A busy Day at Swithland stump

To be more accurate it was a busy couple of hours sitting in my car watching the feeding stump in the car park.

I didn't expect much when I set up, there was a lot of disturbance from people walking and driving through. But the wildlife gave me a surprise and I too 178 pictures, some of which are here.

1/100 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

When we arrived two squirrels were already playing round and over the stump. They ran off as we pulled up.  When all had settled we had a visit from a squirrel, it looked like a juvenile.

1/50 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

Another was watching him from the undergrowth, not sure if he should show himself or not.

1/64 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

Next was a Nuthatch, he was happy with the meal worms we'd laid out.

1/64 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 3900mm

The Nuthatch having shown it was safe, a nice pair of Tits flew in. Not a matched pair though, a Great Tit and a Coal Tit who weren't too easy in each others company.

1/80 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 390mm

They were followed by a surprise, I caught a glimpse of this bird a few weeks ago but he didn't stop for pictures. On this day he landed and made the most of the food. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker is a striking bird and this one looked like he was going to stay while the food was there.

1/100 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 390mm

He stood guard against all comers and even had a running battle with one of the squirrels. This one took one look at the woodpeckers beak and changed his mind.

1/125 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 375mm

They both vacated the stump after that and a female Blackbird came for a look, but she picked up the food that had been dropped to the floor.

1/125 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 375mm

Later another Squirrel arrived and you can see it is a lot fatter, I thought maybe a parent coming to sort the Woodpecker out for fighting with its offspring :0)

1/125 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 390mm

Maja returned with Skipper and I was telling her everything I had seen when the Woodpecker returned. After he left I said, "all we need now is the Jay." it was only a couple of minutes later that he poked his head round the stump.

1/100 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 380mm

After a good look round he hopped onto the stump and helped himself to a feed.

1/50 @ f6.3, ISO 800, 380mm

and just to round the day off, a Jackdaw came in for a feed.

All taken on a Canon EOS7d with EF 100 - 400mm L series lens.

Jay

Jay in Swithland woods

1/320 @ f6.3, ISO1600, 400mm
Canon 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L series Lens

Jay in the woods

A Jay scaring off the smaller birds to get to the food.

1/500 @ 6.3, ISO 1600, 400mm 

feisty squirrel - 4 April 2013

Maja and I decided to go to Swithland Woods, hoping the Jay might show up again - or maybe something more rare. No such luck, there was the usual collection; Nuthatch, Dunnock, Coal tit etc.
A magpie was quite entertaining, particularly with the impression of the headless bird and for those of you who are superstitious, there was another Magpie in the trees - so as the song says "two for Joy" - I'll look forward to winning the lottery :o)

1/500 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

Afterwards though it was time for a feed and he certainly didn't hold back at the table.

1/200 @ f7.1, iso 800, 235mm

Later this Squirrel came out and despite being a lot smaller, he wasn't giving way to the car, fortunately the driver had seen him.

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

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

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

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

 He gave way eventually and went off into the woods.

All pictures taken on a Canon EOS 7d, with a Canon EF 100 - 400mm L series zoom lens.

Who you calling shy? - 28 Feb 2013

We decided to go back to the stump in the Swithland woods and were glad we did.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

As usual the cheeky Robin was first to take advantage of the free feast.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The Nuthatch having made sure all was safe by watching the Robin's reconnaissance dived in next, taking the Robin by surprise and putting him to flight.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

The Robin can always be relied upon to be a bit feisty and came straight back, forcing the Nuthatch to stay at the side.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Then they all cleared off when an unexpected visitor arrived.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Jays are said to be shy birds.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

But this one wasn't he returned several times and stayed long enough for me to take thirty pictures of him in a variety of poses.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/400 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

But all good things come to an end and he departed, only to return again as we were leaving.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/320 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

In between the Jay's visits a Blackbird, a Great Tit and a pair of Chaffinches stopped by.

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/500 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

Canon EOS 7d, EF 100 - 400mm L lens
1/250 @ f6.3, iso 1600, 400mm

I took so many pictures it's taken me until today to sort them out.