Neil Hulme

[Jack Harrison]

Your young lady makes a fine photo today. I trust that she will take a fine photo in a couple of year's time.

Jack

[Neil Hulme]

Even More Waxwings

It might be a while before we get so many Waxwings here in Sussex again, so this morning I tried out my cheap and cheerful Raynox teleconverter on the Lumix FZ38. I'm never going to be able to compete with more sophisticated equipment when it comes to anything other than butterflies or flowers, but for a bargain basement lens it does give the additional reach necessary to get some reasonable shots of birds - at least when the light is good.

[Pete Eeles]

Excellent shots, Neil. I can see where Jedward got their inspiration from

Cheers,

- Pete

[Jack Harrison]

Had single Waxwing on bird feeder in the garden today in Mull. The surprise is that I hadn't seen one earlier - they have been widely reported.

I can only be jealous of the numbers you have seen and phtographed Neil.

Jack

[Neil Hulme]

Trio Of Barn Owls

In the absence of any butterflies, the bird theme continues. This afternoon (8th February) I took a couple of hours break from my preparations for a talk at the Sussex Biodiversity Record Centre's annual 'Adastra' Recorders Day (on conservation of the Duke of Burgundy). I headed over to Waltham Brooks, where Barn Owls are currently putting on a great show. There seem to be more around, at least in Sussex, than for several years. At one point 4 different birds were on show, but the most impressive sight, albeit from very long range, was a trio of owls sitting on the posts alongside the railway.

[David M]

That last image is simply intoxicating, Neil.

Barn owls aren't particularly rare, but they are creatures that make even non-nature enthusiasts take note.

To see one is a privilege; to see three in a single camera span is rubbing it in!

Thanks for sharing.

[Neil Hulme]

Thanks David. Yes, they are one of those 'wow' birds, like Waxwing, Hawfinch and Red Kite.
BWs, Neil

[David M]

Thanks David. Yes, they are one of those 'wow' birds, like Waxwing, Hawfinch and Red Kite.

Not sure about the last of those. Here in S. Wales they're practically a pest such are their numbers.

I see them practically every day (usually being mobbed by crows).

[essexbuzzard]

I'm with you,David. Splendid though they are,the Kite is so common in many areas now,they hardly merit a second glance. Twenty years ago, no one could have imagined their numbers now.
Waxwings,Barn Owls and Hawfinches,on the other hand...
Great pictures though!

[Susie]

Red Kite are still a wow bird for me and I've seen plenty of them. Driving down the M40 lthis week there were dozens of them and I was thrilled. Mind you, i'm chuffed when I see buzzards too and I love hearing their call.

Your owl photos are wonderful, Neil.

[ChrisC]

lovely shot Neil. the three mousegetters.

I remember looking for golden oriole in Norfolk when a quartering barn owl at pretty much mid day had me forgetting why i was there. nerver saw the oriole but lost about a pint of blood to mosssies lol will never forget that owl.

[Neil Hulme]

Springhead Hill

Yesterday I visited Springhead (Kithurst) Hill to check on the ‘work in progress’ being performed by a local contractor and funded by BC Sussex Branch and South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA). The potential habitat uncovered by the removal of heavy scrub on the ‘car park corner’, which extends the small pits we cleared four years back (now home to Duke of Burgundy and used by large roosts of Small Blue), is far more impressive than I had hoped for. Some of the new depressions are very deep and will provide warm, sheltered refuges and breeding areas in the future. This work, which will be completed by next week, will increase the size of the meadow by >20%. Bearing in mind that the site supports an exceptional diversity of butterflies, this relatively small project should mark an important milestone in the management of the area. Since I started to work on conservation of the meadow and adjacent banks with SDNPA (formerly South Downs Joint Committee) Ranger Simon Mockford in 2005, we have seen much improvement and although the numbers of some species are low, I have recorded 38 here, including Queen of Spain. It will take a couple of years to become established, but in time should develop into a real hotspot. The advantages go well beyond habitat improvement and the aesthetic qualities of the site have been much improved, with spectacular panoramic views of the Weald being revealed by the work.

[Susie]

Fantastic. I can't wait for the butterflies to colonise the new habitat.

[Neil Hulme]

Snow Bunting

Yesterday (14th February) I spend a few more hours in the company of the Worthing Waxwings. While watching the flock (now 26 strong) descend on berry-laden bushes around the Durrington area, a keen birder friend pulled over for a chat. After he had kindly given me directions to a Snow Bunting on the beach at Goring-by-Sea, I set off in search of it. It didn't take long to locate and looked quite spectacular illuminated by the low winter sun.

[Paul Wetton]

We might well make a twitcher out of you yet Neil. Some great shots of the birds and moonlighting on Birdguides as well.

[Neil Hulme]

Hi Paul,
Not sure I'd ever go over to the dark side, but a bit of winter birding keeps the demons at bay. Back for snowy again today.
BWs, Neil

[David M]

Beautiful little bird that. Looks like a canary cross.

[Jack Harrison]

I haven't seen any Snow Buntings here on Mull but I had my fill last winter in Norfolk. Amazingly approachable birds - almost as "tame" as Turnstones.

No Snow Buntings seen here but yesterday saw four Porpoises and a single Black Guillemot. Black Gs are also apparently tame, eg in Oban harbour. Yesterday's was on the water near Tobermory but quite close to the ferry that I was on so an unmistakeable I/D (the white oval).

Jack

[Neil Hulme]

Winter Losing Its Grip

After another good work-out at the Heyshott Escarpment scrub-bash this morning (20th February), I paid another visit to the Barn Owls at Waltham Brooks. I couldn't resist the photo opportunity on the road verge at the nearby hamlet of Greatham. Winter is slowing losing its grip.

[David M]

That's a lovely, uplifting shot that, Neil.

We've obviously got a few days severe cold on the horizon, but once we're through it, the season should naturally kick off.