Winter thrushes suffering

Fieldfare(left)and Redwing puffed up in snow- watercolour in sketchbook

I sketched a Fieldfare and a Redwing today, both of whom seemed to be in trouble. Today the Redwings were exceptionally tame, feeding on roadside verges. This Redwing was extremely puffed up. The Fielfare seemed to be in very bad shape indeed, not moving when others were feeding around it. Today the temperature has again not climbed above freezing, even the dusting of snow settled on branches yesterday evening is preserved unthawed.

Redwing in snow

Redwing in snow- watercolour in sketchbook

This study of a Redwing was completed this afternoon. It is now snowing hard again after a couple of hours of freezing rain. The snow is settling readily on top of that which remains from a fall of five inches or so last Sunday. The Redwings continue to feed in the field of sheep along with a few Fieldfares and a flock of two hundred or so Starlings.

Woodcock in snow

Woodcock in snow- watercolour in sketchbook

The recent snow and very cold temperatures have forced Woodcock out into the open again. I saw three yesterday in exactly the same area I saw them in December 2010. Although of course this means the Woodcock are pushed to find enough food to survive, for me it means another rare opportunity to see this elusive woodland wader out in the open. Redwings are becoming very tame. They feed amongst sheep in the field near our house, taking advantage of the areas of snow cleared by sheep finding grass to eat. This morning these normally shy thrushes were feeding within twenty feet of where I stood.

Slimbridge Festival of Birds- 4th/5th February

Waxwings in birch- watercolour

Long- tailed Tit- watercolour

I will be at Slimbridge WWT this weekend selling original watercolours(including the two above) and cards at the Festival of Birds. There is lots happening around the reserve and early February is a brilliant time to visit with masses of wildfowl on the reserve and presently excellent views of Bittern from the Zeiss hide. This is the reson I am heading down very early on Friday morning, a full day of sketching at this exciting reserve before setting up my stand late in the afternoon! For latest sightings at Slimbridge click here.

Birdwatching walk at Crayke- 11th February

We will assemble at the Dutch House cafe at 8am for cooked breakfast and coffee, where I will give a brief talk about local bird life. At 9.15am we we walk around the village of Crayke on the farmland of the Crayke estate. The Crayke estate has farmland rich in birdlife and we hope to see a good variety of species. As well as looking we shall be listening to bird songs and calls. To book a place please contact the Dutch House.

Lapwing, watercolour- a bird we hope to see on the Dutch House walk.

Snowy moor and raptors

The moor had a nice dusting of snow, so good to feel snow under foot again and walk in icy puddles. A biting wind as I walked under leaden skies. The only birds seen on the top of the moors were, perhaps surprisingly Bullfinches. A flock of about ten were feeding on heather seeds. Lower down I had superb views of a Hen Harrier hunting. It scattered Lapwing, Golden Plovers, Fieldfares and Woodpigeons in its path. It flew right over me only about twenty five feet above, staring me in the face with its owl like eyes as it passed. Shortly afterwards luck stayed with me and I had good views of a Goshawk, it too stirring the flocks in the fields. Once it has passed the lapwings settled close to me, resuming their feeding in the ploughed field and giving me great views.

Male Bullfinch amongst dock- watercolour

Tawny surprise

Found this gorgeous Tawny Owl today on a fence bar in a sunlit hedge. It was obviously soaking up some winter sunshine on this cold day. The temperature was about 1 c when I sketched from a range of about twenty feet. Lovely warm brown feathers were accentuated by the low winter sun. Finding a Tawny Owl in daylight can be difficult and this was undoubtedly my best ever daylight view of this common but beautiful owl.

Tawny Owl- watercolour in sketchbook

“Sketch Harome with Jonathan Pomroy” at The Pheasant Hotel, Harome- 29th March from 10am

I will be leading a sketching course at The Pheasant Hotel Harome, North Yorkshire. We will use the lovely village of Harome for inspiration. The emphasis of the day will be upon enjoying sketching the village, in particular the area by the pond where ducks, trees, water and of course sky can all be tackled. You will need basic watercolour brushes and paints, pencils, a water pot and a good quality cartridge or watercolour sketchpad. A folding chair might also be useful and clothing to suit plein air sketching! The cost which includes coffee and lunch will be £45. For more information or booking please contact the Pheasant Hotel on 01439 771241.

More Crossbills

Double wing barred Common Crossbill- watercolour in sketchbook

A return to the moor to sketch Crossbills was fruitfull after a long walk. I eventually found the flock about a mile from where it was yesterday and as I set up my scope to sketch and photograph them the sleety rain fell! But I did relocate the wing barred bird and I am now almost convinced that this is an unusual variation in Common Crossbill plumage. I have also included some photographs taken yesterday of male Crossbills. These were taken using a Canon Powershot S95 hand held to the lens of a Swarovski HD 65 scope.

Crossbills

Crossbill with double wing bars- watercolour in sketchbook

Went to the moor today to sketch the Crossbills. It was very cold in the brisk north westerly wind but the winter sunshine was very bright. A flock of about 40 crossbills gave stunning views down to about twenty feet. The males very beautiful in bright breeding plumage. I have attempted to do justice to this in the sketch. The bright orange red against a crisp blue winter sky is a sight etched on my mind. With them were greenish coloured females who are bright in their own right with vivid bronze yellow rumps. All the while the males were singing quietly. Then suddenly I noticed a female with two wing bars. Could this be a rare Two- barred Crossbill? A very exciting record if confirmed, but if not, what a glorious couple of hours to spend with these charismatic finches.

Male Crossbill- watercolour in sketchbook