Waders

The sun and cold continued very much until yesterday (fri 12th), I managed to get a few trips in this week. One was up to the Dee estuary to do waders and I was quite happy with the result, Redshank, Knot, Dunlin and Turnstone were seen.

Redshank:

Turnstone:

Dunlin:
 

On the way back from there I called in at Thurstaston and the Wirral Country Park, here I saw my first Meadow Pipit of the year, not a great shot I know but first of the year.

My next trip was to Burton Mere RSPB reserve, not a lot here to photograph, the Rats of course, a Jackdaw or two but also seen were Avocets, there's 40 odd there at the moment and they are hoping to beat last years 32 breeding pairs. Too far away to shoot though.

It is definately spring though isn't it, I've seen Blackbirds with nest material in their mouths, I have Great tits nest building in my bird box up the garden, and I saw my first flying butterfly today, a Small Tortoiseshell. There are lambs in the fields around the area too and this morning I was up at 5.30 and listening to the dawn chorus. Not because I wanted to be up that early, but I was.

It is supposed to be wet and grey I think for the next few days, I am thinking of doing a one day project on Little Egrets. It will mean being on the ground before first light but I've seen 3 feeding along the river Gowy near home and using the shelter of a small copse of trees I think I can get really close with the hide, but like I said I need to get there very early and as sleep is not coming easy at the moment and the spirit may not be stronger than the body.

Just a quick word about two people that have submitted some fabulous shots to Birdguides this last week or so. Bob Jones and Lewis Thomson who are both in my links list have submitted some Hawfinch shots of which they should be very proud. Lewis submitted a shot of two touching bills which deservedly won Picture of the Week last week, check out their shots through the links or through Birdguides. Well done guys.

Come back soon.