Leigh984, The creative portfolio of Leigh Spencer

I visited Thornton Reservoir in the National Forest in Leicestershire in hope of sighting a rare Mandarin Duck which had been seen in the area. The Mandarin Duck is held in high regard in Chinese culture as they, unlike other ducks, are believed to be lifelong couples, as a result they are regularly featured in Chinese art. Mandarin ducks are also known as "Wedding Ducks" in Korean culture and Lovebirds/Happily Married Couples in Japanese culture. At the reservoir a veritable menagerie of waterfowl could be observed with Swans, Mallards and a very noisy Chinese Goose making himself known to most of Leicestershire with his loud honking, but as yet no sign of the star of the show. Walking around the reservoir and keeping our eyes peeled for the elusive duck, we were told by some passing binocular yielding walkers that they had witnessed our colorful friend standing on a log in a wooded area just off the shoreline path, turning a corner the unmistakable brightly patterned duck ...

I took a walk with my camera in some ancient woodland in Lei cestershire, above the sound of the nearby busy main road my attention was drawn to the sound of some woodpecker chicks and a perfectly formed small hole in a forked tree beside me, watching the hole for a brief period I noticed some of the chicks looking out and calling for their parents for food. It wasn't long before I was treated to the sight of the parent woodpecker returning with worms and more for the growing chicks.

"When robins appear, loved ones are near" Following the success of 2018`s Forget Me Knott appeal [ see : https://youtu.be/4Pg3VLBkmFI ], The LOROS hospice returned to Jubilee Square in Leicester with a memory garden featuring a number of 14cm high hand crafted steel robins for visitors to buy in memory of a loved one who has passed. The limited edition LOROS Robin is the second collectible in the ‘Always Remembered' LOROS collection. The beautiful Memory Garden has been brought to life by Coles Nurseries and East Midlands Landscaping and the headline sponsor is Upton Steel. In this film we take a tour of the garden and try to spot some of the 20+ Robins that call it their home, how many can you spot, listen carefully they are calling to you ! (Please Note: The LOROS, Robin collectible does not make sound). If you wish to purchase a Robin details etc can be found on the LOROS website at the link below. https://www.loros.co.uk/support-us/events/2019/09/02/the-lor...

Every year around April/May a small area of ancient woodland between Leicester`s Fosse park and Junction 21 of the M1 Motorway bursts into colorful life as a bed of beautiful bluebells form a swaying carpet of color below the trees. The birds sing from branches high as sunlight shines though the leaves, creating a magical oasis of calm just meters away from busy traffic filled roads. As I take in the scene the motorists pass by unaware of the beauty nearby as they rush form place to place. My film gives an idea of the relaxing and tranquil scene.

As part of an evening of events taking place around Leicester's Christmas Light Switch on the Highcross Shopping Center and events company Maynineteen held an event called Snowtopia. The gathered crowds where entertained by performances from Spark ! drummers, Light walkers on Stilts, The Snow Queen and Neon Birds in a high energy and engaging event that turned St Peters Square into a Winter Wonderland full of musicality, rhythm & Impressive light effects. My film aims to give a taste of the evenings events. images follow  further images follow below

I traveled to the village of Woodford just across the border in Northamptonshire to witness one of natures must see events a Starling Murmuration. Thousands of the tiny birds created a stunning sight as they flocked together above the village creating a mass that looked like one large flowing, living cloud reminiscent of a shoal of fish in the sea their movements where hypnotic in their fluidity. Look out for red kites on the edges of the flock circling like sharks ready to grab any unfortunate starling who gets separated from the mass. More images follow

Between Huncote and Croft, alongside the quarry is a nature trail full of wildlife and fantastic views over the surrounding countryside and villages. My short film features a couple of swans as they hunt for food in the small lake in the middle of the trail bathed in the orange glow of the low winter morning sunshine. Images Follow

Swithland Reservoir is a reservoir in Leicestershire. It is near to the village of Swithland from which it takes its name. A dam at the north end is crossed by Kinchley Lane and the reservoir was completed in about 1896. My short film features views from a number of locations and a selection of the varied wildlife that call this beauty spot home.

Snow has covered most of the UK over the last few days, my video features the beautiful scenes on and around disused railway Whistle Way in Narborough Leicestershire and also features a number of birds hunting for berries in full song amongst the snow covered branches.Snow has covered most of the UK over the last few days, my video features the beautiful scenes on and around disused railway Whistle Way in Narborough Leicestershire and also features a number of birds hunting for berries in full song amongst the snow covered branches

The Waxwings is a short film about a group of waxwings living in Loughborough (Leicestershire), filmed in the evening as the sun set I watched the tiny colourful birds carefully pick berries from the trees as they swayed in the wind. The waxwing has a prominent crest and reddish-brown colouring with a black throat and a small black mask round its eye. The waxwing is a winter visitor to the UK and is usually found in flocks between October and March.

A short film featuring the many varied residents of Rutland Falconry & Owl Centre. Chris Lawton chose the spot to house a collection of Owls & birds of prey who live happily amongst the beautiful woodland that can be found in this area of the county of Rutland and takes visitors on tours during which he speaks with passion on the subject of caring for the birds in his collection.   A see below for a selection of photos taken by me at the centre.

At Gigrin Farm, Red Kite Feeding & Rehabilitation Centre in Wales Feeding takes place at 2pm (last weekend in October onwards) 3pm ( from the last weekend in March). The Crows are usually first on the scene followed by Buzzards and Red Kites competing for the best cuts of meat. The birds demonstrate spectacular feats of aerial manoeuvrability as they swoop low to capture the food in their claws, The birds then proceed to eat their newly acquired meal in-flight before diving down again for another helping. My short film features the view from hide 5 as the food is brought to the birds in the back of a tractor and illustrates the amazing spectacle of these very special birds in flight. Keep a look out for the rare white bird during the video. See Below for stills from the day A Red Kite In-Flight A Panoramic Photo showing the hides on the left and the feeding area on the right.