Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)

According to the RSPB, sparrowhawk numbers plummeted in the 1950s and 60s, largely as a result of organochloride pesticides. These chemicals built up in the food chain and resulted in the shells of sparrowhawk eggs becoming very thin and prone to breaking during incubation. When these pesticides were banned, sparrowhawk numbers recovered. However, between 1995 and 2023, sparrowhawks declined by 25% and they now feature on the Birds of Conservation Concern Amber List.  

This (female?) sparrowhawk has been an occasional visitor to the garden, but usually stealthily and fleetingly. This time, the bird sat at the foot of the bird feeders and, for a few minutes, seemed perfectly comfortable. This shot was taken through a window (any attempt to open it would have spooked the bird) so is not perhaps as sharp as it might have been. Nevertheless, I'm so pleased to have captured a shot of such a beautiful bird.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400m IS USM prime lens, f/5.6, 1/320th sec, ISO 1000

Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

 Simple but pleasing shot of a male sparrow…

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/7.1, 1/500th sec, ISO 1000

Blackbird, female (Turdus merula)

And in pretty much the same spot on the garden fence, this beautiful female blackbird.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/7.1, 1/400th sec, ISO 800

Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto)

A wintry day with snow on the ground here in North Norfolk and this collared dove seems to be fluffing itself up to keep warm.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/7.1, 1/400th sec, ISO 800

Starling (Sternus vulgaris)

Simple but rewarding shot of a Starling on winter rose hip.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens

 

Robin (Erithacus rubecula)

This is our resident robin – so far I've never seen it with a partner. I'm not certain in any way, but I'm guessing any permanent pairing up will now happen in the spring.

All Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens

 

Brown rat (Rattus norvegicus)

Bird feeders can, of course, be something of a magnet for non-avian species keen to grab a meal on the go.  I've had a problem with the amount of seed spillage from my feeders and, quick to seize on a free lunch, three Brown Rats have become regular visitors. Two are juveniles (shown here) which are quite appealing, and then there is an adult which is huge and decidedly not cute! What I sadly can't allow is for the rats to see the feeding area as an open-all-day diner where they can much on seeds and fallen scraps of suet fat balls. That's why I've changed the feeding regimen: I've replaced the feeders with non-spill versions, the feeders are taken in overnight, and I now take care not to overfeed the birds. 

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/5.6, 1,320th sec, ISO 4000 

Male House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

This shot was taken from inside the house through an open window. The rain had been unrelenting and this chap was one of the first to come to the feeders once the rain started to ease. I love the raindrop at the end of his beak.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens

Female Blackbird (Turdus merula)

This female Blackbird is one of a couple resident close by. If anything, it is the female of the pair that is the more confident, the male seemingly always one step behind.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm IS USM prime lens, f/8.0, 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Brown Rat (Rattus norvegicus)

This juvenile rat turned up just a few minutes after I had re-stocked some of the coconut shell bird feeders with suet and seed fat balls. It then spent the next half an hour paying regular visits to bite off a few chunks before disappearing again.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/11 - f/8.0 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Common or Harbor Seal (Phoca vitulina)

Huxley, my 11-year-old Lab/Springer cross, and I came across this juvenile Common (or Harbor) Seal resting on the beach a stone's throw from the house. Common Seals frequently haul themselves on to land to rest and/or to digest food. This individual seemed comfortable, uninjured and alert. Needless to say, Hux was tied up a good distance away from the seal so as not to spook it and, although the seal may appear close to the lens, there was a good distance between the two of us and at no time did it seem concerned.

iPhone image

 

Collared Dove (Streptopelia Decaocto)

This individual was one of three Collared Doves to come into the feeders today. I've always found them to be handsome birds. The pale blue and light brown livery is stunning. Their distinctive (and long-lasting) cooing – which some find intensely annoying – has them down as one of our noisiest garden birds.  I say coo away – they pair for life and use the call to warn of predators and other birds straying into their territory.

Canon 5dMk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8, 1/640th sec, ISO 800

 

Garden visitors

Just a handful of shots from yesterday. I particularly like the imposing figure of the Starling in image 1, and the statuesque nature of the final shot. It's almost as if the House Sparrow is trying to appear raptor-like.

All Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens

 

Today's garden visitors

Just some of the visitors to the garden today. Others included a first visit by a Chaffinch. I got the shot but only through window glass, so it's very soft. The Starling in the opening shot was squawking angrily at a Woodpigeon. I've no idea why.

All shots: Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens

 

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm pime lens, f/5.6, 1/160th sec, ISO 800

 

Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus)

Because it is such a common sight, I think it's easy to overlook quite what an attractive bird the Woodpigeon is. The subtle shades of the mauve/grey plumage are gorgeous and the eye is stunning. This individual was feeding on a seed mix thrown on to the ground around the feeders.

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/6.3, 1/320th sec, ISO 800

Tawny Grisette mushroom

My ID skills when it comes to fungi are woeful, but I do think I'm right in identifying this one as Tawny Grisette. I don't take too many mushroom and toadstool images. but I do want to do more. They can be so very atmospheric.

Canon 1Ds MkIII, f/5.6, 1/2,500th sec, ISO 400  

 

Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus)

Eleven grams of welcome garden colour…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8.0. 1/500th seco, ISO 800

 

Dunnock (Prunella modularis)

I get a lot of Dunnocks in the garden and every time I see one I can see the logic behind their heritage name, the Hedge Sparrow. From a distance they can look very much like a female House Sparrow, but they tend to spend much more time on the ground. Closer in, I think the Dunnock is a rather pretty little bird. In terms of the feeding station hierarchy, they probably come in second. First, to arrive are hordes of sparrows, then the Dunnocks will show up on foot. Blue Tits will be next, encouraged by the commotion no doubt, then small groups of Starlings, which I think show up suddenly like members of a biker gang – dressed in glossy black, loud and bossing the gathering.

Canon 5d Mk III, Canon 400mm prime lens, f/8.0, 1,500th sec, ISO 800

 

House Sparrow (Passer domesticus)

 This chap didn't stay long but long enough…

Canon 5d MkIII, Canon 400mm prime lens