Tag Archives: West Berkshire

Pictures

Hungry Sparrows

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.

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Pictures

Rook vs Red Kite mid air tussle

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:

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Pictures

Butterflies/moths at Moor Copse, West Berkshire

Leave a comment

Having been to Reading yesterday to run a few errands it was time to get out into the green again today. Late this morning I drove to the Moor Copse nature reserve (BBOWT site) in the Pang valley near Tidmarsh, West Berkshire. While my original plan had been to get some bird pictures I soon changed my focus to butterflies and/or moths (I’m not sure what any of these are, if anyone can help with identification please feel free to do so in the comments).

(click on the pictures for larger versions)

Pictures

Birds and Bluebells around Aldermaston wharf

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.

(click on the pictures to view larger versions)

Pictures, Thoughts

Two bird sightings on a nice afternoon out

1 Comment

One of my New Year’s resolutions was to have a at least one hour walk of some sort every Saturday and Sunday (unfortunately having a daily one-hour walk isn’t logistically feasible). While I have already failed that resolution for various reasons I’m still trying to achieve that goal when possible. Today I managed 1.5 hours at the Hosehill Lake nature reserve near Theale.

Among many other birds I spotted two birds I don’t think I have taken pictures of previously. I’m not sure if I identified them correctly, if I’ve got it wrong please let me know in the comments. I believe the first one is a Gadwall Duck, the second one I think is a Garden Warbler. As I said, if I got it wrong please let me know so that I can update the post.

(click on the picture for a full-size version)