Gold 'n Nuts

It doesn't look like I'm going to get much photography done over the next few days with the weather forecast being as it is, so a couple of hours spent in the hide since the last report was gratefully taken. I wish I could leave my hide in-situ but I do not want to take the chance of an opportunist thief having it away, although it is at least 200 yards from a road I know how my luck pans out.

I know there has been lots of activity at the FS when I'm not there, but whether its a case of my hide being too obvious or just the fact that it's not there all the time I do not feel I'm getting the visitors when I'm in it. The Jay came down again twice whilst I was in it, but he comes, grabs a peanut and is off with no chance to focus on him. I know the GSW has been too but it sits nearby calling but doesn't seem to want to visit when I am there. I am heartened by the fact that there is some activity there and hope that as the weather gets colder it will pick up. It's my first attempt at a private FS so I will persevere.

The Goldfinches come and so far they have not disappointed.

I just have to move them forward away from the hedge, but I'm not complaining.

The House sparrows and tits still visit.

as does the Robin,

but still the most entertaining are the squirrels. Despite the fact that they are eating all my fat balls and have ruined my peanut feeder I don't mind them coming.

Cute.
I haven't managed to go see if the SEO's are still coming out recently, My mother has kept me busy. I also want to pop to RSPB Conwy as soon as I get chance and some decent weather.

Come back soon and see what's developed.

Let the Sun Shine.

Managed 3 hrs in the hide today, was pleased by the number of visitors, Jay, GSW, Magpie, Long tailed tit, Blue tit, Great Tit, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Blackbird, Robin, House Sparrow and Squirrel.

The Jay swooped down grabbed a peanut and disappeared in a second or two, so no pic of him. The GSW stayed at the back of the hedge on an apple tree so no pic of him, and no decent pic of the Magpie or Blackbird.

A small flock of about 5 Long tails came to visit.

The Goldfinch would pop down for a feed then disappear for about 30 mins before coming back.

The Blue tits and Great tits come regularly.

The House Sparrows give lots of photo opportunities.

Robin red breast is gorgeous.

But star of this post is a very acrobatic Squirrel, this is a male.

This was just as the last of the light was fading, he was grabbing a peanut from the feeder, which he has just about destroyed and eating it whilst hanging..

I haven't managed to snap a fieldfare on Mistle Thrush as yet, may have to temporarily relocate the hide for them. The Jay would be a lovely addition if I could get them coming more often.

Making the most of it.

Extremely skittish. That is how I would describe the birds at my feeder station, but I am aware that its early days. I've spent an hour or two there now, and can see the potential so I'm going to persevere. The pair of squirrels aren't fazed by my being there, the Blue tits and Great tits aren't fazed either but the GSW, Goldfinch and Fieldfare are not quite so obliging. As the weather gets colder I am sure they will get braver.

I have had the camera out, not only at my FS (feeder station) but at the pond at Christleton. I spent half an hour trying to get Black headed Gulls in flight. The weather wasn't brilliant but I got a few half decent shots.

Then back to the FS, and the squirrels.

Very cheeky pair, but I think this is the same one.
The Robin comes calling quite frequently.

The GSW was caught the first time I sat in my hide for a while, the weather was pants, very little light.

I'd forgotten how jittery they can be, but very charasmatic.
When the sun is out it will be on my FS from early morning till about 3.00pm at the moment, so as the sun moves around I will hopefully get different shots in different places, as you can probably guess I'm a tad excited having done very little bird photography this year so far.

One Blue tit is worth a look I think.

So, the first pictures I've posted for a little while, not award winners but a step in the right direction.
Come back again soon.

Update

Hi

No pictures this time, I have only had the camera out once this week and that was to check some angles at the orchard.

I have had my hide in place for two days now in the hope that the wildlife will get used to it. I did spend half an hour in it on friday afternoon, Great and Blue tits are the most common visitors but there has been a GSW, Long tailed tits, Goldfinch, Squirrel, Robin, Dunnock, Fieldfare in the orchard, along with Mistle thrush and a Jay.

I have seen Buzzard flying over and Rabbit on the other side of the orchard. So all in all I'm hoping for a winter of bright frosty days with lots coming to the feeders. The squirrels are causing problems, whipping the fat balls at every opportunity, they have also gnawed through the peanut holder. I'm going to have to address that problem.

Hope to post some pics next week, pop back for a look.

Settling In

So I'm in at me mums place and as settled as I can be for the next month or three. I have already visited a few spots and snapped a couple of things.

RSPB Burton Mere wetlands was my first point of call, I have enlisted as a volunteer and will hopefully be able to do at least one session a week there. I also popped down the road a mile or so to Burton marshes, where as many as 13 SEO's are being seen regularly, unfortunately on the day I visited although it had been sunny at about 3.30pm by 4.00pm it was raining and grey so no sightings or shots this time, but it holds great promise.

I have also obtained permission for a feeder station in an orchard owned by a very good childhood friend. I spent an hour or so setting up the feeders this morning. I want to add a few props over the next few days but again, I hope it holds good promise.

I haven't done much photography, Burton Mere has the same problems as a lot of other places that the hides are too far from the waters edge and face the wrong direction for most of the day. However I did manage a shot or two at a feeder station by the reception center.

Rats were the main visitors, with no less than 9 seen under the feeders.

with Chaffinch also being present.

There were lots of birds present at the site mind, BT Godwits in large numbers, Lapwings, Canada Geese, Teal, Shoveller, Gadwall, snipe, a Greenshank or two, Little Egret, Heron, Kestrel, Goldfinch, Tits. etc. So i expect to get some shots from there.

The trip to Burton Marsh produced no SEO's as I said but if only the sun had been in the right place I would have had cracking Kestrel shots. Here is an example, wish she had been on the other side of me.

So, a promising start and lots more to explore, the whole of the Dee estuary offers some great birding chances, and of course Conwy RSPB, Martin mere, and Leighton Moss are all within about an hours drive of here. I am hoping for a great winter.