1, 2, 3 Targets ------- 1, 2, 3 Ticks +1

With the promise of snow in the county and temperatures below freezing, I was out as soon as possible for the three Birds I wanted for the new year . And having an interest in the Gulls that might / have been reported around the area, if you can call Chasewater local?

On arrival the temperature gauge was showing just above zero, but the wind was, as is usual whipping across the water bringing the open skin temp down to around - 8 not as Brrr! as expected. But I soon warmed up, with the Great Northern diver appearing very close to the bank in Fly Bay (Sailing club) I was set up and ready in a few minutes, but I was not prepared for the second Diver to surface less than six feet away from the point I had chosen to set up.

A frantic one or two shots!!! it was nailed, now to concentrate on the other diver but not wanting the normal static pose I was please to get a nice wing stretch.But as is the norm a standard pose was in order for the plumage info!

As this was going I was keeping an eye open for the Male Smew that had been reported the previous day as being in the same bay as the Divers.

The clue eventually came as a group of Coot scattered as the bird emerged directly amongst them on the far edge, the whiteness and clear lines immediately said Male Smew, boy was I chuffed, well that did not last long as it disappeared back where it had come from, the tree strewn inlet at the corner of the bay.

The greatest challenge for me here was not just to get the shot but get the whites exposed correctly and with some back lighting it was going to prove to be a real bugger.

Well I think I got it just about right, was a bit like shooting an Arctic hare in a blizzard!

Two down one to go, trouble is I had no idea where I was going to find the third target of the day. I knew by now it was not on the sailing club side so it stood to reason!!! it must be on the other, a quick run around (not literally) to the Steam rail park. Powerboat bay? NO, Middle of the water anywhere? NO, was it along the causeway toward Jeffery's swag NO, bugger must have missed it. never mind a nice Grey wagtail and male Brambling on the way back.

I stopped at the jetties by the power boat bay for a final look and got Little grebe, when suddenly practically in my face a beautiful Slavonian grebe, bobbing about with no care of me what so ever. So not one to look a gift horse in the mouth I blasted a few hundred of over the next few minutes. the confidence of this little bird was well good to say the least.

The bleeding eye!
The better side.
and the what you doing pose.

Am I going to show you what else was got today? NO, it just takes to long to go through them all tonight so maybe watch the Gallery.

As per usual if you have comment and or gripes why not drop them into the Guestbook.

Thanks for reading

Paul

OH! the +1! was unusually for the time of year and temperature one target I was not expecting
tucked away behind my left knee was a very nice little Tick, how did i know it was there easy, it was a what the F is that in the shower moment, a bit of vasaline and of it went gradually.

PAK

118 118? Shropshirebirds!

Was not happy with the other picture so added this for your delectation! what do you think?

Day one, eyes open, look out of window, close eyes, wish it was April!

then reluctantly, like a scene from Wallace and Grommet, the wrong trousers, I made my way out for the first flog of the county in 2008.

My first landing place was Whixall moss floods, Stonechat, Raven, Snipe were nice ones amongst the lack of other things. Onward to Colemere, hopeing to get the Scaup and others providing they had not moved on. Thankfully there they were, and with no sailing, sitting in the middle of the water but nice views anyway. Also Peregrine, Goldeneye, Pochard and the normal Grebes.

The Lesser spotted woodpecker was shouting in its normal tree but way high. Nuthatch, Treecreeper, Long tailed tits and Goldcrests.

Woodlane was the next rush, with so little about it was difficult to contain my excitement! Mind you a nice period of Water rail watching was a nice release

The initial thought was to do the roost on Ellsemere, but having seen the number of cars parked along the mere it was postponed in favour of a look at the Severn by English Bridge for Goosander and a surprise Dipper on what is left of the island, sadly with very poor light it was a final mad rush to VP for a nice pair of Gadwall in fact two pairs.

Oh! I forgot to mention the Cape Shelduck is still present at Woodlane as is the Black swan at Colemere

The tally for the day was a disappointing 65, never mind maybe the impending cold weather will drag loads of flocks together. Or may be we will see something else drop into the county . So here is hoping for some real coldness and plenty of Brrr! even if it is an excuse for some nice Cognac and coffee.

Second thoughts hold the Coffee!

Paul

HAPPY NEW YEAR 2008

If you think I am staying up til midnight to change the post think again so here it is for you all

lets hope for a well good birding new year.

Paul et. al

Seen anything interesting?

How the hell do you answer this one? when you hear it a dozen times or more a day.

especially when everything you look at is interesting, the mosquito's biting you arm in December, the flowering Primrose, emerging Snowdrops in some ones bloody footprint! The five Kingfishers flying around and calling, or the Lesser spotted woodpecker calling above their heads. Or of course the six Scaup on the water.

Well politely of course, and watch the blank look descend on their faces when you mention the list.

I suppose you could just say no and move on. But then why not give them some incentive to find what you have mentioned?

Female Pochard.

So how was your day? well after flogging around the county it sort of went a bit flat, Chelmarsh, Ringing so no chance on the scrape,, Venus pools you having a laugh! Monkmoor same as VP then Woodlane OH! a Ruddy shelduck !!!!! as many have recorded it? that would make 165 for the year. Sadly not though.

Which disappeared as soon as a few shots were loosed of in the neighbouring field moving around to Colemere produced the now well known Scaup, this is 1st winter juv female. in a momentery sunny period.

along with Goldeneye, Pochard, Tufted, Wigeon, Goosander, a second winter Common gull (is this the missing Ringbilled?) was floating around for most of the Afternoon.

A Chelmarsh Siskin.

Adult Female Scaup in not a bright moment.

Syncronised O's?

Finally, Happy thingy to all the whoevers.

and long live those Cresty moments.

more soon

Paul.

PS. sod the football, give me the puppies ;¬)

For the children? (jeez the mans a freakin idjut! yes for the children!!!!!)

OK! seems a fair swap. (says I, gently warming hands on a blazing boyscout,, yipeeeee.)

Now here are two things we are missing!!

I apologies for my enforced absence from the blog recently, a very sick machine and a sick me are not helping any.

So for your delication!! one of the most attractive photographs I have seen in many years, here with courtousy of Edwin Kats in Holland. Showing two things missing from Shropshire!!

sadley my annual trip to Holland is this year postponed until April May, boohoo!

So may I take this opportunity to wish you all a very merry christmass and a productive birding new year.

Paul