Bull Island; 22nd-23rd November

Little Egret, Wigeon and Shovelers.

Black-tailed Godwits

Black-tailed Godwits

Shovelers

Wigeon and Teal

Brent Geese



Long weekend in Dublin saw a return to Bull Island, a special place for me as it is where I grew up birding as a young kid. Still love to get back there as it is full of birds, most of which are accustomed to people passing and allow great views as a result. Birds number in hundreds and thousands here which is great when sketching, a never ending supply of subjects....

Great Grey Shrike

Tree Sparrow

Great Grey Shrike

October upon us already and late passage Great Grey Shrike are now a feature here in Stockholm. Tree Sparrows are resident to a degree though many join the summer migrants and move south to a degree. Sketches posted above...

Spain;September 2008

Black Redstart

Blackcap

Stonechat

Serin

Cory's Shearwater


A selection of some of the sketches made whilst on holiday in NW Spain tthis past week, all from Illa de Ons and Illa de Cies, two islands off the coast of Pontevedra. More photos on the sister blog, Blogbirder...

Highlights; 7th September 2008

Bluethroat (female)

Broad Billed Sandpiper/Dunlin (First calender year birds)

Arctic Skua (First calender year)

Highlights from the past week or so included a stunning juv. Broad Billed Sandpiper, my first in 20 years or so! Striking little wader with a very distinctive kinked bill and boldly marked plumage, hopefully will not have to wait so long for my next one. Also here is a juv. Arctic Skua, a big surprise on Vaxholm where I fish quite often, only had binoculars with me, would of had stunning views had I had a telescope with me.

Bluethroats are always a feature here in September, alway stop me too, wonderful birds, Perhaps the best sketch of the week of this species posted here too...

Great Crested Grebes, Tanto; 11th July 2008

Sketches of Great Crested Grebes from today in Tanto, a park in Stockholm City on the water. Great birds to sketch, a never ending variety of shapes as thes birds constantly change posture. I find the resting birds particularily interesting as they fold their necks back, the plumes provide a great challenge to draw as they constantly change shape acording to the angle viewed.

Tantolunden; 7th July 2008

Great Crested Grebe

Starling

Redwing Fledgling

Out with the watercolurs today and made myself get out and use them in the field. Managed to muddy the palate somewhat after adding too much water, but still managed to get some interesting reults. Fledgling Redwing was a bit of a suprise as the species is not a common breeder as far as I know within city limits. Great Crested Grebe and Starling are much more abundant and make ready subjects....

Tyresö Strand; 30th June 2008

Little Ringed Plover

Little Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover Chick

Black-throated Diver Pair

Willow Warbler



Not been out enough of late, so a chance to sketch Little Ringed Plover was really nice today. An adorable looking Ringed Plover chick made a super still subject, whilst a pair of Black-throated Diver passed along the Strand later in the afternoon. A Willow Warbler also drawn over the day. Planning on getting a lot more work done over the coming months, with some canvases already formed in my mind I will be rather busy...

Angarn; 28th April 2008

Slavonian Grebes

Detail

Detail

Detail

Male Ruff


Sketches done at Angarn yesterday, mostly Slavonian Grebes. Male ruff in summer plumage also here. Black and white certainly does not do these justice and will work these into colour work in the near future...

Hawfinches; Tantolunden, 11th april 2008

An active species right now, have been able to locate two pairs of Hawfinch in nesting habitat within five minutes of the apartment. No leaves on the trees yet, so decided to take advantage of some lovely weather and nipped down today with the scope and the sketchbook. The birds did not dissapoint and I enjoyed my best ever views of the species over 90 minutes or so, really enjoying it in the process. Best of the pencil sketches above....

Ural owl Watercolour; 31st March 2008

Ural Owl Watercolour; 24x16 inches.

30 M Kärret, 5th March 2008

Green Woodpecker

White Tailed Eagles

Twite

The latest fieldsketches. Migrating White Tailed Eagles are a feature now and pass over in small numbers as they relocate to their breeding territories, whilst the non breeders move north as the ice retreats. These were two of several seen. The species is doing really well here in Stockholm and several birds can occasionally be seen at the right sites at the correct time of year, individuals are regularily seen in the city, often high over the waterfront, a really spectacular sight.

The Twite have been in the area for some time, but are hard to find at times as they feed rather quietly over a large area. This small finch is found over much of northern europe, foften moving to the coast in winter to escape the more severe weather. A close relative of the Linnet, they can be picked out by their yellow bill, buff throats and pinkish toned rumps among other features.

Green Woodpecker was nice, dont often get good views of these. Often a difficult bird to see, they are shy and retiring and tend to move around a lot over their extensive territories. The laughing call is a familiar sound in the broadleaved woodland around the city. This one froze against the tree when it became aware of my presence, before slipping away some minutes later, a lovely male bird...

Three Toed Woodpecker

Three Toed Woodpecker, Finished Piece.

Three Toed Woodpecker Collage. A rather time consuming process, started on this around the 21st Febuary. Acrylic paint over newspaper on a background of collage made from an old skiing magazine. A1 Sized Card...