Phil Manning Wildlife Photography

October 5, 2009	Only one thing to say about today - Cley Marshes!! Bearded Tits!! FANTASTIC!!
September 28, 2009	It's been a long time since updating this diary. I changed my gallery and I'm now using Zenfolio. If you like it and would like to use them for your own site, let me know and I can send you a code to get a discount. Birding in the summer is not great, not much around and Northamptonshire, specifically Summer Leys has been quite. Recently I have been starting to go to Pitsford Reservoir, seen a few good birds, Marsh Harriers and Kingfishers in the last couple of weeks. Today back to Brandon Marshes, weather not great but we (Ben, Doug and I) had a day list of 44. Just checked the last day list from Brandon, It was exactly one year ago today. We saw 31 last year, so a good step up. Highlight of the day was a Sparrowhawk that just floated past the front of the hide, but it was so close I couldn't get it!!
April 24, 2009	Spent the day at Fineshades Woods today. I took 8 Gig of Red Kite shots BEFORE I REALISED THAT I HADN'T SET THE CAMERA UP CORRECTLY. So, learn from mistake and set up correctly! I could have had some great shots, including this one: When I realised, I can honestly say that I felt sick! I knew that I had been really lucky to have a great 10 mins, one on one with this bird. He (or she) came to within 30ft of me, in great light!!!! What an idiot!!
February 27, 2009	I recently brought a DVD on wildlife photography. Whilst watching it, I saw one of the guys cover his lens to keep out the rain. But, if you look at on the web to buy one, they are about £40 for a 500mm Lens and that's a cheap one! So I thought I would just make one - well come up with the plan and get my wife to sew it cut the materials and sew it together. Make up for drinking too much last weekend. I brought a 2 Metre sq piece of splash proof camouflage material from ebay for £3.49 and some plastic covered material from Dunelm mill for £3.99. A little bit of Velcro, that was it - everything I needed for under £10. I think the cover cost me about £2. I have loads left over, so I'm thinking what to make next, although I'm not too sure Sara is?!? Here is my camera uncovered: Here it is covered: And the two bits that go together are below: The large one is for the lens and the smaller bit covers the camera. Anyway, very cheap - very easy to make - and totally waterproof! Thanks to Sara for her efforts.
February 22, 2009	At last the snow has gone and a day or two without football has given me the chance I needed to get out. That and the fact that my wife drunk too much wine at a friends on Saturday night!! Spent most of the day looking for Owls, managed to find a place that had two Short Eared Owls. Unfortunately the light wasn't great, but I still managed to grab a few shots. I was so pleased as I had only seen them once before and that was at some distance. A word on what to expect from a day out in poor light. I took a total of 148 shots in a couple of short bursts. Out of those I kept 9 and only put 4 in the gallery. I don't think that is too bad for poor lighting conditions. The only reason I mention it on this page is I remember when I started I got really concerned about the amount of "wasted shots". I think on an average day I'll keep about 20% at best. Roll on the end of the season and some decent weather. Think there is a good possibility I'm hooked!!
January 25, 2009	Thanks to a congested fixture list, not much photography over the last few weeks. But, made up for a little bit this weekend. Saturday in Norfolk and some of Sunday at Summer Leys. A few new species for me, Yellowhammer and Water Rail at Summer Leys. Knot and Pin Tail in Norfolk. Again, lucky with Barn owl sightings. The ones you will find in my Norfolk collections in the gallery were hunting until 10am and were about from 3pm each time. I have added a new gallery section to my site. This, I have seen on a few other photography sites and I like the way it looks. It is also a much quicker and easier way for me to upload my images. If you visit the new gallery, make sure you tap F11 on your keyboard. This gives you a much better view of the images. When you have finished viewing, just tap F11 again and your normal view will be restored. Select a thumbnail on the right and a large image will show. You can then either select thumbnails from the right or click on the arrow to scroll through all the images on that page. To get a bigger image, hold your mouse over the picture and then select "dim the lights" this will enlarge the image that you are viewing. The new gallery also allows you to leave feedback on a specific image. Your feedback is always welcome. Thanks for visiting.
January 2, 2009	HAPPY NEW YEAR Finally had chance to upload some shots from before Christmas. Another day in Norfolk, nice weather and a few close encounters with birds. Salthouse is a really great place to see birds at close quarters. Dunlin, Snow Bunting and Turnstone all within 12 feet! Had a chance to test my new 300mm lens, I'm happy with the quality of picture it produces. Hoping to get out again, now that Christmas and come and gone.
November 16, 2008	I haven't updated the site for a while. Weather hasn't helped. It was back to Cley today for a change from Summer Leys. The last few weekends at Summer Leys have not been too good, very quite, except for a Hen Harrier - that I missed!! Quite a lot at Cley and the weather wasn't too bad either. Morning was a bit cloudy but there were a number of breaks to let the sun through. Highlights for me were a quick trip to Salthouse, Snow Buntings at the pools and a Pink Footed Goose at Cley. Didn't get great shots of either, but I have added them to the gallery. Also happy with a Stonechat "picture" that I got. This is the shot on the front page of my site. I don't like it for the study of the bird, but I like the overall picture. I guess you get lucky some times. Oh, and brought a new lens as well - Canon 300mm USM L.
October 10, 2008	In the New Forest on holiday at the moment. To be honest, for birds its been disappointing. I have seen a few new species, but they have been at a distance and too far away to photo. Today I went to Bolderwood, it's beautiful! I saw 3 Hawfinch on the ground as I was driving through the woods. But as soon as i stopped the car, they flew off. Still, it was nice to see them. I went to Bolderwood as it said in one of my birding books it suggested that I would see Hawfinch, Goldcreast and Crossbills. So a little disappointed today. But we will go back again.
September 28, 2008	New Site Richard, Ben and I spent a day at Brandon Marshes, near Coventry. It's a nice small (ish) site with six hides overlooking several scrapes and streams. We went because we had seen Kingfisher shots on Bird Guides (www.birdguides.com) . I have only seen Kingfishers at a distance and have never been able to get a shot. During the day we saw 4 or 5. Interesting to watch them fish, they go up quite high over the water and hover for 2 or 3 seconds before diving. When they catch a fish they bang it on a branch to kill it before swallowing whole. We decided to record a day list of what we had seen and heard. Saw: Robin, Magpie, Mallard, Coot, Lapwing, Pochard, Shoveler, Cormorant, Kingfisher, Wigeon, Black Headed Gull, Great Tit, Crow, Snipe, Teal, Gadwall, Shelduck, Tuffted Duck, Redshank, Spotted Redshank, Black Tailed Godwit, Stock Dove, Moorhen, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Greenfinch, Grey Heron, Wood Pigeon, Long Tailed Tit, Starling, Buzzard. Heard: Water Rail, Cetti's Warbler, Wren, Green Woodpecker, Chiffchaff. Good day and we will certainly go back again.
August 31, 2008	Had a great day in Cley with Richard Bedford (www.richardbedford.co.uk) and Ben. I have been hoping to get Bearded Tits for a year. In fact for two weeks in June I looked for them and saw one for about half a second. But today, on our way to the first hide at Cley, there was the unmistakable "pinging" from everywhere. Then, a Marsh Harrier went up and spooked about 20-30 Bearded Tits. They flew right past Ben and I and dropped in to the reed beds. We watched and stalked them for about 20 mins and I am delighted with the results. It's a great feeling to get pictures that you are happy with, of a bird you really want to get.
August 25, 2008	After a couple of trips back to Cley (Norfolk) over the last few weekends. I had to spend one with my wife. With the addition of the football season starting, getting time to get out and take some photo's is becoming difficult. Rebuilt the Website to add the galleries to each page this weekend. So, hopefully next Sunday I will get the chance to go out for the day. Might need something to take my mind off of the football, if current form is anything to go by!
July 25, 2008	On holiday in Norfolk. Every day spent at Cley Marshes so far. Plenty of Marsh Harriers, adult and juveniles, at one point I counted 9 in the air at one time. Other highlights (no photos) 5 Spoonbill, 1 Bittern, 1 Short Eared Owl. There is also a White Rumped Sandpiper there, but I didn't see it. Today was the first day I managed to get anything like a good shot. I had problems with my camera, underexposing, even though the light was fantastic. The sky was so bright, anything that I got was dark. I met someone with the same equipment as Me and he showed me how to take the camera up or down up to 3 stops. So I have some experimenting to do over the next few days. 1,000+ pictures and only kept about 20! Saw two Kestrels fighting (see pic's on my Kestrel page) I don't like that side of nature. They were flying around and squawking a lot. Then, on was on the top of a tree and the other one flew straight at him. They both tumbled down the tree and disappeared for 30 mins or so. Then just one can back up. I could hear the other one calling for some time, but he stopped and I didn't see him again. I hope he just sneaked off to lick his wounds and nurse his pride.
July 6, 2008	Not been any entries for a while. It's very quite at Summer Leys at the moment. A few chicks around, until most were breakfast for something(s). Even a walk around RSPB at Sandy didn't reveal much. Added an immature Great Tit and new Common Tern pictures today. - Two weeks until Norfolk, so fingers crossed!
May 24, 2008	A visit to Sandy RSPB was good today. Two new species, Great Spotted Woodpecker and Nuthatch. I also saw a small brown bird that I hadn't seen before, but I'm not sure what it was, no chance at a picture as it stayed towards the back of a thick bush. Nice site to visit if you haven't been before with a nice shop.
May 11, 2008	Today was probably the best weather that I have experianced since I started with Bird photography. I noticed a big improvement in sharpness of the images, for the better. Spent all day in the Rotary Hide and there was quite a lot going on. Redshanks fighting, Common Terns returning to mates with Goldfish! They were also flying low and sipping water as they fly. To see a fantastic picture go to Richard Bedfords' website, it's on my links page or follow this link: http://www.richardbedford.co.uk/commontern(38).htm Great Crested Grebe pairs were mating and nesting, so hoping to see some chicks soon.
April 27, 2008	Seems a long time ago that I managed to get any shots. Mixture of football and weather the main causes. As the water levels have dropped on the main scrape a few more birds about. Managed to get a few shots of a common sandpiper (in the gallery). Hoping for good weather now next Saturday.
March 28, 2008	Great day today!! The weather wasn't great but, I spoke to Richard Bedford last night and he told me about an area in Norfolk where there are normally a number of Barn Owls. I set off in pouring rain and arrived there at about 2pm, the rain had slowed, but not stopped. Parked up and saw four Barn Owls straight away. The rain came back and they disappeared. But as soon as it stopped they were back, this time bringing a friend, making five. I was determined to be more prepared than before. I set up my tripod and then slowly walked up and down the road to gain the best shots. Took 414 pictures in a very short space of time. I thought about not going today because of the weather, but I am so glad I did. Going back tomorrow, hope the sun will be out because they looked great in the rain and grey, can't imagine how fantastic they would look in the sunlight? There were also about ten Buzzards flying around, must be a good feeding ground for Raptors.
March 25, 2008	Weather was good this morning so I thought I would give Tichwell another go. On my way, following another car, a Barn Owl flew across the road in front of me. Luckily there were no other cars behind me as I slammed on my brakes and drove into a field. I jumped out and grabbed my camera. The Owl was flying low over the field not more than 50 feet from me. Top tip now - don't leave your camera on overnight and expect it to work when you see your first ever Barn Owl!! After swearing loudly and running back to put in a new battery, I ran back, just in time to see it fly out and back over the road - gone!! I was gutted, didn't know if I should stay and wait or carry on to Titchwell. I went to Titchwell after about 20 mins of waiting. Had a nice time and froze on the beach there. On ly way back, I thought I would go to Snettisham. I was glad I did. As I drove in to the reserve, I saw another Barn Owl sitting on a post. It didn't stay around for too long, but I managed to get a few (not to good) shots before I lost him/her. But, the joy of seeing such beautiful birds makes the expense and cold worth it. Praying now for another good day tomorrow, I know two places I will be going to!!
March 24, 2008	On holiday in Norfolk. Wrong time, as the snow fell and kept me in the caravan for a couple of days. Anyway, thought I would make the most of the bright day today and head off to Titchwell. Trouble is, the weather where we are at Sandringham is not what I found at Titchwell. Bright clear blue skies at Sandringham, snow and sleet at Titchwell. I must be the only man in the UK that can walk around a reserve like Titchwell and not really see anything. A few Avocet and a lot of Gulls. Got a couple of shots of Brambling on the feeders but that was that. It always makes things worse when someone tells you that there were 7 Barn Owls flying at noon yesterday. Never mind, still a week to go and I will be out and about when I get the chance.
February 17, 2008	Beautiful day today. Really bright and clear, a little cold out of the sun. I started today with a walk on the road to see if I could get any shots of Bullfinches. Last week I saw a couple of males, they let me walk really close, they stayed still. They let me put my tripod down, they stayed still. They let me point my lens towards them, they stayed still. They let me get my eye near to the camera, they flew off!! I think there is a whole flock of them looking forwards to my visits!! Saw females today, but they stayed at the back of the trees, so I couldn't get any good clear shots. Unfortunately, vandals have visited Summer Leys this week and decided to damage hides by kicking out planks and throwing benches through windows. I'm not sure what kind of Idiot would do such things, lets hope that what comes around goes around and some repays them with interest. I am sure they wouldn't like it if someone damaged one of their Chav Wagons! It's always good to chat to the people that you see in the hides and around the water. I was speaking to John today (his link is on my links page) I was telling him about my problem with the Bullfinches and he suggested that I take a shot from a "safe" distance when approaching. This way, if they do decide to fly, you at least have a record shot. So it was a day of Ducks today, you don't quite appreciate the vast array of ducks that are on the water until you spend a couple of hours sitting still in a hide. Fingers crossed for good weather next weekend.
February 9, 2008	Another bright day so I thought I would take a look at Ditchford, mainly due to the reports of Otters being seen. No luck for me though. In fact it wasn't a great day. On the way round you cross a very small bridge, my tripod decided to break at the point I was crossing the centre. Dropped the lens and camera with quite a big bounce. Fortunately, it hit the post holding the handrail up so didn't go into the river. The battery did though!! Straight in! So spent an hour and a half tracking through mud with bits of tripod and camera. Spent the afternoon with superglue and self tapping screws. It won't be coming off again! Thankfully the lens was no worse for wear, but the camera has a small crack on the top case. - For those of you who have asked - No I didn't get the battery back!
January 27, 2008	Nice bright day today, although the wind was cold enough. Started the day at the feeding station, I like to start here, always plenty of activity. Then the short walk to the standing hide, nothing of note there. I missed the Green Woodpecker, it's clear he gets up before me at the weekend! Nothing to report at the main hides. Lets hope for less rain this week and less wind next weekend.
January 15, 2008	Everyone was right when they told me I would be counting down the days to my next day out and about with my camera. I now feel even more ready, my tripod arrived today!! I am so glad. I went out last weekend and three of us headed off, across wet and very slippery fields, in search of a Barn Owl. Two with tripod and one (me) without. We stood in the same place waiting for about 40 mins, waiting. I had my camera and lens around my neck. After about 15 mins, I really wished I had ordered my tripod earlier. Unfortunately, the Barn Owl didn't show up. But I think that even if he/she had, I might not have been able to hold my kit up for too long. Speaking to Richard quite early on in to my photography, he said I would need a good tripod. In fact he says on his own website that the tripod and head was a good £1,000 to invest. He is right!! My advice, for what it's worth, is, if you are serious about photography and will be out for hours at a time, do yourself a favour and get a tripod and head!! Oh yes and get some decent boots!!
January 6, 2008	First weekend out of the NewYear. Two good days, for light anyway. Clear sky and sunshine, although a little cold. Glad for the Christmas present of gloves! Saturday was quiet, but Sunday was a lot better. I was hoping to see a Green Woodpecker and after 15 mins at the standing hide at Summer Leys he turned up. Got some flight shots of Golden Plover, although a little far away. Also a Magpie. I have decided not to salute single Magpie as my New Years resolution! A quick visit to the feeding station brought good shots of Blackbird and Dunnock. Also, change the site today, I hope you find the pages easy to navigate.
December 29, 2007	First time out today for over three weeks. Work, football and weather mainly to blame. Not a lot around today. Spent a couple of hours in the main hide. But the only highlight was the Coots fighting each other, they are definitely all action. If they are not pecking at each other they are trying to drown their opponent. One pair of Goldeneye and a number of male and female tufted Ducks, but that was it. Moved over to the feeding station and saw the normal small birds, but my highlight was seeing the Long-tailed Tits. They are beautiful little things, they are just a cotton ball with a tail. I think that they have just become my favourite bird, just overtaking the Stonechat.
December 1, 2007	Started today with a complete lap of Summer Leys. It felt like quite a long way round today, in the wind with all my kit. Weather was good, nice blue skies. Not too much showing today. I did see two Long tailed Tits that were lovely, but couldn't get a clear shot. I will be looking out for them again. There were a number of Fieldfare together in a field at the back, too far for a good picture. But got lucky and saw one in a tree near the path. Light faded in the afternoon, but still a nice day out. Enjoyed the Shovelers, male and female pair in front of the hide for most of the afternoon. There were also three Tufted Duck and a female Pochard. Along with the normal Moorhen and Coots.
November 24, 2007	Now my 500mm Canon lens has arrived and I can't wait to get out there and have a go!!!!!! My batteries are fully charged and my media cards are in my bag just waiting. I have a terrible feeling the weather will be poor again! I am hoping to post more pictures over the weekend.
November 14, 2007	My Canon camera arrived and I was itching to try it out. Fortunately for me, Richard Bedford (great photographer of birds, visit his site from my links page) lent me his 300mm Canon lens to test it out. So I spent two days at Summer Leys, Saturday wasn't good due to poor weather. But Sunday was much better and I got my first "proper" shots!