Hoylake continued....

I've come to the conclusion that waders are my favourite type of bird. So many different varieties, but all subtly different. So, I've posted some more shots from Hoylake for you below.

Swirling flock of Knot and a rogue Black tailed Godwit.

The Black tailed Godwit (top) and Knot.

Redshanks. Of which there were hundreds.

Oystercatcher in flight, with some Shelduck in the distance.

Grey Plover (the larger bird, 4th from the left) with Dunlin and Redshank.

Ringed Plover.

Hoylake

When I left home it was cold and bright with not a cloud in the sky. As I headed West out to the Wirral, I could see the cloud on the horizon. Fingers were crossed that it wouldn't empty on me at any point. I arrived at Hoylake just as a little drizzle started, but nothing to put me off. I donned my boots and headed off to the shore line, which was a little further than it first looked. Still, I could see waders whisking around in flocks and continued. I passed a group of Shelduck then a few Ringed Plover stopped by. There were lots of Oystercatchers and Dunlin skimming around.
As I was walking towards the Lifeboat ramp a bird of prey spooked everything. At first I couldn't quite see what it was as it skimmed low over the sand, but then it landed. A Peregrine Falcon, sat on the beach, some 40 yards away. Absolutely superb.

You can just make out the rainbow that was sat over the building in the centre.

Hundreds of Cormorants were constantly on the move.

Dunlin and Oystercatchers.

Oystercatchers on the move.

As the tide comes in, the birds keep getting moved on.

One of three Grey Plovers that did a low fly past over me.

A welcome visitor. A Peregrine Falcon that spooked nearly everything.

Garden visitors

The cold mornings always attract more birds to the feeders and the garden in general. So I thought it would be rude not to take advantage of that, and took a few pictures of the birds that visit my garden.
Dunnocks are ground feeders along with Robins, although Robins seem to be getting more adventurous and are having a go at the feeders too.

The Dunnock

 

This Robin managed to grab itself a beetle in the grass.

This Great Tit spotted me while tucking into the sunflower hearts.

There once was an ugly duckling....

I came across a family of Swans recently. One parent and four almost fully grown juveniles. It was a calm morning as they drifted over the still water. A touch of mist had suspended itself over the lake and I felt as though I had my own private viewing of these birds. I try to get out before the dog walkers. It's always a lot easier to see things at first light and before they've been scared into the centre of the lake.

Roding Valley Meadows

This morning was one of those superbly cold, fresh, damp and sunny Autumn mornings that I love.
There was a frost on the ground and dew in the trees and on the cobwebs. A mist hung over the grass and helped hide my presence from some birds that didn't fully see my approach. Roding Valley Meadows in Loughton, Essex (where I am from) holds many fond childhood memories for me. I spent many hours here and didn't really pay enough attention to what was around me at the time. Now when I go back to my parents I can't wait to go for a walk and see what's around. This morning there were plenty of the usual species and some new ones too.On the lake there were lots of Coots,  Black headed gulls, a family of Mute swans, Gadwall, Wigeon, Shoveler and Tufted ducks.
Here's my first instalment of pictures.

There were scores of these around. So pretty.

One of two Wigeon on the lake. This is the first time I've seen them here.

One of the 250 odd Coots on the lake at the moment.

Another new bird for me here is the Shoveler. There were about 10 this morning.

Stupidly big bill.

 

Mallard

Collard Doves are never far from my garden, and quite often actually in it, but a few weeks ago I broke my record for the number of birds in my garden at once. Seven, was the magic number. This contained several juveniles that had been around recently, and they'd obviously told their friends that my garden was one hell of a place to feast in the afternoon.
I appreciate that they are not the most colourful or rarest of birds but sometimes it's just nice to see something in your garden.

I've no idea why they landed on the feeder, they are hopeless at getting anything out of them.

Treecreeper

These little guys are fantastic birds to watch. They scurry up trees, and then do a sort of parachuting to another tree and start their probing all over again. The curved beak gets into the crevices in the bark where they look for insects. The plumage is fantastic camouflage against the trees. They rarely stop still, so it's always tricky getting a shot of them.

This guy is collecting food for some young it had in a nest nearby.

You can see the claws they have to help cling to the trees.

Burton Mere

My first visit to Burton Mere wetlands the other week was a successful one. Plenty of different waders to watch. Black tailed Godwits, Ruff, Greenshank, Spotted Redshank and then plenty of raptors too. It's a great place to go birding, and I recommend it to anyone. A nicely heated hide at reception keeps you warm and dry in times of inclement weather.
Anyway, on to some of the birds I saw:

Black tailed Godwits looking for something nice. 

Godwits with a Teal (front)

 

Godwits in flight.

My first cow tick at the reserve.

This Kestrel enjoyed doing fly-bys of the main hide.

A Nuthatch munching it's way through the sunflower hearts on offer.