Iceland Gull

Adult at Brogborough Lake this afternoon 30/01/08

Lesser Redpoll

Up to two Lesser Redpolls have been visiting my office niger feeder at The Lodge recently. These were taken today, 29th January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Raven, Peregrine and Red Kite

The local Ravens were having a hectic time of it Sunday, chasing off Buzzards, Red Kites and Peregrines from their territory! 27th January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Med Gull

Med Gull, Stewartby Lake, 27th January 2008 by Steve Blain

Stonechat at Thurleigh

Taken in absence of anything more exciting. X10 zoom plus 1.5 tele adaptor

Local Barn Owl

Taken from home window. Stills camera with X10 zoom plus 1.5 tele adapter

Hen Harrier

Ringtail on it's way to roost, taken at Thurleigh 24/01/2008

Tawny Owl

Tawny Owl, Cranfield, 21st January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Kingfisher Priory Country Park

uploaded via utube.flew from its perch when a second Kingfisher flashed past.Shame it wasn't sitting with the sun on it properly but a very smart bird.

South of North Beds

Although the light was reasonable (for winter) the birds refused to come close for anything other than record shots - two of the three Red Kite (as last year), a pair of Raven and Common Buzzard.

Starlings

Just part of the c.1100 strong flock of Starlings (along with c.400 Fieldfares too) that was near Southmills today, 21st January 2008, by Steve Blain.

Siskin

Siskin, The Lodge, 21st January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Nuthatch

This Nuthatch was taken through my office window at the Lodge, 18th January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Kingfisher Priory Country Park 10 January

Perched up nicely but tricky to catch clear of vegetation

Firecrest

Firecrest, Swiss Gardens, 12th January 2008 by Steve Blain. Great birds to watch, although you wouldn't know it from these shots!

Thurleigh

Some decent sun, at last - but cold ! The female Hen Harrier appeared at 09:00 fairly hurtling over the setaside. A further three encounters ensued over the next couple of hours but apart from Kestrel (5+) & Sparrowhawk (2) no other raptors (or owls) were seen.







Three or four Stonechat were on view.

Bramblings

Upto seven Bramblings have been frequenting my Broom garden over the last few days. Three today - 9th January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Grey Partridges

Eight from a group of sixteen close to Dunstable W. R. 7/01/08

Kestrel

Hovering over the scrape at Dunstable W. R. 7/01/08

Caspian Gull

Adult Caspian Gull, Brogborough Lake, 5th January 2008 by Steve Blain.

Common Chiffchaff

A Common Chiffchaff in South Beds.

MVCP Photos - Christmas to New Year

A selection of photos taken at the Country Park between the 23rd December and New Year's Day. Including a couple of dodgy shots of the adult Mediterranean Gull taken at the Stewartby Lake roost on Christams Eve and Boxing Day, and a photo of the"partial albino" (schizochroistic?) Black-headed Gull in the roost on New Year' Day. This bird stands out a mile in the roost due to being almost entirely white. Photos by Martin Green.

Merlin at Hatch Lane, Thurleigh

A lucky visit to Hatch Lane this afternoon. I'd just stopped to pass the time of day with Mr Plumb who was already there, when we noticed two birds in flight. Both guessing it was a hunting Merlin, we then watched as it failed miserably to catch a Skylark - but did put on a great show. This poor footage was taken by pointing my Sony compact digital camera in the right general direction - not really BBC quality but you get the idea!

Feeding Blackcap

Following Tim Sharrock's recent email query: taken Feb 2004

Cainhoe GP Med Gull 31/12/07

Not a great shot but allows comparison for anyone trying to establish numbers of birds recorded locally during the mid-winter period.

Hen Harrier video

Female Hen Harrier, Thurleigh set-a-side, 1st January 2008 by Steve Blain.

More Mealy Redpoll video

The paler of the two birds. Mealy Redpoll, Greenfield, 1st January 2008 by Steve Blain.

More Mealy Redpoll images

Mealy Redpoll, Greenfield, 1st January 2008 by Steve Blain