Brown Hares & Chinese Water Deer 15th February 2014

 Wind was blowing a gale but decided to visit and area of the A5 in Bedfordshire where I knew it was likely to see at least the Chinese Water Deer that had escaped from Woburn Deer Park some years ago and now lived feral in the surrounding arable fields. A opportune stop in a concrete access to one of these arable fields to have lunch gave me an instant viewing of two Brown Hares only about 50 metres away. hunched down  sheltering from the wind. All the photo's were taken from my car.

 Having a good scratch

The Chinese Water Deer are easy to spot in the arable fields during the winter period. Note the male in the foreground with the long incisors. 

Kestrel, Barton Hills NNR, 28th December 2013

 Walked from my home in Luton to Barton Hills and took my new camera along hoping for some possible shots of Red Kite that frequent the area. Did see one briefly but it soon disappeared in the wooded area. However was soon entertained by this female kestrel hunting across the hillside on top of which I was sat giving good photo opportunities. 

Water Vole, Leagrave Common, Luton. 31st October 2013

 The River Lea in Luton still has populations of water vole including the source of the Lea at Leagrave Common. Carried out a quick check while walking along the bank and found latrines and feeding stations confirming the water voles continued presence.

Did not see any water voles on this visit but have added this water vole photo I took in 2010

Fallow Deer Rut, Ashridge 17th October 2013

Ashridge is a great place to watch the fallow deer rut, especially if you know where to watch from. On this occassion watched two bucks clash together with antlers locked, releasing, some times strutting along side each other before clashing again. Finally after about 15 mins one of the bucks conceded and moved quickly away.

Despite the sunshine, the light conditions and distance of the deer was not great for my camera and wish I could have captured more of the rut in action but hope to improve in future visits.

 On returning to my car noticed some bucks together not embroiled in the rut. This buck was  aware of my presence but was in no hurry to move away but eventually moved of the track into the woodland.

Followed shortly after by these two bucks following one after the other before joining the former.