Life on Coatham Marsh: 2006

Thursday 21st December

He appeared on the marsh over night!

Stonechat, one of several on this bush, not eating the berries but after insects.

Male Robin, not too keen on the competition for his territory.

Carrion Crow eating something tasty!

Mute Swans (north) parents have now abandoned them to fend for themselves.

I have been missing for a few days due to ill health, but hopefully that is all behind me now.

The hard frosts and freezing conditions have caused a few problems for the birds. I hope we have a thaw soon. Saw a small flock of Long Tailed Tits but didn't have my camera at the time.

Friday 8th December

Saw him first.

Blue tit trying to survive.

Big bird, no feathers though.

Undercarriage down, airbrakes applied........

Have been retired (officially) for one year, time has flown! Some would say I've been retired alot longer!

Finally a decent day for photography and bird watching. Saw the Kingfisher this morning. One day I'll see it before it sees me and maybe I'll take its photograph!

Tuesday 5th December

Female Reed Bunting, strange effect of the focus and lighting conditions.

Male mute swan, warning posture!

This is a juvenile Tufted Duck with a piece of plastic around its neck! It seems to be loose enough to fall off. Will keep an eye out for it for a few days.

A male Goldeneye. He popped up from a dive to find me to close for comfort.

Trying to get out when the light is best. Not easy to do as it changes very quickly. Enjoy the photos.

Saturday 2nd December

Not the sharpest of images but evocative of the marsh.

Snowball bush and its fruits. Apparently not high on the birds menu!

Anglers enemy! The two headed Cormorant!

Winter is officially with us. There was certainly a bite in the wind this morning. Sat, briefly and watched the Black-headed Gulls playing tag with a piece of weed, strange! Short eared owl was out hunting this morning, but was chased off by some crows. Camera has been 'off the road' for a few days and will be intermittent in its use until my aches and pains improve.

Tuesday 28th November

Autumn colours.

Big Black-backed Gull looking for an easy meal.

Curlew in flight.

Went out late today to catch the sunshine. Different people, same birds!

Monday 27th November

Starling seem to be the only birds eating the berries of the Sea Buckthorn.

Still together!

Curlews on the scrub land.

Still some fruit about.

Always ready to have their photos taken

Sick of the strong wind!

Thursday 23rd November

The Grey Heron

The Tufted Duck

The Goosander. Winter visitor to the marsh. Fish eating water bird, so competition for the Cormorant.

A cold blustery day, but good light. Photographed three of the birds on the marsh, there were others!

Wednesday 22nd November

A little macro shot.

Early morning light.

Not the anglers favourite bird!

Liked the blurred reflections of the water in the background.

Have been down south for a few days, noticed that there is a marked difference in the state of the seasons. Still plenty of leaves on the trees and bushes. Our winter is well advanced in comparison.

Monday 13th November

They expect to be fed! Good thing or bad?

Canada Geese off in search of food.

Not everything on the marsh has wings!

Magpies, one of natures more adaptable birds.

The thing about retirement is that you don't have Monday mornings! Beautifully sunny, quite mild as well.

Sunday 12th November

Close-up of a Canada Goose.

A poor photo of a male Blackcap.

North-side mute swan juveniles.

The marsh has a calm, eerie quality about it on these cold autumn mornings. Very little sound, except for the odd growl and grumble coming from the steel works. Its like everything is in waiting for some event to occur.

Tuesday 7th November

Male Blackbird and Fieldfare

Moorhen on top of the reeds. Have seen them in trees!

North-side Mute swans all necks and bums!

Another wintery sky, weak sun, high cloud cover. Quiet on the marsh early this morning. Intend, weather permitting to come again after lunch.

Monday 6th November

I'm missing the wild flowers already.

Greylag geese, chilling out.

Two for the price of one, a bargain. Stonechat and Wren.

Here is that Wren again, High Wire act.

Well, we survived another Bonfire Night. Should ban them from public sale. I don't no if we are going out to late or to early, but its been very quiet these last few days.

Saturday 4th November

Juvenile female Blackbird. She alowed me to get unusally close. Males would have been long gone and making an awful racket.

Gadwall in flight.

Whooper Swan. First I've see on the marsh this year.

Another good morning. Out earlier to day, just after sun rise. Plenty of people about. I really believe that the marsh is getting more popular.