Black Redstart A Beautiful Photographic Post to improve your day

Locally, as many people are aware, we have had a Black Redstart over-winter, this is now it’s second year. And it has fast become a star attraction for local (and not so local) bird watchers and wildlife photographers. Until very recently however it was an elusive bird to see, hanging out in gardens of the near by housing estate. Recently the bird became much easier to see however.

I’m not going to post exact locations, as frankly, at times the way it has been followed around by visiting photographers (as far as I can tell those from outside the local area, thankfully) has been shameful, especially when you consider it will come to your feet if you just sit still. The location is also a little sensitive due to the nature of the building, and work within, that it has chosen to hang around on.

That being said it is a beaut of a bird, and I am not ashamed to say I have been to see it, and spent a good few hours there one day. Am I a little hypocritical? possibly, but when you see a bird followed from perch to perch only to then fly back and land at my feet, while I sat down calmly waiting, I’m sure you can imagine my frustrations.

DISCLAIMER: This is a photo heavy post of Black Redstart images

Black Redstart in Photos

I’ve decided to share some images of the Black Redstart already on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, but thought as I took some 600 photos on the day I was there, I would share a few of them here in one post for all to see. As well as a couple of the other birds I saw in the rough grounds.

Male Black Redstart, backlit
Male Black Redstart, backlit

The above image should give you an idea of just how stunning this male Black Redstart really is, the backlighting from the sun, highlighting the obvious orange in the tale, the grey and black of the rest of the bird clear. So this is what we are looking at. Its a member of the Chat family (like Robins or Stonechats). And isn’t exactly common anywhere in the UK, but it once was. You see this bird loves rough ground, and old bombsites after WWII were perfect for them.

In continental Europe they are often easily seen in holiday resorts, they aren’t hugely afraid of people and as this image shows they are happy to approach you, if not be approached by you.

My Favourite Black Redstart Images

Now on to my favourite few images. I think these really show the bird well, but also show the habitat, and urban environment the bird has chosen to call home, for winter.

Black Redstart in a rough area
Black Redstart in a rough area
Black Redstart Posing in sunlight
Sunny Pose
Black Redstart in an Urban Environment
Urban Environment
Hello?
looking into space
Black Redstart looking into space

The Other Photos

I hope you liked my favourite set, and can see why, the combination of poses, and the environment the bird is in really give it context in my opinion.

Now for the rest, in smaller gallery form. You can click on each image to see it in all its glory.

Other Birds

It wasn’t just a cast of one though. The area was alive with birds, for a semi building site, urban area, it was a joy to just sit and enjoy the surrounding wildlife. Up to 6 Stonechat are in the area. Meadow Pipits fly over all the time. Pied Wagtails fly catch on the building. A mixed flock of Linnet and Goldfinch are in the rough area. Greenfinch and Chaffinch are in the hedge. I even had a fly over Redpoll.

Many of the images above are up for sale on my photography site – Urban Lake Photography – Chats and Flycatchers Pop over and take a look.

I hope you liked Black Redstart a photographic post, and enjoyed all the images. If you did, please feel free to share, or leave me a comment below.

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