Scottish Rarity
With less than thirty breeding pairs in Britain the Slavonian grebe is one of our rarest breeding birds. Last week, while walking on a public footpath around a reed-fringed Scottish lock, we could not believe our luck.Amongst the reeds were a pair of Slavonian grebes with two small young. They paid no attention to us […]
An Islay Bonus
One of the spin-offs of going to Islay in summer is the additional wild-life subjects that come along. Last month we found Herons nesting in rhododendrons, mating Red Breasted Mergansers, singing Skylarks – on the ground! Hares, fields of Buttercups, newly emerged Marsh Fritillery butterflies and delicate Banded Demoiselle Damselflies. For gallery photos see my […]
Black Magic
One of the must birds to find on Islay is the Black Guillemot. They breed all around the island and are one of the latest breeding birds in Britain only pairing off in June. As a result our recent visit was perfect timing for photo action and we even had a pair copulating – a […]
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 […]