I've been to some of my favourite places recently with the hope of photographing the Dippers. They never make it easy to photograph them, so keeping a low key is crucial. As soon as they see you they will fly off down stream, well away from you. So you need to be extremely cautious, and keep out of sight. This is good for everyone. Especially the bird, that is busy feeding and looking for food, and then for me who can get to take some pictures, if I'm lucky.
Dipper
With Autumn now in full swing, early morning birding doesn't really happen. Sunrise is nearer to 7:30am and it's a bonus if there is no cloud cover. When it is clear though, the sun can give off some really nice light. I took a walk around some local areas recently and there was a good mix of things about. Chiffchaffs are still here, and I'm wondering if these will now stay over the winter, as many now seem to do. I look forward to their song in the Springtime, so to still hear them singing in mid Autumn is strange, but nice all the same.
A few weeks ago I popped over to Macclesfield to see what was around, and because if I'm honest I get withdrawal symptoms if I don't go. There is always something to see, and add to that a wonderful place to just be in. I can always find a quiet area away from others, and this usually coincides with being out early in the morning. This visit was no different, and I was content once I had been.
There were quite a few juvenile birds of all sorts around. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps especially were numerous. On the reservoirs the young Great Crested Grebes with their stripy heads were now a good size and there were lots of juvenile Grey Wagtails around Bottoms reservoir (that name always makes me smile). Grey Herons were making quite a racket, as they do, but it all added up to a good morning and put my mind at ease that all was well in one of my favourite local areas. It seems nature can get on on it's own whether I'm watching it or not.
Juvenile Blackcap
