Below is a short video of a Spoonbill at the Ouse Washes in Cambridgeshire. The bird was pretty distant and I had to use my cameras full zoom at 140x, hence the grainy, shaky footage, but the bird is obvious and you can see the strange way it feeds by moving its head from side to side.
I did take a few still photos, one at full zoom and one at 35x, not great, but you can see the bird.
Spoonbills used to breed in this country, until the 17th century, but were extinct as a breeding bird until the 1990's, when two young were raised in North-west England. Colonisation seems imminent, but they have not yet become established, although they are now a more regular sight, especially in the East of the country.
Hi John,
ReplyDeleteMost interesting and encouraging to know that the Spoonbills are becoming more of a regular sight. I'm wondering if they may come as far west as to my nearest observation area, "Tittesworth Reservoir".
Have a peaceful week, my friend.
Gary
Hi Gary,
DeleteThank you. Yes, it is a 'good news story'. I know that Spoonbills are seen in various places in the country, but I couldn't find anything saying that one has been seen at Tittesworth, the nearest to you (and I know it's not that near) is in Stafford itself, a place called Doxey Marshes. This has only been a one-off sighting a year or two ago though, I am afraid. You never know, as they become more common, they may come to Tittesworth. Keep those fingers crossed! :)
J
That is pretty good shooting Mr.!
ReplyDeleteNice find John and it starts off your autumn nicely.
Thanks Roy! Yes, the new camera isn't too bad at videoing and it is very easy to switch from one function to another. Hopefully, a start of bigger things to come! ;)
DeleteJ
Great piece of video and photos John! There was one at Draycote last year but I didn't know until the day after :-( They are lovely birds, I would love to see one!
ReplyDeleteLovely darter photos on the previous post too :-)
Thanks Jan,
DeleteThat's a shame that you missed the one at Draycote, but another one is bound to show up sooner or later! They are great birds to see, although they do have a knack of not doing an awful lot when you see them, I have been lucky in seeing them feed and fly as well. :)
J
Makes me wonder how they ever manage to catch any food with the speed they sweep the bill back and forth. I assume they are straining the water.
ReplyDeleteIt does look a strange way of feeding to me as well John! I think they strain the water, but they do just 'catch' food such as frogs and small fish, goodness knows how!
DeleteJ
Hi John. I have never seen film like that before.
ReplyDeleteI suppose you must be using a tripod; the shots are really quite clear.
But watching that Spoonbill feed is terrific!
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Hi Bazza,
DeleteThank you. I was actually resting the camera on the 'window' of the hide to make sure it was as stable as possible. Glad you enjoyed it!
J
Very interesting to see the video and the way the bird feeds, can't get that from a still. Thanks,
ReplyDeleteThanks Gillian,
DeleteYes, I suppose you wouldn't get that 'sweeping' motion from a still. Glad you liked it!
J