I will be showing some of my paintings at the Bilborough Art Festival from 30th June - 7th July. At the Bilborough Community centre (next to the Library). Open from 12 - 5pm.

Raven. Wollaton. Grey, cold day. As I stopped to search for a Mistle Thrush singing high up in a specimen Redwood tree I heard the deep cronk cronk of a Raven coming from the top of the tree. It saw me first and flew further away to perch in the tops of tall Beeches near the entrance. It was instantly set upon by a crowd of Jackdaws who were determined to drive it away. They swooped at the large bird causing it to open and lift its murderous beak vertically. The attention of the increasingly irate jacks proved too much and it flew to the sanctuary followed by the rowdy mob. Later, I located it again in the company of Carrion Crows who seemed less bothered by its presence.

Shovellers and Common Gull on Wollaton Lake. The gull posed beautifully on the end of a fallen Birch trunk.

Waterfowl resting and preening at the shallow edge of the lake.

Water Rail. Wollaton lake. Heard squeals and grunts from an area of reeds at dusk. Waited a while and eventually saw one run across an open patch. It stopped, stood upright and gave a loud squeal before tiptoeing back into the reeds. I heard two birds.

Heron. Kedleston park lake. Fishing among thick blankets of algae.

A study from a dead Swallow which had flown into a window of a barn. Kedleston Park.

Gatekeepers nectaring on Oregano in my backgarden. These are by far the commonest butterflies in the garden at the moment. Also: Peacocks, Large White, Comma, Small Tortoiseshell, Speckled Wood, Meadow Brown.

Ring Ouzels. Branshill, Clifton. Distant views of a pair feeding as they moved steadily up the side of the hill. Also seen were a pair of Wheatears, Linnets and Red-legged Partridge. Thanks to Rob Hoare (Clifton Grove Birds.com) for the tip off. Walking back along the track I was surprised to see two female Blackbirds fighting. At one point they were locked together on the ground, only separating as I approached, one bird had a beakful of the others feathers!

More studies of the Male Ring Ouzel.

Shovellers. Wollaton lake island. A pair of Shovellers resting on submerged branches by the island. At sunset both birds stirred, preened then flew off over the lake. No other Shovellers seen today.

Jay at dusk. Wollaton. Fine, sunny day with a nip in the air and mist at dusk. This Jay watching me from the side of the path by the lake.

Heron. Wollaton. The Heronry on the island caught my attention this evening as a nest with 3 well grown chicks could be seen and heard from the bank of the lake. An adult stood guard over the chicks until its partner arrived which caused much activity in the nest as the chicks begged for food, emitting a strange clacking noise and jostling for the best position. I watched the parent regurgitate some food. After this the adult re-arranged some twigs around the nest and settled to brood the young. The temperature began to drop rapidly as the sun set. A cold wind blew across the lake.

Red Deer in various stages of shedding their antlers.

Stock Dove. Wollaton park. Inspecting a promising looking nest-hole in the top of a Sweet Chestnut.

Fallow Deer sitting in the sun. Beautiful day with Brimstone Butterflies seen in the wooded parts of the park. 

Wollaton scene with Red Deer.
The peace before the imminent arrival of the masses, their dogs and litter.

Tufted ducks. Wollaton. Got to the park early to try and see Lesser-spotted Woodpecker. I managed to see both Green and Great-spotted but the small one evaded me (I heard it call twice). The park was covered in hoar frost and looked magical in the clear light. I couldn't resist these Tufted ducks resting near the edge in almost perfect calm conditions.

Fallow deer. Went back to the park at dusk. The Fallow buck was patrolling around the herd keeping up a continuous grunting sound. I imitated this sound and he immediately looked up. Then he began rounding up the does and led them away from the intruding sound.

Kestrel. Wollaton. Got to the park for the last hour before the gates are locked. Spotted the Kestrel sitting in an Oak, watching the ground intently. It stayed for some minutes before moving on. Freezing dusk.

Treecreeper. Wollaton. Spotted a Treecreeper climbing an Alder trunk by the lake. It remained still for a few minutes (unusual for this species!) then was chivvied off by another, more boldly marked bird (male and female?) This bird remained still for a good few minutes allowing me to make sense of its feather pattern.

Kestrel. Wollaton. Sat for some time in one of the large trees bordering the park until a Magpie flew in and drove it away.

Red and Fallow Deer. Wollaton. The deer gathered around the feeding area at dusk with the ever present crows and Jackdaws. Ran out of light and time before I could put the colour washes on.

Pintail. Collingham. Strong winds meant I had to use the car as shelter as I painted these bobbing in the waves.

A selection of waterfowl on Mons Pool, Besthorpe NWT. Lots of waterfowl here including Mallard, Wigeon, Teal, Pintail, Goldeneye, Tufted Ducks, Gadwall, Shelduck, Coot and Grebe. Gusty strong westerly winds.

Hawfinch. Cromford. Better views this morning as 3 birds moved around the trees at the back. The bird depicted is a female. Sunny morning but freezing in the shade!

The male had a bluer beak that shone like gunmetal in the sun. He was also more richly coloured.

Hen Harrier. Near Hartington, Staffordshire. While watching Hawfinches I got a tip off about a local Hen Harrier roost. Arrived at what seemed like wild, desolate moorland in the middle of nowhere but after a while this beautiful adult male glided in. It quatered the area for some minutes before landing in the heather. Also seen were distant Ravens and two Short-eared Owls. Raw, cold wind and overcast in the afternoon. I aim to go back for more sketches.

Hawfinch. Rufford Park. Very early start to catch these elusive finches. Saw just one in the top of Lime trees before it flew off. Later, another bird was located by its 'tick-tick' call and seen briefly. Also heard were two Lesser-spotted Woodpeckers (calling and drumming). A Red Kite flew high overhead.

Kestrel. Wollaton. Saw this Kestrel fly up to a tree from the ground at dusk. Through the scope I could see it tearing at something (vole or mouse?) The Kestrel constantly changed position  as it devoured its prey. It seemed to relish every beakful and even nibbled scraps that were left stuck to the branch. It finished by cleaning its talons before taking off over the park. A numbing cold wind blew across the park and though I felt sad for the vole, I was glad the Kestrel had a good meal. Low light levels. Silhouetted.

Cleaning foot.

Herons. Wollaton. This nest halfway up an Alder on the island. Herons sometimes postured as other birds flew past. A cold shower interrupted the painting and when it passed the pair copulated on the nest. This copulation happened too quick for me to grab sketchbook!

Parrot Crossbill. Budby. A brief, distant view of a single female Parrot Crossbill sitting at the top of a small Oak bush. It called but no other Crossbills joined it.