Stonechat

I'm fortunate to have a few pairs of Stonechats locally. They're one of the birds that really triggered my interest and excitement in birds again over 20 years ago. Unlike most other birds, they allow you a few opportunities to ID them, as they will often sit up nicely on a branch, bush, fence or fence post. Regularly dropping down to pick up a snack. 

This pair were doing what they do best along the East Bank, Cley Marshes. Luckily for me the sun was out, and they were not too far away.

Female Stonechat

The male. So frustrating that the blade of grass wouldn't blow out of shot.

Jack Snipe - Cley Marshes

A bird that I'd only set eyes on twice before was the Jack Snipe. Once at Spurn and once at Snipes Pool, Cley. On both occasions the views were distant. The first bird was asleep for the duration, while the second bird did give me it's bouncy bobbing dance for confirmation. (Well worth a Google if you get a chance). Just a couple of weeks ago I got my third and best look at this cracking little wader, from Bishops hide at Cley. It was asleep most of time, but being probably no more than 10 feet away, it was not a problem. Every 5-10 minutes it would bob a little and then pop it's head up to have a look, before assuming it asleep with one eye open position. 

I was chuffed to be able to get some decent pictures.

Jack Snipe. Asleep with one eye open. 

During one of it's fleeting awake moments.

Goyt Valley

Early mornings in the Goyt Valley have been stunning this year. So many weekends have started in full sunshine, no cloud cover and no rain. This is great for me wanting to see and photograph birds and nature, but not so good for the ever decreasing water level. The reservoir is as low as I've ever seen it. I'd like some rain, but obviously if it could fall at night that would be really helpful.

Blackcaps have been in good voice, and as ever, making it difficult to spot them as they sing from within the leaf cover. Every now and again they show themselves. I just have to be ready when they do.

Male Blackcap

Common Sandpiper on the shoreline of the ever retreating water line at Errwood Reservoir.

One of the several Cuckoos that have been singing around the valley. Not often I get to see them perched up like this. 

Marsh Warbler - Cley

Just a few weeks after adding the Woodchat Shrike to my UK life list, I managed to add another lifer last weekend, in the form of a Marsh Warbler. This super little bird that was constantly singing it's heart out was in the reeds at Cley. Just a couple of hundred yards from the East Bank, it was hard to miss it's song, that was a repertoire of mimicry of other birds. I counted at least a dozen different bird songs and calls, from Blue Tit, Sparrow, Swallow, Swift, Bearded Tit, Linnet, Goldfinch, Blackbird, Chiffchaff, Reed, Sedge and Cetti's Warbler and even the Oystercatcher. It was fantastic to stand just metres away and watch and listen. A super little show off of a bird. The short phone video is a must to listen to at the bottom of this post to appreciate it's mimicry.😀

Pied Flycatcher, Redstart

Well, these beauties have been back here for the last couple of months, and in fact they are now feeding their fledged young (look out for some more photos of these soon). Always a highlight off my year when the Pied Flycatchers and Redstarts return. I spend quite a lot of time waiting and watching. I know where they should be and where they like, so it's best just to sit, blend in and let them come to you when they know you are no threat. The males do all the singing and the females seem to work much harder at finding nesting material. 

Male Pied Flycatcher

Male Redstart

Woodchat Shrike - Daresbury

Last week, I made an after work dash to go and see a rare visitor to these shores, and an even rarer visitor to Cheshire. A stunning male Woodchat Shrike. Just the 6th record of one in Cheshire. This was found along a canal in Daresbury and was mostly seen on an electricity pylon waiting for passing bees. It should really be down in Southern Europe or the Middle East at this time, but I was grateful that it ended up just 15 miles from home. 

I actually saw my first ever last year while on holiday in Ibiza, so it was great to get it on the UK life list too. A great bird, and the photos don't really do it justice, but I was just delighted to see it and enjoy being nearby. 😀

Changing of the Guard

It's that time of year, when I get a bit twitchy and excited about what might be turning up nearby. Each year my search for migrants gets earlier and earlier, in the hope that something unusual might just pop in on the off chance. This tends to just leave me frustrated and moaning that 'everything is late this year'. In reality, it's just me being impatient. With all that said, by me getting out there and searching hard, I do get to see quite a few other birds that I might overlook on regular days. Then there are also some I haven't seen for a while and enjoy watching, knowing that they will be doing the reverse and leaving our shores until the autumn/winter months.

One such bird is the Fieldfare. I'd seen very few over winter, but on several early mornings recently I've seen flocks of over 100 feeding on the ground. A really good looking Thrush. Can't wait until I hear their call again in the Autumn, but not before I've ticked off all our summer migrants first.

Fieldfare

Goosander

Great Crested Grebe

Grey Wagtail

Long-tailed Tit

Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets used to a real rarity in this country. They're probably still the rarest of the Egrets, but like the Little and Great White Egret are becoming more numerous and something that I'm likely to come across without going too far out of my way. That said, they will be in twos and threes as a rule.

At Cley last Autumn there were extraordinary numbers of Cattle Egrets in the fields and wetlands. At one point there 20+. This picture below has 14 in view, and that was all I could fit in. Quite amazing really, and not something I imagined I would ever see.

Cattle Egrets

Meadow Pipits on one of the hides roof

Nuthatch

A goal of mine was reached in October last year, and that was to attract a Nuthatch to my garden feeder. I've had feeders for an awfully long time, but not had a Nuthatch where I live now. It was just one of those moments, when you look out of the window to see what's there and the shock that hit me was immense. I had to go and get the binoculars for a better look, but there it was in all it's finery. 😃

It stayed around on and off for a week or so, which allowed me to grab my camera a few times to get some pictures. Now all I want is a Woodpecker. I'm sure there will be something else after that too, but I'm not being greedy.

Nuthatch