Went to Saltholme today on the off chance, not a lot to see at first. Took a few shots of what I thought was a Godwit flying overhead,but when showing it around in the hide later, was gobsmacked to be told it was a Woodcock!! first I've ever seen. Later on in another hide when the Water Pipit came for a forage around, 2nd beauty of the day, glad I put up with the 2 hr bus ride and the cold :-)
Woodcock.
Water Pipit
Reed Bunting
male
Stonechat f
Male
3 swans (not) swimming
Lapwing
Godwit
Robin for MC (youngster I think)
Widgeon flypast
Wagtail
Black Swan
and a speed skating Moorhen
Quite a good day after all even though the low sun and subsequent shade made exposure tricky.
cheers Terry
my photo's here
Great stuff Terry, certainly worth the cold and the long bus ride to get such great birds. Wow, can't believe the Woodcock caught in flight - well done, I've never seen one either ! Gorgeous photos set and love the W'ipit and the Stonechats; the male Reed Bunting looks very regal in his ermine collar ! What a great day you had and top it all an ice skating Moorhen - love it lol
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Regards, Hazel
In reply to HAZY:
Thanks Hazel, when I first arrived there was hardly anything to be seen, just shows it pays to be patient.
Beautiful Stonechat. The Robin has juvenile type markings on the wings, but some adults have them too. According to Twitter, there was a Water Pipit at Leighton Moss today.
Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos
(One bush does not shelter two Robins)
Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)
In reply to monkeycheese:
What fabulous photos Terry, the Woodcock, the Reed Bunting too are great shots, and also the magnificent Lapwing. All just lovely and well worth the trip out.
Lot to learn
Well worth a day out with those shots Terry, especially the woodcock in flight. Only ever seen one at Titchwell.
Tony
https://www.flickr.com/photos/wherryman/