Tangarreg Pools Photographic Hides

What better way to spend a Monday off work than indulging in a few hours of uninterrupted bird photography which, apart from around my own garden bird feeder has been somewhat lacking lately. On today’s agenda was a long overdue visit to Tangarreg Pools, custom built photographic hides run by local photographer and wildlife enthusiast…

Happy Fathers’ Day!

This male house sparrow looks rather weary and fed up of his youngster’s constant demands. I’m sure there are many human fathers out there that can sympathise at the moment! — All photographs copyright of Claire Stott/Grey Feather Photography © 2020 http://www.greyfeatherphotography.com If you like what you see, you can follow me on Facebook or Instagram (@greyfeatherphotography) to see…

New beginnings

Having lived beside Aberystwyth harbour for over 4 years ago now, I have come to know its avian residents rather well, witnessing their trials of life, love and death on my own doorstep. In this time I have also seen the arrival of many new babies, from the adorable swan cygnets to the noisy, squabbling…

Bad feather day

After my failure to capture photographs of the young Jackdaw a few weeks ago, today my luck had turned and I was able to capture some more successful photographs as the corvid family foraged in and around the harbour slipway under the pleasant morning sunshine. The adults were busy searching for their breakfast among the…

A wild Jackdaw chase

For several weeks now I have been following a flock of Jackdaws who regularly visit the area around the harbour in search of food. Although these birds are always a favourite of mine, I am particularly interested in them at this time of year as this is the time when their youngsters fledge and join…

Birds in blooms

A change of scenery was in order today and what better place to explore than the grounds of Aberystwyth Castle. It’s flower beds are in full bloom this time of year, filled with vibrant colours, buzzing bees and dancing butterflies. Luckily the flowers seem to be thriving despite the relentless sun beating down overhead and…

Young gulls

It is nearing the end of summer, and for most birds the breeding season is over for another year. For the Herring Gulls though, their work isn’t over just yet. The gulls begin nesting from late May onward and usually lay a clutch of around 3 eggs. Chicks remain in the nest for up to 40-50…

Jackdaw juvenile

Today was my first encounter with a charming juvenile Jackdaw who had appeared in the flock who regular patrol the harbour edges for food. It appeared to have fledged very recently and was smaller and more delicately built than the adults, the young also have bright blue eyes (which change to brown and then finally…

Have you ever seen a baby pigeon?

Have you ever seen a baby pigeon? Highly unlikely, in fact very few people have. But why is this? The reason may be found in the pigeons’ breeding habits. Like their rock dove ancestors they nest in cavities, natural cliff ledges replaced by holes and cavities in our urban buildings. Nesting high in inaccessible locations…