Three firsts

 House sparrow 1st one seen in my garden since I moved in 12 months ago.

 Again, Bullfinch 1st in my garden. Poor shot taken through my bedroom window.

Again, 1st nuthatch to visit.

Peregrine catch-up

 On the way home the other evening I spotted this peregrine sitting in a tree quite close to where I live. I then thought I would pay them a visit to see if they were OK.

 This evening as the sun was shining I paid them a call and sure enough there they were enjoying the evening sun.

The male seemed to be looking straight at me but as I was shooting from inside the car at a range of over 200m he probably had his eye on something else.

The female was occupied on doing a bit of manicuring as females do.
I just wish it were possible to get closer.

Common snipe

 I'm always on about the lack of something to photograph. After a morning trip to the hospital for Jacque I took the opportunity to take my afternoon walk. I took a little rest by the pond when out of the blue this little head popped up. A common snipe.

 Shortly another appeared and I had a pair of common snipe. I tried for a long time to get the pair in the same shot but no such luck.

I waited but they never came together. All of a sudden they both took flight. Putting my camera down I saw the reason why the local peregrine had appeared on scene. Too quick for my long lens and all was gone.
Snipe are difficult to photograph because they tend to hide in the reeds and long grass and the light was not up to much.

My afternoon walk

Whenever I get the opportunity to go for an afternoon walk this little fellow seems to turn up to greet me. He sits within about a metre of me and watches everything that I do. Sometimes he will follow for a short distance.

 I was watching this flock of widgeon when suddenly they took to the air in a panic. I took several shots and only when I put my camera down did I realize a peregrine falcon was the cause of their sudden flight, and I had missed it.

As a small reward I spotted this kestrel. Taking a few shots straight into the setting sun the images were poor but with a little help from photoshop I was able to retrieve something.

Things looking up

 After having a dismal few months struggling to find some wildlife to photograph I decided that over the Christmas period I would visit Pulborough Brooks. Unfortunately so did half of Sussex had the same idea so it was postponed until today. I wasn't disappointed, it was quiet but what I did see I was able to get some good shots without to much hassle.

 There were several lapwings around and being so quiet they were coming quite close to the hide.

A small flock of long tailed tits entertained me as I sat in the comfort of the hide. These were a  first for me his year, I know that is hard to believe.

This was my best shot of the day, I am not sure but I think it is a stonechat. If you know better please correct me if I am wrong.

Watchful robin

 Do you ever get the feeling that you are being watched. Every time I go for a walk and sit on my favourite seat this little fellow appears and just stares at me.

 If I move a bit further away he follows and finds another perch and sits and watches.

I think my camera lens must have some sort of  hypnotic attraction because when I point the camera in his direction he seems to lock on to it.

This has been happening every day for the past week.