2nd-4th February 2016

February 07, 2016 • 77 Comments

With Sheila to Cleethorpes, Barry to Bolton Abbey and on my tod to Horsebere Pool!

1: Cleethorpes

We packed a lunch and set off for the country park hoping for a good walk, some nice light and a few really choice grebes - namely 2 slavs and the red-neck I had already met!

Red-necked grebe found straightaway in its favourite corner by the 2 bridges. Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Grebe

Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Grebe Red-necked Grebe This shows just how confiding the red-necked grebe was. Photographer and grebe in photo!

Red-necked Grebe

The slavonian grebes were a bit more elusive - and distant. They tended to stay together towards the middle of the lake...

Slavonian Grebe ...but I got a few nice shots! Slavonian Grebe

Slavonian Grebe Slavonian Grebe

2: Bolton Abbey

A short day out looking for dipper [and anything else like mandarins or grey wagtails!] Dipper soon found by Barry. Dipper Dipper Dipper Dipper Dipper Dipper Robin and blue tit near the half-way shelter. Robin Robin Blue Tit

On the way back we both spotted a bird fly into a tree overhanging the river. First treecreeper of the year. Really tricky to phtograph without risking a riverine tumble!

Treecreeper Treecreeper Treecreeper He's got something! beetle or spider, I think.

Treecreeper

3: Horsebere Pool, Gloucester

Been thinking about trying for this one for a bit. Ironically I went the very day a pair turned up at Saltholme! A pair of what? Penduline tits! I saw them four times but in the wind and, later on, rain I failed to get a photo. Settled for an overwintering chiffchaff. A pair were present. Pendulines were lifer 420.

Chiffchaff I spent some time at Slimbridge while I was down there. Steering clear of the collection birds [the flamingos looked splendid and anachronistic when everything else is in winter's drab] I headed for the hides. I waited for this pintail to wake up!

Pintail Pintail One of the most subtly beautiful ducks.

Pintail Pintail Pintail Pintail Pintail Pintail Eventually I was lucky to see some Bewick's fly in.

Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Some landed nice and close - probably knowing they'd be fed later...

Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan Bewick's Swan

Later I was even luckier when two of the locally bred cranes dropped in dancing-style out on the marsh. Couldn't squeeze them both into one photo.

Common Crane

Coda

Wheldrake Ings near home in York reported a bonxie so on Sunday 7/2 I went bright and early to have a look. Pretty distant from the bridge by the car park, but clear in the scope. Time for the year's first 'cuckoo shot' as I call them...

Bird on the left is the skua feasting on the remains of a heron it killed on Saturday. Great Skua

Honest!

142 UK 2016

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