So it seems that I didn't get up to the reservoir until late in the month, working on these pages retrospectively, I find the first images were on February 18th, however, it must have been more of a walk than a photo-walk, there's not a lot of photo record. I do remember it was cold and sunny and I didn't make it out of the car park without a few shots.
A Mistle Thrush was singing its heart out on a Pine tip and another appeared pretty quickly, listening, at least, it looked like it was listening. Bit of dating going on?
My attention was now drawn to those trees along the edge of the car park and, with such beautiful blue skies, a Blue Tit and Blackbird stood out beautifully.
So, for whatever reason, that's all there is of that particular day.
I returned to the reservoir on the 25th, my main aim now was to capture more shots of the Crossbills, having whet my appetite last month, there just to be more of them around, right?
As I walked up the trail, I spotted a young woman walking towards me wearing binoculars and carrying a camera but, here eyes, then bins were trained up the bank on something. As I caught up to her I asked what she was seeing and she pointed up the bank at a beautiful female Crossbill.
Of course I had to start working my way up the bank, always got to get closer, get the better shot.
We both crept closer, getting more shorts all the time. There's nothing better than eye contact with a bird, you just know they are very aware of your presence but, so far, accept it. There's always a limit but this was quite a steady bird.
As I said, there's always a limit and off she flew. Shaz and I parted ways after a quick natter and I headed on up the track. Maybe a couple of hundred yards on ... not one, but two females in a pine next to the track.
I called to Shaz and she ran back and got a few shots before heading back down the trail.
Once again, both birds flew off so, off I wandered, up the track towards the picnic bench, all the while watching out for the Crossbills. I was so chuffed tom get so many shots and of two birds together. There are often Buzzards circling around up here, sometimes a Red Kite but it was great to spot a Kestrel hunting up the hillside.
I did manage to get a few decent shots at long range before it flew off.
s I approached the bench, I could hear a woodpecker hammering away among the trees nearby and as I got close enough, there she was, a female on a dead tree trunk.
The light was catching her perfectly in amongst all the foliage but she was off quickly when I appeared, stopping briefly on another tree before disappearing completely.
I stood around the area for a while, it's a great spot for all sorts of bird activity but nothing presented itself for the camera so, wander on. The picnic bench is roughly one mile from the car park. As I approached the end of that particular clump of trees, I heard bird sounds again and there she was, well, A Crossbill female.
I stayed with this bird for a while, grabbing lots of shots and watching her feed on the plentiful pine cones, even caught a Siskin in the same tree, hoping it would give some scale for the size of the Crossbills.
It was just after 11:30, I always aim to get back for lunch, it's my job to prepare I so, I headed for the car again, my walk back is usually, but not always, more brisk, trying to get the exercise as well as the relaxation of the area and the fun of the photography. What a good walk this had been, plenty Crossbill shots to be editing.
Until next time :)
