The chance of a Goshawk or two was the drive to revisit Shirlet on last Sunday. It was a chance that did not materialise, A couple of Sparrowhawks bolstered the spirits a bit, but the arrival of a trio of Goldcrests made me feel much better, only to succumb to the dreaded lurgy later in the day.

As beautiful as any big bird

For some reason they always look a bit sad.

Definite disappointment here.



"Ello food!"



From the last outing a pretty pose.



The gales persisted



Alas no Petrels.

With a distinct lack of time to get out and about at the moment is, driving me cabin crazy,  but watch this space.. there are one or two projects on the cards which should prove interesting oh! and a lens repair should help :-)

P.S click on imaage for a sequenced view of larger pictures.

Paul

Snow, Sleet, Rain, Hail, Gales. a brilliant day on the coast.

With impending bad weather forecast for the weekend, it was decided to get the birding bus out of mothballs and go for it. Shropshire nice and mild, Cheshire snow hard and thick and New Brighton producing all of it over two days on the beach.

A brief spell of sunshine

And a sneaky Purple Sandpiper

It was not rough much!

Struggling with the wind.

Oops! caught of balance.

A brief respite.

 

But not for long.

A sharp get away!

 

Nearly got caught by this big wave.

A quick run for it as the water went away.

Took these shanks ages to get through the viewfinder..

 Lying on the sand was by far the best way of getting close, apart from uncontrolled bloomin dogs and owners, they were getting very confiding. until, yep another darned controlled hound..

more next time.

Paul

A Little catcher upperer!

With work preventing me from getting down to the Clee to see this little stunner, I waited for my day off, a whole week, for the "must do" trip. it was bright but the wind brought the temperature well down to hats and gloves.On arrival it had not been seen, but thankfully up she popped and gave many some brilliant views.

On a very windy day

Feed me!

 It was very confiding as if expecting a few tidbits from those present with the odd call. It was time for some lunch at the local chippy and a run to the Priorslee Flash for the Tundra Bean Goose. Which, stayed firmly ensconced on the island, out of sight. However the next morning saw the geese out for a paddle round the lake.

Tundra Bean Goose.

Spot the difference.

So I was very pleased to get yet another new one for the county in the bag. The scores on the doors are going very good, in fact the best since 2006, only 4 more for the double ton.


So who knows could I crack it before Christmas?

Paul

Yet Another nice county goody

Well what a nice Autumn this has turned out to be, nice weather and some very nice birds as well..The Red-necked Diver at Chelmarsh was so tempting to say the least so, went I did and show nicely it did!




Red-tthroated Diver Chelmarsh



Going fishing

Gone fishing.



One or two more to come, Well I thought so, but why bore you with endless Diver shots?? so thats your lot.

Paul

Darn Foriegners! and Fish

It was Sunday afternoon and I was looking forward to yet another reconnaissance around a local wood, once work was done for the day. So at last, freedom and off. an hour into the search the phone rings, the Great grey Shrike had morphed into a Mega for the county and photos were in order to confirm or otherwise the ID. Some how I still managed to arrive after Jim who had sped from nottingham!!

Sunday evening the light had gone by the time I arrived so It was to be Monday! which then turned into hope it stays til tuesday ,,, yay! and a few of what was got at extreme range are as follows.

It only just missed the prey item which suddenly just dropped out of the way.

Nice big wing patch and bar.

Upper and lower wing now visible and lores..

I did mention fish,, although there is no such thing if you believe the latest scientific news!! Annihooo! it was just by chance that I was told by Dawn, that the Salmon run was on at the wier in Shrewsbury, A thing I had wanted to see and photograph for years, but somehow missed but this time, with supreme guidence I arrived and they were there and leaping..

Trying to guess where they were going to appear proved a real tease. needless to say more deleted than kept..

Effort and motion wow!

And boy did they wriggle once airborne..

I suppose I will get round to a full edit at some stage but tomorrow it is once again Shrike day and carpark duty..

See you soon..
Paul