Cannock Chase - Woodpecker & Deer

Yesterday I took an outing to my local stomping ground of Cannock Chase in hope of some Redstart that are nesting, however I had no luck in finding them so will pursue them next week as I'm on holiday.

I did manage a simple shot of a Great Spotted Woodpecker leaving the nest following the feeding of the young, and also a lovely Fallow Deer just showing spots hiding amongst the deep undergrowth.

Always nice to come back with something from any outing.

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Middleton Lakes RSPB

The RSPB recently opened Middleton Lakes to the public, so me and my girlfriend packed a picnic, the camera and our walking shoes for the 3km round trip of the wetland and meadow site on the Staffordshire/Warwickshire border.

Middleton Lakes is home to a large heronry which is around 20 pairs, resulting in between 80 and 100 herons. We managed to see about 8 on our visit, so spending a little time at the first small pool will result in sightings for sure.

The Lakes have a well sculpted pathway around which are easy to navigate, and being so close to the water Grass snakes aren't uncommon to see basking if the sun is out. However, if you are visitng for photographs and wish to see the wildfowl on the water, then a long reach lens is required.

One of the birds you will see alot of is the Black Headed Gull. I lost count of the number was saw, but there were plenty all over the reserve so a picture is a must.

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Barn Owl have been seen operating on the Meadow following the Wetland walk, dawn or dusk is best to see these but can be seen at anytime of the day if they are feeding young. Our day didn't deliver as much as I'd hoped for, but the weather was very very windy and it was midday, so I have planned to revisit one of the mornings instead to try and see and capture some more of the fabulous wildlife that appears to live there.

If you would like to pop along for a visit simply click here: http://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves/guide/m/middletonlakes/

Wrens on a Friday

Today was an early finish at work so the perfect opportunity to get back out with the gear and head to Doxey Marshes to finish my recce that started on Sunday but only went part of the way round.

I wasn't expecting a great deal due mainly to the time of day - midday.  The weather was fair but cloudy at times, so light was on my side in one respect considering it could have been washed out and unuseable.

The first place on my list of stops was the beginning of the marshy reed beds on the right side of the path as you leave the main carpark (Eccleshall Rd entrance), this was where i got lucky with the Chiffchaff on Sunday.  Sadly, today it was quiet and nothing was happening this time, possibly better at roost of dawn.

A bit of a walk took me further into the reserve where I found a nice little platform overlooking one of the main pools, with hundreds of reeds surrounding it, perfect I thought! My eyes scanned the reeds looking for Warblers, Chiffchaffs or whatever I could grab a photograph of, and I saw plenty but nowhere near close enough for any shots.

Behind me came a sudden chorus of song, a typical Wren song and so my attention turned to where she was perched. I found her directly in front of my view, as if she had landed to purposely sing to me. I bagged a few shots under the tough lighting due to the huge overhead canopy of well growing trees, and so I was happy.

All taken with Nikon D200 + Nikon 300mm F4 AF

After a pleasing moment with the Wren I headed off in search of more hopefulls but sadly everything I found was a little too far away for my 300mm prime. Lapwing, Heron, Tufted Duck all escaped me, so I had to settle for viewing them through my viewfinder.

One that did manage to get the long end of my lens was a shelduck wading through a scrape at the top end of the reserve. Nothing spectacular but a new one for me all the same.

Nikon D200 + Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Lastly I paid a short visit to the Wolseley Centre to pick up some seed and a couple of new feeders for the garden. It would have been not to have a stroll around the boardwalk seeing as it's due to be closed from June 6th 2011. There was plenty going on as we neared 4pm, especially Blue Tits feeding their young in the boxes.

The Kingfisher wasn't around, although I wouldn't expect to see it in the short time I waited watching.  The only keeper I had was a nice Grey Squirrel popping his head through the neck of a tree to see who and what I was.

Nikon D200 + Nikon 300mm F4 AF

That's all for Friday, but keep an eye-out for hopefully some shots from my visit to Middleton Lakes which weather permitting will be on Sunday.



Wolseley Centre Goslings

The first place I went to with my lovely new Nikon 300mm F4 AF lens and D200 was the Staffordshire Wildlife Trust HQ at the Wolseley Centre, near Rugeley.

Goslings and Chicks were everywhere along with a Kestral near the River Banks and an Arctic Tern frantically hunting for fish from the main pool.

The light was good on the day and I managed to bag a nice slection of Spring moments.

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF

Doxey Marshes - Chiffchaffs & Heron

I recently read up on Doxey Marshes after a visit to Staffordshire Wildlife HQ, and only living in Cannock thought it would be worthwhile taking the short trip to Stafford to check it out.

The day before I had been photographing Gosling in glorious sun, and no sooner had we left the car I saw a Chiffchaff perch next to our poath with insects in her mouth, I assume for her young.

In my haste and excitement I start snapping away only to realise I hadn't even checked my settings or taken a test shot for the current conditions.

Shooting in RAW was a bonus though as I was able to bring back alot of detail to allow a useable image.

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF-D

A further walk into the reserve and we came across a small pool surrounded by smaller ones.  Stood fishing was a Heron that quickly became wary and flew off. I fired a couple of shots off only for him to dissapear behind a large tree.

The only one useable has his right wing chopped off, sadly.

Nikon D200, Nikon 300mm F4 AF-D