Due to a foot reconstruction operation and delays in the return of my Nikon 500mm F4 lens from service and repairs I have been out of action for most of the last three months.
Time has healed my foot well during this three months recovery and my 500mm lens was returned safely yesterday so I was keen to get back into action today to check that all was well with the lens.
With high winds and rain I headed for the protection of Stithians reservoir southern cut-off hide where I thought the well stocked feeding station should still be able to provide a good selection of local birds to work on in the rough conditions
First up in poor light came a regular bold female Great Spotted Woodpecker that went onto the peanut feeders without any hesitation while providing me with some good perched shots both on route and before leaving,
The more timid but very photogenic local male woodpecker was next on the scene but he was far more cautious in his approach which tended to provide good off feeder opportunities before he grabbed a few nuts and departed.
A pair of raiding Jay were frequent visitors throughout the morning and they were very quick to clear up the spillage from under all of the feeders.
Other birds included a dozen Magpie that came in on regular raids. A close busy Little Grebe that never stopped fishing, A hungry juvenile Wood Pigeon, A fine male Bullfinch and finally a gang of feeder raiding Long Tailed Tits
And ' The one that got away ' was a recently rare sight of a Water Rail that never quite came out of cover far enough to gain a good portrait image but all said it was good to be back behind a well serviced lens once again !!
