Tag Archives: Aldermaston Wharf

The famous Flying Scotsman in my village

21st May 2016 Armin Grewe 7 Comments

I only found out less than an hour before it was due so I didn’t have much time to prepare, but this morning the famous Flying Scotsman steam locomotive passed through Aldermaston Station. Here’s a short video (incl an initial false alarm as we didn’t know the exact times) of the pass:

I also took a few pictures, if they are any good (haven’t looked yet) I’ll post them in a separate entry later.

Pictures

Pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers at their nest

14th May 2016 Armin Grewe 6 Comments

As I was running late this afternoon I only went for a local walk with my camera. However, I was lucky: While taking pictures of a Coot with its young I happened to spot a Great Spotted Woodpecker on a nearby tree. I soon realised that it was at its nest and that there were two of them. The next hour I spent hiding in some bushes, watching and taking pictures of the pair of woodpeckers coming and going. Here is a selection of my favourites:

Picture of a pair of Woodpeckers, the female flying off — Pair of Woodpeckers, the female flying off

Picture of a pair of Woodpeckers, the female peeking out of the nest — Pair of Woodpeckers, the female peeking out of the nest

Picture of a pair of Woodpeckers, the female flying away — Pair of Woodpeckers, the female flying away

Picture of a male Woodpecker at a nest — Male Woodpecker at the nest

Picture of a female Woodpecker at a nest — Female Woodpecker at the nest

Picture of a male Woodpecker climbing out of a nest — Male Woodpecker climbing out of the nest

Picture of a male Woodpecker flying off from a nest — Male Woodpecker flying off

Picture of a female Woodpecker climbing out of a nest — Female Woodpecker climbing out of the nest

Picture of a Woodpecker climbing into a nest — Woodpecker climbing into the nest

(click on the pictures for the larger versions)

Pictures

Hungry Sparrows

8th May 2016 Armin Grewe 5 Comments

My original plan for this afternoon had been to get a few pictures of some young ducklings on the Kennet and Avon Canal I had first spotted a few days ago. However, just as I arrived at their location they decided to climb out of the canal and disappear into the undergrowth on the other side. So a change of plan was needed. While I didn’t manage to take any pictures of them catching them in flight I did manage to get a few pictures of Sparrows who had just caught an insect.

Picture of a Sparrow with an insect in its beak — Sparrow with an insect in its beak (1)

Picture of a Sparrow eating an insect on a path — Sparrow eating an insect on a path

Picture of a Starling with an insect in its beak — Bonus picture: Starling with an insect in its beak

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Pictures

Rook vs Red Kite mid air tussle

2nd May 2016 Armin Grewe 6 Comments

Earlier this evening I noticed a very low flying Red Kite outside of my window. On closer inspection it turned out it was being pursued by a few Rooks (and others birds). Luckily my camera had the big lens mounted, so I quickly grabbed it, opened my fake balcony door and managed to get a few decent shots of the show:

Picture of a Rook vs Red Kite aerial fight — Rook vs Red Kite (1)

Picture of an aerial fight Rook vs Red Kite — Rook vs Red Kite (3)

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Pictures

Birds and Bluebells around Aldermaston wharf

24th April 2016 Armin Grewe Leave a comment

Following yesterday’s 1.5 hours walk I doubled my efforts today and walked for three hours until the clouds came in. Today I stayed locally and walked to Aqua Vitae Copse and Padworth college. On the way I spotted a variety of birds: a Sparrow was carrying grass in its beak, I assume for nest building. Two Blue Tits were sitting among the fresh shoots on a tree. But the highlight was a Red Kite eating its catch while in flight before resting on a tree. Finally I enjoyed Bluebells carpeting the woodland floor.