Waders

As many of you will know, I could, and do spend hours watching wading birds. They're some of my favourite bird subjects. You know where they're going to be and there are no branches, twigs or grass in the way. That said,  you can't just walk up to them and ask if they would mind you taking a picture.
Patience is key, and not frightening the birds is of utmost importance. If you stay still and low and don't look intimidating, you will gain their trust and everyone is happy. The birds can go about their business and I can (hopefully) get some got shots as they do it.

One of the many Ringed Plovers along the Wirral coast.

A Turnstone doing what Turnstones do. Brilliantly camouflaged at the same time.

Cormorant

At West Kirby marine lake there are always plenty of waders around and usually roosting. I came across a Cormorant though that was particularly sleepy. I wasn't sure if it had just come in from a long flight and was exhausted, or was just generally tired. I don't normally see these asleep. They're usually fishing or standing wings aloft to dry.
Still, it gave me a chance to view this sleeping beauty.

Cattle Egret

There have been a couple of Cattle Egrets around in recent weeks in the North West. One has been present up at Marshside RSPB reserve in Southport and the other has been at Burton Mere RSPB reserve on the Wirral. I've only ever seen one before, a couple of years ago, and also at Burton Mere.

When I arrived it was hiding behind a bush on an island in front of the main reception. So I made my way out towards a viewing screen a couple of hundred yards away, in the hope that I'd get a better view. Although I was further away, I could actually now see the bird, even though it seemed to want to hide away at every opportunity. 

It is slightly smaller than a Little Egret and has a yellow beak as opposed to the black of the Little Egret. It does spend time in with cattle too, as did on this occasion. 

So these are just record shots once again (as they were a couple of years ago). Hopefully one day I will get a little closer, in good light, with less vegetation, less haze etc etc. The agonies of photography. You rarely get all elements working in your favour, especially when the subjects are birds. Still a great bird to see and this took my year list to 187.

A distant but stunning Curlew Sandpiper was seen from the IMF hide. This took my total to 188. I'm hoping to get to 200 species this year, but time is running out.

Redshank

A trip to the Wirral coast is often required for me. Good numbers of waders are always on offer. One of the most common in the area I visited was the Redshank. Thousands in fact along the bank of the Dee Estuary.