At a Distance

Tuesday February 20

There have been several occasions when I have had close views of this raptor. One flew overhead once, another came out of a wood and we followed it down the road. We have even seen one from the A1. Never photographable though. I keep trying.

Cockley Cley layby became a favourite when the raptor watchpoint failed to register. For he last few years we have been going to a relatively unknown site - unknown by intent as the parking is very limited - where we have always been successful. BUT. The birds give good scope views, very distant for photography. We were the fourth car there, the maximum number possible, one of the cars moving off. We knew all the other birders and they'd had good views. My heart sank a bit, it's not what one wants to hear on arrival. We were late, having seen Sam and Adrian at work first - and the sun had gone, leaving grey overcast.

Almost immediately, two Goshawks rose above the belt of woodland, the male making a short display flight. Excellent. I took three photos, more in hope than certainty. These are the three I took, embarrassingly poor and fuzzy, a year folder blob of the year contendor. 

 




I had to enlarge my original shots greatly in order to see the dot in the sky. 

More views of a single bird which kept appearing above the trees. Two males were seen nearer but behind us, not viewable for me but Pam managed a glimpse.

Time to go to Van Der to stock up on bird food. Pam bought 5 Kilos of mealworms - the Blue Tits empty our container daily.

The moth traps continue to produce a few more new for the year species. I was especially pleased with a Yellow-horned, we didn't trap one last year. Taken from this angle, it is just about possible to see part of a yellow horn - its antennae. It refused to put them out - payback for a night in the fridge I reckon. It was far too frisky yesterday.



 


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