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.

Pennington Flash

A quick trip to Pennington Flash brought me nice and close to some of our regular birds. Often overlooked in the field when looking for something a little more exotic, or something new for the year list, these more common birds reminded me that they still hold a lot of natural beauty. You just have to give them the time to realise it.
The Blue Tit is possibly my favourite garden bird, and it is always good to see. More often than not it is a fleeting glimpse as it forages through bushes and trees or sits at a feeder. The beauty of having binoculars or a camera is that you get to see everything a lot closer up. Feather patterns, colours and detail are really highlighted. 

Blue Tit

Nuthatch doing what a Nuthatch does best.

Willow Tit do very well in this part of the North West.

Greenfinch

Out on the flash itself, among many waterfowl and waders was this pristine Grey Heron. In fact I counted seven on the spit from Horrocks hide. Once again, it was nice to be able to observe it for some time and appreciate it's majesty.

Bring on the Winter Weather

A look back to some colder winter mornings, well more of a look forward to what is to come. Some of the better birding mornings are spent when there is a cold frost on the ground. The birds are forced out to feed and take more risks, which allows more opportunities to get shots of them. So as much as I am not looking forward to the cold wet windy weather, I am looking forward to some cold blue sky days, when I can sit in five layers of clothes in a hide and take myself away.

Blue Tit

Chaffinch

Willow Tit

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.

Willow Tit

While I wait around for the Bullfinches to show at Pennington, there are lots of other birds to keep me occupied. Never a dull moment here, with plenty of wildlife to keep me entertained.
I could sit in the hide for hours watching birds flit in and out and numerous squirrels scampering around.
One particular bird that you don't see very much at all, or for very long, is the Willow Tit. They don't hang around. Usually, if you're quick enough, you can spot them on the fringes. Then they'll dart to a table, take a seed, and then just as quickly dart back into the cover of the undergrowth. All done in a matter of seconds.
Trying to get anything on camera is a real challenge, but who doesn't like a challenge?

This little guy showed me all its best sides before flitting off in the blink if an eye.

Willow Tit (not Tit Willow)

A few weeks ago I shared a post on Marsh Tits in Norfolk. This week I have the Willow Tit which is pretty darn difficult to separate in terms of looks. In fact it looks almost identical.
The Willow Tit has a larger bib (that bit under the bill). Whole white cheeks and a nice buff brown colour on the sides.
Pennington Flash came up trumps for me once again for this bird in Manchester. Usually very difficult to photograph due to its speed around the branches, I got lucky with this one.

Pennington Flash

Another weekend visit to Pennington Flash, and more great birds to see. It really never disappoints. Below are some birds I found at the Bunting Hide where seed is put out regularly and the birds visit frequently. It's always great to see the birds at close quarters. You can watch habits and see who doesn't like who. Which ones like to perch and which ones prefer to do fly by.

Willow Tit on tip toe.

Nuthatch

Bullfinch. (Now, is that not just a little too big for you?)

Please stop raining.

I thought I'd cheer myself up this week with some colourful birds that I've photographed recently. The weather has been horribly wet for what seems like an age, but is really more like days. It has stopped me going out though, and that makes me sad. I get cabin fever quite quickly and need my bird fix on a regular basis. This will keep me going for a day or two.

Male Bullfinch at Pennington Flash.

Goldfinch in frostier times.

A very handsome male Stonechat at Danebower.

A Willow Tit at Woolston Eyes.

I've tried for a long time to get a decent shot of the Willow Tit. I got lucky last week.