Jaks and me wanted to go and see the annual Red Deer rut at the famous Bradgate Park, the only problem is we didn't get time in October/November and the deer would not wait for us, so by the time we did eventually get there the rut was over. The park is still a great place to be though at any time of the year, and we weren't disappointed when we did get there, it is lovely just to have a walk around Bradgate Park. A historic Mediaeval deer park in the heart of the ancient Charnwood Forest. It retains much of its original landscape with woods, grassy slopes and rocky outcrops. Some of the views are outstanding.

Red Deer Stags

I have to say, they did look tired and I guess they were enjoying the rest after their recent exertions.

A Fawn from last breeding season.

There was a few scuffles while we were there but nothing to get exited about.

A short video of some of the deer and the above scuffle. Handbags if you ask me.

The River Lin which runs right through the centre of the park.

Bradgate Park is a real must to visit if you are ever in Leicestershire, but make sure you choose a better day than we did, especially if you want to take some photo's of the wildlife, the light was awful. 

I have been baiting a table down my patch/feeding station with a view to get some close up images of the Common Buzzard that hunt the land. The weather conditions for photography of late has been dire, so today I decided if the Buzzard paid a visit I would try to get some video footage regardless of the British weather. This short clip was all I managed today, I would have got more had I not moved, but as you know, sometimes you have to scratch your nose. There will be more, stay tuned.

More rain and a Sparrow Hawk

Yep, its pouring down again. As I sat wondering what to do, should I go and get soaked and put some food down at my feeding station, my attention was drawn to a Male Sparrow Hawk sat on my garden fence, it looked how I would If I decide to go down the patch, bugger that I thought. I took a couple of quick pictures as a record, and fully expected the Hawk to take off.

It did a few seconds later to the opposite fence.

It sat there for a while and so I decided to take a closer look, and
with a bit of luck get some better pictures, this I managed to do, but
it was at this point I noticed he had a broken leg.

I placed a day old chick at the side of it, but it
took no notice. After a while I decided to catch
him up and seek help from my local Animal rescue centre.
I will update later.

I contacted the Animal rescue centre who were just out at an RTA but would call me when they got back. As I waited the Female came looking for her mate. At first she sat on a fence post at the end of my garden, before swooping down and checking out my borders. I wish we had some light in this Country so the images could be better.

This is Hawkey just about to go to the rescue centre.

The Lady who is going to look after him.

Update. I have received a call saying the injury to Hawkey was irreparable and he had to be put to sleep, very sad.

No more rain please.

The river Sence that borders my patch is usually no more than a trickle, as you will see from the images it was much different today. Hard work for the Kingfishers at this time.

Jay Watch

Nice to have a bit of sun today. I called in at the farm to put some nuts down for my Jay project and had a chat with Pete & Linda. Then off to my hide armed with some Rabbit in an attempt to get some close up Buzzard pictures. Well the Buzzard was sitting in an Oak tree close to my hide as I walked across the field, but took off when he saw me, and didn't return all day. Not a wasted time in the hide though as Mrs GSP turned up for her fat fix.


Greater Spotted Woodpecker (Female)

Jay Watch

Here is a short video of todays Jay visit.

A Squatter

I was down my patch this morning just topping up the food at my feeding station, on returning to my car I noticed something in the old Kestrel box, on closer inspection I could make out it was a Barn Owl,  obviously sheltering from the bitter cold wind. I was very pleased to see this wonderful bird down the patch again.

As I got closer the Barney decided to give up his squatters rights and flew off through the Hawthorn hedge and into the canal spinney. I will be keeping a look out for Mr Barney over the coming months.

A Bird in the Hand.

Robins are a real favourite at this time of year and with the lack of food around will become very brave "if you are patient enough" and will come to hand to feed,if you have not experienced this it is well worth the effort. I experienced this again only yesterday as you will see from the following images.

Waxing Lyrical

Today I went looking for some Waxwings, there have been a number of sighting in Leicestershire this winter so I decided to follow up one of these leads. I was not to be disappointed as on my arrival I saw around thirty Waxwing high in a tree next to a very busy road.

These were high in the tree so a decent image was difficult,
 also most had branches spoiling the view of them.


 After a while one after the other they swooped across the road and into a garden that has a small berry tree in it, this was where they were feeding, allowing me to get a bit closer.

Greater Spots

I have become aware of the Greater Spotted Woodpeckers coming to my feeding statiom a lot more frequently than they had been, I was sure they must be feeding chicks, I knew where their nest was so I decided to pay a visit. My hunch was right as almost immediately one of the adults landed on the tree and the noise from the chicks was evidence enough.

Male GSW.

I will keep an eye on this pair and update when I have more images, I am looking forward to the chicks sticking their heads out of the hole to be fed by their parents. The Nest Hole

Adult leaving the nest

God its been a while

It has been some months since I last updated this blog, I have been so busy with the Exhibition Budgerigar Forum (www.exhibitionbudgerigarforum.co.uk) But I thought it time I updated with a few images. have taken up a new form of photography (for me any way) Macro, I purchased a Sigma 105mm lens and off I went. This is by far the hardest type of photography I have attempted, I needed to do this when I was younger, my poor old knee is killing me with all the kneeling that is required. I took a few images to begin with that were rubbish, and decided I needed to take my time. Today i went to a local lake to suss out the Damsells, here are a couple of Common blues.



Common Blue Damsell

Another Major award

For the fourth year in succession, my budgie partners and I won a major award at the Budgerigar Society World show. To say we are pleased is understating the situation greatly. Our grey hen was awarded Best Opposite sex any age, this matches our achievement of 2009 when our Yellow Face Spangle hen won the same award.

Best Opposite sex grey hen.

Red Tailed Hawk

Heerman's Gulls

Bad news

You will remember me telling you about the injured male Kestrel, I have been wondering what may have happened to him for some time, my last sighting was when he was sat on the cattle feeding trough with his right wing hanging down. Today I visited my hide and for some reason that I do not know I decided to look under it, and to my amazement I found him, well what was left of him anyway. What a tragic end to such a magnificent creature. I can only assume that a rat came across him and killed him, it is over 100 yards from where I last saw him to my hide.

Very sad


In his prime