Shag - Sale Water Park

I'd heard of a juvenile European Shag being present just 20 minutes down the road, and it was hard to resist the urge to go and have a look, especially as the rain had decided to stay away for a change. I've seen quite a few of these birds, but only once before at an inland location. This particular bird was at a water park and seemed to be enjoying watch the canoeists as the played some form of polo just feet away. At least it was kindly stood on a pontoon just feet from the path. This made for some good close shots. It was probably blown off course during one of the recent storms.

European Shag

Astbury Mere - Shag

 I was already out with the camera at the weekend when I saw that a juvenile European Shag had shown up inland at a lake in Cheshire, only half an hour from me. So I made my way down to Astbury Mere in Congleton in the warm sunshine. After a wait of nearly an hour it revealed itself right beneath me. It must have been out of the water and drying it's wings out of sight beneath the grassy bank. It soon made it's way out into the open water to fish, and boy did it fish. It was constantly diving and eating. A great bird.

Here is the larger cousin, the Cormorant, that I had seen the previous day at Pennington Flash.

Shag

This is a bird that I have avoided seeing my whole life. How? I have no idea. I have obviously been to the wrong places at the wrong times. I know that I've missed some by hours, but that's the joy of birding for me. You never know if you'll see what you want to see, or if something better will turn up, and sometimes nothing at all.

Phil and I stopped off in Holyhead harbour on our way to Anglesey. We were looking for Black Guillemots, as they are often seen here. Low and behold, as I peered over the harbour side there was a Shag. I double checked with Phil that it was indeed a Shag and not a Cormorant. I was delighted when it was confirmed and ran for the camera. I often wondered if I'd actually be able to tell the difference between a Cormorant and the Shag, but it was quite easy when I saw this one. It's quite a bit smaller and slender looking. It also has a lovely green colouration.

The Black Guillemots we actually went to see.