Juvenile Chiff Chaff

Every time I think things are going quiet and there will be nothing to photograph, something catches me by surprise again.

With the mating season over, the male birds have stopped singing from their perches. Then the parents started actively and frantically feeding their young broods and you could hear the youngsters calling from their nests for food.  Then it all went quiet.

But just because it's quiet doesn't mean they're not there. They just don't have anything much to shout about.  But if you listen very, very carefully you will hear the fledged young calling to their siblings as they start to explore their wider surroundings learning to feed themselves.  Occasionally you see the parents pop back to top up the youngsters' feed.  Many parents, who have often gone without much food themselves whilst using up a lot of energy feeding their young, may now have to prioritise feeding themselves ready for the long Autumn migration.

This week I've seen so many gorgeous newly fledged birds.  This young Chiff Chaff was delightful, flitting around this grand iron gate on Exminster Marsh in Devon.

Reed Warbler, Exminster Marshes, Devon

Yesterday I wrote about my fascinating encounter with a pair of young Sedge Warblers and I made mention of the Reed Warblers.

Today I set about getting photos of young Reed Warblers, which isn't too difficult on Exminster Marshes.  The Reed Warblers seem to have had a good year as I've often seen them whilst out on my regular walks on the marshes.

This one appeared from the reeds alongside the canal path and asked me to take a photo as he was proud of his catch! 

Sedge Warbler, Exminster Marsh, Devon

Spring and early Summer for me means the croaky repetitive notes of the Reed and Sedge Warblers singing from the reed beds and adjoining hedgerows on Exminster Marshes. When I first heard them I struggled to tell the difference, but after two summers of living alongside the marshes, I now know which one I'm listening to.

In July the singing has disappeared and is replaced with the tiny frog like croak of the newly fledged Sedge Warblers seeking out caterpillars and bugs in the tangled growth at the bottom of the drying ditches; and the lighter chattering of the young Reed Warblers catching flies and bugs higher up the reeds with their parents guiding them.

Today I was stopped in my tracks by a very confiding young Sedge Warbler who decided I was intruding on his and his sibling's territory.  I needed to be checked out, then told off! Not satisfied with shouting at me from the reeds, he took to a nearby post and continued the ticking off.  

After a few moments of kicking off, he decided not to bother with me any more and disappeared back into the tangled mass of grasses and brackish water in the bottom of the ditch.  He called to his sibling who had remained out of sight and undercover.  Her quieter croak was only just audible as she called back (I am assuming their sexes from their behaviour!)  

Eventually these little Sedge Warblers both got used to me, ignored my presence and carried on feasting themselves on the endless supply of caterpillars they seemed to have discovered in these ditches.  

Every now and then, they would reappear as if to show off their catches and let me take a few photos, before going under again.

Adorable Juvenile Pied Wagtail

Sometimes a Bird is just too easy to photograph but just too adorable to ignore - a very young and very tired Pied Wagtail dozing on our fence in the sun today

The Pied Flycatcher

'Red Status' - High Priority Conservation, Globally threatened and breeding populations are in more than 50% decline in both the UK and other European countries over > 25 years.

Another first for me and what an exiting first! Whilst checking out a stunning new walk along the River Bovey on Dartmoor, I was watching the Grey Wagtails stone hopping in the river and I noticed a faint squeaking noise coming from the tree next to me. Then a louder squeak came from behind me - it was a female Pied Flycatcher!!!

I rushed a few photos before realising she was actually getting quite frantic. Then a male appeared nearby with a mouthful of flies. I soon became aware they were both getting upset with me standing there - it turned out I was standing under a nest box belonging to a family of Pied Flycatchers!

This all took place in about 2-3 minutes, but of course I needed to move away to allow these very special birds to get on and care for their precious family. Despite being on the main footpath, I was too close for comfort, so I moved a fair distance away - enough that they would tolerate a few more photos before leaving them in peace. What a wonderful afternoon.

Guillemots, Fulmars and much more at Berry Head, Brixham, Devon

Berry Head is as dramatic and fascinating as the wildlife that chooses to hang out here. It is as perfect as it is rugged and wild.

It was a gorgeous day in early June when I made my first visit and I have been back several times since because it's like a drug.  Once is not enough, twice and you still want more.  Even if it did rain heavily on my second visit, it still captivated me.

I was totally blown away with the views; the colour and clarity of the water; the awesome birds; the Dolphins; the historic fortifications and Britain's shortest light house.  Not to mention the superb cafe serving good quality food.

By chance I happened to visit at a time when the main cliff face was covered in Guillemots clinging precariously to the slithers of rock protruding horizantally from the cliff face.  It is said this is the largest colony of Guillemots on the South coast and when I visited I had absolutely no idea about this fact. I'd only ever seen a Guillemot in a bird book.  But as I sat down on one of the many cliff edge benches to enjoy the view I was intrigued by the huge noise of sea birds calling to each other on the cliffs.  The binoculars told me I'd stumbled on Guillemots; and lots of them!

Many of the Guillemots were in the clear waters below the cliff and could be seen disappearing down below the surface to catch fish. Others were flying to and fro to feed young who were constantly demanding of their parents.

I also spotted Fulmars, some gliding, some nesting - again, a first for me.  There were other birds too - White Throats, Cirl Buntings, Linnets, Bullfinches, Rock Pipits and many more.  

But here I will just share a taster and leave a little for you to discover for yourself if you feel inclined. A few of the highlights - the Guillemots, Fulmars and the view.

Colmar - Jewellery on a Grey Day

Many times we've travelled through France en-route to Italy and often by-passed the town of Colmar in the Alsace. This year, a chance glance at a postcard in a nearby Campsite had me doing a double-take.

The Alsace is known for it's beers, sparkling Cremant wine and Storks.  And yes, I spent a bit too much time in the area photographing Storks.  But this year we pressed 'pause' to explore some of the stunning medieval towns and villages, woven together by a vibrant tapestry of vineyards.  

Colmar - like jewellery on a grey day.