Hirundines Attracting Birds of Prey

As the House Martins and Swallows are gathering in increasing numbers, it's not only me that's noticed so to have the local birds of prey, Sparrowhawk, Kestrel and Hobby have been trying their luck in the morning for a spot of breakfast, I've not seen them take one yet.

Sparrowhawk chasing a Swallow.

Hobby

Images : Copyright © Don Stone. 

Tree Top House Martins

Every year in August House Martins and Swallows begin gathering in increasing numbers in nearby trees, although we only have three pairs of House Martins under our eaves there's clearly birds joining them from further afield, judging by the numbers above the house every evening (anything up to fifty individuals at present).

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Green Woodpecker

Image : Copyright © Don Stone.

Blackbird

The birds have begun feeding on the abundance of Blackberries, I spotted this Blackbird grabbing a berry.

Image : Copyright © Don Stone.

Goldfinches

A flock of Goldfinches has been visiting the garden recently, with at least three juveniles amongst them.

 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Song Thrush

This juvenile Song Thrush spent about 10 minutes preening out in the open on a fruit tree.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

 

Blackcaps

I was lucky enough to have a family of Blackcaps in the garden.

Juvenile.

Female.

Male.

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Hampden Pond, Wendover

Popped into Hampden Pond as I was passing by, spent a pleasant hour there under the cooling shade of the trees. Several young Moorhens being attended to by their parents, as was a lone Little Grebe chick with only one adult accompanying it.

Moorhen

Little Grebe

A second after this photo was taken the Mallard momentarily drowned the Little Grebe chick.

Mandrin Duck

 

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

Froglet

The garden ponds are drying out rapidly due to this unprecedented heatwave, resulting in just a little patch of water left from which a couple of Froglets appeared the other evening, running to grab my camera, I just manage to get a photo of one of them.  

Images : Copyright © Don Stone.

 Brown Trout

It's not often I get to see a Brown Trout motionless like this in the river Misbourne. 

Image : Copyright © Don Stone.