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.

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.

Pochard

I found this lovely Pochard at Martin Mere while trying out my new lens. It really is a nice bird. I'm starting to find that new lens gives me a much better picture than previously. I can also get a lot closer to the subject

Tatton Mere

I'd heard of several Redhead Smew in the vacinity last weekend, and then I heard that one had found it's way to Tatton Mere in the grounds of Tatton Park. I made my way over in the afternoon and with the help of two birders located it at the morth end of the mere. It was very flighty but kept drifting back to the same area so it was just a case of waiting. I did wait and wait, but it was just getting darker and it just would not come near enough. A dog jumped in and made it fly a long way from me and I called it a day. Here is my best shot, followed by one taken of a captive Smew at Martin Mere last year.

Smew in flight (after harassment from a dog)

Smew  

 Very dodgy light, too far away and too shaky, but there it is.

Smew (captive) taken at Martin Mere

Pochard at Tatton Mere