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Sunny Silverdale

HAZY
25/02/2019 21:24

Spending a week up in N.Lancashire and visiting Leighton Moss each day;   couldn't have timed our break better with such lovely sunshine and above average temeratures which thankfully most of the country seem to be getting so hope you are all enjoying venturing out and about in your free time for a bit of birding and wildlife spotting.   

Here's a selection of photos so far;    thankfully Jim arrived with his battery charger so I was able to top up the battery power again !      L.Moss is such a wonderful reserve as some of you already know, it's like a home from home with the most brilliant rspb staff and the resident birds/wildlife.      Last night we joined one of the managers at Barrow Scout, just up the road from LM, in the hope of seeing a large starling murmuration but the birds decided to go to roost behind us, the other side of the reserve and out of sight   lol    ..............however, we were treated to seeing Bitterns in the darkening sky as they did "gull-calling"  but we hope they didn't decide to head off to Scandanavia.   There was no sign first thing in the morning of any Bittern movement at Barrow Scout and Mike and I did an hour's monitoring tonight and sadly no Gull-calling or sight of a Bittern although we live in hope that most Bitterns stayed on.    

Birds seem geared up now for breeding and the food treasts and mealworms are not high priority for them at the moment as they think about attracting mates and building nests.   

In no particular order ........     there were no excuses for bad light this time except in the darker woodland areas !   

a group of Pintail drakes 

don't ask me what's going on with the two bill to bill    lol

Mr and Mrs Pintail .............

Gadwall 

Great Egret

and we were told that this Little Egret is in full breeding plumage -  all those beautiful "royal ascot" fancy feathers

Teal drake taking a sip of water

Mute Swan

Three buzzards were in the sky, here's one of them

There are 6 Marsh Harriers including 2 males,   this is one of them ...............

Great black-backed Gull

don't think I'd be arguing with these birds     !

boys will be boys   !!     

I will add more tomorrow, thanks for viewing these

_________________________________________________________________________

Regards, Hazel 

  • 27/02/2019 20:09
    Another lovely set Hazel, love the inquisitive Robin in the first two pictures!

    Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

  • 28/02/2019 09:29
    Absolutely cracking photos Jim, capturing the courtship feeding perfectly. I left a few more mealies for them as I passed the branch on my way back yesterday afternoon and sorry I missed you. Glad you got back safe and sound. Weather changed overnight and it is dull, cloudy with drizzle expected mid afternoon so we timed our days well. btw, remember me telling you about the B-tailed Godwit colour codes I managed to get with the distant record shots; one bird info came back already and it has been returning each spring to L.Moss since 31st March 2012 !! waiting to hear back on the other Icelandic birds.

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • 28/02/2019 12:58
    Another belting shot Jim, look forward to the next ones. It's pretty grey here now so we've decided to pack the car and head home today as we'd be checking out at 10am tomorrow anyway. Mike saw the male Harrier right in front of him this morning as it circled over the Sand Martin bank at T.Jackson hide. I also saw Walter in front of me but decided not to take camera with me today ! Will catch up later when we get home again.

    _________________________________________________________________________

    Regards, Hazel 

  • 28/02/2019 17:15
    Only just caught up with this thread. Wonderful set of photos from both of you. Having good light makes all the difference doesn't it and not have to be wearing multiple layers must have been a real treat.
    The Pintails are so smart looking and one of my favourite ducks. Like Nigel I think the Snipe fanning its tail is my overall favourite (I've only seen it once) closely followed by Jim's courtship feeding Robins.
    Oh, and a belated Happy Birthday, Hazel, for the second time. LOL

    ____________________________________________________________________

    Tony

    My Flickr Photostream 

  • 28/02/2019 18:46
    Lovely photos, Hazel and Jim--thanks!
    Jim, Your wonderful Otter pic should go on the reflections thread, too, or perhaps you have already posted it there!

    Kind regards, Ann

  • 28/02/2019 19:04
    Nice additions for the woodland birds, courting Robins, Otter and others.

    __________

    Nige   Flickr

  • 28/02/2019 21:10
    Great stuff Hazel, After missing out last year Chris and myself must try and get there this Spring thanks for posting and inspiring us.

    Pete

    Birding is for everyone no matter how good or bad we are at it,enjoy it while you can

  • 28/02/2019 22:30
    Lovely viewing of all your photos Hazy and James, all so clear and a pleasure to look at. Catching the Robins courtship feeding like that is something I have yet to see James, wonderful captures.
    You sure chose the best week for your visit, drizzly and windy today here, birds hiding again.

    Lot to learn

  • 01/03/2019 11:09
    @ Ann, sadly not my connection is only from a phone now so it is a little slow uploading pictures but Its half the price of phone line connection and have a very large download capacity.

    @ Thanks Nige.

    @ Thank you Gaynor.

    Jim

    My Pictures

    My Fbook Group

  • 06/03/2019 16:15
    Brilliant photos Hazel, and superb weather.

    Mike

    Flickr: Peak Rambler