A few from the Wirral

Gorgeous day today, plenty of blue sky and sunshine so headed out to the Wirral peninsular to see what was around.     Wallasey first but not much around except a lovely Pied Wagtail;  tide was quite far out so not many waders were close enough in for photos.

Then it was on to Leasowe;    Curlews were top of the menu as tide had crept in further 

One caught a tasty crab breakfast but sadly a Carrion Crow came in and stole it after the Curlew dropped it

not a very good shot as the action happened so quickly but the Curlews were not impressed ! 

Bit of an awkward landing but there were a couple of L.Egrets around 

almost got a Redshank in flight

and on the water

little and large 

overhead gulls,  black-headed Gull    

the light was perfect for photography - even if my eyes aren't ! 

Carrion Crows were opening shells to gain their breakfast …...

when not stealing crabs from Curlews ! 

Turnstones

Curlew catching up with its mate 

Although the Short Eared Owls were seen both at Parkgate and Denhall Quay we didn't spot any but did see a distant Kestrel and I think I heard someone say there was a Marsh Harrier;   with estuary birds too distant I opted to watch the Blackbirds raiding the berries ……….

Greenfinch, Goldfinch, House Sparrows, Long Tailed Tits, Robins and Reed Buntings were seen and also a distant Stonechat  - here's what I managed to catch on camera 

pretty female Reed Bunting 

and even a cock pheasant on somebody's roof  ! 

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Regards, Hazel 

  • Some beautiful light and excellent photos. Nice to get the Curlews (and their reflections) close in on the mud and to catch the action with the crow. I bet it had to race as the gulls would have been hot on its tail to steal a dropped meal!

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    Nige   Flickr

  • Really lovely photos Hazy, you made the most of the sunny weather. Another one here liking the Curlew photos and you just can't beat the Robin, Bunting and Sparrow against that blue sky, and Mr and Mrs Blackbird eating the berries. I had hoped that the Rowan trees planted at the school a few years ago would draw some Waxwing or Fieldfare but they fruited too early and there is nothing on them now!! Still plenty of hawthorn around though so you never know:-)

    Lot to learn

  • Lovely

    Unicum arbustum haud alit duos erithacos

    (One bush does not shelter two Robins)

    Zenodotus (3rd Century B.C.)