One of the best parts about that trip however was being able to photograph a Skylark. You are probably expecting a dot in the sky now, but why would I be so happy about that? Because it wasn't. No the bird I'm talking about posed on a tussock briefly. I could probably have got closer and got a better image, but my stalking is particularly bad, especially when I have a tripod stuck to the camera.
My best Spring migrant so far this year was a Pied Flycatcher who turned up in the garden in Brighton! I had to stare at it a while before I could take it in. A garden, year, and life tick, putting my life-list on 157.
I also had a Whitethroat in the garden a week or so later.
On Friday we went up Tower 42 with David Lindo -The Urban Birder- to look for migrating birds. Some people from AFON -A Focus On Nature- were there, and were going to film it. One of them was 19 year-old wildlife photographer Tom Mason, and it was great to have a chat with him. He gave me some good tips, including what lens to buy next, but I don't have enough money yet!
There were no birds migrating through, and the most interesting thing we saw was this Juniper Shield bug! I found it in a puddle 600 foot up. I hadn't thought to bring a smaller lens than my 500mm, so I had to use my fathers compact for the shot I wanted.
And to cast iron my point, on Friday a quick stroll to the patch produced 7 Mallard Ducklings -probably born that day- 4 or 5 Egyptian Goose goslings and a young Grey Heron on the nest! And trust me, if you think getting a good shot of a Mallard Duckling is easy, it isn't. By the time I focused and took the picture the head would be out of focus! Or is that just me? This is the best I could do.