Lavell`s Lake local nature reserve

**mdb2** · 11-11-2009

Hello HH, I have also been to the lake. the kingfisher was also a bit far away for my 150-500mm. did get some reasonable shots though and some better shots of the woodpecker, just a shame it was on a feeder. mike

**joe** · 12-11-2009

The new hide at Lea farm is now under construction. This will be members only hide with a combination lock.
Joe

**rolf** · 12-11-2009

That's good news, where is it Joe?

**hurricaneharold** · 13-11-2009

Originally Posted by mdb2

Hello HH, I have also been to the lake. the kingfisher was also a bit far away for my 150-500mm. did get some reasonable shots though and some better shots of the woodpecker, just a shame it was on a feeder. mike

The great spotted woodpeckers do use the feeders alot,woth abit of patience,you can get them on the trees.

I agree the perches are too far away for any decent shots of the kingfishers.

**hurricaneharold** · 13-11-2009

Originally Posted by rolf

That's good news, where is it Joe?

Rolph, you will walk past the Teal hide,along the River Loddon,there will be a path leading to the new hide.

**rolf** · 13-11-2009

Thanks Aaron.

**joe** · 14-11-2009

Rolf, As you walk along the river across the 2 bridges there is a gap in the hedge on the right where people used to stand and look at the birds on the gravel pit, the new hide is about 40 yards past that point. It should be ready for use in about 3 weeks
Joe

**rolf** · 15-11-2009

I'd better join the friends of Lavell's Lake then Joe.

Can you join on their website, or do you have to call them?

**joe** · 15-11-2009

Rolf, they have leaflets in the Bittern hide which have all the relevant details on, they might also be available in the cafe.
Joe

**Billy** · 03-02-2010

i have to say thankyou to the people who do work on lavell lake its a little gem i loved finding...

Which hide is better for the kingfisher? are there any time of day that might be more likely to see it?
I saw the barn owl, went to the hide at 7am and it was flying round but im useless at flying birds at the moment.
I did find during the floods the most amazing collection of fungi on the path to the second hide - down by the river...

I have got some pictures of the kingfisher, though im not impressd with my results compaired to some stunners you guys have got.. Need to do more work on my long lens and taking pictures.. Any of the regulars ive spoken to in the hide thankyou for all your advice and tollerance with my weakness at water bird spotting!!

**hurricaneharold** · 04-02-2010

Originally Posted by Billy

i have to say thankyou to the people who do work on lavell lake its a little gem i loved finding...

Which hide is better for the kingfisher? are there any time of day that might be more likely to see it?
I saw the barn owl, went to the hide at 7am and it was flying round but im useless at flying birds at the moment.
I did find during the floods the most amazing collection of fungi on the path to the second hide - down by the river...

I have got some pictures of the kingfisher, though im not impressd with my results compaired to some stunners you guys have got.. Need to do more work on my long lens and taking pictures.. Any of the regulars ive spoken to in the hide thankyou for all your advice and tollerance with my weakness at water bird spotting!!

Billy , I took these shots of the kingfishers from a portable hide I set up near the perches.I have not done so for a few months now as a few jealous people moaned about us scaring the birds away !!

Of course ,here is the proof that we were scaring the birds off,as I have got photo`s of the Kingfisher,taken from 4 metres away !!

The photo`s were taken from the Teal hide end of the reserve,people using the teak hide made more noise than I did in my portable hide,banging the door shut ,banging the portholes open,moving around on the woodem floor,talking very loud in the hide.

I could hear it all from my portable hide,so I am sure the birds could hear it too.!!

As for best times to see the Kingfisher,you need to have some patience,it can turn up anytime,sometimes Ive waited 3 hours,sometimse Ive waited 20 minutes.

**hurricaneharold** · 04-02-2010

Originally Posted by mdb2

Hello HH, I have also been to the lake. the kingfisher was also a bit far away for my 150-500mm. did get some reasonable shots though and some better shots of the woodpecker, just a shame it was on a feeder. mike

I agree Mike, the perches are too far away from the hide to take any decent shots of the Kingfisher.

I use a Canon 400 mm prime lens and a Sigma 50 - 500 mm lens, I have also used a 1.4 converter on my Sigma mounted on a tripod using manual focus and a cable release,using live view on my camera to make sure the kingfisher is perfectly in focus,the problem with the floor in the Teal hide,is that it moves alot,so it is very hard to keep the camera perfecty still.

I have now found a new location to photograph them.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2698/...1339da94e0.jpg

**Billy** · 04-02-2010

these are some of my lavell lake offerings, from last month, i went out during the deep snow and the whole place was frozen.

Have to say barn owl and kingfisher are my two fav birds, and this place has both.. made my day when i saw the kingfisher it was the best day ive ever had there. Saw a deer that day and sparrowhawk take a snape, plus saw the stag deer too. Plus loads of other cool birds, have to say early morning is really nice there.

**hurricaneharold** · 05-02-2010

Originally Posted by Billy

these are some of my lavell lake offerings, from last month, i went out during the deep snow and the whole place was frozen.

Have to say barn owl and kingfisher are my two fav birds, and this place has both.. made my day when i saw the kingfisher it was the best day ive ever had there. Saw a deer that day and sparrowhawk take a snape, plus saw the stag deer too. Plus loads of other cool birds, have to say early morning is really nice there.

You did really well seeing the barn owl by the feeders,it was problably looking for food there as it was so cold.I must visit Lavells again soon.

I have been staying very local and photographing the nuthatches

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2754/...39ebabb8_o.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4030/...5f62a3eb_o.jpg

**rolf** · 15-04-2010

Managed a flying visit to Lavell's lake late this morning, not much going on, but got a few snaps, didn't have the Bigma with me, so snapped away with the 70-300mm.

Greenfinch and Reed Bunting on nut feeder, Male Pheasant, Female Pheasant, Female Reed Bunting and Male Reed Bunting.

***ladylouise62*** · 15-04-2010

I do like the female pheasants, much nicer looking than the males.
Nice shots, although I think you got a bit 'Reed Bunting'-happy with regards the first shot

**rolf** · 15-04-2010

LOL, sorry, also had one with Greenfinch and Reed Bunting, just happens that it wasn't that one I uploaded.

***ladylouise62*** · 15-04-2010

LOL - I know the feeling, your mind stops before your hands do

**hurricaneharold** · 02-05-2010

A photo of a male and female kingfisher I took recently

**pluckyfilly** · 08-05-2010

WOW great picture, guessing you didnt take this shot at Lavell's Aaron I havent seen one let alone two in ages

**hurricaneharold** · 09-05-2010

Originally Posted by pluckyfilly

WOW great picture, guessing you didnt take this shot at Lavell's Aaron I havent seen one let alone two in ages

No Ann,this photo was not taken at Lavell`s, I will not disclose were it was taken.

**hurricaneharold** · 09-05-2010

Originally Posted by hurricaneharold

No Ann,this photo was not taken at Lavell`s, I will not disclose were it was taken.

I have not been over to Lavell`s for a long time, I have been staying at our local patches.

**joe** · 10-05-2010

Swans (nest building), Rook, Black headed gulls, Cormorants, Herring gulls

**hurricaneharold** · 13-10-2010

And now for my latest trick.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...harold/111.jpg

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a3...harold/333.jpg

***Catherine*** · 13-10-2010

Oh, wow!

I LOVE those!

(Thinking of a caption now.....)

**hurricaneharold** · 13-10-2010

Originally Posted by Catherine

Oh, wow!

I LOVE those!

(Thinking of a caption now.....)

Answers on a postcard please !!

**rolf** · 13-10-2010

LOL, brilliant Aaron, the first one would have been on the Countryfile calendar for sure.

***Catherine*** · 13-10-2010

Oh, I'm thinking, I'm thinking, Aaron - though was side-tracked somewhat by looking through your fab Flickr pics just now!

Sorry. Don't have any postcards handy, so hope it's OK to post them here instead?

Ok, so what about,
'Say feesh!'
for the first one, and,
'Some perch this. It's most uncomfortable!'
for the other one?

Just my first efforts - so I know they're pretty weak.

**hurricaneharold** · 14-10-2010

Originally Posted by Catherine

Oh, I'm thinking, I'm thinking, Aaron - though was side-tracked somewhat by looking through your fab Flickr pics just now!

Sorry. Don't have any postcards handy, so hope it's OK to post them here instead?

Ok, so what about,
'Say feesh!'
for the first one, and,
'Some perch this. It's most uncomfortable!'
for the other one?

Just my first efforts - so I know they're pretty weak.

Thanks for your comments on my photo`s on Flickr