Birds Photographed in the UK in 1990

Jonathan Wasse

Northern Grey Shrike Lanius excubitor
Normanton, Leeds, West Yorkshire, February 1990.

This butcher bird gave a smart performance and
hovered frequently whilst hunting.

Ring-necked Duck Aythya collaris
Fairburn Ings, West Yorkshire, March 1990.

A regular sight in the Aire valley in Spring is the
appearance of one or two drake Ring-necked
Ducks. This bird spent nearly all of the time
sleeping, so I was fortunate to capture this
shot.

Red-footed Falcon Falco vespertinus
Unstone, Dronfield, Derbyshire, May 1990.

This beautiful immature female was a shear delight.
The photographers were very well behaved on the
hot spring morning, taking every shot in the book.

The brown wing feathers amongst the blue-grey ones
identifies this bird as an immature.

A classy bird. It spent most of the time hunting
insects from fence posts.

Sparrowhawk Accipiter nisus
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire August 1990.

This bird having been brought in by a local farmer was
found to have one, and not two, broken legs. Stanny's
expression confirms this!

Ruff Philomachus pugnax
Broomhill Flash, South Yorkshire August 1990.

The hide overlooking the Flash allows for reasonably
good photographic opportunities. The water levels drop
in autumn, and Ruff are regular visitors to this site.