THE RAMBLINGS OF A STRUGGLING ARTIST ON LIFE WITH TWO TERRIERS, A PONY WITH ISSUES AND OTHER WILDLIFE AND BIRDS THAT CROSS OUR PATH

12 February 2015

A GOOD WEEK FOR BIRDS


This juvenile Peregrine (probably male according to our local Peregrine expert) is just about the most exciting sighting I've had in a long time. I took this from about 100 yards away so it's not as sharp as I would like, but I'm just so pleased to have got anything. This is the second sighting but the first picture that confirms its identification. 


Almost as exciting, on a gloriously sunny Monday, was this Willow Tit. The reason I'm so sure about it being a Willow rather than Marsh Tit, is that it was singing; I saw it singing and was clear on the song coming from its beak. I ran the couple of hundred yards home and went straight to Google and compared recordings of both birds. It was unmistakable. I was about to claim two birds on the RSPB red list but have just discovered the Peregrine is on the green list. Great news, but not what I was expecting. The Willow Tit definitely is though. 




Having thought our Buzzard pair, who had two surviving chicks, had gone forever, it appears they, or another pair, are back in our shelter belt. I've seen them a few times now and am hoping they nest here again this year.







Here, I managed to get both of them as they chased each other and appeared to be playing in the sky. 


Just after the Peregrine sighting, I saw these two Canada Geese flying over. I can't say I've ever seen any up on the moor before.


This crow was sitting in a tree at the end of the garden and, for once, didn't fly away as soon as I came anywhere near it.


I love this. Strictly not this week.....a couple of weekend's ago when the snow was at its deepest on the road.


House Sparrow on the barricade built to try and contain Jack. Nothing is working there and I think we need to think along the lines of Colditz.


Trigger's Magpie friends:



A Meadow Pipit (I think) flying off


Stonechats. The first picture was nearly deleted but then I noticed him flying towards the camera



Robin:


And a metal bird for good measure. At least it has a wildlife based name. A Lynx Wildcat. 


Brilliant news from Great Ormond Street a couple of days ago. Devon CAMHS are sending both their child psychologists up to London at the beginning of March to observe OB's five ,hour long CBT sessions so they will be able to learn how its done, and help other Tourettes sufferers in this area. AT LAST. It took many phone calls from GOSH and a letter which I haven't read but was sent a copy of the reply from the head of Devon CAMHS which contained a sincere apology for the lack of communication. How long has it taken? Too long, but there's no point in doing anything but looking forwards. 

So, until next time, which should be the MANY bits and pieces from January that are really stacking up, here are those naughty boys fighting over a stick in the snow. The snow which was still two inches thick all over the garden until today. Have a great weekend everyone.


52 comments:

  1. Every single shot is absolutely stunning!
    Great news from GOSH and CAMHS..things are looking up!
    Jane x

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  2. Great news about CAHMS just a shame you always have to fight so hard for everything. Fantastic photos as always. We have a pair of Falcons who nest at the top of a building near to my office for the past four years. They have just returned in the last two days which is great to know they are surviving and hopefully they will raise another clutch this year

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    1. What a lovely thing to look at from your office!

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  3. All your photos are wonderful, but your birds make my heart sing.Good news from Great Ormond Street.

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    1. I don't know why everyone isn't fascinated by birds Joanne but I guess I wasn't when younger.

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  4. Oh Em these are fantastic! I love them but I also love, love, love the one with the crow walking up the road in the snow.

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    1. I like that one too. I took about twenty others of it wandering around , all of which were rubbish!

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  5. Ups, also meant to say I am so happy for you getting that good news from Great Ormond Street.

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  6. Fabulous blue sky in some of the early shots. We could do with more of that!

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  7. That is great news for you about CAHMS.

    The captures of the birds are stunning. Especialy the peregrine falcon, one of my favorite birds.
    And still snow there with you, the birds must be hungry.

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    1. It's my first ever Peregrine sighting so particularly exciting.

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  8. Wonderful photos this week.
    The Peregrine is very beautiful. Love the photo of the bird flying towards you !
    Great news about CAHMS !
    The naughty boys are wonderful as ever.

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. You can see why I didn't spot the one flying towards me!

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  9. You have been busy. Common birds and rarities. A grand set.

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  10. The crow pics are brilliant - it is lovely to see their feathers up close and sparkle in the eye

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    1. I love them. So intelligent. Don't they say that any bird that walks by putting one foot in front of the other has a bigger brain than a hopper?

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  11. Great bird photos. Will be studying the Willow Tits? on my bird feeders now. Great news about Great Ormond Street and Devon chappies, but why has it taken so long for them to realize a need?

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    1. I've never definitely heard one before, so have therefore never been able to positively ID one. You need a microphone out there!

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  12. Walking in the snow is my favourite. We had issues with CAMHS several years ago, their cogs work slowly if at all we found x

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    1. I know no one who has had anything but issues with CAMHS!

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  13. Sometimes those Peregrines can look so ragged and scruffy.

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    1. I was told it was probably shedding its juvenile feathers but I agree, it looks like it had a few too many the previous night.

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  14. My favourites are the crow photos and the buzzards, favourite birds along with the magpie as well.
    Great news about CAMHS and Gosh ;) X

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    1. Those Magpies are getting very tolerant of me now, unlike the ones in the garden who fly away at the slightest movement!

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  15. Such fantastic pictures of the birds Em! Some great sightings. Good news about the medical bods too, I hope that they can all get themselves sorted out! xx

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    1. Me too Amy.I'll keep you posted. It's not long till we go now. I always forget how short February actually is.

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  16. Yes you had a great week for birding Em with good images to prove it and yes definitely a Wildcat.

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    1. Hi Roy, I'm so pleased you read this post as I was hoping for the benefit of your helicopter ID skills! Thank you.

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  17. Great birds photos! I always get excited when I see a bird that's rare to our area. Your buzzards look a lot like what we call hawks. Great news about CAMHS. Hope they can help you and OB.

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    1. The Willow Tit is the most exciting on paper but the Peregrine gets the heart fluttering!

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  18. A shame its taken so long but so pleased to hear the news about GOSH and CAMHS. Great bird photos - there is nothing like a Peregrine sighting to raise the spirits :)

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  19. I just love the look in that House Sparrow's eye - angry and saying' don't mess with me.' Lovely photographs as usual Em. Incidentally Tess is booked in for her haircut on March 12th .

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    1. March 12th is OB's birthday so very appropriate!

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  20. Beautiful birds all, love the closeups of the crow and robin.

    Not too knowledgable about your medical good news being across the pond, perhaps in regard to your son? Anyway my dear, hopefully all will continue to be better in the future.
    Mary -

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  21. Em I'm both 'cawed' and awed by these photos. I'm so very pleased a peregrine found you. I agree it is a first year bird. Now you have seen one, more will find you. At least that is the way it worked with me. It's usually about looking for the highest tippy top perch, the highest rock, the most formidable, precarious place - and there you will find the peregrine watching you.

    I love your robin too. I could shoot thousands of pictures of them and never tire! :)

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    1. They are very photogenic aren't they? Love that owl of yours by the way!

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  22. Glad you've finally got some good news on the OB front. Let's hope that they'll all be 'on their metal' since they are being observed, and swift action will result. Your photos are just lovely. We live very near a wildlife sanctuary with a predator-proof fence about 200m from our house, and the increase in birdlife in our area since it became established is amazing. Unfortunately I don't have your gift for photography! Thank you for sharing.

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    1. How lovely to live so close to a sanctuary like that Virginia. I suppose the moor is one in itself though.

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  23. Very exciting bird pictures, and great news about progess with OB.
    I was able to observe the resident peregrine falcons at the Tate last summer when the RSPB were there with a pair of high-powered binoculars fixed on them - it was thrilling and I love the fact that even in London there is wildlife to be seen. xxxLily

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    1. How brilliant Lily! I'd love to see them in a city. Probably more chance of doing so actually. xxx

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  24. I saw a pair Of Canada Geese at Meldon Reservoir today!

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  25. In fact, I should have told you, I'm doing a 365 photo project his year, mainly on Dartmoor As that's where I live. I think you might like it. You can find it and me on Instagram @GreenIslandStudios

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