Cattle Egret

Cattle Egrets used to a real rarity in this country. They're probably still the rarest of the Egrets, but like the Little and Great White Egret are becoming more numerous and something that I'm likely to come across without going too far out of my way. That said, they will be in twos and threes as a rule.

At Cley last Autumn there were extraordinary numbers of Cattle Egrets in the fields and wetlands. At one point there 20+. This picture below has 14 in view, and that was all I could fit in. Quite amazing really, and not something I imagined I would ever see.

Cattle Egrets

Meadow Pipits on one of the hides roof

A Moorland Feast

I'm so fortunate to live close to some fantastic bird habitats. One of those habitats is upland moors. Go at the wrong time of year, and you'd wonder if you're the only one alive up here, as it can be very desolate and the weather unforgiving. The wind howls through at speed and the icy chill can be felt no matter how many layers you have on. Fast forward to Spring, and it's still not particularly warm, but signs of life come from all angles. The Curlew can be heard bubbling, the Red Grouse pop their heads up and the Meadow Pipits are like swarms of flys as they are absolutely everywhere. Throw into the mix returning Wheatears, Golden Plover and if you're very lucky the Ring Ouzel, then it's a very special place to be.

Every year I make numerous visits hoping to see the Ring Ouzel return. I saw none last year, and was beginning to wonder if disturbance by many more walkers since Covid lockdown had pushed them on to other parts. Thankfully this year I have seen them on a few occasions and in song too. I hope this means that last year was just a blip. 

The female, which is brown and the bib not so crisp white as the male.

The male, black and a clean white bib.

Distant male Wheatear

Meadow Pipit

Little Birds on Show

I spent a few hours over last weekend walking around a lake in Chelford, Cheshire, which is about 20 minutes from home. It can be quite productive in terms of rare and unusual birds turning up in the winter months. Last winter it held Smew, Black-necked Grebe and White-fronted Geese. There is also a really good colony of Tree Sparrows in the area. 

There was nothing unusual around this time, but I thoroughly enjoyed wandering the new paths and woodland. It seemed the trees were dripping with Goldcrests and Long-tailed Tits. Both make quite a noise when they are together and there is no background noise to block it out.

Long-tailed Tit, hanging around, as they do.

A little Wren. I've not zoomed in so as to give a sense of scale with the Silver Birch tree.

One of my best (worst) pictures of a Goldcrest. Lovely and sharp, just facing the wrong way, and it didn't turn around for me either. Europe's smallest bird.

A Meadow Pipit was preening. Look at the length of those long claws.

Always good to see and watch the Tree Sparrows. Sadly very difficult to find these days.

RSPB Geltsdale

RSPB Geltsdale near Carlisle held such a variety of wildlife that I am already looking forward to a visit again next year.
On leaving the car I could see Hares running in the fields. As they had not seen me, I took some time just to observe from a distance.

Enjoying the early morning sunshine.

Meadow Pipits were plentiful and they were constantly hopping onto the dry stone walls. It felt like they were keeping me company as I went on my walk.

 From the viewing screen there was a lot of activity, with birds constantly flitting around the trees and shrubs. It was difficult to pin them down sometimes as to what they were.

 This Reed Bunting showed itself briefly through the branches.

This Sedge Warbler was busy feeding young and can be seen here with some grubs in it's bill.

The more distant and more common view of the Sedge Warbler.

RSPB South Stack

I had a lovely time at South Stack on the island of Anglesey in later Spring. There was a lot going on, as birds were busy pairing up, nest building and some were only just arriving to these shores following their migration.
The weather was perfect and it was a joy to be in amongst some lovely looking birds in all their summer finery.

Linnet

Meadow Pipit

Rock Pipit

A freshly arrived Wheatear

RSPB Geltsdale - Cumbria

On my way to the Farne Islands I decided to break up my journey with several stops on the way. I like to make the most of where I am and like to see new places, and quite often ones I've heard of quite regularly in the past.
My first stop off was in Cumbria, at RSPB Geltsdale. I set off on the circular 4.5km at 7am. The clouds were gathering and it was cold. This is the Summer right? I had three layers on and my fleecy hat.
Anyway, there was plenty of life. A brown hare met me on one path, and lots of Swallows were zipping around. Lots of birds were busy feeding young, and there seemed to be Meadow Pipits everywhere.

Meadow Pipit with lots of juicy treats for the babies.

There were lots of Reed Buntings singing this morning. Some were up on power lines and others on fence posts, wire fences and of course, reeds. This one was watching me as I walked past, so I stopped to say hello. He carried on singing regardless.

I was hoping to find a Whinchat on my way round, but had no luck. I did however come across this very good looking male Stonechat.

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.

New Forest

Hampshire and the New Forest had many different varieties of birds. Some I'd never seen before, and some that were a little more familiar.
At Pennington Marsh in Lymington we had some good but distant views of Spoonbill. A little closer were Dunlin, Turnstone and Little Ringed Plover. Some large gulls were drifting in off the Solent. Such as this beast below.

Great Black-backed Gull.

This Little Tern was my first of the year, and it didn't hang around too long either.

On the New Forest itself there were plenty of Meadow Pipits busying themselves. Seen here on some gorse.

A male Stonechat in some very gloomy light.

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

Back at Macc

Well, it's been a long time since I last posted. I took myself out to Macclesfield Forest today to go over some familiar ground and to try and get back in to the swing of things with the camera. I wasn't expecting to see too much, but you really never know with this area. Quite often it's just the usuals but then at other times it throws up some real beauties.
I must say, I was pleasantly surprised with my list when I looked back on it. Straight from the car park at Standing Stone I spotted two birds working along in the near undergrowth. Bingo!! Two juvenile Redstarts. Probably my favourite summer visitor.
I watched these for some time. They were joined by many juvenile Willow Warblers, a juvenile Robin and a Wren.
I moved away in time to see a mixed flock of 30+ finches taking flight into a tree. Right behind them came a Hobby, which carried on through to join up with another. What a great start, and only 15 minutes in.
I ventured down the road and came across many Meadow Pipits and then another surprise, a lovely juvenile Wheatear. I've not seen them in this area before, but I guess the young are venturing out on there own and finding their own way.
Making my way up to Danebower it was pretty cold and raw. One Curlew and one Raven plus the usual Meadow Pipits were as exciting as it got, so I moved onto Carsington Waters. But I'll save that for another post later this week ;-)

One of the two juvenile Redstarts I came across this morning

 

Juvenile Wheatear

 

Meadow Pipits were in abundance.

This juvenile Robin looked a bit lost and as though he'd left the nest a little too early.