You will remember " Walter Rail-ey " from our last trip a couple of weeks ago to L.Moss; well, we found a good deal at Pine Lake, telephoned Jim and the three of us are back up at Silverdale again for a few days. Of course, the first bird after the obligatory feeding of half a dozen robins was checking out to see if Walter was around. There were lots of people being a very sunny day and a Sunday and when we got to the log area by the ditch we found a pair of Mallards, the usual woodland birds and two female Pheasants. Walter had been seen just prior to us getting there but he had skulked off in the reed bed next to the path. Mike and I waited patiently for fifteen minutes or so and suddenly he appeared, it was a bit more difficult with the mallards and pheasants competing for the live mealworms I had but managed to single out Walter in the end who came out of the undergrowth and brook. I only put a few live mealies down as there are a large number of rats and other bird seed/suet/nuts should not be put down (athough as usual, one or two people always ignore the rules). I did ask a senior member of staff beforehand to ensure it was ok to sprinkle a few worms out and that was ok as they get eaten quickly with no waste; if I see any rats I stop as happened on our 2nd visit to see Walter today.
Ok, here are the photos from today; I didn't take masses so have selected a few different species.
Here comes Walter Rail-ey out of hiding !
2nd visit to see Walter, a couple turned up as 5 of us were waiting for the Rail to return but ignoring the no seed/suet/nuts, etc., they put several lots of crushed food and seed down on the logs and ground and within minutes the rats turned up :( We mentioned the problem caused by leaving handfuls of seed but they said the notice was at the other log, not this one ! The 5 of us who had waited for the rail to return decided to move off now that the rats had arrived. I know folk find it disappointing at the moment not to be able to feed the birds at the logs but I did mention live mealworms would be ok if sprinkled in small quantities (not dried that hang around too long) .
and other birds down in the woodland area en-route to Lower Hide
Blue Tit
Coal Tit
Great Tit
female Chaffinch
Marsh Tit
and Mike feeding the robin (we think this is FMR (Four Minute Robin) who helped itself from the tub !
That's all for today, thanks for viewing.
Nigel O said:At this rate, they will be in the minority soon!!
lol Nigel, he (or she) is quite the star at LM as people get to see this confiding rail. Good idea to just get the head shot and that long bill ! it's such a nice looking bird to see close up and although it still maintains that shyness of this species it also gives you that loyal trust ....... especially if you tap the mealie tub and start dishing them out, he then comes running like a chicken or pheasant does lol
Hazel, Thanks to live mealies you have become a Rail Whisperer!
You mean like this Nige :)
Very nice Hazel, the lad who came to were you were feeding it he has posted some on facebook and i could tell it was taken from this spot :) and he also got a very nice picture of the one of the Jets that went over our heads.
You see, great minds …, Jim
A couple more quick pics ..............
The Teal are lovely small ducks and they are beginning to display at the moment ..................
Possible caption for this one
Two drakes saying ...... "Just ignore her ..................she's an exhibitionist " !!!
such smart looking little ducks
as are the Tufties .............
Common Snipe (there had been a Jack Snipe around recently but sadly no sign of it )
Marsh Harriers are always around but often very distant for decent photos
as Jim said, we had two very low flying, noisy jets which screamed their way over the hide sending the waterfowl into flight - and gave a heart stopping moment for us ! not enough time to even raise the camera but shortly after two Chinook type helicopters passed by at a more leisurely pace ! Light was fading but did get this ..............
Lots of regular woodland birds around like this Blue Tit
Once again far too distant for good shots so record shot of the MH
and a poor shot of the Otter who was seen from Lower Hide at distance once again ............ you can at least see its foot and teeth LOL
another record shot from huge distance. This time a Common Buzzard perched up
OK, no more bad shots so will have to see if I get any better pics today before we head back down the M6
Last few photos from this morning before we headed home again
Marsh Harrier (f) seen from Lower Hide
and cropped version of the above photo ......
and there were at least 7 common snipe .....
Lots of nice stuff to see, as usual, including the displaying and exhibitionist teal and all those snipes (snoops)! Walter will be wondering where his mealies are tomorrow
Thanks Nige,
Nigel O said:Walter will be wondering where his mealies are tomorrow
Walter no need worry as we are back a week on Sunday for 5 days over Christmas (although xmas day we can't go on the reserve because of the bylaws to do with permissive rights of way where rspb are obliged to close for one day a year to keep that right to the footpaths.
Lovely Snipe photos Hazy, and your Marsh Harriers also, I hadn't realised the wings are so broad and your pics show that so well.