Little Egret

Egretta garzetta

From a very cold and gloomy morning at a  Leighton Moss RSPB reserve

 

Green Woodpecker

After bagging the American Buff Bellied Pipit a few weeks ago, a quick stop at Burton Mere Wetlands to try for the usually reliable Green Woodpeckers. I have often seen a pair foraging for ants on the approach fields and sure enough one of the pair was were I would expect to see it.

These images were taken from the car .

 

 

 

 

 

Male Common Kestrel

Having just been out for a walk around the Cat & Fiddle moorland  I was driving home when I bumped into this fella sat on a wall eating his lunch.

as I double backed round with the car he flew to another wall to finish his meal

  







 

and then just chilling 

 

a few hundred yards away I caught up with at least 3 Dippers

 

 

Mealy Redpoll

Carduelis flammea

Winter is good for the Redpoll species, especially in my garden. December was as usual busy at the feeders. The last day of December seemed quite normal with 20+ Lesser Redpoll and 3 Mealy Redpoll on the feeders, however New Years day brought just 6 Lesser Redpoll and then nothing since, it is really unusual to be Redpoll free in the winter in my garden 23 consecutive days is highly unusual

anyway.......

They are back. A large flock just arrived which includes 25+ Lessers and 2 Mealys. Probably the same group that were visiting pre New Year, wonder where they have been.

 

European Stonechat

Saxicola rubicola

One of my favourite UK birds. 

I noticed the female first as she sat on the fence line posing for a few seconds, it was nice to get images showing her off from all angles. The male was a little more wary and kept a little distance between us.

They were both feeding in the tide wrack at  Burton Marsh a few days ago.

Both birds still showing non breeding plumages

the female from the back

 

a lovely pose from the side

 

from the front and looking a little windswept

 

and the male

 

Buff Bellied Pipit

Anthus rubescens

I had to go over to the Wirral for second helpings of this mega rarity. First visit happened to be last year even if it was only  three weeks ago, anyway I hadn't managed any images on the first trip.

It didn't take long to track it down, about 10 minutes in fact.

Image quality isn't the best but really wanted some record shots of this bird before it does finally fly off.

 

 

 



an interesting article highlighting the subspecies of Buff Bellied Pipits

American rubescens Vs Siberian japonicus

with a forth coming trip to asia in mind ....

thought I would take a peek into my archives from 2011 Malaysia trip for a flavour of what's in store for March 2014.

Sunbirds.....

 

 

Munias.....

 

Tailorbirds.....

 

Spiderhunters.....

 

Kingfishers......

 

and hornbills.....

 

amongst many others, Cant wait!

 

Watch this space

Shuttlingsloe Xmas 2013

Our annual pilgrimage to the summit of Shuttlingsloe, John, Liz and myself