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GSW and a hole

Discussion

7 replies
Posted by Neil Burton on May 22, 2012 at 8:53 AM
Finally I have managed to find a pecker nest, well it kind of found me. As I wandered I heard the most horrible screaming coming from a dead tree. Bingo a nest. So there I was, trying to keep well back, covered in camo and bag hide in the little island of woods no-one ever visits. Did I, and they, get a shock when two farmers turned up with chainsaws and started cutting a path through the bush. Turns out they are there to clear the dead wood left by the foresters a year ago. There seem to be a system of people clearing woodland and using the wood for their fires in winter.
Why they do it in spring is beyond me? But I have asked they leave the dead tree with the nest and they agreed, as they should. But I wonder what effect those chainsaws, tractors and men will have on the feeding patterns :( So I am not too worried about my proximity to the nest and I do not stay for more than a couple of hours.
The parents know I am there but carry on regardless. I do hope they manage to keep feeding, especially as the nest is only 10ft from the ground. Perfect for me though ;) The other three nests I found are all either too dark, too high or both.

500+TC, 7D, slight crop.
Posted by David Sewell on May 22, 2012 at 2:31 PM
People clearing woodland for their domestic fires is becoming an increasing problem. I have heard of one or two sites where refugia have been built for reptiles and amphibians out of old timber, only for the timber to be cleared for stoves. As for the shot, good at-nest picture. I'll look forward to some more with the young peeping out of the nest.

David
Posted by Jeroen Stel on May 22, 2012 at 4:19 PM
Lovely shot Neil!
I think the GSW are not too bothered by interference as long as there is an open flight path to theur nesting hole.

greetings,

Jeroen Stel
Posted by Phil Ellard on May 22, 2012 at 4:28 PM
giving jr a run for his money, looks good :toast: :toast: :toast:
Posted by keith mitchell on May 23, 2012 at 3:13 AM
Neil! not so keen on the tree but the bird itself looks excellent,great detail and pin sharp.

Keith. :smile:
Posted by Pete Etheridge on May 23, 2012 at 4:00 PM
Looks like a great setup and should be very productive over the coming weeks! :wavey:
Posted by Craig Jones on May 23, 2012 at 8:15 PM
A tad to small needs to be seen larger, love the composition and pose though :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Neil Burton on May 24, 2012 at 7:12 AM
Sorry, smugmug does not have an exact size for here so I post medium and a large one extra ;) .

Thanks all. More to come.