Heathland

A nice warm Spring morning up on the heathlands of Norfolk meant that I was looking for a couple of hard to find birds for the UK. The Dartford Warbler and the Woodlark are both rare finds here, but they both love heath and with a lot of patience you can get lucky. Knowing when they are likely to be singing or looking to pair up is a good start, as they are easier to pick up by sound. I got lucky with both birds, and it seemed there were good numbers around too, with several pairs of each. 

These pictures were taken at some distance and are heavily cropped, so not the best, but these birds should be respected from a distance so as not to disturb them. They need all the help they can get if they are to breed successfully and increase the population.

Male Dartford Warbler

A pair of Woodlark in courtship display.

Out on the East Bank at Cley, there were many Reed Buntings feeding on the tops of the reeds. The light was just perfect.

Reed Buntings

Pennington Flash

The weather has not been particularly kind at the weekends, and it's looking the same again this. Dark skies, rain and wind. Not a great prospect when you work all week and just want a bit of sunshine, or light cloud. So last weekend I headed to an old haunt of mine, Pennington Flash, to sit in the hides out of the rain and see what turned up. If I'm honest, I was really looking for the Willow Tit that can be found here. Not an easy bird to find and on a sharp decline across the country, but usually quite reliable at this site.

I sat for nearly an hour and a half just observing the comings and goings. There were plenty of species and a nice fly through of a Sparrowhawk. An enjoyable time on what was then a very miserable day. Hurry up Spring.

Blue Tit

Long-tailed Tit

Nuthatch

Reed Bunting

Robin

It turned up eventually. The Willow Tit.

Danes Moss, Gawsworth Cheshire

I recently visited one of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust sties that I had not previously been too. This is situated in the Gawsworth area of Macclesfield and is a lowland raised bog. I went hoping to find or hear a Cuckoo. I had no such luck on this morning, but I thoroughly enjoyed walking around the area and familiarising myself it. There was a really nice circular boardwalk route, which took you through woodland, and across the more marshy areas.

There was plenty of birdsong, with Whitethroats, Willow Warbler, Chiffchaff and the odd Reed Bunting battling it out. The site information board shows that it is very good habitat for dragonflies and butterflies. I hope to head back here soon to see what I can photograph when the birds go quiet, which won't be too long now. In the meantime, here are just a few of the birds that I did see.

Reed Bunting

The Treecreepers were very busy collecting insects for their young.

This Common Whitethroat had some nesting material in its beak.

Peak District Moors

Up on the moors you can still hear the evocative call of the Curlew at the moment. It can sound a bit haunting at times, but it's a great bird to hear. Sadly it is in decline, as it's habitat is eroded by concrete jungles and changes in agriculture. Thankfully there are still quite a few in  an area close to me. A couple of weeks ago I was greeted by a pair that flew towards and over me as I got out of my car. I posed no threat, but they weren't to know that. I carried on my walk along the road only for them to come round again for a second pass. I got the camera up this time, and the light was perfect.

Yes, that is what you think it is just below the bird.

A Reed Bunting was not what I expected to see up on the moors.

Juvenile Wheatear were good to see, with a few around, and still being tended to by the parent.

Burton Mere RSPB

RSPB Burton Mere on the Wirral is such a great place for birds of all varieties and it seems to attract something different each time I'm there. I spent a good portion of a day there recently and saw some really great birds. Some of the highlights included a Little Stint and Curlew Sandpiper. These were viewable by scope only, but I had mine and was more than happy to tick these off the year list and watch from afar.
The whole reserve was alive, from tree tops to reed bed to muddy verges to water. It's such a great time of year. I'm already starting to think that it's nearly over and looking forward to April coming once again. I'm wishing my life away now, but blink and you can miss it. So I do try and make the most of this busy period.

This bird is one that is more often than not only ever heard, as it skulks through the undergrowth giving it's very loud and clear call. I was patient on this occasion and had time to wait it out for an actual sighting of this very active Cetti's Warbler. One of the best views I've had of it.

A Great White Egret, used to be very uncommon not so long ago, but is now around Burton regularly.

A lovely male Reed Bunting

A Reed Warbler, which was busy tending to a nest.

Common Whitethroat were very busy and vocal.

A real success story for Burton is that a pair of Spoonbill were nesting on site. Almost unthinkable that they would choose to nest here, but Cattle Egret and Great White Egret are just some of the species that have also made this area of the Dee Estuary their new home.

RSPB Geltsdale

RSPB Geltsdale near Carlisle held such a variety of wildlife that I am already looking forward to a visit again next year.
On leaving the car I could see Hares running in the fields. As they had not seen me, I took some time just to observe from a distance.

Enjoying the early morning sunshine.

Meadow Pipits were plentiful and they were constantly hopping onto the dry stone walls. It felt like they were keeping me company as I went on my walk.

 From the viewing screen there was a lot of activity, with birds constantly flitting around the trees and shrubs. It was difficult to pin them down sometimes as to what they were.

 This Reed Bunting showed itself briefly through the branches.

This Sedge Warbler was busy feeding young and can be seen here with some grubs in it's bill.

The more distant and more common view of the Sedge Warbler.

RSPB Geltsdale - Cumbria

On my way to the Farne Islands I decided to break up my journey with several stops on the way. I like to make the most of where I am and like to see new places, and quite often ones I've heard of quite regularly in the past.
My first stop off was in Cumbria, at RSPB Geltsdale. I set off on the circular 4.5km at 7am. The clouds were gathering and it was cold. This is the Summer right? I had three layers on and my fleecy hat.
Anyway, there was plenty of life. A brown hare met me on one path, and lots of Swallows were zipping around. Lots of birds were busy feeding young, and there seemed to be Meadow Pipits everywhere.

Meadow Pipit with lots of juicy treats for the babies.

There were lots of Reed Buntings singing this morning. Some were up on power lines and others on fence posts, wire fences and of course, reeds. This one was watching me as I walked past, so I stopped to say hello. He carried on singing regardless.

I was hoping to find a Whinchat on my way round, but had no luck. I did however come across this very good looking male Stonechat.