A Gosforth Morning

Had an early start on Wednesday maybe even too early as it was pitch black walking up the track, I was startled by a couple of deer crossing the path only feet in front. Sitting in the hide watching the morning unfold I saw a dark shape drop into the reeds just off to my right it turned out to be my first glimpse of an Autumn Bittern, light levels were improving as a swan and six signets passed thru then the fishing began !

 First the Kingfisher he came back for more.

 then the Cormorant didn't take long to down this(Roach / Rudd )

     Sixteen more Cormorants were perched in the tree opposite its not going to take these guys long to empty the pond ,two more sightings of the bittern ,little grebes ,water-rails etc not a bad couple of hours at the park. 

Hebridean Crakes

My visit to the Western Isles proved very rewarding with a bird that's always eluded me when visiting other isles (always heard but never seen)but not on this occasion timing appears to have been spot on,all these pics where taken on the RSPB reserve at Balranald North Uist
                         .

 Two days spent on the reserve and the Crakes were almost predictable.
Here's a few shots of other birds that were evident on the reserve in good numbers.

All in all a good holiday with great birding especially on the reserve.
I couldn't conclude without one final shot!!" how true this is i bet."

Thanks for looking. 

Windy Wallington

Storm Doris did her best this morning to put us off our planned trip toWallington Hall,braving the wind (you could feel it getting colder ) and the fallen branches we made it to the bird hide, nothing about on arrival but it was only 7am. As things started to pick up there was a distinctive absence of red squirrels could the next two shots be the reason why!.

The next shot shows the Stoat looking up towards the squirrel feeder

What happened next left us both gobsmacked as the Stoat scrambled inside the nut feeder and stayed in there for a full two mins or more,was it there in anticipation !!!the mind boggles.

The Brambling were quite active this morning.

   

 

My first Bramblings at Wallington over the years here's a few of the locals.

We were both interested to note how much time the Tree-creeper spent pecking around on the ground.

                                                An interesting and cold stormy morning.

                                                                      Thanks for looking.

Colourful Bigwaters

My first trip to Bigwaters this year, as my mate only gets one day a week off we can't pick and choose what that day that will be so as seems to be the case at the moment it ended up being another silly ISO day(dull and cloudy).The feeding station was quite busy as we had a surprise visit from this smashing bird

My first this year and what a bird a real pleasure to see.

Another colourful bird

not so colourful but by golly there quick, then the party was quickly over when this young lady dropped in .

The water on the lake looked black in the dull grey skies the usual fowl were present with some nice Goldeneye and a few White fronted geese on the far bank.

                                                          Thanks for looking.  

 

Entertaining Gosforth.

Wednesday  at the park saw the super highway to the hide requiring different footwear ( ski's or mud boots perhaps )but the Bitterns and Otters were out in force, no ice this time and the sun did try on occasions here's a few pics.

They did manage to catch a sizeable Roach/Rudd from the margins but were reluctant to share.

This one managed to get a little too close.

PS  Hide record still stands at  (9) very cosy again.

Thanks for looking.

Icy Gosforth

A little late this post really as it was last Wednesday that our visit took place, on arrival the lake was frozen over and remained that way for the duration of our stay. I believe Gosforth is looking for a record of how many people you can squeeze in a small bird hide nine (9)adults as it stands at the moment (quite cosy it was) however Bitterns  were the hope for the day and they didn't disappoint, some had better views than others depending on where you were sat !!

You can see what looks like ice on the bitterns back ?

Its too cold I'm off.

  HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL.