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

Purple Sandpiper - Sheringham

A cold and very grey morning at Sheringham saw me checking the rocks at high tide for the winter visiting Purple Sandpipers. Two had been reported in recent weeks, but sightings were over a few different areas, and it was just a case of checking each time I was there. On my two previous visits I'd not seen any, but it proved to be third time lucky. I'd already scanned the rocks to no avail, and had walked up and down a couple of times looking, but it was on my way back that I spotted that lovely purple sheen and orange feet and bill. It was too cold to hang around, but I got a few shots to satisfy my annual craving. I really love these birds, and it may be the last time I see any until the late Autumn months again.

Purple Sandpiper