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The Owlets of London

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So I managed the 5 days, 5 bird challenge and today is the last day and there’s only one way to end it. Not only is this the picture I am most proud of and one that made it as a runner up in a photography competition and was part of an exhibition it was genuinely one of the most exciting moments I have ever experienced. Seeing one in the centre of London with its chicks during the day was something I have dreamt of for a long long time, it was a Hoot! Tawny Owl ‘Strix aluco’ UK Conservation Status: Amber UK Breeding: 50.000 pairs Location: St James Park   Date: 7/3/19  Owls are truly amazing birds, from their keen eyesight to the silence of their flight they are simply magnificent.  They are portrayed in cartoons as being big old wise birds and it’s pretty accurate.  I just love them. note: it may look like i got too close but i can assure you i did not, i kept my distance and i made sure that anybody else that had noticed the owls or came near by watche
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It's not a tit

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Bearded Tit ‘ Panurus biarmicus ’ UK Conservation Status: green  UK Breeding: 630 pairs Location: Rainham Marshes   Date: 30/1/19  When i first got into bird photography i began to realise just how many different birds we have here in the UK, whether it be resident or seasonal. When i was flicking through a bird guide i stumbled across a picture of a Bearded Tit (reedling) and straight away i wanted to find one. I researched the best places to see them and found out about RSPB Rainham Marshes. After numerous visits to the reserve, i had heard their 'Ping', seen them fly by and also missed them by seconds according to other birders. I've always had a great time at RM and have seen many birds high up my list including a Cuckoo, Marsh Harrier and Snipe but every time has been to try get a glimpse of one of these small, charismatic birds. The fact that its estimated that there are only 630 pairs i was extremely excited to try and find them. The Hairy
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The Peckham Pecker

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Green Woodpecker ‘Picus viridis’ UK Conservation Status: Green UK Breeding: 52.000 pairs Location: Peckham Rye Park  Date: 15/7/2018 When I first bought my camera and decided my love for nature could be combined with photography; Birds were my first port of call.  With a fascination for woodpeckers but limited knowledge on how to find them rather than stumble across them I did a bit of homework and off I went, many days and early evenings in search of these interesting birds. I followed the sounds of nest building in early spring, the drumming you often hear as a way of communicating and this was great, I kept finding great spotted woodpeckers but was never able to get a shot for various reasons, I researched further and found that my main target the green woodpecker rarely drums to communicate and when nest building they have weaker bills so chisel into softer wood. I studied their call which if I remember rightly was described as a Yaffle? - loud laughing call.
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The Dipper

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Over the next 5 days i will be posting 5 photos taken by me with a short account of the moment I took the shot. These will be pictures chosen by my Instagram followers or ones that I feel have to be included. Enjoy :)   Dipper ‘Cinclus cinclus’ UK Conservation Status: Amber UK breeding: 6.000 - 18.000 pairs Location: Peak District  Date: 30/6/2019  Image details: Nikon P900 A 1/50 F6.3 ISO 800 There are hundreds of birds that I want to tick off my photograph list but I usually have a couple that I obsess about over a period of time and on certain trips. Finding a Dipper was one of those that I was obsessing about especially on this trip, we was travelling to our campsite and I could see streams and rivers everywhere that looked like a place that would be inviting to them. We headed up to Back Tor to take in the wonderful views the Peaks have to offer, we came to a small stone footbridge that crossed a stream and my brother and I both looke
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