|Promise of 4 hours sunshine and a high tide so drove over to Parkgate on the Wirral to see what was out on the salt marshes; we saw two distant Marsh Harriers, a Great Egret and several Little Egrets but alas too distant for decent photos. We were really hoping the Hen Harriers would turn up at some stage but none seen today, however, other birds we did see were a beautiful Kestrel, Redwing, Song Thrush. I only took the 7Dii this time but with a lot of cloud I wish I'd taken the 5Dmkiii and 300 f2.8. however, here's what I did manage to get besides the fresh sea air. !!
Not the full sunshine promised as you can see and a rather moody sky which had a little rain in some of the clouds
virtually high tide but it doesn't come in to Parkgate that far unless there is a king tide when all the voles run for their life and get chased by the raptors,
a sight I yet have to witness It got very cloudy at times but enough birds out on the salt marsh and lots of pink footed geese too.
Pinkies arriving to join their mates
pinkie flock ........
A couple of Redwings were in the pasture behind us ....
Thrush, wondering if this is mistle thrush with narrower head but I can't see the white leading edges on wings so maybe a song ?
and a female blackbird keeping with the other thrushes
Absolute bonus was a Kestrel at close quarters; I was watching one very distant Kestrel out on the salt marsh which was almost on the welsh side of the Dee estuary when suddenly I turned round and the expression. "It's behind you" came to mind. !!! As soon as I turned around another Kestrel was perched right in front of me only a few metres back. :).
even closer when it dropped to the ground to dig up a worm it has spotted ...... thinking this is a juvenile 1st year bird. ?
Delicious. !!! nom....nom.... nom.....
it went for a fly round the salt marsh in the hope of spotting a vole but came back empty clawed and perched in another tree near the car park
looks a young one .........what do you think, one of last years brood ? Wendy will know hopefully :)
That's it for now folks, thanks for viewing.
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Regards, Hazel
2013 photos & vids here
eff37 on Flickr
(Pardon the Scottish Accent)
Lot to learn
Thanks Wendy and Linda, @ Wendy, that's a great link with very good information so thank you. First trip out for weeks really and lucky that this young Kestrel was perched so close to the car park; @ Linda, it was pretty chilly but not too windy thank goodness but had three layers on plus beanie hat and hood on my thick fleece jacket but still needed a bath to thaw out the old bones when I got home. LOL. was a bonus to see the Redwings with the other thrushes and the distant marsh harriers and egret birds that were too far away to get decent pics. The wirral coastline is a fantastic birding area with many good spots so we tend to visit as often as we can. Having said that, during the last two years we've not ventured out much at all so let's hope 2022 brings more birding adventures for everyone.
post edit: thanks Gaynor, your reply came in after I responded to Wendy and Linda. Did feel good to get out after so long indoors; had a winter cold virus the last two weeks so needed the sea air in my lungs. Hope we also get back to Anglesey again this year sometime.
Fabulous photos Hazel, particularly the kestrel ones, and that part of the Dee Estuary seems to be quite prolific with kestrels, and nice to see the redwing and thrush. Looking at the first photo, it looks like you walked away from the main car park.
As for the inconspicuous sun, the same here, forecasted to be dry and sunny, but turned out wet, cloudy and even snow, settling, for the first half of the afternoon!
The ongoing showers have washed the snow away...
Mike
Flickr: Peak Rambler