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

Reservoir Woods

I took a walk around one of my favourite reservoirs and it's woodland last week, and it was alive with birdsong and wildlife. There was plenty to see, even if some of my subjects didn't make it easy. Their song always gave them away, and helped me locate them. 

There were Pied Flycatchers and Common Redstarts, plus some bonus birds like the Garden Warbler, Sparrowhawk and Common Sandpipers. It was a lovely sunny day, and the temperature lifted nicely too. 

I found some nesting birds, and others in good locations. So that all bodes well for when I return in a few weeks time, to hopefully find some of them feeding young.

Common Sandpiper

Great Crested Grebe

Mandarin Duck

Nuthatch

Pied Flycatcher

Common Redstart

Sparrowhawk

Goyt Valley

Early mornings in the Goyt Valley have been stunning this year. So many weekends have started in full sunshine, no cloud cover and no rain. This is great for me wanting to see and photograph birds and nature, but not so good for the ever decreasing water level. The reservoir is as low as I've ever seen it. I'd like some rain, but obviously if it could fall at night that would be really helpful.

Blackcaps have been in good voice, and as ever, making it difficult to spot them as they sing from within the leaf cover. Every now and again they show themselves. I just have to be ready when they do.

Male Blackcap

Common Sandpiper on the shoreline of the ever retreating water line at Errwood Reservoir.

One of the several Cuckoos that have been singing around the valley. Not often I get to see them perched up like this. 

A Bumper Day on the Patch

Birding on a particular patch can be quite disheartening at times, especially when you see lots of good birds appearing all round the country. You're just hoping that one drops in when you are there and that will make you happy. Birding where I do at Woodford, straddling the Cheshire and Greater Manchester border, seeing a Linnet can be a good day, whilst on others it seems completely devoid of all life. I've had some very good birds here, and most have appeared at this time of year. Trusting my notes from previous years, I made a special effort last week to visit during my lunch breaks and after work. I was rewarded beyond belief.

In just one day I had found a male Redstart at lunchtime, followed by a female after work. Added to that followed a Yellow Wagtail and two male Whinchats. Also thrown into the mix were Common Sandpiper, Little Ringed Plovers, Ringed Plovers, Stonechat and Barn Owl. I'd have been happy with this list if it was spread over 5 years, but to get them all in one day was really quite special. What's more the sun was out, and I was able to get some good record shots of them too.

I do hope this isn't all my luck used up, and that I can have more days like this on the patch in the weeks and years ahead.

Female Redstart (centre picture)

Male Redstart hugging the hedge

Male Whinchat with his back to us

Now facing us

This Yellow Wagtail was on the golf course, while I had myself behind some trees for cover

 Record shot of a Ringed Plover (left) and Common Sandpiper (right)

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.

Common Sandpiper

 An early morning visit to one of my favourite places was just the tonic I needed to lift my mood. It's been ages since I've been able to go here, or at least it feels that way. I was greeted with two Common Sandpipers almost the minute I stepped out of the car. These birds are great to watch as the scour the perimeters of our reservoirs, lakes and waterways. I'm looking forward to seeing more of these as we go through the Spring and Summer months.

Good fieldcraft is needed to photograph these shy birds, as more often than not they will head off across the water when they've seen you. Good use of a wall and knowledge of their movements helped me keep one step ahead. I left this one in peace and it was soon joined by it's companion.

Snipes Pool

Snipes Pool is more often than not 'quiet' whenever I stop to have a look at it when I am in Norfolk. Barring the usual Little Egrets, Mallard and Tufted Duck it has always seemed a little disappointing. This doesn't stop me looking every time, because you just never know.

A few weeks back I did my usual early morning pull in, in hope more than expectation. I was not disappointed on this occasion with a good few waders on it and some interesting birds in the trees around it.

A couple of Green Sandpipers were in amongst the cut reeds.

A nice juvenile Ruff

This Lesser Whitethroat was a nice surprise, just a shame it was so gloomy. Nice to watch through the binoculars at close quarters all the same.

A very obliging Water Rail stayed out in view for a few minutes, which is better than the few seconds you normally get, if you're lucky.

Three Common Sandpipers were also around.