cheshire

Wheatear , my first ever

blue tit

Marsh Harrier or Hen Harrier?

2 kingfishers fighting over a fish

Blue Tit

Nuthatch

Ardea cinerea

This little fellow followed me along the Bridgewater Canal in Lymm. Seemed like he was all alone, but he looked healthy enough and was cheeky enough so I think he was okay ;-) I know it's a 'cute' shot, but hey they ARE cute ha ha

Given the geography and the markings, I'd say this was the Lesser rather than Mealy Redpoll. A small flock were taking seeds along the edge of the river during a bright(!) interlude last week.

I cannot recall a time when the wet and dismal weather has persisted so long. I managed one excursion in November and a fairly grey, dreary afternoon at that. It was however, brightened by the appearance of the pair of Wood Ducks that seem to have taken up residence on my local river. Let's hope...

Apologies for not posting of late, apart from all else we've recently come across to France for a few weeks and in truth the birding has been a bit quiet. This heron was one of the last images I took prior to leaving. It posed very well and let me get quite close.

One from earlier this week. Thanks as always for your comments and have a good week-end!

I've seen very few dragonflies in my neck of the woods this summer. A few Brown Hawkers (in flight), one Black Tailed Skimmer, a couple of immature Ruddy Darters and this female Common Darter. I'm not sure if it's been a poor year for any reason or whether they're just avoiding me!

The pair of male Wood Duck that I spotted on my local river some three weeks ago are still in residence. However, they're now in eclipse and hardly recognisable from the ducks I originally saw.

I certainly wasn't expecting to see a pair of Wood Ducks on my local river last week - they're obviously escapees that for whatever reason have come to rest here. There are supposed to be a couple of small colonies of these birds in the South of England but I've not heard of any in the North...

... still being fed by mum. I'll be in and out today but I will catch up with you all before the day's end.

I find Kestrels to be quite wary birds but this one let me get fairly close, it was, however, keeping a very close eye on two Mistle Thrushes away to its left - so I'm guessing that's why it tolerated me.

Final Tawny Update: The RSPCA vet has advised to leave well alone. She doubts it is feather mite and is more akin to a brood patch particularly at this time of year despite the feather shafts still being present. As the bird is not stressed (which it wasn't when we saw it) she feels that it...

We saw the odd one in the garden at the end of last week and then on Monday we were inundated! Taken through the double glazing. Tawny update: No reply to my e-mail from the local authority!! I have now left a message on their answer-phone but I'm not holding my breath!

I've been in two minds as to whether I should post this or not but it's possible that someone far more knowledgeable than me might be able to shed some light, so here goes. Last week we came upon this Tawny Owl which was perched on the edge of a nest box. After we'd been viewing for about 20...

My garden seems fairly quiet at the moment apart that is from loads of these!

Got to dash this morning but will catch up with you all later in the day. Have a good week-end.

In truth a bit too close, I was about 4 metres from the bird and at maximum aperture the depth of field was wafer thin. The cheek, eye and beak are in focus but not much else. Still, I quite like the inquisitive look, hope you do too.

Reminds me of that old Flanders and Swann song, The Hippopotamus, where in the chorous they sing, "Mud, mud, glorious mud....."

Not really but a 2nd Winter Herring Gull keeping very close to the water. Yet another bird which I was surprised to find is on the RSPB's 'Red List'. I'll be in and out today but I will catch up with you all before the day's end.