Mixed Bag

A few weeks ago I popped over to Macclesfield to see what was around, and because if I'm honest I get withdrawal symptoms if I don't go. There is always something to see, and add to that a wonderful place to just be in. I can always find a quiet area away from others, and this usually coincides with being out early in the morning. This visit was no different, and I was content once I had been.

There were quite a few juvenile birds of all sorts around. Chiffchaffs and Blackcaps especially were numerous. On the reservoirs the young Great Crested Grebes with their stripy heads were now a good size and there were lots of juvenile Grey Wagtails around Bottoms reservoir (that name always makes me smile). Grey Herons were making quite a racket, as they do, but it all added up to a good morning and put my mind at ease that all was well in one of my favourite local areas. It seems nature can get on on it's own whether I'm watching it or not.  

Juvenile Blackcap

Common Buzzard

Coots chilling (look at those feet)

Grey Heron enjoying the morning sunshine

Grey Wagtail, of which there were almost a dozen youngsters.

It's not all doom and gloom.

A walk around a local lake recently showed signs of an impending Spring. The Coots were very feisty and chasing rivals away and even sometimes off the lake. The Grey Herons were setting up nest sites and some actually on the nests. Great Crested Grebes were seen to do their courtship displays. All very exciting for me, as it reminds me that these short dark days won't be forever and that Spring will come again and so will the sunshine.

Coot

Great Crested Grebe

The Warming Winter Sunshine

Early morning and the late evening sun provides some wonderful light. Something a bit different to the norm. Add some water into the mix and you can get some very nice atmospheric results. An early start in North West Manchester provided a great opportunity for such light.
It was cold and calm, and there were plenty of birds. Most were very busy after their roost and quite a number came close enough for some good views.

A Coot making the most of the warming sunshine.

Female Mallard.

Moorhen.

A Pochard also enjoying the sun, but sadly it was a bit too bright in this shot.

Hollingworth Lake

I had a couple of hours spare last weekend and went for a walk around Hollingworth lake in Rochdale. The weather has been truly dreadful of late, so I was just glad to get out without a howling wind or heavy rain. 

It was a leisurely stroll and not a great deal on the water, but enjoyable all the same as the sun began to set. 

I can't wait for Spring and some potentially drier, less windy spells of weather. Not a guarantee in this part of the world though.

Coot

A Cormorant in with some Lapwings.

A distant Kingfisher watching a Great Crested Grebe. 

More common, but not forgotten

My visit to the Wirral was very nice and there are always good birds around, but I never neglect the more common species on show that can often get overlooked. These were seen in a mixture of places such as marsh and coast. Here are just a few of them.

Common Redshank in flight.

Common Snipe.

Carrion Crow

Common Gull.



Coot

Female Teal

Storm Chaser

The weather forecast for my weekend in Norfolk was for heavy showers and sunshine. With this in mind, my plan was to wait out any rain in a hide or the car. The first rain arrived a lot sooner than I thought. I was the only one sat in the hide when I noticed the sky turning yellow. Then I heard the neighbours upstairs moving some heavy furniture. It quickly dawned on me that this was a storm and that was thunder I heard. So I thought I'd enjoy this storm and opened all the windows in the hide and waited. It came in very fast and the rain was torrential. It last for around ten minutes, but it was spectacular and I have to admit I rather enjoyed myself in there all alone. I can even see the appeal of becoming a storm chaser. Well, sort of.

This poor coot carries on as though nothing is happening.

The Shoveler was less impressed by the bullet sized rain that was hitting him.

 

This Avocet took an unusual stance of raising it bill in the air.

Before beating a hasty retreat.

Same old same old.

You see all sorts on the water. If you're lucky you'll get to see something a little out of the ordinary, but most of the time it's the same old suspects. These shouldn't be taken for granted though. Once upon a time the Tree and House Sparrow were very common sights in this country. Enjoy what's in front of you no matter how familiar they are.

Canada Goose

Coot

Moorhen

Redesmere

With not  a lot going on in my usual birding places, I popped over to Redesmere once again. Only things on note really were a couple of Goosander at the far side. They were too far away for my lens, but they are a lovely bird to see.
I made do with some birds that came closer to me.

Coot.

Tufted Duck.

 

A Mallard having a stretch

 

Roding Valley Meadows

This morning was one of those superbly cold, fresh, damp and sunny Autumn mornings that I love.
There was a frost on the ground and dew in the trees and on the cobwebs. A mist hung over the grass and helped hide my presence from some birds that didn't fully see my approach. Roding Valley Meadows in Loughton, Essex (where I am from) holds many fond childhood memories for me. I spent many hours here and didn't really pay enough attention to what was around me at the time. Now when I go back to my parents I can't wait to go for a walk and see what's around. This morning there were plenty of the usual species and some new ones too.On the lake there were lots of Coots,  Black headed gulls, a family of Mute swans, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Tufted ducks.
Here's my first instalment of pictures.

There were scores of these around. So pretty.

One of two Wigeon on the lake. This is the first time I've seen them here.

One of the 250 odd Coots on the lake at the moment.

Another new bird for me here is the Shoveler. There were about 10 this morning.

Stupidly big bill.

 

Mallard