Tree Pippit?

Tree Pippit?, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This, I'm afraid, is another little bird that I am not sure of. My money is on a Tree Pippit though, because of the 'warm buff tones' and the fact that I saw it fly from a tree....
As usual, I would appreciate a positive I.D.

Black Redstart

Black Redstart, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A bit of a rare visitor to Durlston, this Black Redstart stayed aroung the lighthouse for a little while. A tight crop on this one because I couldn't get very close.
Nice to see though.

Early Evenings

Early Evenings, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is getting more and more difficult to get out to the cliffs during the week, but tonight I needed the space. I also need night vision goggles....

I Ain't Seen Nothin

I Ain't Seen Nothin, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

To me, Jackdaws are the Mafia of the bird world. Impeccably dressed, they walk with a swagger and hang around in gangs. Great to watch, but don't get in there way. And certainly don't leave a sandwich on the wall while you taking pictures.

Too Many Chips

Too Many Chips, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There are always plenty of Balck Headed Gulls hanging around by the sea wall. Unfortunately there are several fish & chip shops around and there is always something to eat. Perhaps they should just eat the fish.....

Rock n Roll

Rock n Roll, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There were half a dozen of these little Rock Pippits tumbling along the shore yesterday. Lovely to watch and great to photograph.

Blue & Gold

Blue & Gold, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There are quite a few Goldfinches around today, making a lot of noise for little birds. I have never managed to take a close up of these but a group, in a tree, with a blue sky background is quite nice.

Old Brown Eyes

Old Brown Eyes, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One of the few birds I managed to get close to was theis Dunnock. Quite happily singing away in the bushes despite having a bit of a problem with his foot.

Coast Guard

Coast Guard, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Finally, a chance to get out on a sunny, if a little windy, day. There was plenty to see along the cliffs, apart from this chap, I managed a superb shot of the sea with an out of focus Peregrine in front of it.

The Look

The Look, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Finally, the rain stopped and the sky turned blue. But with it came a very strong wetserly wind. All the little birds seem to have disappeared leaving the sky to a huge gang of Jackdaws.

Catching Some Rays

Catching Some Rays, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

One of the benifits of all the rain we have had this week is that mushrooms are springing up everywhere. I always like finding these little chaps and if you can find them in a patch of sunlight, all the better.

Bandit, 2 O'clock

Bandit, 2 O'clock, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It seems the fate of all our raptors to be harrassed by the local Crow, Jackdaw & Magpie population. The Buzzards seem to suffer the most, flying ever higher to escape unwanted attention. We do pretty well for raptors down here though, with Merlins, Hobbys, Peregrines, Kestrels, Buzzards and Sparrowhawks as well as the Owls. There is a Red Kite around here too somewhere, but I have only seen it a couple of times.

8 Point Sika Buck

8 Point Sika Buck, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With all the rain we have had lately I have really missed wandering around the Purbeck. With the evenings getting dark earlier I just haven't had the time to get out. But, the weekend is here and regardless of whether I get rained on or not, I am determined to get out and about.

Eyes on the Skies

Short Eared Owl, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is that time of year again!
From now on, and for as long as it takes, I will be watching the skies in the hope that the Short Eared Owls will return. Last year, I managed to get quite close bfore they were chased away by Magpies and Jackdaws. This shot is from last year and if I get anywhere as close as this I will be happy.

Old Man & The Sea

Old Man & The Sea, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

As usual, not a lot of time for a walk after work. To make things worse, the wind picked up and the clouds started to close in.
At this time of year, the pale remnants of Old Man's Beard flowers always remind me of frost and it changes the face of the hedgrerows. Just in case you missed the fact that Winter is well and trully on the way.

Memories

Memories, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There a many strange bits and pieces to be found in the stone walls around the Purbeck. Lots of fossils, (fish teeth, shells and bones) old coins can sometimes turn up too. I have even found an old musket ball.
People sometimes leave little momentoes, memories of lost loved ones, wedged into the stones or under trees. This small heart was placed carefully on a wall. Maybe it was just found by a passerby and put here, maybe it means something more...

Egrets, Herons and Me

Egrets, Herons and Me, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

With the promise of beautiful day it was time to break out the kayaks. Heading from Wareham Quay, down the River, across Poole Harbour to the town quay. The river was about as calm as you could get and the harbour wasn't exactly choppy. Not a lot in the way of wildlife, but we did come across a group of Herons and Egrets. I have heard of Spoonbills here, but we were to far away to see if there were some here. I tried to get closer but as you leave the channel the water gets very shallow, in places only a couple of inches, and you don't want to get stuck. One day, when I am brave enough, I will take the big camera and see what I can get.

Anvil Point

Anvil Point, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

We all have our favourite places and this is mine. It doesn't matter what the weather is like, the cliffs along the Purbeck coast are just perfect.

One Leg, One Eye

One Leg, One Eye, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Maybe next time I can take a shot of a Heron with two legs and two eyes. A bit of Sun would be good too.

Rattus

Rattus, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Probably not one of the Purbecks best love residents, but I quite like Rats. Very intelligent, they are one of natures great success stories whether we like it or not. And they have really cute feet....

Grebe Or Not

Grebe Or Not, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another shot that would have been a lot better with a bit of sun. I think this is a young Great Crested Grebe, but I'm not sure. He wasn't hanging about and spent most of the time underwater.

From The Rooftop

From The Rooftop, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

A dull, cloudy, miserable day like today does nothing to keep you smiling. I didn't have a lot of time to click away, but this Kestrel was quite happy to let me get close for a quick shot.

Consolation Prize

Consolation Prize, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another little bird that I have always had a problem getting of a shot of. This little Wren was flitting about minding its own business when I popped out of the undergrowth, camera in hand because I thought it was a Dartford Warbler (I know, it looks nothing like one). Not a bad consolation prize though.

Almost A Full Dartford Warbler

Almost A Full Dartford Warbler, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is one thing knowing where these little chaps are, it is quite another getting a shot.
This Dartford Warbler was the less shy of the three I saw here, but he didn't exactly hang around.
Not a great shot, but my best so far and I keep running out of sunlight.

Quick Walk, Long Tale

Quick Walk, Long Tale, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There is not a lot of time to get out during the week these days. Even on a beautiful, blue sky day I get barely an hour to wander. Tonight, I was chasing a whirlwind of Long Tailed Tits, Blue Tits and Chiffchaffs as they peeped and chipped through the hedges. Great to watch, providing the Sun was behind you.

Pride

Pride, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Early mornings with the Sika deer at this time of year are a little noisy. The Stags call in a way that sounds like a cross between a crying baby and a creaky door ending in a bellow that resembles a small Red deer. Very eerie but well worth it.

Still Singing

Still Singing, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There were dozens of Chifchaffs around this morning and they were making plenty of noise. After a week of rain I had mixed feelings abouth the warm, bright blue sky day I woke up to. Instead of spending the day wandering I have to tile the bathroom floor. Today it seems like I am the only one not singing!

Timing Is Everything

Timing Is Everything, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

The Common Buzzard, living up to its name here, just before it flew off.

Red Red Robin

Red Red Robin, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

There are many birds and animals that I enjoy watching, even on those rare occasions that I don't have a camera with me. The Robin is near the top of that list..

Squirress

Squirress, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Looks like this lady has had a busy summer. Squirrels are another animal I can watch for hours.

Boo

Boo, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Yes, yes, I know. I'm addicted to deer. I can't help it.

This Years Young

This Years Young, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

It is always good to see the local Roe Deer. I have seen a couple of youngsters over the last few weeks, so hopefully the population is still safe. There are reportedly only 29 Roe on the Isle of Purbeck so they are always a pleasure to see.

White Sika Stag

White Sika Stag, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Another shot from this afternoon of my first white Sika stag. This chap is two or three years old, so he has been around for a while but he wasn't keen on people. Unfortunately, white Stags don't tend to live as long because of hunting or exclusion from the herd so maybe that isn't a bad thing. I am not going back for a better shot, I think I will leave him alone.

Sika, Most Hunted

Sika, Most Hunted, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

This was taken on the home this afternoon, it was very dull, rainy and the wind was picking up. I have seen white Roe, Fallow and Reds, but never a white Sika. The play rut going on in the background was even more of a bonus.

Woodland

Woodland, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Every now and then, through the rain and the clouds you get a brief shaft of sunlight that lets you get a shot.

Calendar Girl

Calendar Girl, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Today I played at being a photographer again as a friend of mine wanted a few shots of his bike for a calendar. Something The Purbeck doesn't lack is photo opportunities but, as the light wasn't great, we had to improvise. This is taken in front of a mural painted by Nina Camplin and Antonia Phillips at the Pier Head.

Look Into The Light

Look Into The Light, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Taken yesterday, during one of the reare sunbursts. A Chiffchaff, I think, (black legs etc) and he wouldn't turn around no matter what I did.

A Long Tale

A Long Tale, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

I spend far too long trying to get shots of the quick little birds that tumble through the hedgerows. One of my favoutites is the Long Tailed Tit but they are not easy, especially on a cloudy day.

Autumn Colours

Autumn Colours, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

High winds, rough seas and grey skies, it is suddenly Autumn. Tomorrow there will be no leaves on the trees and the birds will be easier to photograph.
This Robin was happy enough though.

Castle In The Mist

Castle In The Mist, originally uploaded by julian sawyer.

Taken just before the mist was burnt off, Corfe Castle sits like an island between the hills. The mist allows us to see what Corfe Castle would have have looked like all those years ago. It would have looked even nicer if Oliver Cromwell hadn't lost his temper with it.