Golden Plover

I know of a field that often has Lapwings and Curlews in it at this time of year. They are joined by Golden Plover sometimes, but it seems like its a bit of pot luck as to whether you will see them or not.

I pull in frequently to check to see if they or anything else is there. It's a really triumphant feeling when you stop and scan the ground and there they are, scurrying about in all their finery. There were a up to a dozen on this evening, and some were making their lovely call. Nice to see them close up and not hundreds of yards away on a sandbank or field in Norfolk. They'll be here to breed, so hopefully I'll see a lot more of them in the coming weeks and months.

Common Sandpiper

Another fresh arrival to these shores is the Common Sandpiper. I found five the other evening around the shore line of a local reservoir. They were all very vocal and there was a lot of display going on and chasing from one side to the other. This all made it very easy for me to pick them out. It also meant I could stay in one place and watch them and just enjoy their exploits. I was the least of their worries as they jostled for a mate and territory. A super bird that I like to watch each year as it skirts around the banks for food. Just stay out of sight, or they will be off.

Garden Warbler - Lindow Common

I have never been able to photograph the Garden Warbler. These birds do not make it easy to see them, and more often that not they will sing from within trees or bushes. Also, they are not exactly brightly coloured birds, so not the easiest to spot as they move through the branches. During lockdown I found three pairs locally, and a couple of the males gave really good views. Of course, I didn't have my camera with me due to the restrictions. So I made it an aim of mine for this year to revisit the sites and see if they came back. This is where keeping handwritten records came in extremely useful, as I knew the dates and I'd seen them and where exactly.

I found two of the three pairs upon my first visit this year, and this time I had my camera at hand. They didn't exactly play ball as they did last year, but a little patience paid off, as I was able to get a few quick shots of one before it retreated back to it's hideaway. As you can see below, they are next going to win any awards for looks, but they do have a very nice song, and similar to that of the Blackcap.

The classic view of the Garden Warbler, if you are lucky.

It gradually made it's way into the open, but only briefly.

Pied Flycatchers in Cheshire

My recent visits to the Goyt Valley have been in hope of finding newly arrived migrants. One of those I always look forward to seeing again are the Pied Flycatchers. A lovely little black and white bird that flits around the canopy of the trees looking for it's meal. I came across my first one on the 18th April, which was almost identical to the previous years first finding. This particular male was singing, which helped me to track it down in the first instance. Seeing it after that was not so easy. I always forget how small they are, and it's always a job to see the movement through the branches. See it I did though, and spent a good amount of time watching it flit and pick off insects, then stop for a bit of song.

Male Pied Flycatcher

It briefly dropped to a lower level out of the sunlight. Amazing how colours change in the light.