A Harrier Fly bye.

The Marsh Harriers at Radipole Lake occasionally come close enough to the Hide for a few shots. 

Of course it is usually when I don't have the right lens with me.

So I have had to conduct a lot of post production work on these images. This one is the female.

 

Visit to Lodmoor and Radipole Reserves

A double visit to both Lodmoor and Radipole Reserves during the week.

Sad to see the last of the Golden Plover this Winter. 

They were there at the beginning of the week, but have now left altogether I think.

Shoveler Ducks are starting to fly around choosing their partners for the season.

The flocks of Lapwings are still around and some are likely to remain.

This Teal Duck was taking a bath to look more approachable for the females.

 

Some Teal have already found theirs and are taking a rest.

A couple of Oystercatchers are taking it easy as are Cormorants.

Mediterranean Gulls are gathering and soon to be setting up the colony and making nests on one of the small Islands.

Not sure what this Little Egret will do other than fish at the moment.

Chiffchaffs are still feeding up as they dash in and out from bushes to catch flies.

Great Tits are making much noise now by chasing each other around.

I observed two Goldcrests searching trees for food.

Active Skylarks and Rock Pipits

A walk in the sunshine around the Portland Bill area Dorset revealed plenty of bird activity at last.

After all of the cold wet weather we have experienced in this area it was really nice to hear the Skylarks starting to sing. It also means that Skylarks will be having disputes over a patch of grassland. 

I was able to capture one such dispute of two birds.

This Skylark below has already chosen his patch.

Another bird that is active all the year around at Portland is the Rock Pipit.

Something Portland is quite famous for is Sheep Breeding some of which were enjoying the better weather.

A typical view along the East cliffs at Portland Bill.