Tuesday, 4 March 2008

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...

Friday, 22 February 2008

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...




Friday, 15 February 2008

Raptors; Angarn; 15th Febuary 2008

Rough Legged Buzzard

Goshawk

White Tailed Eagle


Raptors becoming rather active as the breeding season approaches and Angarn is a great site for them. A perched White Tailed Eagle sat for me, a huge bird even at 750 metres. Goshawk female perched on the fence posts gave great oppurtunity also as did Rough legged Buzzard, one of two bird that have wintered at the site and should be moving away to the north soon...

Tuesday, 5 February 2008

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker; Bogs Gård; 5th January 2008

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male)

Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male)


Lesser Spotted Woodpecker (male)

Went out in search of the Three Toed Woodpecker again today with a view to photographing it and eneded up walking miles without a sighting. Eventually did come across this male Lesser Spotted Woodpecker feeding in a damp, waterlogged area on fallen branches. The bird was showing really well, atypical of the species, so I took the oppurtunity to sketch it in pencil. Immediatly upon getting home I added the black ink in the form of fine ballpoint biro...

Saturday, 2 February 2008

Three Toed Woodpecker; Hansta; 29th January 2008

Three Toed Woodpecker (male)

Three Toed Woodpecker (male)

Three Toed Woodpecker (male)

This bird was reported three weeks ago and I spent a lot of hours searching for it, without a sighting. Happily it returned to an area called Hansta in Norra Järvafältet this week and I was able to finally connect, a superb bird in every way which gave great views as it fed and even rested for a few minutes. Only the third time I have seen the species and by far the best views I have enjoyed. Hope to get back with the camera if it stays around and obliges me with a few photo's.

Stockholm Strom; Goosanders; 16th January 2008

Goosander (female)

Goosander (female)

Goosander (female)

Goosander (female)

Goosander (male)


When there is nothing else about in Stockholm there are always the Goosanders to fall back on, which I frequently do! Always find myself drawn to the females somehow, really are lovely birds. Very productive day for the sketchbook, sometimes a lack of rarer bird to chase can be a good thing. (but then again...)

Bogs Gård; 9th January 2008

Coal Tit

Coal Tit

Bullfinch (female)

Mistle Thrush

Mistle Thrush

Out looking for a male Three toed Woodpecker without joy. Also forgot my pencil but luckily had this felt tipped number in a pocket, not sure where it came from, but it came in handy. I rather enjoyed using it really!!