Where Eagles Fly
If you were going to Scotland for Eagles you would probably go to Mull. However, I would ask how long will it be before Islay takes over for Eagle viewing? Whilst Islay does not have anywhere near the twenty two pairs of Sea Eagles of Mull it does have some very viewable pairs and is […]
A Tribute To Ian Brooke
Ten days ago as I was sat in my hide on Islay filming this week’s Hen Harriers, less than two miles down the road, my good friend Ian unexpectedly passed away. It was a terrible shock. I have known Ian and Margaret for more than thirty years and have lost count of all the tea […]
The Holy Grail
Anyone who reads this blog regularly will know that my favourite Pennine bird is the Long Eared Owl.It is an illusive bird and only appears in daylight when there are young to feed. During the last month I have spent countless hours hidden away hoping he passes by within reach of my camera. So enjoy […]
Singing In Vain
The other week I spent some time in a wooded Clough near Uppermill listening to a singing Wood Warbler. It was still there yesterday, singing its head off trying to attract a mate – to no avail. In recent times nine out of every ten male Wood Warblers fail to attract a female and therefore […]
Added Bonus
With wildlife photography you never know what will emerge in front of the camera. As you sit waiting for your intended subject something else may present itself that is far more exciting than your intended subject. I was in the hills recently waiting for a Little owl to appear. Before it arrived a […]
Ribble Valley Dawn
In early Spring,during all the good weather, I spent a lot of time in the Ribble Valley. I was there looking for day hunting Barn Owls but during that time I was able to see and find lots of other wildlife. This weeks gallery includes a yawning Little Owl, a hunting Short Eared Owl, a […]
Greenland Bound
Every Spring, across the high Pennines, there is a passage of Wheatears that are slightly bigger and better coloured than the normal Wheatears. I recently came across one that gave me some reasonable photos before it headed off north. Every time I see a Greenland Wheatear I wonder whether it was one of those […]
Anglesey Day Out
In the years 1955 to 1959, during the Bury July Wakes week, I would find myself on holiday on Anglesey. These were halcyon days when the sun always shined and I don’t remember any rain! It was good, therefore, during our stay at Rivercatcher last week that we should have a day out on Anglesey. […]
Deeside Spring
We have just returned from a week at Rivercatcher on the river Dee in Wales following one of the driest Aprils ever recorded. Water levels were extremely low so I concentrated on filming the local birds coming to drink. One unusual sighting was of a male Grey Wagtail high in a Sycamore tree eating aphids […]
Garden Bonanza
The sunny weather and frosty mornings of the last few weeks has resulted in a big influx of feeding birds in the garden.Three species have broken records that have stood over the last fifty three years.Those have been at least seven Reed Buntings, a minimum of twelve Redpolls feeding together and on one day five […]