The Temperature's Rising

It was a very hot day, so I took myself to the Goyt Valley, where I was hoping that the tree cover and elevation may give me some respite. It did to a degree, but it was still a scorcher. Thankfully the birds were very active, as they have to feed their young no matter what the weather is doing. It was a very fruitful visit, with lots of new in Spotted Flycatchers, Pied Flycatchers, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Redstarts, Tawny Owls and so much more. Everywhere had something to look at and watch. Even a little Goldcrest came nice and close for me, and these are not that easy to pin down.

You can see a more detailed version of my trip here:

Goldcrest

Great Spotted Woodpecker

Pied Flycatcher

Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Swallow

 

Is it Spring yet?

More good sunlight at Redesmere meant I could get some good views of the Goosander flock that had been around for a week or two. I do like watching these birds as they move along the waters edge often with their heads under the surface. The males have a lovely green head, while the females have a reddish head. They're one of the highlights of the Autumn/Winter months on the local rivers and lakes.

Female Goosander

Male on the right

A nice comparison of the male and female together.

A smart looking male.

In a wooded area, I hid myself away hoping to get some good views of the Jays and Nuthatches, but I was joined by this very good looking Great Spotted Woodpecker. It came down quite low and was doing some foraging on the bark of this branch.

Things are Warming Up

Some local birding recently has shown that things are really hotting up with nesting activity and courtship. Birds are starting to move back from their wintering grounds and heading to their inland breeding sites, or at least, they are taking a break on the way for a rest. A great time to get out and observe what's about and going on.

A Moorhen with nesting material.

A Nuthatch, with what looks like a peanut.

The first Oystercatcher of the year. They'll be off to find suitable nesting areas soon.

A Great Spotted Woodpecker that has been drumming on this dead branch.

Sculthorpe Moor

One of the sites that I've grown very fond of in Norfolk is Sculthorpe Moor, run by the Hawk and Owl Trust. It's usually quiet, but it has good boardwalk paths through the woodland and along to reed beds and marsh. There are hides and viewing screens along the way and the feeders are always well stocked.
And where there are feeders, you will get plenty of birds. Such a good variety too, with the usual woodland mix and some raptors too.

Male Great Spotted Woodpecker

Long tailed Tit at a feeding table.

Marsh Tit. A Sculthorpe favourite of mine.

A Treecreeper at a feeder.

Great Spotted Woodpecker

I've seen a lot more activity from Woodpeckers recently. Sometimes quite difficult to see as they move around trees on the blind side. I found this female recently. She was busy pulling at the moss that was making the trunk of this tree look like it was covered in green carpet. At first I thought she was plucking off nesting material as she was really giving it a good tug. Having watched for a few minutes though, I think she was after food that was within the moss itself.
It seemed oblivious to my presence, as I hid behind my car. It allowed me to get quite close to a bird that it usually quite difficult to capture.

Macclesfield Forest

The last day of my two week summer holiday started off as a stunningly bright and calm morning. I made my way to Macclesfield Forest to make the most of it. I wasn't disappointed, with plenty of activity and plenty of peace and quiet.
In terms of birds, I picked out a Spotted Flycatcher early on, then a Chiffchaff singing in the near distance. Quite late for these, but the sun seems to spur them on. I said earlier in the year that I get tired of the Chiffchaff song, but knowing that they will soon depart, made this one a little special.
The Whinchats were still around from the other day, along with plenty of Meadow Pipits and a Tree Pipit. I also got startled by a Roe Deer while I was sat out of view. It broke a twig as it stood up out of the long grass. The air was blue for a moment. A lovely animal though and fantastically wild.

Spotted Flycatcher

Tree Pipit

Great Spotted Woodpecker

The Roe Deer that scared me just a little.

 

My, what big ears you have?

Feeding time at the nest

In between the showers recently I managed to get out to see what was around, and thankfully there was still lots of feeding going on. Willow Warblers, Meadow Pipits and Stonechats were all busy collecting food for their young.

Meadow Pipit with a snack for the young.

Willow Warbler with some insects.

A pair of Great Spotted Woodpeckers

Wheatear