Smew - Lunt Meadows

I had a day off work towards the end of January to recharge the batteries and get outside in some bright dry weather. I always plan my trips, and I like to do a nice circular route. I headed to Lunt Meadows for the second time in a month, as I just really like the place and it's not too busy. 

The first bird of note, was a nice Marsh Harrier hunting over the reeds, my first of the year. It soon glided out of view and I continued my walk. I was drawn to a bright white bird on the water, and my binoculars confirmed my thoughts. A male Smew!!. I had a quick panic to set up the scope , but there it was. This was not what I expected to see, but what a real bonus of a bird. Only the second male I've seen, and this one just by pure luck and chance.

Male Smew

It later went missing, but flew straight over my head when the group of Teal it was with took flight from a Peregrine.

A bird that had been here for a while was a Richardson's Cackling Goose (origin unknown). A much smaller bird than the Canada Goose, you can see how much shorter the neck is on the front bird.

Waxwing Winter

Waxwings have been in good supply this winter, and either side of the new year. I was fortunate enough to see a small flock in November in Wiveton, Norfolk, but then caught up with a really substantial flock of 100+ birds in January in Derbyshire. These birds were feeding on the berries along the Monsal trail. They put on a great show for the many birders and locals that walked past. It's been probably 10 years since I last saw so many here in the UK, and this has truly been a Waxwing Winter. I hope it's not another 10 years until the next one.

The Delights of the Derbyshire Dales

I spent a very cold frosty morning in Derbyshire, just a short drive from home, watching some really great birds. The forecast was for blue skies and sunshine, and for once it was correct. My first stop was up on the moors above Bakewell to see a Great Grey Shrike that had been wintering in the area. I got onto it without even getting out of the car, as it perched on a bush about 100 yards away. I was looking right into the sun, and it didn't move much, as I think it was just warming itself in the first sunlight of the day. I left it after about half an hour. A great start to the day.

Great Grey Shrike

I moved on to an area of woodland where I knew some Crossbills had been seen recently, and as luck would have it, there was a flock of about 10 right above my head in the trees where I parked my car. I've not been able to see these birds properly for a few years following a change to there habitat where I usually watch them, so it was great to catch up with them properly again.

 Female Crossbill

I moved onto the canal at Cromford, hoping for a possible Hawfinch, but had no joy. I was pleased though to be able to watch a pair of Dippers potentially nest-building under a bridge.

Dipper

The Dippers were joined by a Grey Wagtail on a log.

Twite

A bird that I have only seen fleetingly a handful of times before, is the Twite. I never have much luck with these shy birds. I have gone looking for them on many occasions and usually come up blank. I know where they can be found, but I somehow dodge them, or they don't like me. While out in the Lancashire countryside, I dropped in to a regular area for them, and this time a flock of around 30 birds dropped in over my head to an area of shore that had been seeded by some kind birder. I couldn't believe my luck this time. I'd not even started to look for them and there they were in front of me.

A super little bird with their small yellow bills. Most had colour rings on their legs from the local ringing groups. This helps to identify their movements when seen again and reported. I aim to let the relevant people know so that they can log the birds sighting.

Winter Visiting Swans

I love to see our winter Swans, and recently I was fortunate enough to see both Whooper Swans and Bewick's Swans together. This gave a nice size comparison, as The Bewick's are quite a bit smaller and also have a different pattern on their bills. They enjoy the fields and estuaries here in the North West, but are becoming more and more scarce, especially the Bewick's.

The majority of this group feeding were the larger Whooper Swans, with their longer necks, and only 3 Bewick's. 

Bewick's front left and Whoopers.

3 Bewick's at the front, with one grey juvenile.

This group of Whoopers had a few Cattle Egrets for company with them in this field.

A small group of Dunlin working the sands.

A Redshank doing what Redshanks do.

New Years Day (part 2)

Just a few miles down the road from Lunt Meadows, we moved on to Crosby Marine Lake for what had been a long staying Black-throated Diver. These are a bird I usually see at some distance out at sea and usually with the aid of a telescope. On this occasion, the inland marine lake meant the bird came considerably closer while it was doing it's laps. A bit of patience required, but it came very close a number of times, and what's more, the sun was in the right place too. A cracking looking bird, and one I was delighted both see, and get on my year list so early in January.

New Years Day (part 1)

 Happy New Year to you all!!

A new year and a new year list. I like to start the new year with a good effort on the first day, and see how many I can get on my list. It was an early start and still dark as I headed towards Merseyside. The forecast was good, with some actual sunshine and no rain for once. Lisa and I arrived at Lunt Meadows hoping to see the Green-winged Teal that had been resident for some weeks. That would be a really good one to get on the 2024 list. Before that though, we were so lucky to watch a Barn Owl float across the fields in the early sunshine. What a great start!

Just one loan Goldeneye dropped in, but it landed nice and close for good views.

The Green-winge Teal (on the left) spent most of it's time roosting on the bank, but gave good views of the tell tale white vertical stripe beneath it's shoulder.

On the water this time (top centre) with other Teal.

We moved on to Crosby Marine lake where there quite a number of bonus birds which were not on my radar for the day. This lone Oystercatcher gave a nice fly-by giving it's usual call.

There were a few Turnstones on the shore line of the marine lake. A bird that I'd not expected to see.

Merry Christmas!!

A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my followers. I hope you all have a very restful and peaceful time. Thank you for all your comments and the time you take to view my images. It's nice to know that others enjoy them as much as I enjoy taking them.

I look forward to bringing you more blogs and ramblings in the new year. 

Is it Spring yet?

More good sunlight at Redesmere meant I could get some good views of the Goosander flock that had been around for a week or two. I do like watching these birds as they move along the waters edge often with their heads under the surface. The males have a lovely green head, while the females have a reddish head. They're one of the highlights of the Autumn/Winter months on the local rivers and lakes.

Female Goosander

Male on the right

A nice comparison of the male and female together.

A smart looking male.

In a wooded area, I hid myself away hoping to get some good views of the Jays and Nuthatches, but I was joined by this very good looking Great Spotted Woodpecker. It came down quite low and was doing some foraging on the bark of this branch.

Fun in the Sun

Last weekend was particularly cold, with three nights of frost that did not thaw out during the daytime. We were then blessed with some really good sunshine. A cold sunny day always has me excited to get outside and see what's about. 

It was a hat, snood, and gloves type of day, but that also means that the birds and wildlife are all actively seeking out food, which can make it easier to see some of the more shy species. 

It was a lovely morning, which seems to have been followed by a week of rain, with more to come this weekend. Oh well, not much I can do about it, but look back at what's out there with these pictures.

Coal Tit

Jay. Not a bird that is easily brought down from the safety of the trees.

Mallards in flight.

This pair were braving the ice on Redesmere. It was about 60% covered, which did push some of the birds like Goldeneye, Goosander and Pochard a bit closer to me than normal.

Pochard

Cormorant over two Tufted ducks.