Burton Mere Wetlands

On what was yet another cold grey and overcast day. Lisa and I brightened the mood by visiting RSPB Burton Mere for our winter fix of water birds. There was a good variety as always here, and we were greeted in the car park by the sound of overflying Pink-footed Geese. There was lots around and some good birds added to the Year List, with the likes of Knot, Curlew, Green Sandpiper and Dunlin.

The highlight was a Great White Egret dropping just metres away from us while standing at the Bridge Screen.

You can see more of our visit here:

Great White Egret

Dunlin

Knot and Black-tailed Godwit

Redshank

Long-tailed Tit

Mallard

Teal

Fun in the Sun

Last weekend was particularly cold, with three nights of frost that did not thaw out during the daytime. We were then blessed with some really good sunshine. A cold sunny day always has me excited to get outside and see what's about. 

It was a hat, snood, and gloves type of day, but that also means that the birds and wildlife are all actively seeking out food, which can make it easier to see some of the more shy species. 

It was a lovely morning, which seems to have been followed by a week of rain, with more to come this weekend. Oh well, not much I can do about it, but look back at what's out there with these pictures.

Coal Tit

Jay. Not a bird that is easily brought down from the safety of the trees.

Mallards in flight.

This pair were braving the ice on Redesmere. It was about 60% covered, which did push some of the birds like Goldeneye, Goosander and Pochard a bit closer to me than normal.

Pochard

Cormorant over two Tufted ducks.

Not so Early Birder

With Autumn now in full swing, early morning birding doesn't really happen. Sunrise is nearer to 7:30am and it's a bonus if there is no cloud cover. When it is clear though, the sun can give off some really nice light. I took a walk around some local areas recently and there was a good mix of things about. Chiffchaffs are still here, and I'm wondering if these will now stay over the winter, as many now seem to do. I look forward to their song in the Springtime, so to still hear them singing in mid Autumn is strange, but nice all the same.

Chiffchaff

Formation flying by these Mallards

Robins are setting up their winter territories and are very vocal at the moment.

This pair of Stonechats used to only overwinter on this particular site, but they actually stayed the summer and successfully bred this year. They are still here now and they looked great in the morning sunshine.

Mute Swan

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.

Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve

It's a good time for birds all over the country at the moment and Loughton in Essex is no different. The Spring and Summer migrants are back in now and bird song and activity is at its peak.
Around the lake at Roding Valley Meadows Nature Reserve there is a real cacophony of noise. Reed Warblers are in a couple of locations churring away. Blackcaps, Whitethroats and Chiffchaffs are all in competition and then you can here the yaffle of the Green Woodpecker in the background. Every now again you can get the whistle like call of the Kingfisher as it shoots along the River Roding, usually low and out of sight. A special time of year to take a walk.

Reed Warbler.

Common Whitethroat.

Young Mallards.

Variety is the Spice of Life.

A good variety of stuff at Pennington Flash as usual recently. Nothing much out of the ordinary, but it's always good to go and see lots of different species rather than the same species you see on a daily basis. It keeps you on your toes I find.
I had the pleasure of meeting Derek from Northern Ireland in a few of the hides. I had a good time sharing our sightings and knowledge. We spent some time lamenting the lack of movement from a Green Sandpiper some way off in the distance. It only transpired later in the day that he follows my blog. Such a small world. You can find Derek's own blog here: Bangor West

There were quite a few busy parents around feeding their young. Female Mallard here looking after just 3 youngsters. Makes me wonder what happened to the others.

Moorhen scampering about.

There were two very busy Reed Warblers zipping about.

One for Derek. A Stock Dove.

Just another Mallard

With good light, everything looks better and more colourful and nothing beats a bright sunny day.
Even the mallards get me looking back twice to enjoy the beautiful colours on the males head. So vibrant but sadly overlooked quite often. I even managed to get some ok flight shots of this particular duck.

Mallard Fluff Balls

Everybody loves baby ducklings. These little guys were busying themselves a few weeks ago. I think they were looking for food while also trying to stay out of harms way. That's always difficult at this size, and the parents were also in close attendance at all times, so that they didn't go missing or get led astray.

 

Trying to do the walking on water thing.

 

And here's Mum.

 

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

 

Redesmere

The light was fantastic at Redesmere on Wednesday. Everything looks so much better in the sunshine, and that goes for photos too. A lot of the work is already done for you. You just need some nice birds to be in the area. I managed to get both.

Great Crested Grebe, gave some very good views.

Tufted Ducks were relatively tame.

A young Mallard.