Swithland and Watermead - 24 June 2013

There wasn't much about at Swithand woods, where do all the birds go when the young have fledged?

The juvenile Blackbird below seems to be collecting for a late brood unusual for a juvenile, not sure about the white feather over its eye though.

1/80 @ f6.3, iso 400, 400mm

Robins, of course, are always around and ready for a free feed.

1/500 @ f6.3, iso 400, 380mm

We moved on to Watermead South and caught this Mallard flying by the car park.

1/800 @ f6.3, iso 400, 105mm

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 105mm

I thought this female was going to fly as well but she was just stretching her wings.

1/1000 @ f6.3, iso 400, 105mm

The male wasn't too happy when she was at full stretch though.

All taken on a 

Canon EOS7d with an EF 100 - 400mm L series lens

When the birds are away - 3 June 2013

We went back to Swithland woods yesterday and loaded the stump with seed and nuts. Then while Maja was off taking the dog for a walk, I settled down to await the visitors.

1/100 @ f7.1, iso 800, 400mm

It was a long time before anything arrived, I was buzzed several times by Blackbirds but they didn't hang around. This Robin collected his mouthful on his way across the track. He hopped onto this post, next to the stump and seemed to be looking across at it. But when he took flight, it was away from the stump and he never came back.

1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

In the last few minutes before Maja returned, this Grey Squirrel turned up. First he hid behind a car and surveyed the area and I thought he wasn't coming out.

1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

But he suddenly dashed across the track and up onto the stump.

1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

Where he proceeded to eat as much as he could, taking his time and ignoring a passing car. Being summer he wasn't rushing off to bury his loot and he stayed for about ten minutes.

1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I'm not sure if this was a pause for breath or a burp, but he looks happy.

1/100 @ f6.3, iso 800, 400mm

I think he could hear a dog coming up the path and a few minutes a Jack Russell appeared and he was off up the nearest tree.

All taken on 

Canon EOS 7d, EOS 100 - 400mm L series zoom