Little Grebe - Burton Mere

A visit to RSPB Burton Mere reserve is always enjoyable. There is usually some uncertainty as to what you might see. Quite often there are some very good rarities and always a good selection of waders. One bird you can pretty much guarantee though is a Little Grebe.  Not always easy to see or get good views of, due to its small size, it is quite reliable at Burton to get close to the reception hide.
This is where it appeared recently and I was able to enjoy some time just watching it dabble around the reeds.

Whinchat - Leasowe

Migration is in full swing and the birds are getting better, and still coming. An early morning start on the Wirral turned up a few surprises with a Sedge Warbler calling. A Willow Warbler was the first of the year, as were half a dozen Swallows.
Pick of the bunch though was a stunning male Whinchat. Around the perimeter of a horse paddock, doing what they do best, waiting on fence posts before dropping down for some food and back again.
Only the second time I've seen one. I'm hoping I can see a few more this year. For now though, I'm happy with this one.

Pied Flycatcher

I think I've mentioned on a few occasions my excitement of Spring and its arrival. The birds that arrive at this time of year are the main reason for my excitement. Last week offered up some goodies in the form of Willow Warblers and Chiffchaffs, but the real gems for me are only just getting here now. The Pied Flycatchers, Redstarts, Ring Ouzels, Cuckoos and others. When I see any of these I feel so privileged to be in the same location as them.
Last night I managed to see my first Pied Flycatcher and Redstart of the year. It was getting dark, but I managed a few shots. I hope to see some more in the next few weeks.

 

Chiffchaff

The joys of Spring are back. Going for a walk and hearing the sound of migrant birds that weren't there just a few days ago. Knowing how far they've travelled just to be in that spot where you are right now is always a little hard to take in. But the songs are wonderful. Enough to put a smile on my face as I hear my first Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff. Then I have to try and see it. Thankfully the trees are not in full leaf, but they do make it difficult for your to see them as they flit, almost constantly, around the branches.
In a few weeks time it will be very difficult to spot them, so I made the most of the light yesterday and found myself a Chiffchaff. It's a bit of a waiting game and a fingers crossed job, hoping one will forget you're there and become inquisitive. I was very fortunate indeed to get this little guy come so close. What a lovely bird and one that may have flown all the way from North Africa.

Lovely clean new leaves ready to flourish.

A Mixed Bag

A disappointing day that was spoilt by rain left me with only a few images. Nothing more frustrating, when you've been looking forward to getting out with the camera and then it rains. Still, there were a couple of dry spells. Just not as many as the rain filled ones.

First up, a Grey Wagtail that was very busy indeed along Clough Brook. This is a female and no doubt there will be a male about too, as they'll be ready to nest very soon.

Grey Wagtail

Herring Gull

Lesser black-backed Gull

On the beach at Pensarn, while waiting for a very elusive Iceland Gull, we were treated to a few glimpses of Meadow Pipit. We heard many others, but this one dropped down in front of me.

Meadow Pipit

Purple Sandpiper - New Brighton

This bird is one of my favourite waders. I've only ever seen it twice, and on this occasion there were eleven of them. In February of last year I saw my first one on the rocks at Colwyn Bay. The plumage on these birds is just wonderful. Purplish on top and mainly white underneath. They just look very neat and compact.
This particular group were huddled on a pontoon at New Brighton, on the Wirral. The tide was in and the beach covered. It was time for a little R&R.

They do have two legs. They were all just choosing to use one.

In the background here with a Laughing Gull, (Front) and Turnstones (many).

Turnstones, to the right, are slightly bigger.

Rook - Woodford

A bit of a Rookery has been developing recently on my patch, with several nests.
I've never really thought of this particular crow as very good looking. That bill with it's bare skin around the base. It makes me think of vultures and so, to me, makes them appear a little sinister and awaiting trouble.
Having said all that, I can appreciate them as actually a very smart looking bird these days. The shine on those feathers is quite immaculate.

The bill reminds me of a Brazil nut.

Redshank - West Kirby

A day on the Wirral started with so much anticipation but ended up being a bit of a damp squib. I had high hopes of seeing lots of different things, but the weather put paid to that as the rain and wind came in. I only managed a few shots with the camera as it was too gloomy and wet.
These Redshank were sheltering on the rocks at West Kirby. They were getting battered all over the place by the wind coming in off the sea.

This guy didn't see the wave coming.

Whoops! There it is.

When do you think this winds going to stop then?

Huddled and hunched together into the wind.

Great Grey Shrike - Beeley Moor

I've been chasing this species all over the UK in the past couple of years. For one reason or another, somehow, I've missed it on each occasion. I did hear it's call one once in Norfolk, but that's not good enough to say you've seen it. So, I've been close a couple of times and I have to say I wasn't particularly confident about seeing this particular bird this morning. It has been widely reported in the Beeley Moor area in Derbyshire for some months, and there has been at least one bird here for a few years over winter.
The forecast was not good and the clocks went forward too, so an hour less sleep, but I was so fed up with yesterdays disappointing birding day, I thought sod it I'm going. It was still dark and there was only me on the road for a lot of the way.
7.30am and I was in position. Then the rain came. More than an hour later there it was, sat right next to my car. So up came the camera, and here's what I got. I want to improve on these images at some point. Some sunshine would be a good starter, but these will do as record shots of my first ever Great Grey Shrike.

Grainy image, but really shows of that killer bill.

You can see the rain slanting in from left to right here, but composition is a little better.

Lesser Redpoll

I've missed several opportunities this year to see Lesser Redpolls. These images were taken at Watergrove Reservoir in Rochdale. I was on the hunt for a Marsh Tit at the time, but was more than happy to see one of these pitch up at the feeders. It is a very small finch (as you can see below alongside the Goldfinch). A lot easier to see in the winter when the leaves are off the trees, or of course when one lands on a feeder in front of you.

Redpoll here on the right, with a Goldfinch.

 

 

Lapwing

Lapwings have returned to my patch at long last. There were a good 30+ birds displaying over the fields where they usually nest. They make quite a racket, but for me its a great sound. I've spent many hours watching them perform and subsequently nest and bring up their young in these fields. I'm hoping that this year is no different to those gone before. I'd like to get some more pictures like these.

Long tailed ball of fulff.

I can usually hear the call before I see these little birds, and when I do see them, there are usually at least half a dozen of them. It's safety in numbers for these little guys. The Long-tailed Tit. A very cute looking fluff ball with a tail longer than its body.
This particular bird was one of a group at Pennington Flash a few weeks ago. What a beauty it is too.