Redshank

The Wirral provides a fantastic habitat for wading birds. On the rocks of West Kirby, along with the Turnstones were good numbers of Redshank. As is often the case here, they were busy shielding their eyes from the strong breeze blowing in off the sea. Others were even busier on the beach. Running around and looking for a nice meal.

Checking out the sleeping Turnstone.

Head on into the wind.

Turnstone

My trip to the Wirral included a stop off at West Kirby marine lake. I pulled up at the usual spot and parked. Just a short walk from the pavement are some rocks where waders like to congregate. There were plenty of Turnstone at one end and Common Redshank at the other. A little peep over the wall and I was able to get very close to these super little birds. I don't know why, but I have a particular soft spot for Turnstones. I spent a lot of time watching their behaviour in Norfolk, and I've got to say they fascinate me.
They don't scare easily, and if you keep quite still, they will come very close to you. I've even had them walking around my feet before. Lovely, busy little birds, and as the name suggests, they do flip and turn over the stones in search of food.

This chap was having an afternoon nap.

There was quite a variety of plumage's among the birds. Some still had a lot of their summer breeding plumage.

Leasowe - The Wirral

I took a trip out to the Wirral at the weekend. The morning weather was not nice but my weather app was telling me I would get a window of a couple of hours when it wouldn't be raining and a possibility of sunshine too. It was all I needed to get in the car and head west.
I could see the clouds breaking but it took a while for the light to really improve. By the time I got to Leasowe, and its very iconic lighthouse, the sun was peeping out and everything looked a lot better.
Unfortunately there wasn't too much action on the bird front and the tide was well out. Still, I had a nice little walk and its always nice to be at the coast and smelling that fresh air.

Leasowe Lighthouse

And with the blue sky that I was promised.

A Black-headed Gull atop a telegraph pole.

Spotted Flycatcher

Unfortunately, it's that time of year again. Our summer migrants are starting to gather up their things and head back home. As sad a time as it is, to think that we won't see some of these birds for another six months or so, it actually becomes a very good time of year to see some in good numbers.
I took a leisurely Sunday walk around Elton reservoir last Sunday hoping for some stop off waders. No such luck, in fact it was very quiet indeed. Almost 3/4 of the way round and the best bird so far was a Little Grebe. A nice bird to see, but not really what I was hoping for. Then from the canal path, I scanned down towards some trees and a fence line where I could see some activity. Pale, white-ish front and doing that characteristic hopping and leaping into the air to catch, well, flies. I needed closer inspection, but this did have all the characteristics of a Spotted Flycatcher.
I checked my map, and there was a public footpath and a style to cross to get me closer, but the field held some rather long horned cattle. I braved it, but have never come so close (intentionally) to something that looked so dangerous. I moved briskly, and there it was, in all its glory. Maybe the last one I see until May next year. A stunning Spotted Flycatcher. Destination: Africa.

What a beauty!

Only three of these to negotiate along the path.

Bempton Cliffs. (Again)

I couldn't resist posting some more of my pictures from Bempton Cliffs. The sound and smells on the East coast were quite breathtaking and at times eye watering. As I've mentioned before, it was the Gannet that I really came to see, and there were plenty around both in the air and on the rocks.

Plenty here sat on nests. Its a shame to see so much rubbish on the rock. Discarded fishing nets and ropes seem to be the most popular nesting material.

Kittiwake in a bit of a foul mood.

And looking a little more content.

Meadow Pipit on a lookout post.

Tree Sparrow near the visitor centre.

Pennignton Flash - The Usual Fair

Another good mix of birds from Pennington Flash. Nothing unusual this time, just a good variety.
Great Crested Grebes have been quite numerous on the main Flash. With some fast developing juveniles around too, it seems to have been a good year for them, or maybe its just an average year and I have noticed too much before. Either way they are always nice to watch.

Greenfinch have been in good numbers too, and this is something I've noticed in other parts of Manchester and Cheshire too. This is good, as some years back they were quite hard to come by.

A Jay came down to greet me as I parked the car. They'll be getting busy soon to stash food for the winter.



A Lapwing in front of Horrocks Hide.

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.

Back in the Spring

An evening on the moors around Derbyshire is always nice. Red Grouse bubble away and frequently show themselves. Raptors will often put in an appearance as they quarter for prey.
These pictures were taken one late evening in Spring. The sun had almost set and so there was not a great deal of light.
I could hear the grouse bubbling away, but it took me a while to locate one. I was sat in my car so as not to disturb them. Then one popped it's head up and gave itself away.

You can see the long grass was in need of some rain and warmth.

I got all of a fluster when I could see a large winged bird heading towards me and the car. It was a Short Eared Owl!! I've see these many times before, but there is something a little magical about seeing an owl. These birds are fantastic, and just awesome to watch as they float across the moors.
Almost dark by this point, hence the grainy shots, and it was almost past me before I could blink.

An early returning Willow Warbler, with the trees still in bud.

Sabine's Gull - Pennington Flash

A Sabine's Gull has been present at Pennington Flash for a few days. This, I believe, is only the third such bird for Manchester, so it is by no means a common bird. In fact, it's not a bird that usually finds its way inland. It should be up in the high Arctic or way out at sea. So the chances of me stumbling across one again so close to home are practically zero.

I was hoping it would stay around for me to see at the weekend, but I got a bit nervous that it would take flight before then, so I went straight from work on Friday night just in case. It was there, and in diminishing light I enjoyed watching it patrol the shore line of the flash.
I went back on Saturday morning with the promise of better light, and my pictures were much better.
It was very close in to the shore line once again, and was favouring an area of water with a radius of just a few meters. It was feeding actively, but every now and again took flight for a few minutes before landing back in its favourite spot, right in front of the gathered crowd.

I think this is my favourite gull. Truly stunning.

 

It spent most of it's time picking insects off the surface, but occasionally dunked right under.

 

 

 

 

Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust

I was contacted a little while ago by the Gloucestershire Wildlife Trust. They asked if they could use one of my pictures of a Willow Tit for a blog that they were writing for their website. Of course, I was delighted to be asked and had no hesitation for a fantastic organisation that does lots of very good work all over the country.
The Trust aims to help nature recover from the decline of past decades, and I have been l lucky enough to see their work at close hand whilst on my many jaunts around the UK. They do a superb job in making nature and wildlife appear fun and accessible to all.

A quote from their website: "We want to inspire people about the natural world so that they value it, understand their relationship with it and take action to protect and restore it."

The article in question can be found here: http://www.gloucestershirewildlifetrust.co.uk/blog/community/2015/07/03/top-10-tips-wildlife-photography

You will see my picture down the page. It made me feel very proud. And here is the Willow Tit.