Blog Content — Gavin Vella

Viewing entries tagged
Yellowhammer

Share

Local Spring Arrivals

Signs of spring are growing every day and today was no exception with Yellowhammer in full song back on territory and Curlew returning to some of their upland breeding grounds. Today marks the first day of the year for Upland Curlews (for me) and I've not heard of any other recordings in Gwent of such activity yet so think this may be the first record. I visited several favourite spots locally today and all of which were upland / moorland. Each day I grow to love our uplands more and more as I realise just how important the habitat is for the majority of our wildlife. I went out with an open mind today prepared to take whatever was presented to me and I was pleasantly surprised to find Yellowhammer back on territory singing their hearts out. Spring has already started for some birds. My local Long-tailed Tits are already starting to build their nest from spiders webs, lichens and feathers. 

I've spoken about the Yellowhammer Dialects project before so I won't go into too much detail but if you're interested in sound recording and have any records, even phone recordings, of a Yellowhammer, please contribute to this incredible project - http://www.yellowhammers.net/

I'm the only one that has submitted recordings in South Wales so records here a looking thin despite our abundance of Yellowhammers. It is important to record birdsong for this very reason so please have a look at their website as Pavel is doing a great Job. 

It was my brother that spotted this Curlew flying in from Llandegfedd direction and immediately after he saw it the bird gave off that iconic call giving its identity away. It later on landed in a cultivated field and later flew further north. 

Share

Share

Yellowhammer & Sound Recording

I miss spring! I shouldn't wish it upon us so soon into winter because it comes around so fast and before you know it, you have to wait an entire year again but, really, I cannot wait till spring 2016. I have so much planned! My sound recording is going to pick up massively in spring with new recording gear and with it, hopefully some interesting projects as a result. Recording bird song presents very different challenges to photography. Yes, getting close does help, just like photography but there are other factors that get in the way, like background noise! With photography, you need a clear background visually and with sound recording you need a clear background audibly. To rule out traffic, wind, rain, people, farm animals, planes, helicopters and other forms of human related noises is very very difficult in this day and age. It's safe to say that sound recording is becoming harder and harder every day which is why it's becoming less popular. Despite all those challenges, when you get it right, you get rewarded in such a way that is unforgeable. Just like photography, when you get it right, its an experience you'll never forget. 

Share

Share

Blaenavon

Sometimes, an opportunity can just present itself to you with no help, just complete luck. This is certainly one of those moments where 2 males happened to be fighting and while caught up in testosterone, they neglected to realise that I was right next to them. This scene below is that point where one of the males realised that he was right next to a human... That look on his face was brilliant lol. 

Another Recording of a different Yellowhammer in a similar location to last time at Llanover, this time up the top of the mountain near the Blorenge.

If you follow this link - http://www.yellowhammers.net - you can learn more about the yellowhammer song

Share

Share

Blaenavon Ft Cuckoo, Yellowhammer, Tree Pipit and Minotaur Beetle

Despite it being cloudy for the majority of the trip, the wildlife showed really well! I didn't think I'd be taking full frame shots today but that is exactly what you need when the sun isn't out. It is Cuckoo mad up the Blorenge right now and boy, do the Pipits know about it! They actively attack any cuckoo without sight as they defend their nests which will likely already have eggs in, maybe even chicks in some. The Yellowhammer wasn't on the photography list today but you just have to lap up what is presented to you and this guy was singing like a trooper and feeding pretty close to the car so we didn't even have to move! Upon walking the valley, Tom Whinstone (photography friend) and I almost stepped on this large beetle which turned out to be a Minotaur Beetle. This beetle is our very own equivalent of a Dung Beetle and it does exactly the same as a dung beetle by rolling up balls of dung and dragging/pushing it down a hole which will end up being the home for their young and the next generation of Minotaur Beetles. They are absolutely fascinating beetles and well worth me making a fuss about them. 

Share

Share

Pied Flycatchers... Have the chicks returned!?!

Well, if you've skipped to the photos already, you would have already seen the female Pied Flycatcher that has returned to the same spot! This bird was rung as a chick last year! So it has made it all the way to Africa and back! I cannot contain my excitement having filmed these very chicks being rung last year. What amazing birds! And, it even has a Male by the looks already ;). I sense this year is going to be another great succesfull year for the Pieds but, the weather really is going to detirmined their success. 

The rest of the day was stollen by a male Yellowhammer that kept me and 2 of my photography friends occupied for longer than we care to admit. Finally got that photo I've been after with the yellow background from the gorse bushes. 

Share