Wren building a nest by the Porter Brook

Wren nest building, Troglodytes troglodytes

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We spent a week in Sheffield recently where the three writer sisters (Sue, Danuta and Penny) spent 3 days doing a writers retreat. During the week I spent some time walking along the Porter Brook looking for Dippers. On the first walk (April 18) I spotted a wren building its nest on the vertical bank opposite. I followed its progress on every walk thereafter. I also photographed some fungi and a slime mould in Nute and Ken's garden.

Firerug Inkcap, Coprinus domesticus agg.

Firerug Inkcap

Firerug Inkcap

Jelly Ear Fungus, Auricularia auricula-judae

Jelly Ear Fungus

Wolf's Milk Slime Mould, Lycogala terrestre

Wolf's Milk Slime Mould

Wren nest building, Troglodytes troglodytes

spot it flying off

Bank Voles and a wren

Bank Vole, Myodes glareolus

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On Wednesday afternoon I visited Arundel WWT. The Bank Voles were active at the logpile, together with a Blue Tit, a Robin and a Wren which fed on the structure. There was plenty of bird life, including a pair of Argentine Ruddy Ducks which I had not seen before.

Argentine Ruddy Duck ♀, Oxyura vittata

Argentine Ruddy Duck ♂

Bank Vole, Myodes glareolus

Black-headed Gull, Chroicocephalus ridibundus

Blue Tit, Cyanistes caeruleus

Gadwall ♂, Anas strepera

Robin, Erithacus rubecula

Shoveler, Anas clypeata

Swan Goose, Anser cygnoides

Trumpeter Swan, Cygnus buccinator

Wren, Troglodytes troglodytes

Wildlife Photography seminar and raptors

Golden Eagle ♂, Aquila chrysaetos

to view a gallery with more photos, click here

This morning I attended a Wildlife Photography seminar given by David Newton at Park Cameras, Burgess Hill. I arrived early and was able to take some snaps of the raptors which were set up in the car park before the crowds arrived. I enjoyed David’s presentation, you always pick up tips from professional photographers. I bought a new monopod to replace the current one that slides down in an annoying way. It’s a Manfrotto carbon fibre 290.

American Kestrel ♂, Falco sparverius

Buzzard, juvenile ♀, Buteo buteo

Chilean Blue Buzzard-Eagle ♀, Geranoaetus melanoleucus

Golden Eagle ♂, Aquila chrysaetos

Harris Hawk ♀, Parabuteo unicinctus

Kestrel ♂, Falco tinnunculus

Northern Hawk Owl ♀, Surnia ulula

Peregrine ♂, Falco peregrinus

Spectacled Owl ♂, Pulsatrix perspicillata

Tawny Owl ♂, Strix aluco