Lynford Arboretum

An early start saw me at Lynford Arboretum by 8.30 on Saturday morning, in search of Two-barred Crossbill and Hawfinch. There were lots of Common Crossbill in many flocks. Only problem I had was to crane my neck up a good 50 feet to the trees they were in to try and spot the Two-barred variety. Made more difficult with so many flighty birds. But luck was on my side as I spotted this female (below). The defining distinction is the two white stripes across the wings.
I did briefly see a Hawfinch on the ground in its usual area but was only there long enough for me to see through the binoculars. Still two lifers in a day is not a bad return for a 3am start and 270 miles.

 

Norfolk I am coming

I'm heading off to Norfolk on Saturday for a few days Birding and relaxation with my parents. I'm hoping to catch up with some of Wheatear, which have been coming into the country recently. I'm hoping to see a lot more than that to be honest, but these would be good for starters.

Goosander

A nice stroll around Hollingworth Lake, Rochdale, last Sunday saw the sun come out for a nice change. There was plenty of activity and song in the trees and bushes and some nice birds on the lake itself. When I got in the hide I was fortunate to be met by a few Goosander. In the past, these birds have proved difficult to capture on camera and are usually too far away to get any decent shots, but my luck was in today.

Here is the cracking male. 

And here is the equally impressive female.

Local Patch Watching

I've been out recently, looking for signs of spring on my local patch. It's a little slow at the moment, but things are starting to pick up. Just this evening I came across a pair of Oystercatcher for the second time in just a couple of weeks. I hope they nest and raise some young as previous pairs have done in the last few years.

Nuthatch

I had a rare day off work that also entailed some time to myself. So I took the opportunity to take the binoculars and the camera to my local patch. Not much was around so I ventured a few miles down the road to Bramhall, The woods were alive with the sound of birds marking territory and suddenly Spring is upon us.
This Nuthatch was very vocal. Either it wasn't keen on me being there or there was another bird in the vicinity. Either way he put on a good show. Unfortunately it was a little dark due to the cloud cover, so some of the shots are a little grainy and I forgot my monopod, so these are handheld.

There were plenty of squirrels scurrying around. This little guy was having a light snack.

Iceland Gull at Elton Reservoir

The weekend saw me out and about in search of a reported Iceland Gull. I had seen one a couple of years ago at Sandbach, but to be honest it was a little too far away for me to really appreciate, even through the binoculars. So I headed to Elton Reservoir in Bury wondering what I'd find. This time I made sure I did my homework and knew exactly what I was looking for. It was cold and windy as I scanned the water, but it was not long at all before I picked out the very pale feathered Iceland Gull in amongst a whole host of other gulls. It was quite some distance out in to the reservoir, so these shots are not particularly great but more of a good record in Manchester.

The pale bird just left of centre is your Iceland Gull





Here out in front

In flight at the back behind a Black-headed Gull

1st winter Common Gull in flight.

It won't be long now.

We're rapidly heading towards my favourite time of the year. Spring brings so much joy to me in terms of the birds that will soon be turning up just a few miles from home. Together with the British species that will be setting up territories and nest sites, many will be coming in from other countries to holiday and rear young here. There will be warblers, Cuckoos, Swallows and Swifts to name but a few. My favourite visitor though is the Redstart, and to help increase my excitement level I thought I'd share a few pictures I took a couple of years ago in the Goyt Valley. Such a remarkable bird.

Here is the male in all his glory.

And the female's pretty hot too.

There's the red orange tail that quivers quite regularly.

Same old same old.

You see all sorts on the water. If you're lucky you'll get to see something a little out of the ordinary, but most of the time it's the same old suspects. These shouldn't be taken for granted though. Once upon a time the Tree and House Sparrow were very common sights in this country. Enjoy what's in front of you no matter how familiar they are.

Canada Goose

Coot

Moorhen

Goldfinch

 I usually hear the Goldfinch before I see it. Usually in small flocks darting overhead, or sat on telephone wires. You can 't beat it when they come to feed in your garden though. This lovely specimen below was taken at Burton Mere RSPB reserve, where they make sure the feeders are full for all types of species. A nice sunny day helped to bring the shine out on the red face.

Oystercatcher - Colwyn Bay

One of the more colourful wading birds I enjoy seeing is the Oystercatcher. I am also lucky enough to see them on my own patch in Woodford, where they have bred in recent years.
Down on the coast they stand out amongst the other birds due to their black and white plumage and almost day glow orange bills. Always nice to see, but sometimes their call can get on your wick after a while. It's pretty monotonous, and loud.

Nice pink legs.

Happy to mingle here with the Redshanks and a Dunlin.

A nice bold white wing stripe.

Stockport Rarities

It never rains but it pours. For the first time in a long time, I was able to get out onto my patch, albeit the majority of it was spent sat in my car due to the dreadful weather. However I was able to catch up with a local rarity. Three Pink-footed geese had been on the Church Lane flood for a few days and I was hoping that they'd be able to hang around until I could get there. When I arrived I could see a couple of hundred Canada Geese and a few Greylag Geese mixed in with them. Stupidly I'd left the binoculars at home, and I didn't have time to go back and get them in my small window of opportunity. I relied on my camera lens to pick them out, and I did that some 150 yards away. I usually venture to Martin Mere or Norfolk to see these birds. To see them just two miles from my where I live was quite amazing. Come again please.
Then, to my amazement, a bird was put up in the air by three incoming Mallards. It was quite clearly a Pintail, even without binoculars. I threw the camera up at it and hoped for the best. Two local rarities in one day. Birding doesn't get much better than this.

Pink-footed Goose

This Pintail flew towards me and then over me. A real Stockport Borough rarity.

The Pintail kindly came back, so I was able to get some very distant shots of it on the flood on Sunday.