Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Let me know when that tide's coming in won't you

Tuesday 5 May 2015

The Goyt Valley

With my parents staying with me for the Bank Holiday weekend, I was desperate to show them the wonderful setting of the Goyt Valley. It's the most productive time of year to visit in terms of different bird species. Yet we managed to visit on what was a particularly cold and grey day, and bird activity seemed to be at a minimum. Blast!
The highlight of the first half of the walk was bumping into a couple of birding friends. They confirmed too, that it was indeed, very quiet today.
A pair of Grey Herons, a pair of Nuthatch and some Willow Warblers was about it.
The walk back to the car proved a little more fruitful with a Tree Pipit, a pair of Pied Flycatchers and a Common Sandpiper. Three Lifers for my Mum in a matter of minutes. Red Grouse, Kestrel and a Curlew finished the morning off nicely, followed by some nice cake.
Not too bad in the end, but could have been so much better. 

A very good looking female Pied Flycatcher.

And her male partner.


23 comments:

  1. Great shots of these cute birds.

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  2. Sweet birds. How great for your mom to see 3 lifers, I bet she was thrilled.

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  3. Such cute little birds and very nice photos!

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  4. A few good birds seen on a cold, grey day plus excellent shots of the Pied Flycatchers.

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  5. They are adorable flycatchers, wonderful photos..

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  6. Great photos of very beautiful birds and I'm glad it turned into a productive birding day for all of you.

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  7. Great shots..They don't even look related..Such different coloring

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  8. Beautiful birds! The male is quite handsome in his dark colors.

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  9. Glad your parents are visiting...the pictures are great.

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  10. I've never seen a pied fly catcher before. I love the little white stripes across the back of their wings and his little white moustache (I'm sure there is a proper term). Lovely captures! Thanks for sharing this pair with us.

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  11. They were really good looking!

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  12. Super photos and how lovely you were able to spend some time birding with your parents.

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  13. I enlarged the photos...outstanding!!! Great post as always. I would love to sit on my parents patio with them again...the two always had feeders in their back yard.

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  14. I see a love of birds is a family affair.

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  15. Oh I love a family of nature lovers. Lovely photos. Your post made me think of how much my late Mother would have loved sitting in the garden we have planted and probably would have brought her paints and painted. Enjoy your parents. .. Michelle

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  16. I just love these guys. They finally came back to my area also. You got some great shots :)

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  17. Such a lovely little pair.

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  18. I love seeing all the birds working together at this time year to build their nests

    mollyxxx

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  19. Oh I am sure your mum was thrilled. I would have been.

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