Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Wednesday 1 July 2015

RSPB Otmoor

RSPB Otmoor is one of the best bird reserves I've been to for some time. It could well have been the time of year that I went, but the place was oozing with birds and bird song. I parked the car and grabbed my camera and binoculars and was soon greeted by the purring song of a Turtle Dove, followed by a Cuckoo. I could have got back in the car and gone home right then. I wasn't expecting Turtle Dove here, but was delighted to add it to my ever growing year list. Further encounters were had with them around the reserve, with at least three or four different birds around.
Cuckoos were playing hard to get but soon showed themselves along a tree line.
A pair of Hobbys were hunting dragonflies at the furthest viewing screen and put on a nice show for me. Drumming and roding Common Snipe were a new sight and sound for me. I'd never heard them drumming before. What a great sound.

Hobby on the hunt in gloomy light. 

Every time I looked up, there seemed to be a bird of prey up in the vast sky. Red Kites seemed to be everywhere, and it was great to watch them hunt and then be hassled by numerous birds like Lapwings and crows.
Red Kite.
 

There was an abundance of Reed Buntings on site. These were busy feeding, from what I could see. 


Treecreeper looking for food for its young in the nest. Nicely camouflaged.

The Turtle Dove. Only the second time I've seen one in the wild. The thrill was quite exhilarating.




24 comments:

  1. Love the texture of the tree creeper photo

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  2. I love the Tree Creeper in particular. Wonderful to see some birds from my part of the world; so used to looking at American birds that I have no connection with. My best bird experience was a golden eagle in the Cairngorns in Scotland. It was a moment I will never forget.

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  3. A brilliant day list you had Adam. It was almost like a day in the Med. I've yet to see a Hobby this year.

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  4. A brilliant day list you had Adam. It was almost like a day in the Med. I've yet to see a Hobby this year.

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  5. Some awesome bird shots.

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  6. Nice pictures..I have never heard of a Hobby..Nice coloring..Love the tree creeper..Fantastic shot..HAve a great day

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  7. Beautifully done. I like that you write the explanation before the photo!

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  8. Wonderful frames. Each worth putting up on walls!

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  9. Very well composed,beautiful pictures.

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  10. Looks like a great place to photograph birds!

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  11. You've captured the Turtle Dove beautifully, what a stunning bird! - Tasha

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  12. Lovely photos. My favorite is the Treecreeper. Funny because this week I discovered there are hawk nests in the building I work at. They have cause quite a sensation.

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  13. I too love the treecreeper! What a lovely shot!

    thank you for joining us for Photo Friday again this week!

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  14. Hello, awesome collection of birds and photos. I would love to see the Red Kite! Great post! Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Wishing you a happy 4th of July weekend!

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  15. Nice post - I was shocked when the 3rd species of bird I saw in the UK was a Red Kite! And so many more buzzards than when I was a kid. But, as is the way, work got in the way of decent birding!

    Trying to catch up on visits and comment while I wait for a flight - one busy week to go and it's back to normal!

    Cheers - Stewart M - Heathrow Airport UK (for the next couple of hours!)

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  16. Beautiful place, the birds so good. And the Turtle Dove, I haven't seen one.

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  17. Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!!! Such a super-duper, wonderful, series of GREAT birds Adam!!
    And I loved reading that where you went to go birding on this particular day, the area was 'oozing' with birds!!!! Now that is the kinda day I would want. ALL the time.

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    1. PS...thanks for visiting with me at Hootin' Anni's too.

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  18. Wonderful birds! I love the little treecreeper.

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  19. pretty dove! great creeper shot! love that red kite!

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  20. Congrats on your turtle dove!

    I didn't know any birds specialized in dragonfly hunting. They must be excellent aerialists!
    ~

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  21. great buirds to find and photograph. Have a great week ahead.

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