The Waiting Game

Week commencing March 10th 2013

Sunday I went to Blacktoft to seek out some water pipits. It was very bleak there and I didn't meet up with them. Dunlin, shelduck, redshanks but nothing really special. There were a lot of dunlin and snipe about. And konik ponies looking ready for Spring: the sap definitely rising.

Konik Pony I decided to head for Old Moor along the motorways. Again nothing really special but the goosanders were nice and close down at the wader scrape.

Goosander Goosander Goosander Bitterns were booming too and yellowhammmers and brambling near the car park feeders.

Yellowhammer Yellowhammer Little owl reported at Broomhill. No sign [no surprise] but red-legged partridge and, bird of the day - a nice duck.

UK 2013 160... and waiting for the sand martins and wheatears that are dribbling into southern Britain. Snowing as I write this 11.03.2013 12.15pm.

Blog's 1st Birthday March 12th: 4368 visitors so far.

Wednesday 13th March 2013

Got up really early and got to Mirfield by 7.50am. Saw the ring-billed gull immediately through another birder's scope! At this point, before I could set up my own scope, all the birds flew off! Well at least I saw the bird. Went next to Broomhill Flash. Don't know why but just felt like going there. A birder coming out of the hide told me exactly where to look: 2 little owls through the scope. Brilliant!

Wanted some pictures too [never satisfied - is that the human condition?] so went to Fairburn to see if any 'eat-my-hat' birds were showing. [So-called because I once told my friend Barry that I'd eat my hat if we saw siskins at Fairburn on the visitor centre feeders. And we did!] Well then: here's some very pretty eat-my-hat birds.

Siskin I prefer not to take pictures of birds on feeders, so I tried to get the birds in the surrounding vegetation too. Actually this one is on the feeders but I cropped the feeder off.

Siskin Here they are in the bushes.

Siskin Siskin Some coal tits were around too. This one seemed a little drunk and had trouble balancing on landing...

Coal Tit Coal Tit A long-tailed tit seemed to be having a bit of bother too. Perhaps they're putting brandy in the seed on these cold mornings!

Long-tailed Tit This greenfinch looked very smart.

Greenfinch The long-tailed tits were showing really well including this ringed bird.

Long-tailed Tit Long-tailed Tit Long-tailed Tit