Jay Gets the Berry

The ever resourceful Eurasian Jay (Garrulus glandarius) never misses a trick when food is involved.

I took these distant shots (which I had to crop) across marshland when I observed the bird flying into a tree. He was stretching out and downwards balancing with one wing on branches to get the largest berry, which looks like a Haw berry.

Red Nose

"Smells OK"

"I'll have this one"

"Scrumptious"

"Oops! its that idiot with the camera again, I'm out of here".

A Few Ducks

The male Shoveler has just about regained his plumage after eclipse.

Shoveler (Male)

Shoveler (Male and Female)

You can just about make out the underside of the female Shoveler's large beak in this shot.

Shoveler in flight

The Shoveler look even more colourful in flight.

Below, three males and a female

Another colourful Duck, the Teal has a variety in its plumage.

This time of year it tends not to be very active and apart from feeding, it huddles together in small groups sleeping.

Teal

The Gadwall is a little more subtle in its plumage, but the male has a lovely brick red patch in its wing bar when open, which you can see in the second poor quality shot below.

Gadwall (Male in Centre)

Another colourful duck is the Goldeneye, both male and female although different in colour, are equally so. These distant shots below are of the male.

Goldeneye (Male)

The Mallard although very common, can match any duck for its overall colour.

Mallard (Male)

A Cow Day - Sleepy Cows

Gull

I know what you thought when you read the heading 'Gull', 

"Hello, he's found another bird and hasn't got a clue what its called." {:))

A Study of the Marsh Tit

 

The Marsh Tit (Parus palustris).

A resident species of the broadleaved woodland and not the marsh as its name would suggest.

It will visit adjacent gardens especially if there is food on offer.