Category Archives: General

In all our 112 visits to Islay we have never previously been on the island when Barley was harvested. All that was to change last week when every available machine was working almost day and night to harvest Islay’s precious crop – its Barley. The weather all week was exceptional with no rain or wind and some magnificent sunsets.
It was not a wildlife holiday but it is impossible to visit Islay and not be impressed by what you see. Hen Harriers, Ospreys, wading birds and hundreds of finches are all around you. This year the heather was spectacular and the Rowan berry crop exceptional. Oh to return in October for the Autumn migrants!!  more photos see www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

When our Sand Martins arrived in late April and early May they were faced with ice-cold north winds and snow. Sadly at my local colony many disappeared and presumably died. The big numbers never returned but those that did survive have now bred into early September. This weeks gallery photos were taken in deep shade a couple of weeks ago and those young will now be heading south for winter. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

Until I recently spent two weeks at the nest site of Nightjars I had forgotten how camouflaged they were. This weeks female is only the third that I have spent time with and I enjoyed every minute of the experience. Such is their rarity you never know when another will come along! Enjoy the Gallery photos  .www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

There are some birds that if their young are threatened they perform an elaborate distraction display, in order to persuade the predator to follow them. The Nightjar’s display is one of the most spectacular but because of the Nightjar’s illusive nature it is seldom seen.
Last month, after more than fifty years of trying, I was lucky enough to spend time at the nest of a Nightjar. As I approached she would rise and alight on a fallen pine tree, spread her wings and tail feathers and call to entice me away from her two young. It was an amazing performance with more photos in this weeks gallery. The camouflage of Nightjars is legendary and this will be seen next week. more photos www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

In the last fifty plus years we have never had as many species of birds visiting the garden with their young. During the last two months seventeen different species have brought their young to feed on the fat balls and sunflower hearts.Of these the star species was a female Great Spotted Woodpecker and her two young.They still come regularly but are now able to feed themselves.For gallery  photos see www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife

Once young Long Eared Owls fledge the nest your chance of a photograph has usually finished. They are, however, still fed by the male for up to three months at which time they have usually mastered the skill of catching prey.
In the last ten days I have been watching four juvenile Long Eared Owls that have translocated to some pine trees around a large house in the high Pennines. It was a privilege to watch them each night as they practised hunting and interacting with one another. All the time they were hungry and calling for food which the male provided as it got dark and there was no light to film!!For gallery photos see https://www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife