Visit Leighton Moss, of course, and hope to see one of their most iconic residents, as this is supposed to be the best time and bright, calm mornings offer the best chance. I got there at about nine yesterday (6 Oct) and headed straight for the Causeway, where I found three people I know already there and half a dozen others. What were all there for? This guy.
It took until 9.30 before one finally showed up, although we had spotted them coming gradually closer for some time. This was only my second sighting ever of this strikingly beautiful bird. Since my first was only two weeks ago and I failed to get any photos. I joined all the other photographers snapping away, just in case no others appeared. I needn't have worried as more were coming in all the time.
Apparently, you can tell the year the bird was ringed if you know the colour combination, as the guy next to me did.
The male's moustache is so striking
And they do take up their odd pose doing the splits, as if they're walking on stilts
We had started off taking photos at every opportunity. After half an hour of continuous sightings, with up to seven birds on one grit tray, we were all getting blase and even inventing games, like how many could you get in one frame. Three apparently. The one bottom right has a noticeably smaller moustache than normal.
The man trying to keep tabs on individual birds had given up in despair as with up a dozen birds visible, he simply couldn't track so many. It was a fantastic problem to have!
After 90 minutes and uncountable photos (I overloaded the computer when I got home!), I couldn't believe I was walking away while birds were still coming in. They had put on a great show and I would have been content if I didn't see anything else. I was hungry, though, so headed off for a quick Cajun chicken panini, cup of tea and bit of cake, but passed this circling buzzard on the way.
And couldn't resist a low level shot of this mallard in the dipping pool
I'd heard the Purple Heron was still around. As I walked up to Grisedale, one of the people I know coming the other way, told me it had been out, but had wandered off. "It might come back," he said, which usually means "bad luck, you've missed it!" Sure enough, there was no sign of it for a while, then a heron's head popped out of the reeds. I spent a few minutes wondering if it was Grey or Purple but then it came out a bit more and excited everyone: it was Purple after all! I've already missed it twice, so it was great to finally catch it, even if it flew off immediately.
On the way back to Lillian's Hide, this Robin wasn't about move for any mere photographer
Two fawns were in front of the hide - I guess Roe Deer, but may be wrong.
And you don't see this everyday - a juvenile Grey Heron and a fawn checking each other out.
T
This Snipe was one of five in front of Morecambe hide
And this Carrion Crow landed so close, I couldn't not take its photo
So, there you go. If you're free on a bright, calm October morning, go to Leighton Moss if you can, and I hope you're as lucky as I was!
PS I know there's a lot of Bearded Tit photos, but how could I not put them in after the show they gave?
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Nige Flickr
What a great day you had Nigel and a lovely set of photos; we're off to L.Moss on Monday for the week so hopefully the beardies and others will put on a show for us .... although depends on the weather ! got my wellies packed - and plenty of mealworms and bird food !
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Regards, Hazel
Thanks Hazel. I specifically planned it for the Beardies, after I saw the forecast and was thrilled by their showing in numbers. The rest was all a bonus - quite a big one, admittedly! Enjoy your trip and here's hoping there will be plenty to titillate (sorry) you.
Wow, you had a very good day Nige, I have been loads of times and only seen the Bearded Tits a few times and you even got the classic pose on the reeds to boot and not rubbing the salt in more you got a nice pictures of the Purple Heron, love the Robin I always look out for them they are the best and so friendly all in all you got some nice pictures.
Anyway I am going away sulking now :) but I will be back to LM and soon, thanks for posting your pictures loved them all.
Jim
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Thanks James
It was a fabulous day. I've been several times myself this year, but they say October is the best time for the Beardies, especially at the grit trays, so keep an eye out for calm days and good luck. As for the Purple Heron, it took me 3 visits just to see the thing and even then, I didn't have the camera on in-flight mode, which is normally hit and miss with me, so probably as much luck as judgement that they came out as well as they did!
Tuesday looks like it might be a nice day in Silverdale so might pop up and see what I can get :)
What a lovely day you had Nigel, the beardies are beautiful little birds, and so funny they way they hang on the grasses, all the rest were bonuses. Well done.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Just had a look and I have been up nine times this year.
Fabulous photos Nigel, of course the star of the show are the Bearded Tits, don't blame you for taking millions of photos, so hard to see and find so well done. All the others are great too especially the two young fawns, and the Purple Heron.
Lot to learn
Thanks CL and Gaynor.
The Beardies certainly were the stars of the day for me, even with the presence of the Purple Heron, and I agree they do look a little comical when they cling to two separate reeds. It sort of makes them more real in an odd way, that such rare, beautiful birds have a ridiculous pose.
Fingers crossed James.
A wonderful collection, Nigel--thanks! Especially love the Heron and Fawns pic but I agree the Beardies are the stars--fab shots of them!
Kind regards, Ann