2nd-4th February 2016
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
Robin and blue tit near the half-way shelter.
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
One of the most subtly beautiful ducks.
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!