I have been a bit concerned about the standard of my photos this last few days, I think that this picture proves everything is in good order.  I am pleased with it.

If you know me well you are already aware that I can be pretty obsessive and so it proved today.  You see, I want to get a photo of a Green Woodpecker and it won't happen if I don't put the time in.  From my hide positioned in the wood, a Green Woodpecker was just a few feet above me several times today but even though I nervously anticipated it to come down to drink at least, it decided against it.  One of the Jays came in to feed on the day old chicks on three occasions but each time it had second thoughts. Once, it was in the branches at my eye level only 10 feet away but just a tiny movement from me was enough to send it  hurrying for safety.  It could obviously sense my presence…….. time for some drastic action.  I decided to sort the hide.  I needed to make sure that I was properly concealed and get myself a bit more comfortable so that I didn't move the fabric of the hide as I reached for the camera's shutter release.  I have had some supports made to replace my tripod.  I will describe them because you may want to copy the idea?   It's possible to detach the camera from the tripod but still leave the head attached to the camera and the centre bar which would run down the middle of the tripod. The supports are mild steel tubes, 3 feet long and sharpened at one end.  The hollow tube is then hammered deep in to the ground until it is rigid.  At the top end of the tube I had a hole drilled and a nut welded to the outside of the hole.  The nut can then recieve a large "winged bolt" which when turned, fastens down onto the central "post" attached to the camera via the camera head. So now you have a rock steady support for the camera that is not taking up lots of space meaning that you can sit more comfortably without the legs of the tripod getting in the way. 

Dick…… this is what a Treecreeper looks like.

So later on, after putting another layer of cam netting over the hide, now enough to make sure that it tumbled down the front covering the new camera arrangement and me completely as well . I added a new little hunters seat with adjustable legs which I bought in the USA at the beginning of the year and now I was all set. So now it was just a case of waiting. The Jay came back but still didn't come down, cant think why it did so readily before but now it his so reluctant. No more Woodpeckers either.  My day was brightened a bit when a Treecreeper flew in to look for insects amongst the moss of the quarry face, just a bit to far for great photos but I took some anyway. This bird came to feed in this way on 3 occasions so I expect that this is a favourite feeding place. I hope so!  Nuthatches came and went, lots of Tits and a Chaffinch but no Jays or Woodpeckers plucked up the courage.  It was quite interesting that at one point the birds and squirrels got quite upset when the Jay arrived in the trees above, whether that was because of the Jay or perhaps a bird of prey had  been seen and thats what had disturbed the Jay as well, or perhaps the Jay is seen as a threat to the rest of the woodland residents? 

This  Song Thrush came to the larger pool well after 8 o'clock and circled it completely before setting on a place to bathe.