Macclesfield Forest

I had a lovely walk around the foothills of Macclesfield Forest recently. I managed to find a few things that I wasn't expecting to see, and adversely didn't see some things that I wanted to see. The good weather continued though, and that is always a great to help to me when I get out. 

The reservoir edge had a Grey Heron, Common Sandpiper, Mandarin, Grey Wagtail and lots of the smaller species in the trees surrounding it. There were some brilliant butterflies, and a first sighting for me of a Purple Hairstreak butterfly. While I was wathcing this, a juvenile Common Redstart hopped into view, which in turn alerted me to a Common Sandpiper. It was just a lovely morning and very relaxing.

There was so much more to see, which you can see on my YouTube video below, and if you do like this sort of thing I'd really like you to Subscribe so that you can see more of my content and walks.

You can watch my recent visit here:

Common Sandpiper

Goldcrest

Grey Heron

Long-tailed Tit

Common Redstart

Ringlet Butterfly

Purple Hairstreak Butterfly

Red Admiral

Bempton Cliffs

I always look forward to a visit to RSPB Bempton, on the East Yorkshire coast. It's a chance to get up close to our sea birds in their nesting habitat, and not looking at some floating dots in the distance. It's even better when the weather is good, and it was another hot one. The birds didn't disappoint either, with hundreds and thousands of Gannets, Guillemots, Razorbills, Kittiwakes, Fulmars and Puffins all within touching distance as they went about their business of raising their young on the cliffs. The sights, sounds and smells are a real privilege to witness. I recommend it to anyone who has an interest in wildlife and even those who don't.

You can see highlights of my trip here:

Fulmar

Gannet

Kittiwake

Puffins

Razorbills

Western Reef Heron

A few weeks ago, I went in search of a bird that was a first for the UK. The Western Reef Heron had been moving around the Welsh coast for two or three weeks at this stage. Starting off down South and then moving to the North West, before spending a few days in Conwy. It was too tempting for me not to go and see if I could find it. 

It was an early start to get to the RSPB reserve where it was last reported, but it wasn't there. Word came through that it was on the estuary a few miles away. I soon, got my binoculars on it, before setting up my tripod and watching for a couple of hours. An amazing looking bird that usually resides in West Africa, it was similar in size to a Little Egret, but a rather nice looking blue colour instead of white. I was delighted to get it on the list.😀😀

You can see my escapade here:

Western Reef Heron

Pied Flycatchers

I spent a morning watching a pair of Pied Flycatchers feed their young recently. I got myself tucked out of the way, so as not to disturb the birds, and let my long lens do the hard work. It was a lovely warm  sunny morning, and it was a real joy and privilege to be able to spend time with these amazing little birds. I hope to head back in a few weeks to check up on them, but if they've fledged it could be a tricky task to track them down.

You can see my morning with the Pied Flycatchers here:

Male Pied Flycatcher

Female Pied Flycatcher