LM's 6th BY, 2021 - in search of consistency, with better photography

[Zim Girl]

Lovely picture of the Hen Harrier.

[Dave Williams]

Two spectacular birds I'd love to photograph that you nailed, the Harrier and the Lark. The latter would be a lifer and it's in my top 10 wants in the UK. 

[TonyQ]

Amazing Hen Harrier and Horned Lark.

Isle of Sheppey looks like a good spot!

[Galana]

Two great lifers there for you. Plus Salt water rails.

[lmSA84]

72. Peregrine Falcon, London, February

 

I found out recently that a Peregrine Falcon pair are regulars at a church near the park I run in. Since then I each time I went running I was on the look out and once I saw them ran back to get my lens. 

 

 

[lmSA84]

73. Green Woodpecker, London, March

 

A regular in my garden

 

[lmSA84]

74. Rose-Ringed Parakeet, London, March

 

Another garden regular

 

[lmSA84]

75. Great Spotted Woodpecker, London, March

 

I know feeders are cheating but this one never really seems to come that close

 

[lmSA84]

76. Blackcap, London, March

 

[lmSA84]

77.  European Siskin, London Wetland Centre, February

 

I made a special trip to the London Wetland Centre in the hope of getting Siskin, Brambling and Jack Snipe both of which had been regulars at the feeders located in a deep wood

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

78. Brambling, London Wetland Centre, February

 

A lifer and a target for the year and before you ask....No it's not in a cage! It's just the feeder at the Wetland Centre  

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

79. Stock Dove, London Wetland Centre, February

 

I have seen the Stock Doves in my garden but just for @michael-ibkI thought I would post a far off shot of Stock Dove 

 

[michael-ibk]

Thanks, makes me feel much better! 

[lmSA84]

My other reason for visiting the Wetland Centre was Jack Snipe. In one of the hides three birders were adamant that these were Jack Snipes

 

 

 

@Galana, @michael-ibkand anyone else - what do you think? Unfortunately, I think they're Common Snipe.

 

This one I know is a Common Snipe and a very accommodating one too 

 

 

Edited March 29, 2022 by lmSA84

[lmSA84]

2 minutes ago, michael-ibk said:

Thanks, makes me feel much better! 

 I'm always here for you! 

[Soukous]

39 minutes ago, lmSA84 said:

once I saw them ran back to get my lens

Lucky you grabbed the camera as well 

[PeterHG]

You have some very nice garden birds! I tend to agree with you on the snipe. The yellow banding on the could point to a Jack Snipe, but I do feel the bill is too long on both visible birds.

[Galana]

4 hours ago, lmSA84 said:

@Galana, @michael-ibkand anyone else -

Both are Common Snipe to me.

Rare to get the beggars to sit but both your subjects have the pale central stripe on the crown. Jack Snipe, I am told, lack this. How does one not see what is not there?

[TonyQ]

great garden birds!

[Zim Girl]

Love the Green Woodpecker!

I have been trying to get a picture of one for the last four years and you get them in your garden - not jealous at all!!

[lmSA84]

@Zim Girl- it's funny how it goes. They're common in Central London but I would definitely trade you a few of them for any of your sightings of Garganey, Ring Ouzel, Marsh Tit or Dipper! 

[lmSA84]

On 3/29/2022 at 4:54 PM, Galana said:

Both are Common Snipe to me.

Rare to get the beggars to sit but both your subjects have the pale central stripe on the crown. Jack Snipe, I am told, lack this. How does one not see what is not there?

 

@Galana- It's a good question "How does one not see what is not there" -. Confirmation Bias is a powerful thing! It's happened to me a few times this year already, where I have arrived at a hide or site and a group of birders (often directed by ebird) are adamant that they're looking at some rarity in the distance. I then take picture, get it home, edit it and low and behold it's not what we thought it was - that's the beauty of photography - you can't hide. 

 

Although, I'm still very grateful to ebird and the group of birders often there as 9/10 they are right! 

[lmSA84]

80. Jack Snipe, London Wetland Centre, April

 

I dipped on the Jack Snipe earlier but a quite day at work afford me a quick trip to the Wetland Centre and this time I got it! A lifer and a target bird for the year. 

 

 

[lmSA84]

81. Pink-Footed Goose, February, East Sussex

 

I made a small trip to a field just outside Bristol to hopefully see these guys and Bean Geese. Luckily (otherwise it would be a long wasted trip) one of these birds was visible.

 

 

[lmSA84]

82. Common Goldeneye, Staines Reservoir, February

 

Another target for the year.