Pennington Flash

These pictures are from a few weeks back when I took a visit to Pennington Flash, which is one of the premier birding sites in the North West. Such a varied array of habitats, it attracts so many different species.
It was a bright morning (always a bonus) and there was lots to see. There were Reed and Sedge Warblers in the reed beds. A Kingfisher zipped past while I was watching some of the many Grey Herons, and the main water held hundreds of Swifts, Swallows and Sand Martins. It was a fantastic Spring morning.

A male Blackcap was letting everyone know he was around.

Common Terns taking a rest in front of Horrock's hide.

Great crested Grebe.

A juvenile Grey Heron, and some Lapwings behind.

Little ringed plover.

Stock Dove

Something I try every year. Catching a Swift in flight. It's not very easy.

Pennington Flash

A cold frosty morning at Pennington Flash is perfect for me. As long as you wrap up warm, it's ideal for lots of activity and a good variety to be seen more easily than normal.
I spotted a Kingfisher sitting in the red Dogwood. Too distant for the camera but great to watch through the binoculars. Plenty of gulls on the water and Cormorants at the end of the spit.
A pair of Mute Swans swam close to the shore line near to the car park and allowed me to get this nice close up .

Mute Swan

One of many Stock Dove seen from the Bunting hide.

Willow Tit on a frosty branch.

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.

Pennington Flash

A nice cold and bright forecast meant I was out before sunrise, and off to Pennington Flash to see what was on offer. You can never fail here, at one of the North West's finest birding sites. Such a mix of habitat opens up so many possibilities. I registered over 30 different species this morning. Nothing really out of the ordinary, but it's just a joy to be out with nature at that time of the morning. One thing that did catch my eye, were the Goldeneye going through their courtship display. Most unusal, and I found myself fixated with three males trying to woo two females. They didn't seem that interested but that didn't deter the males. Maybe they needed their beer goggles.

Goldeneye (not 007)

A Pennington favourite (and my Mum's favourite too)

A Stock Dove

Early morning from the Tom Edmonson hide