Monday 14 October 2013

Leach`s Storm Petrel

Did you miss me?!

I finally managed to get out and do some birding yesterday, the first time really since June! The bird to get me out was a lifer in the shape of a Leach`s Storm Petrel at Rutland Water, a small sea bird that is fairly scarce inland, indeed, the last time one of these birds was at Rutland was back in 1989!

The bird was seen at distance just `bobbing` around on the water, but then took flight when 2-3 Black-headed Gulls decided to mob it. I am not sure if they were trying to eat the petrel, or just took a dislike to the bird, whatever their reason, it meant that the bird was seen in flight, showing its characteristic `v`- shaped white rump and pale wing-bars.


Not the greatest picture that you will ever see, but this was the first time that I have `aired` my new DSLR, but I have only got a 300mm lens at the moment, pennies are being saved for a better and longer lens!

It was good to get out again with my friend Chris Orders and also see other birders, hopefully it won't be as long before the next trip!

(Just in case you were wondering, the petrel wasn't eaten by the gulls and was still swimming around on the lake when we left!)

11 comments:

  1. What's your new camera John. I have got myself a Sony A77 and its improved my photography no end.

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    1. Hi Mike,
      It's a Canon 700d, just an entry level DSLR really and still getting to grips with it! Hopefully it will lead to some good photos in the future!
      J

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  2. Congrats on the lifer John.
    Been a few Petrels blown inland recently.

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    1. Thanks Keith!
      Yes, there have been a few about. This one didn't look as if it would make it out alive though, which is sad, but you never know!
      J

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  3. Well done on the newbie John.. and on the new camera.

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    1. Thanks Andrew!
      Yes, just an entry level DSLR with a standard lens. As I said in my post, pennies are being saved!
      J

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  4. Hi John. What's a lifer? I always thought that Gulls were aggressive but did not realise that they ate smaller birds.
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    1. Hi Bazza,
      A lifer in this case refers to a species of bird that you have not seen before in Britain. People (like me) keep a list of the species that they have seen and when a lifer is seen, a tick goes next to that species.
      Gulls are extremely aggressive and would easily gobble up a small bird like a Petrel. Storm Petrels tend to only fly at night time to avoid these larger birds predating them.
      J

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  5. Umm. No.! {:))
    Seriously John, its good to see you back out there enjoying birding.

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    1. Outrageous Roy! ;)
      Thank you, hopefully I will be out and about a bit more now, although work is still crazy!
      J

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