It is always a dilema as to which part of this county to go for at this time of year, it being so big and all!
So with the Rouzels being in and the chance of something else in "them thar hills", I persuaded Dawn to drive, keep making that mistake! anyway we arrived close to first light to find Peregrine in their usual spot and looking magnificent in their new feathers which were getting preened continuously. Apart from Mipits seemingly everywhere, not a lot of anything else so it was up the Tit.
Now I know there are always Stonechats on the road up and at the gorse near the top, well not today they were'nt, oh well. However Wheatear were there in numbers and chasing all over the place a joy to watch.
In the Quarry the target bird of the day was very quickly found and was feeding low down on the far slopes a nice male, only the one was seen but there were many more later in the day. And no not all photographers, at least not those with big ones, have the urge to encroach beyond the comfort circle of the bird, but they will always want to push it that one step closer spoiling it for many others. OH! I did of course mean big lenses!!
On the way back to VP it was Dipper, check! and a nice Grey Wagtail as well. Did not jam onto the yellow wag but will do tomorrow I'm sure.
So here are a few of the images from Sundays outing. With a Friday couple to boot.
When magnified there is a small spider on the top of the bill of this Chiffchaff with two legs wrapped around the beak, who's he kidding!! the Chiffchaff seems to be trying to see whats going on!
There were over 30 of these lovely waders on the field at the Gliding club on the Friday, and very confiding they were as well. SO long as you stayed in the car.
Just beautiful in the summer plumage. The sun was in and out of the clouds like a fiddlers elbow, or a Jack Russel on a ,,, never mind, nice to see them.
A few more spotties.
The everywhere bird or so it seemed.
Male Ring Ouzel in the quarry
Feather by feather it worked its way through its plumage.
Dont you just love em, without their jewellery that is, and there were quite a lot sporting their rings.
Again a naked Wheatear.
Just such natural posers.
The Black-headed Gulls were on to something, as they were doing this for ages.
Picking, Skimming and dipping
A skimmer
A dipper
A low level search and destroy one!
There you go, a few of the gotcha's from the better weather day, minimum wind, no rain and there was some sunshine. what a nice day out. With bank holiday monday next, it will be a stay at home day as the maddening hoards descend on the nicer areas of Shropshire, you cant get on the wreking till someone comes down or falls of off it, it is that busy!!
See you all next time.
Paul