Anyway, yesterday afternoon I heard that 2 Bearded Tits had been seen in Hyde Park. Although it was reported that they were coming very close, I wasn't confident they'd be photographable, and so decided instead to spend the afternoon in South Ealing watching the Waxwings. The views of these were very good, and I was also treated to good views of a male Blackcap. I got there a bit late though, as the sun was already behind the houses by the time the Waxwings came down onto the berry tree.
Having seen that the Bearded Tits were still present at dusk on Friday, I thought I would make the trip early this morning. After a 7.10am start, I found myself walking up and down a small reedbed no more than 2x40m trying to locate the birds. I did this five or six times with no success, and then another birder turned up. We tried again, and he spotted them immediately, feeding on the reed heads. The light was dire, with shutter speeds of only 1/30th at ISO 800 so I couldn't take any shots until at least an hour later. I stayed until 11.30 and was treated to superb views of these normally elusive reedbed specialists. They were close, but it wasn't just that; they were never out of view for more than about a minute before they'd clamber back up the reeds in full view of the path. Hundreds of people passed by and birds couldn't have been less bothered.
Thanks for reading
Incredible! Mine turned out a bit 'noisy'!
ReplyDeleteThanks Gideon! Yeah mine did too, it was quite dark there. I'm going back tomorrow morning though as forecast is for sun!
DeleteTricky little devils aren't they!? You've managed some real beauties there though, Oscar!
ReplyDeleteCheers Simon! Yeah they are, just as you think they're getting high enough the reed stem folds under their weight. Having said that, you'd be hard pressed to find some more confiding Beardies than these. If only you lived closer haha!
DeleteGreat opportunity, Oscar.. glad you got to see them.. lovely birds!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tricia, yeah they are!
DeleteSuper shots, Oscar! Great start to the year!
ReplyDeleteThanks Rosie, I finally caught up with the Smew at wwt london as well on sunday, so that was good as well!
DeleteHyde Park sounds like a fantastic place - I'll have to see about a visit.
ReplyDeleteA lovely set, Oscar. My favourite is the last one.
Hi Christian.
ReplyDeleteThanks very much. Yeah it is good for common wildfowl and gull photography. These Bearded Tits are certainly not common there, and in fact have never been seen in central London before. The park's good for other stuff too, like the Tawny Owls, as well as woodpeckers, starlings etc. Getting close isn't so much of a problem there!