B.O.G. Images

Hook, Line, & Sinker

2012-01-28T17:56:00.002Z

Kestrel

2012-01-26T21:35:00.002Z

Treecreeper (certhia familiaris) Riddlesden

2012-01-23T19:18:00.003Z

Winter Sun

2012-01-19T15:18:00.001Z

Red Kite caught in the winter sunshine.

Lesser Redpoll

2012-01-17T09:59:00.003Z

Having been unable to get out with my gear for the last six months due to a back injury, It was good to get back to it during the recent sunny weather, despite having almost forgotten how to use the camera.The Redpolls and Siskins have been visiting my garden in increasing numbers on a regular basis, along with three Bullfinches.

More images on my website at http://www.stephenlilleybirdphotography.com/

Long Tailed Tit & Redwing.

2012-01-15T19:19:00.004Z

Approximately 35 Redwing are feeding in the fields by Lower Holden Farm near Silsden.

Soil Hill Buntings

2012-01-14T22:51:00.001Z

Such a nice sunny day (for a change) thought I'd try the Snow Buntings.

This was one of 4 roaming in a pack! So there should theoretically have been another 3-4 somewhere.

Short Eared Owl

2012-01-14T21:52:00.002Z

Whooper Swans

2012-01-14T21:48:00.003Z

This pair was found at Chelker res Friday 13th (Lucky for me )

O Deer, too far away.

2012-01-14T13:31:00.004Z

Fields at side of High Moor Plantation.

Splash and Dash. L&L Canal Riddlesden

2012-01-12T17:44:00.005Z

Goldcrest, Wren, & Treecreeper with Legs Akimbo

2012-01-07T19:28:00.005Z

Snowflakes in the Sky

2012-01-06T20:00:00.001Z

Flighty Snow Buntings at Soil Hill this morning.

Grey Partridge (perdix perdix) Silsden

2012-01-06T15:28:00.003Z

Siskin (carduelis spinus) Riddlesden

2012-01-05T18:17:00.004Z

Avian Assortments

2011-12-30T18:43:00.006Z

Beauty and the Beast

2011-12-28T10:45:00.003Z

...at St. Ives feeders

Tailless, Upside Down & Wet

2011-12-27T18:27:00.004Z

Siskin (carduelis spinus)

2011-12-26T17:55:00.003Z

Preening Sparrowhawk.

2011-12-24T20:10:00.008Z

Lesser Redpoll (carduelis cabaret) Members Only Site

2011-12-21T17:36:00.003Z

This little charmer was the only ray of sunshine on an otherwise very gloomy day.

Fieldfare (turdus pilaris) Riddlesden

2011-12-18T18:16:00.005Z

The Fieldfare were very flighty, especially when the local Sparrowhawk paid them a flying visit, thus long rang photography and heavy cropping of the images produced my first Fieldfare this year.

Kingfisher & Goosander L&L Canal

2011-12-17T16:42:00.002Z

The flooded River Aire has caused the Kingfisher to visit the canal.

Winter Warmers

2011-12-12T20:28:00.002Z

Some of the nine Snow Buntings on Soil hill this morning, in typical Arctic conditions.

Famous Red Grouse,( not the whisky) Whetstone Gate

2011-12-12T18:10:00.006Z

Mallard (anas platyrhynchos) L & L Canal. Riddlesden

2011-12-07T17:03:00.005Z

I was inspired to take the shots of the Mallards after seeing the very excellent photographs of fellow photographer, John Varley.

Redcar Tarn

2011-12-05T17:15:00.008Z

Popped up to Redcar Tarn to see and possibly photograph the reported Golden Plover. Unfortunately the overnight snow appears to have caused them to move on. Common Gull, Lesser Black-Backed Gull and Black-Headed Gull were at the tarn.

Lapwing & Kestrel

2011-11-30T17:03:00.010Z

A large flock of Lapwing are present in the fields by Redcar Tarn. Kestrel taken at Swartha.

Incredible...India Part 2

2011-11-28T22:00:00.003Z

Incredible...India Part 1

2011-11-28T21:51:00.004Z

A selection of photos from South Goa.

Ready Steady Go!

2011-11-28T20:49:00.001Z

Launch sequence of a Booted Eagle Spain

Water Rail (rallus aquaticus) Members Only Site.

2011-11-28T16:54:00.004Z

Since it's arrival on the reserve there has been little entente cordiale between the Water Rail and the resident pair of Moorhens. Today was the exception, allowing the Rail to show itself more openly.

Images (of various quality) from Leighton Moss R.S.P.B.

2011-11-24T19:34:00.010Z

The day lacked sunshine and an 800mm prime lens, plus my wife's unwillingness to purchase one. Teal, Godwit, and Redshank are in good numbers with three Little Egret and just the one Great Egret seen on the day. Two Marsh Harrier are still showing with the occasional glimpse of Bearded Tit on the grit trays, if one is prepared to wait.

Images from Spain

2011-11-23T20:59:00.003Z

These Raptors are winter visitors to S E Spain

Members Only Site

2011-11-22T18:31:00.005Z

A splash of colour on an otherwise dull day.

Redwing (turdus iliacus) Members Only Site

2011-11-19T10:06:00.003Z

The Redwing flock at the reserve has now doubled, we have two taking advantage of the hawthorn berries while trying to avoid the welcoming embrace of a very active Sparrowhawk.

Images from Spain

2011-11-17T19:56:00.001Z

Bluethroats are a winter visitor to SE Spain

Images from Spain

2011-11-17T19:49:00.002Z

(Common) Blackbird (turdus merula) Members Only Site

2011-11-16T18:38:00.005Z

Redwing (turdus iliacus) Members Only Site

2011-11-12T18:22:00.001Z

After a brief wait of six and a quarter hours, this flock of a single Redwing came onto the reserve and allowed me to take a series of the one photograph.

Greenfinch (carduelis chloris) Members Only Site

2011-11-10T18:43:00.002Z

Hedge Accentor

2011-11-06T20:04:00.000Z

Mandarin Duck (aix galericulata) Bolton Abbey

2011-11-05T09:30:00.006Z

Hat tip to Keith Moir for the location of these birds. Approximately 40 were just below the Strid on the wider section of the river.

Sika Deer (cervus elaphus) Staveley Nature Reserve

2011-11-02T19:54:00.004Z

Having spent a few hours at Nosterfield Local Nature Reserve, being near to Staveley Nature Reserve, my wife and I decided to go and see what was about. On entering the reserve from the village end, in the field on the left of the reserve was the Sika deer. A regular visitor to the reserve informed me this would be the first time ever a Sika was at this location, and would I contact the reserve manager to see if he wanted some of the images I had taken for his records. On arriving home and editing the images I gave the reserve manager a call who was happy to have the images sent. He informed me this would be the first time a Sika had been recorded outside of Studley Royal where it is suspected this deer has originally come from. You never know what is going to turn up on a reserve.

Rodley Nature Reserve Images

2011-10-31T19:39:00.007Z

This posting should be less controversial as all the species are well known and recognizable, hopefully?

Images of the Dipper @ Shipley

2011-10-30T08:37:00.001Z

These images are of the Dipper suspected to be of the Black-bellied race C.c.cinclus.

The bottom image shows pale tips and fringes on the wing coverts and tertials aging this bird as a first winter. All three images show a brown band below the white chest, though not chestnut, the presence of this band would probably prevent the bird being accepted by a rarities committee. Having viewed several images on the internet of Black-bellied Dippers they show the black belly meeting the white chest. Looking at literature the underparts of a Black-bellied Dipper are uniform dark which the above Dipper clearly doesn't show. Also both British races and the central european race can have a dark brown band below the white chest making the above bird difficult to racially identify.

Thanks to Stephen Lilley for the images.

M Doveston

"The" Dipper @ Shipley - A Tremethick

2011-10-30T08:16:00.000Z

This footage was taken on Friday 28th October of the Dipper suspected by some to be of the Black-bellied race C.c.cinclus

Debatable Denzo Dippers

2011-10-28T13:34:00.011+01:00

The lack of good lighting at this location makes attaining a clear sharp photo difficult. Once the leaves have left the trees the situation will be much better. I was speaking with a fellow birder while at this location and there is an ongoing debate as to whether the Black-Bellied Dipper is a correct identification as it has a small area of brown underneath the white breast. I am sure I attained photos of both the dippers at this location. Due to the poor light, some angles the birds are observed at do give them a very dark appearance as the photos show. I've included the Barden dipper as a comparison. As I have years of inexperience in this field I will leave the debating to the experts.

G Forsyth.

Excuse the editorial intrusion onto your post Graham. I'd like to point out that all the images here show typical "British" Dippers and not a Black-bellied Dipper.

M Doveston

Raptor Rapture. Red Kite (milvus milvus) & Little Owl (athene noctua) Bradup

2011-10-24T18:18:00.005+01:00

With the recent reports of Red Kite at Whetstone Gate and over Riddlesden village, and sunshine forecast, I set off full of ~~youthful~~ enthusiasm and great expectation. 10 am saw me parked in the quarry with camera at the ready. Through the dull grey haze I could just make out a Kite quartering the fields by Bradup cottage. As I hoped the bird would come closer, to my left I saw smoke arising from the moor as the keepers started to burn the old heather. The smoke mingled with the mist as it drifted towards the area of the Kite. The scene now changed and it was more like watching the rise of the Phoenix bird rather than the flight of the Kite. After two and a half hours the Kite was still around the cottage so I dropped down to get closer. By now the sun was trying to get through the cloud, but failed, while I attempted to try and attain some acceptable images. By the time the sun had come through the Kite was over the hill in Ilkley. The little Owls are still at Bradup. 1 Kestrel, coveys of Red Grouse, 2 Starlings, 2 Ravens and a lone Canada Goose struggling against the wind flew past while parked in the quarry.

Late Wheatear at Whetstone

2011-10-22T11:05:00.002+01:00

A very confiding Northern Wheatear was at Whetstone Gate early this morning (22nd October), also a Red Kite.

Kingfisher (alcedo atthis) Members Only Site

2011-10-17T11:19:00.003+01:00

A jewel of a bird taken at a jewel of a site within the Aire Valley. 8am, the sun was trying to break through some cloud covering and a light drizzle had just finished when the Kingfisher arrived. The light was not ideal but the moment was not to be wasted.

More Kite Flying

2011-10-16T19:23:00.002+01:00

The Kites were being very acrobatic- one was playing with a heather branch in the air.

Flying a Kite

2011-10-16T18:44:00.001+01:00

4 Red Kites at Whetstone Gate Saturday afternoon
Birdfact!- Kites are called Kites because they fly together in a Kite formation...it's true, a bloke in a pub told me.

Berry Happy Bullfinch (pyrrhula pyrrhula) Members Only Site

2011-10-15T20:11:00.004+01:00

new residents

2011-10-13T17:39:00.000+01:00

One of about 200 redwings settling around Staveley Rd. Nabwood.

Otter (lutra lutra) Lewis

2011-10-10T09:17:00.005+01:00

Having seen only white horses on Loch Seaforth for the first week of our stay on Lewis due to the gale force winds, a brief respite in the weather offered the chance of an hour or two on the loch side. After the otter had departed I went to see why it had climbed up the grass bank into the field. Here I found resting spots within the abundant sedge where the otters had been curled up. Loch Seaforth has very stony banks so I assume the otters had been using this place to rest from the buffeting of the wind and waves. There is something magical being on the side of a sea loch in close proximity to wild otters.

Common Buzzard (buteo buteo) Lewis

2011-10-10T08:30:00.006+01:00

Whenever the gale force winds eased up and the rain ceased to fall I made the most of any opportunity. The following were taken over a three day period of very mixed weather, wish a bit of sunshine thrown in.

Juvenile Golden Eagle (aquila chrysaetos) & Juvenlie White-Tailed Eagles (haliaeetus albicilla)

2011-10-09T22:01:00.006+01:00

Winds gusting to 70mph for the first week of our holiday on Lewis gave fantastic views of these eagles hanging in the air and engaging in whiffling action as they rode out the high gusts. Unfortunately the light was very poor, the rain frequently heavy, thus any chance of capturing these fast antics were lost.

My thanks to Keith Moir for pointing out I had actually photographed Golden Eagles, top two photographs, as well as the White Tailed Eagles, and thanks to Paul King for passing the correct information on. Being a juvenile myself in this field I am prone to making mistakes.

Pectoral Sandpiper Pugneys

2011-09-28T21:59:00.001+01:00

A cracking watch & shoot for hour or so.
Get over to Pugneys Country Park for this Beauty!

It seemed to like hanging round us human Photographers.

Coming so close I had to shoot a Portrait!

I had it within 18" of my feet at one point.

Fingers crossed for one in our area!

Denholme Clough & Doe Park

2011-09-25T11:53:00.000+01:00

First Post, Raptors at Whetstone

2011-09-24T23:25:00.008+01:00

That's definitely Bradford.

Sizing up the opposition.

Reminds me of a chicken, that buzzard.

Nice line of sight.

Why does each picture appear before the last one??

Dive!

Local buzzard, I bet it's the one that comes over our house.

There can be only one outcome really.

Hi, this is my first blog post anywhere, not just here, so I can only assume what this will look like...I'm winging it, and it's late. Apologies in advance.

-seems to compose upside down...

Holiday Devon more interesting birds

2011-09-23T00:47:00.015+01:00

Now for some more interesting stuff:

Little Egret in Cockwood Harbour.

Buzzard in very dark woods hopping around the floor hunting something?

Didn't really bother with me, so I blasted some flash shots off!

Eventually came out into daylight & game me this, You following me look!

Tawny Owl around Newton Abbot.

Common Scoters around Torquay!

Cracking Kestrel that sat in fron of the hide at Berry Head.

Now the Target species:

Cirl Buntings at Berry Head.

They do quite well at this site.

Holiday Devon

2011-09-23T00:12:00.014+01:00

I have been working away for 2 years, but I am back now & hopefully should be getting around Local Haunts again soon.

But as I havent posted for a while - I have a few shots from Devon you may enjoy!

Swallow sniffing flowers at Berry Head.

Wren from Brixham.

Couple of Turnstones in Brixham Harbour.

Redshanks from Torquay.

Oystercatcher at Dawlish Warren.

Chiffchaff at Occombe Farm - I saw these things

literally everywhere I went in large numbers.

Whitethroat at side of a Layby - Lots of these around too.

More goodies to follow.

Greenland Wheatear

2011-09-19T15:54:00.002+01:00

This bird I originally photographed on wednesday the 14th and remarkable
it was still present in the same area yesterday Sunday 18th.

Red Kite (milvus milvus)

2011-09-18T18:31:00.005+01:00

Pictures taken earlier on this year from the Silsden Road above Riddlesden by the water works building. The Kite was quartering the fields where the farmers were busy wrapping their cuttings for silage. The accompanying mob of disgruntled gulls and irritate lapwings brought the Kite to my attention.

Doe Park Kestrel

2011-09-17T20:36:00.000+01:00

Grebes at Old Moor R.S.P.B

2011-09-16T15:00:00.006+01:00

Waders at Old Moor R.S.P.B

2011-09-16T14:57:00.006+01:00

Wheatear ( Greenland Race )

2011-09-14T21:42:00.002+01:00

This bird was very confiding,at times moving to close to photograph,after approx half an hour it moved on up Nab Water Lane heading south.

Long-Tailed Tit (aegithalos caudatus) Members Only Site

2011-09-14T16:10:00.001+01:00

Kingfisher at Leeming Res

2011-09-04T20:01:00.002+01:00

A successful fishing expedition this afternoon.

Waders Galore

2011-09-04T14:27:00.002+01:00

Eleven species of wader at Blacktoft Saturday 4th Sept

Whinchat & Stonechat Whetstone Allotments

2011-09-02T16:30:00.004+01:00

The afternoon's photography suffered from the two D's, too Dark and too Distant.

Egyptian Geese at Redcar Tarn

2011-08-27T16:15:00.001+01:00

A couple of Egyptian Geese at Redcar Tarn this morning.

(Common) Linnet (carduelis cannabina) Leeshaw Reservoir

2011-08-23T15:40:00.003+01:00

Little Owl on B.O.G. walk today

2011-08-20T20:20:00.000+01:00

Alternative Wings

2011-08-20T18:38:00.004+01:00

Whetstone Gate - Juv Stonechat

2011-08-19T21:46:00.000+01:00

Whetstone Gate - Juv Stonechat

2011-08-19T21:45:00.000+01:00

Blackcap (sylvia atricapilla) Members Only Site

2011-08-18T20:00:00.004+01:00

Looking a bit worse for wear after the breeding season..

Passage to Africa

2011-08-17T20:27:00.003+01:00

Wheatears moving south today through Oxenhope

Marsh Harriers

2011-08-15T21:30:00.001+01:00

Birds photographed at Blacktoft Sands

Red Rumped Swallow

2011-08-10T21:06:00.003+01:00

A bird to look out for as they extend their range north in europe
these photo's taken in Spain

Willow Warbler (phylloscopus trochilus)

2011-08-06T19:16:00.002+01:00

Despite the heavy showers we had two very active Willow Warblers at the Members Only Site today.

Blackcap (sylvia atricapilla) Members Only Site

2011-08-05T10:51:00.002+01:00

The Blackcaps are looking a bit worse for wear as they undergo their moult.

Whitethroat (sylvia communis) Members Only Site

2011-08-02T19:26:00.003+01:00

An Evening At The Hide (Members Only Site)

2011-07-31T15:05:00.008+01:00

Willow Warbler (phylloscopus trochilus) Members Only Site

2011-07-29T18:33:00.002+01:00

Cling On Feeder. (Not the Star Trek type)

2011-07-27T18:38:00.004+01:00

Curlews

2011-07-26T21:16:00.003+01:00

Greenshank

2011-07-26T21:07:00.005+01:00

Bird Photographed at Leighton Moss

Wheatear

2011-07-26T21:01:00.002+01:00

One of several immature Wheatear's moving south at Nab Water Lane

Greenfinch (carduelis chloris) Members Only Site

2011-07-25T09:22:00.003+01:00

With most of our favourite friends undergoing a feather replacement and staying under cover, I was pleasantly surprised to see this handsome chap out in the open sunning himself.

Metamorphosis of Plumage ( Members Only Site)

2011-07-20T11:27:00.004+01:00

Spotted Flycatcher (muscicapa striata)

2011-07-18T06:55:00.006+01:00

Another first for me, the Spotted Flycatcher and young. After setting up my equipment and covering myself with the bag hide,and having plenty of midge repellent on my face, as the sun climbed higher in the sky the temperature rose inside the bag hide and sweat washed the midge repellent into my eyes. Sensing I was now vulnerable, the midge came in for the attacked and by the end of the day I was more spotted, and itchy, than the Spotted Flycatcher. Nevertheless it was a pleasure to be out early in the morning watching and photographing these little birds in their natural environment.

Goldcrest (regulus regulus)

2011-07-18T06:50:00.005+01:00

Capturing these little jewels on camera was harder than trying to photograph the invisible man. Typical of the species, they had built their nest at the end of a Larch tree bough with the added twist the bough passed over the single track road that leads past the lodge where we stayed. Being only a few yards from our door, and the constant chirping of the young, they were not hard to locate. The young were on the point of fledging so I was very lucky to photograph one of the young on the point of leaving the nest. Thankfully the road is not very busy or I may have been the only causality in the fledging process.

Fauna at Loch Avich, Scotland

2011-07-18T06:36:00.007+01:00

Never seen as many Chiffchaff in my life. Everywhere one looked a Chiffchaff could be found, sedges, willows, conifers, bracken, alders etc, all were being visited by these charming little birds.

The causality in my hands flew into a window and was kept on the ward (container) overnight until it recovered. It is amazing how these little birds make the journeys they do.

Apparently some individual Red Squirrels have their tails bleach white in late summer.

Crossbill (loxia curvirostra) St Ives

2011-07-05T17:02:00.005+01:00

A very big Thank You to fellow photographer Ian H for the information regarding the Crossbills, a first for me. After a two hour wait the group came in to drink, staying for about 3 minutes, before taking wing again.

Members Only Site

2011-07-05T09:18:00.004+01:00

The raspberries are disappearing quickly, Blackbirds and Blackcaps being the main consumers. The young Chiffchaff seems to be undergoing an identity crisis as for the last week it has been tagging along with the flock of young Blue Tits. The adult Great Spotted Woodpecker is also coming to the feeder along with the juvenile.

Blackcaps

2011-07-04T22:18:00.002+01:00

All photo's from the raspberry patch at Stocksbridge