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ZEISS DTI thermal imaging cameras. For more discoveries at night, and during the day.

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  1. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Spotted a marsh harrier today, flying west towards Hopwood. Something to perhaps look out for around Bittell tomorrow.
  2. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    A few images of the great northern diver from this afternoon. It likes to fish near the dam so alongside the public footpath.
  3. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    I don't think the shrike has been seen for a couple of days now. I couldn't see it when I went down just after 1pm. I did think when I saw it on Tuesday that it was flying around more than usual, and wondered if it was about to leave. Harder to see across there now anyway, as there's a heat...
  4. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Was hunting in the middle of the field when I spent my lunch hour down there. Was back on the big oak when I left though. 3 swallows over, and a buzzard further up near the Westmead doing a very good impersonation of a kite - made me look twice as I drove past.
  5. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Osprey reported at Bittell this morning - caught a fish on Upper and flew off with it. No sign when I went to look around the area, though "needle in a haystack" sprung to mind... The shrike strayed quite close to the road briefly though. Saw it chase and catch a bee, and also eat a...
  6. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Nice pics Keith :t: About time you had a closer encounter, after all your visits.
  7. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Watched the shrike for a few hours today with some good company which was just as well, as it stayed along its usual area at the back of the first field. Was quite amusing when a dog walker strolled along the fence right below the shrike, looking all around (presumably for the shrike) and failed...
  8. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Popped down this morning when the clouds broke, and helped a group of birders locate it. They'd parked at the lower layby - an easy mistake. The shrike was sat beside the oak, on the hawthorns initially, before a sprawk went through. It then relocated a bit closer before flying over our heads...
  9. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Keith, Vern said he'd spotted a group going into the fields, but they must have hidden themselves well, as I couldn't see them throughout the time I was there. The problem with going over there is that while you can get closer, the light is almost always against you, and if you position...
  10. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Popped down this morning and had a bit more joy with it. As before, it commuted between the oaks at the back, up and down the main field, and over the stream into the lower plantation. Came reasonably close at the very top of the hill, and also much closer still in the lower field, but the light...
  11. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Keith, have a look at Jim Almond's (Shropshire Birder) blog. He's been twice to see the shrike and managed to get it close and in great light. Not to mention his shots of the ibis and the 2 barred... Best shots of the shrike that I've seen so far.
  12. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Don't mention the ibis. Went to Brownhills earlier, and some hooligan horses had spooked it out of the paddock. Flew off, not to be seen again (at least when Dave H and I were there). Mind you, had clouded over by then, so wouldn't have bagged that money shot anyway. ;o) Shrike was still...
  13. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Must be getting bored of that field ;o) Nice pics Keith.
  14. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Spent a few hours there this afternoon, from midday until Keith arrived to take over the shift. Today it favoured the top of the hill, in the main field, but better views could be had from the top of the road near the bus stop. Also, twice today, it flew over the road towards the houses, and...
  15. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    I saw the shrike this morning just before midday. Was on the far side of the field. Vanished later after about 1:30pm, but so many places for it to be sat and invisible from the road. No sign of the bramblings on the Lickeys. Typical, when there was a bit of light to photo them. The other...
  16. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Keith - Phil uses a camcorder through his scope, I think. Gets decent results, as you can see. But there won't be any EXIF info for you from that setup. :)
  17. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    The issue here is who deems what is best for the subject? I know that shrikes can't be walked up to; not many birds can be. However I have stood patiently, quietly and still, with several birders and togs alike, and had a gg shrike fly over to us, and feed barely 30 yards in front of us. But...
  18. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    I saw you parked up Keith, as I went by for the 4th time. Christmas trips. I popped up before you, at about 2:45pm, and it was perched in one of the taller trees at the back, before swooping down to the lower plantation again, where I lost sight of it. Nice to see a kestrel hunting the same...
  19. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Some of us togs have enough to carry, without a scope too. I have bins, though my lens has greater reach. People on the road might not need a scope to view the bird, if they disguised their form using the hedge or trees along there, stayed as still and quiet as possible. Hardly anyone there...
  20. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    It hadn't seen you approaching; if it had, it wouldn't have flown towards you, and then off over your head. Plenty of rodents in the fields. Kept hearing them squeak or scuttle past where I was standing. They might have drowned since then though! What a grim day. Good spot of the redpoll etc...
  21. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Keith, the deer heard the car doors being shut and then legged it. I know the 7D shutter isn't the most quiet, but still... I'm sure I'll be criticised for going round and into the fields, but I found somewhere to hide myself against a few tall bushes, and waited for nigh on 2 hours, watching...
  22. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Did you get any shots of the pochard, Keith?
  23. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    Popped over to Bittell on Sunday and found the smew on Shrub Mill Pool, albeit briefly. Never came close enough for anything other than a record shot, and soon returned to the far end of the other pool when, perhaps like me, it got fed up of the amount of traffic on that road. Record shot below.
  24. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    C - yes, mine. :-( Whenever I've spoken to the manager (guy who walks the big alsatian dog) he's stressed not to say anything as they seem to live in fear of anyone straying into the boating club area. Annoys me as it's local to me, and would provide some great photo opportunities, if access...
  25. Duck_Pond

    Bittell Reservoirs and Hopwood area

    The only permit holder I know of is Stuart, for Bittell, so it makes me wonder how many of the "water level" shots I have seen aired by folk (on Bird Guides for example), have been from them trespassing. I took mine from the road, as has been said, it was probably closer to that location than...
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