March
Welcome to the March edition of my photographic exploits. The first half of the month was mostly spent at the RSPB reserve at Otmoor east of Oxford. I was there most days trying to track down the not so mad March hares! I guess they are like us in a way that we prefer the warmer weather to the cold wind and rain!! I've also spent some evenings down at Tring reservoirs photographing the waterfowl, namely the Mandarin ducks which always look good whatever the weather.
Mr & Mrs Mandarin duck. I think she's playing hard to get!
Managed to find the Barn owl on an early morning trip to RSPB Otmoor
I also made a few trips to Farmoor reservoir which is great for cormorants. I find them quite entertaining to watch with their frequent squabbles and watching them fishing. They sometimes catch large fish and manage to swallow whole!
Plenty of room in that mouth for a big fish! Cormorant at Farmoor reservoir.
The Great crested grebes were also pairing up with their synchronised dance routine.
Wildfowl such as ducks and geese will spend the Winter at Farmoor. Snow and Barnacle geese are the highlight for me to photograph.
Barnacle geese chilling out on Farmoor res.
Around 90 Snow geese spend the Winter months at Farmoor.
As March slowly begins to warm up I have been seeing more hares especially when I've been out cycling. Sadly I haven't taken many photos of them as they've been quite distant. Not an easy animal to get close to but I've not given up yet!
Hares don't hang around long enough to get many shots!
In the last week of March I have witnessed signs of the Spring migration with wheatears, sand martins and skylarks to name just a few. During April we should start seeing a lot more such as swallows, warblers and wading birds. Something to watch or listen out for in the coming weeks are the cuckoo's all the way from Africa. Hoping to get some images this year. Last year many reserves were closed due to the outbreak of Covid.
Sand martin, one of the first Summer visitors to arrive back in the UK.
Signs of Spring - Pussy Willow
April looks quite promising with more reserves and animal sanctuaries reopening. Pre-booking is still required at most places until lockdown starts to ease mid year. Also the Spring migration will be in full swing and hopefully the weather will be better!
Thank you all for reading my latest blog and thank you all for your support and kind comments over this difficult period we are all experiencing. It makes it all worth the while in the end.
Please continue to upload your photographs to my Photo's Page. There are some great photographs being posted.
Many more of my images can be viewed on my flickr page and Instagram.
Thanks
Steve