Common Buzzard

Still a lot of bad weather lately, rain and wind. No real cold or snow. Luckily Northern Goshawk (Havik) and Common Buzzard (Buizerd) are still visiting the hide. It's always nice to make photos in the sun or snow but I was also happy this Buzzard came over on a dark cloudy day. Because of the dark weather I had to go high on ISO (1/250 sec , f/5, ISO 4000). I also made a short (low quality) video of the Buzzard eating.

New year - new visitors ?

What will bring 2015 to me ? Hopefully a lot of new species at the hide. But which hide ? Probably in a few months I will have to remove the hide from the forest because the area is being developped. Mayby I'll find a new spot in the same area, that's not sure yet. We'll see ... .
Now what's happening lately at the hide ? A short update. Both Northern Goshawk (Havik) and Common Buzzard (Buizerd) are regular visitors now, mainly visiting later on the day when it's getting dark. The Goshawk is staying short periods while eating, the Buzzard is eating most of the prey. Redwing (Koperwiek) is also coming over to drink every now and then, and for the first time a Bank vole (Rosse woelmuis) was seen, eating from the birdfood. The rest of the visitors are the 'normal species'.

 Northern Goshawk on prey

Redwing

Record shot of the Bank vole, more and better photos of the Bank vole on my website here

Who's the boss ?

Finally the roadkill is attracting some birds of prey. Both Northern Goshawk (Havik) and Common Buzzard (Buizerd) are coming over to eat. But who's the boss ? On the trailcam I could see the Goshawk arriving and starting to eat. After 1 or 2 minutes the Goshawk flew up, immediately followed by the Buzzard arriving. The Buzzard took it's time eating from the pigeon. When the Buzzard left a few minutes later the Goshawk arrived again. He was obviously making place for the Buzzard and waiting in the neighbourhood for the Buzzard to leave. It's clear the Buzzard is the boss ! You can 'see' the story on the trailcam photos.

Best wishes to you all for 2015 !! 
See you next year !

Goshawk arriving

Goshawk chased away by Buzzard

Buzzard arriving

Buzzard 'claiming' the prey

Eating Buzzard

Goshawk returning after Buzzard left

Finally winter !

Last weekend temperature dropped and we had some snow. Now weather is already changing with temperature above freezing point. Snow is already melting and with more positive daytime temperatures expected snow will be gone soon. Today I spend a short time in the hide. Outside it was 1°Celsius, inside 6°Celsius. The pool was frozen. It was very busy at the hide but no special or new visitors: 8 Great tit (Koolmees), 4 Blue tit (Pimpelmees), 7 Chaffinch (Vink), 2 Great spotted woodpecker (GB specht), 1 Blackbird (Merel), 4 Eurasian Jay (Gaai), 1 Robin (Roodborst) and 1 Wood pigeon (Houtduif). No 'great' species but nice to make some photos in the snow.
Earlier this month Redwing (Koperwiek) and 1 juvenile and 1 adult Goshawk (Havik) were also visiting. Goshawk first at the pool and lately eating roadkill prey. Hopefully the Red fox won't keep taking all my roadkill ... .

 Eurasian jay

 Chaffinch on the frozen pool

 Wood pigeon

 Great spotted woodpecker

 Blackbird

Blue tit

 adult Goshawk

juvenile Goshawk

Waiting for winter

I'm waiting for winter to come, hoping for real cold weather and snow. Last year we didn't have a winter at all. Hopefully this year it will be different.
It's still rather quiet at the hide. Nothing special visiting. I noticed only normal species when I spend 1 hour in the hide a week ago: Blackbird (Merel), Robin (Roodborst), 6 x Great tit (Koolmees), 2 x Blue tit (Pimpelmees), 2 x male Chaffinch (Vink) and a female + male Great spotted woodpecker (GB specht).
At the moment the roadkill, to attract birds of prey, is being taken by a Red fox (Vos).

 Great tit

male Chaffinch

Nature never ceases to amaze me

A few days I go I was walking to the hide to check the trailcam and to refill the feeders. I was in a hurry and not really paying attention. When I approached a kind of small dry canal I had to cross I suddenly noticed a Roe deer (Ree) lying on the ground, only 3 meters away. The deer was very calm and chewing it's food. I was very surprised the deer didn't run away since I was standing in the open. Mayby it was sick or hurt ? I took an old small camera out of the inner pocket of my jacket (I use this camera to see the results of the trailcam) and took a photo. Then, suddenly, a few seconds later the deer jumped up and ran off. It was obvious that the deer was not sick or injured but only thinking it was 'camouflaged' and that I couldn't see him. All together it took only 20 or 30 seconds but seeing the deer so close was really a beautiful experience.

 Roe deer

Autumn visitors

I didn't spend time in the hide so the only known visitors are those recorded by the trailcam.
A few days ago for the first time at least 3 Redwings (Koperwiek) were drinking at the hide. Two different Goshawks (Havik) are still visiting: one juvenile and one adult. Every now and then Sparrowhawk (Sperwer) and Tawny Owl (Bosuil) at night are also coming over. Other 'normal' species registered are Blackbird (Merel), Great Tit (Koolmees), Blue Tit (Pimpelmees), Chaffinch (Vink), European Robin (Roodborstje) and Eurasian Jay (Gaai).

 Redwings

juvenile Goshawk

adult Goshawk