to get some more shots of the Grasshopper Warbler.

I returned home remove the Mk4 from the lens and replaced it with my backup, the 7D.

I checked the guarantee, that’s out of date, and anyway it was my fault, I phoned Lehmann’s to explain the problem.    It sounds like you have damage the mirror box they said.

I put the phone down and returned with the 7D to the site of the Grasshopper Warblers putting thoughts of the cost behind me.

When I arrived back on site the Grasshopper Warbler was having a preening session. It’s not often you get a chance to observe this behaviour. You’re lucky if you just see the bird.

More shots in the Grasshopper Warbler file

Rain, rain, rain and more rain. Like everyone else I am getting a bit sick of it. The season will soon be gone along with the birds.

We are also coming up to the point when having raised their young birds start to look a bit tatty. At that point they will be difficult to find.  

You don’t often get a second bite of the cherry, (but I just have). A break in the weather and  I was off to a little known reserve close to where I live, I have been here several times before.

It’s good for warblers in spring, whilst winter time provides plenty of interest. The site covers an area of just under 6 hectares.

I thought I had missed my chance of getting any more shots of Grasshopper Warbler this year.

The ones I did get could be better, a lot better, so I have been looking to improve them, making regular visits to Moore Nature Reserve in the hope of finding them again but with not much luck.

Grasshopper Warbler

I was surprised to come across a family of them on my visit to this little reserve. The area is very wet with all the rain we have had, so wellingtons are needed, the site also has a pond surrounded with tall reeds, home for Reed Buntings, Reed Warblers and Sedge Warblers.

Its song sounds like an insect or anglers reel.

Juvenile Grasshopper Warbler

Male Reed Bunting

This selection of images have been taken at Moore Nature Reserve on the 27^h & 28^th.

Black Swan

Male Blackcap

Coot.

Grey Heron

Little Grebe

Reed Bunting

Reed Warbler

Whitethroat.

Yellowhammer

Crow

I arrived at the Cemlyn Nature Reserve at 11.30am. The optimist in me decided it would be ok to ignore the weather report, as they don’t always get it right anyway.

With the rain getting heavier, do I wait it out or try to get some shots or just go home.

I decided to get some shots in-between the fine rain. Not what I wanted as I was supposed to be testing the 400mn for flight shots.

It’s going to be difficult focusing on the birds through the fine rain and lack of light, but I will give it a go before going for lunch.

Sandwich Tern returning with a fish to feed its young.

Some Terns have to get passed the Black-headed Gulls first with their catch.

A return trip is planned on a sunny day before the Terns move from their breeding grounds.

Common Tern.

Arctic Tern.

If the weather improves I will be visiting the Terns on Anglesey next week to get some better Photographs of them, it’s one of my favourite spots in Wales. The Terns pass overhead carrying Sand Eels to feed their young, but it’s not easy to get a good photograph.

 You can pick up the birds as they come in with a 500mm on a tripod or 300mm    handheld. I will be trying with a 400mm 5.6 lens that I have not really used much, if the images are ok I will keep the lens if not I will be selling it.

Cemlyn Nature Reserve:

Cemlyn Nature Reserve, near Cemaes on Anglesey, is an internationally important sea bird colony. Up to three species of tern nest each summer on a series of islands in a lagoon. The terns return to breed on Anglesey from their wintering grounds off the coast of Africa and elsewhere.

 

The Sandwich tern colony is one of the largest in the UK and in 2006 held about 10% of the UK breeding population.

Highlights: Sandwich, Common and Arctic Terns, Golden Plover, Oystercatcher, Curlew,

Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank, Purple Sandpiper, Whitethroat, Grey Seals, Common Lizard, Adder, Butteerflies, Wildflowers.

Location: Cemlyn is sign-posted from Tregele on the A5025 between Valley and Amlwch.

 Although the roads to the site are narrow, there are two car parks adjacent to the reserve

Grid references. SH329936 & SH336932.

The reserve is open throughout the year: admission is free.

Sandwich Tern

Spent a few hours at Moore Nature Reserve yesterday getting some shots of Little Grebe and Great Crested Grebe, whilst waiting for the Kingfisher to put in an appearance (that did not happen).

What did happen was some %*£!  decided to break into my car to see what could be found, smashing the back window and pulling the back seat forward to look in the boot.

Nothing was taken as I don’t keep anything of value in the car, but I was not the only victim.

The car next to me suffered the same damage and had a work bag taken.

It cost me £65 because I had to pay the excess on my insurance. Not the best of days.

Little Grebe

Great Crested Grebe

Reed Warbler.

About Moore Nature Reserve

Moore Nature Reserve comprises almost 200 acres of woodland, meadows, lakes and ponds. It is home to many diverse species of plants, animals, birds and other wildlife. The nature reserve is well known for its varied bird life, including all five species of British owl and all three species of woodpecker. Many other interesting birds can be found either as year-round residents or seasonal visitors.

Throughout the seasons a variety of wildlife can be found. Spring and summer bring a host of wonderful wildflowers including many orchids, and a large array of dragonflies. In autumn many fantastic fungi can be found.

Moore Nature Reserve is also a great place to take a walk in the countryside. Our paths, benches and bird hides make exploring the site enjoyable for everybody.

Schools, colleges and universities use the site as an educational resource, and guided walks and other assistance can be provided by the wardens. Volunteer groups carry out practical conservation work and wildlife monitoring to assist in the continuing good management of the reserve. A programme of events has been set up to help everybody become involved and learn about the wildlife and history of Moore Nature Reserve.

Moore Nature Reserve is situated between the Manchester Ship Canal and the River Mersey. The 200-acre site has been managed as a nature reserve since 1991, after being used as farmland and for sand quarrying. Today the reserve can boast five large lakes surrounded by extensive woodland, meadows and wetlands, made accessible by a network of paths and bird hides. Its many habitats provide a home for a variety of birds, mammals, insects, plants, amphibians and fungi.

An enchanting place for everyone with an interest in nature and an attractive place in which to walk and enjoy the peaceful countryside.

Moore Nature Reserve is managed by wardens employed by the Waste Recycling Group Limited, operators of nearby Arpley Landfill site. Arpley Landfill began operating in 1988 and covers more than 500 acres - nearly 200 acres of which have been given over to the nature reserve. The landfill is being restored to a mix of woodland and grassland and, together with Moore Nature Reserve, will eventually provide an important public amenity and area of rich biodiversity on the edge of what is a busy, and growing urban area.

From the A56 (from Warrington of the M56 J11) turn at the traffic lights opposite the Walton Arms public house, following the sign for Moore. From Moore village turn right into Moore Lane. Follow this road over the swingbridge to arrive at Moore Nature Reserve.

Indiana Jones would not be out of place here, it’s the burial tombs on the Dalyan River in Turkey.

Some Tombs are over two thousand years old.

Not the best image of a Stork, taken from a boat on the Dalyan River.

Reed Warbler on the Dalyan River.

Just got back from Turkey after two weeks in the sun sporting a worthy tan. Today I have notice my skin starting to peel on my legs, not surprising as the temperature was in the upper nineties.

I took some equipment with me so I didn’t get withdrawal systems, but photographic opportunities were meagre as the habitat was not ideal. I did get some photos, but they are nothing to write home about.

At the Hotel we stayed at a family of Jays seemed to be around most days as were a pair of Collared Doves, Pied Wagtails and the odd Lizard. We did take a river boat trip and photographed a Stork and Reed Warbler but that was it all week. Photography was not the reason I went to Turkey so I still had a great time and now have the added waistline to prove it.

We have better looking Jays here.

Collared Doves seem the same.

Images from the Dalyan river later

TX_0347 No Flies on me or anything else. I rolled off the drive at a quarter to five in the morning and arrived at 7.00am at Gilfach Farm. First stop see the Warden and ask about Spotted Flycatchers.

He had not seen any, or had any reports of them on the site. Not really a surprise as they are hard to find these days. No dead flies on the car either and not many in my garden and a lack of bees.  

Something is wrong, no insects = no birds and that’s just the start.

Rant over............................................

After spending most of the morning at Gilfach Farm I went on to Photograph the Red Kites at Gigrin Farm. I put my Camera away at 4.40pm and set off home arriving at 7.00pm.

The Redstarts although tame were infrequent visitors and I only managed a few shots.

Pied Flycatchers however made more visits to the feeding stations and were just as tame as the Redstarts.

TX_1773

View from Gilfach taken on my phone.

Red Kites at Gigrin Farm

GS1_5360

White Kite

More images in the Red Kite folder.

Gilfach Farm is a place I wanted to visit last year but it never happened, so I have decided this is the year I will go. It will take me about two and half hours depending on traffic and the dreaded sat- nav directions.  

The weather is due to break this week, so I need to go as soon as possible. Redstarts and Pied Flycatchers should be feeding young. The Redstarts will be visiting the feeding station.

Dippers and Wood Warblers should also be around so it has the potential to be a fruitful trip.

It is my last big trip before I go to Turkey on June the 4^th for two weeks. I will be taking my 7D and 300m f4 lens with me as I don’t fancy carting my  500m and mk4  with me.

Situated in a beautiful setting at the confluence of the Marteg River with the River Wye in the Cambrian Mountains of Mid Wales, Gilfach is locally unique because of its wide variety of habitats: high moorland to enclosed meadow; oak woodland to rocky upland river. Because of this variety the farm supports a tremendous abundance of birds and animals within a comparatively small area. This richness of wildlife has adapted to living in the various habitats created over the centuries through the practice of traditional farming.

The farmyard, with its Welsh longhouse, is central to the reserve. The house is a traditional building in Wales, developed over many centuries from a wooden cruck-framed medieval hall. The Gilfach Longhouse forms the perfect complement to the Education and Visitor Centre which has been created through the conversion of the 18^th century stone barn opposite. The Centre utilises a 'high-tech' approach to the interpretation of the wildlife of the Reserve. Nest-boxes fitted with cameras link to a monitor system in the Centre, as does pre-recorded footage of Gilfach's badger and other mammal activity. A gift shop and restaurant area, in addition to other picnic sites, complete the facilities which are accessible to wheelchairs.

Directions:

Gilfach is just off the A470, seven miles from Llangurig and two miles from Rhayader. Follow the brown Nature Reserve signs. The Visitor Centre is one mile across the Reserve.

Website:

For more information, check Gilfach Farm's own website at www.radnorshirewildlifetrust.org.uk

Sedge Warbler