Venus Pool - raiding the freezer

A Buzzard waits patiently at Polemere....






Nothing has died there but over at Venus Pool (record shots only)....






There is plenty for all with the deep freeze keeping this unfortunate offering fresh, if a little solid to peck on!






Not a bacon butty in sight but the local Magpies here are just as cheeky?





See what I mean.....






Times are hard, not just for birds but for photo opportunities!! Hopefully next weekend.....

Not cold enough for Iceland?

It was a bit warmer this morning (-7’C) I’d decided to go for Gulls and with a 3rd Winter Iceland Gull and adult Caspian Gull turning up at Stubber’s Green the previous day, it was Walsall first stop (after Priorslee lake which was very quiet)

I had one potential problem at the back of my mind and it did happen.... the Sunday effect! With refuse tips being less than operational, Gulls often travel elsewhere in search of sustenance on Sundays – including on this occasion both of yesterdays classy birds! I stuck it out until after 1.00 but the only Gull of note was an adult Yellow-legged Gull (a surprisingly uncommon Winter species at Stubbers Green)






After confirming that no White-wingers had snuck into Priorslee on my return journey, I headed off for Chelmarsh where almost anything could turn up? The scrape has a good record of producing a Jack Snipe during the Winter but all that was on show was a Water Rail plus three Common Snipe. The running water here ensures a small part of the scrape never completely freezes.....










Snipe are quite happy in the snow too!






I managed to convince Yvonne who had just arrived it was worth doing the Gull roost (one of the sheer joys of birding??) The temperatures were now plunging again and with an icy breeze blowing, we searched for White-winged or ‘headed’ Gulls nearly in vain – two adult Yellow-legged Gulls were the sole reward!

There was however a bit of a bonus, sensing there was a better than average showing of Goosander gathering to roost on the far bank, we started to count them..... looking pretty impressive too with a guestimate of well over a hundred! After two independant counts each and agreeing ‘148’ we weren’t done yet. Another 13 flew in over the dam in small groups – a pretty amazing final tally of 161!! Unless someone can prove otherwise, the second highest ‘reported count’ for the County. A few more will be needed to get into the record books as an amazing 257 is the current target (also at Chelmarsh in 1997).

Winter bites!

Not one of my most distinguished posts but with a bit of deep freeze looming, travelling far is not the most sensible option! As the temperatures drop, Wildfowl are on the move and congregating together. Wigeon numbers at Venus Pool reached a max of 61 last weeeknd but checking the pool on Friday, with complete ice cover, they have all moved on (for now). They weren't at Polemere either although a good count off 72 Common Teal were present.

Saturday was a snow covered start and a bit of a non-event.






I spent an hour or so at Meole Brace park and ride , after 15 mins I did see a flock of approx 25 Waxwings but.... strictly flyover and that was the end of any excitement!

The only birds eating berries today were not exactly Christmas card material...






The Blackbirds were relying on their gastric juices to thaw the berries...








Eventually I moved on - in 'Gull mode'. I had planned origianlly to check Stubbers Green until the snow came down and later wished I'd gone there! Apart from two adult Yellow-legged Gulls (here's the nearest), nothing of note at Priorslee and a Waxie check of Waitrose in Newport / Asda Donnington drew a blank!






Perhaps the best photo moment of the day was a Jay which crossed the rode after I left Priorslee Flash - it lingered in the roadside trees for a moment!






The highlight of a very cold morning.... Whilst I was Gull watching, like a Vulture sensing blood from several miles away, I was drawn to the aroma of bacon being fried. I couldn't resist it - sausage, bacon and egg - absolutely awesome!






I also managed to avoid the clutches (just) of the local thieving Magpies who are very adept at stealing the butties if you turn your back for one moment....






A finale at Meole Brace park and ride witnessed - would you believe it, the Waxwing flock over Sainsbury's again but not stopping. I've had enough of birds and berries, I feel like going to Iceland......??

Astbury Mere - Great Northern Diver

It's November and I hadn't got Great Northern Diver on the yearlist! With reports of two birds showing well in Cheshire and the thought of doing the local retail parks leaving me as cold as it was, I set the satnav for Astbury Mere near Congleton.....

The satnav warned me (irritating just as I joined the M6) that there were delays due to a slow moving wide load, I trundled the 10 miles or so, bever having seen how wide it was, before I could get off :-(

On arrival (eventually) at 10.30, it was still misty and it soon became apparent that the sailing club on the opposite bank was the place to be! Here's the scene.....






I settled down and waited for the Diver to come close, which it eventually did ....






but never too close!










Great Northern Divers certainly live up to their name, they certainly dive a lot (although I only saw two fish caught nearby). They also cover great distances underwater , it was no surprise for the diver to surface 100m or so away from where it was last seen!!










I had to wait quite some time for a 'wingflap' but when it came these were the most satisfying images of the day!








I just love the 'droplet' effect.....






Grim light but nevertheless, the water and this Great-crested Grebe had a Wintry feel about it.....








One or two Grey Wagtails flitting about nearby too.






The UK list has an almost finished' feel about it now - 249 and one to go - wonder what the next bird will be?

Bullfinch seedlifter

A lunchtime call at Sainsbury's, despite all the berries didn't reveal any Waxwings. There were two birds feasting on the berries however.....

When I say feasting, not a single berry was eaten - they were selectively removing the seeds from the pulp - if you look at the surrounding berries, many of them are 'chewed' and seedless!






It's much easier with just one berry at a a time!








By carefully manipulating the berry using bill and tongue, the pulp is separated and discarded.....








A perfect example of how to do it!






This is one seed which got away, unless he's got a very long tongue.......






His female partner carefully eluded the camera but hopefully more Waxwings in the frame beforelong?

Shropshire Birder - flying High

And now for something completely different......

A weekend away in Northern Ireland on alpine talk duty and travelling very light meant that bird photography was not an option (not that I had time anyway). A well into double figures count of Hooded Crows seen during the drive to the airport at least ensured that a bird would make the yearlist without seriously birding!!

Jetting out of Belfast, I thought I'd keep my wits about me, with camera poised ready for an aerial shot or two.

Belfast seen bathed in clear skies whilst the rest of Ulster was smothered in cloud!








Things got more interesting and some familiar territory was in focus as the plane neared the coast of England. The route took us over the Dee estuary and looking at the top of the picture is the mouth of the Mersey. The white dot on the shore opposite the docks is the Perch Rock lighthouse.....






The Mersey mouth is still visible and now the Dee estuary is in view - the dark strip of rocky 'land' at the mouth is Hilbre island with the tide just coming in?






A closer view - note the triangle in the lower part of the picture the is the Point of Ayr - crikey, I was stood there last week!






Looking back now across the Mersey is Seaforth and the docks, Crosby marina etc. Happy memories of White-tailed Plover, Pallid Swift, Wilson's Phalarope and Grey Phalarope!






Another familar shape came into view ten minutes later - the twin lobes of Blithe bay and Tad bay plus the causeway splitting Blithfield reservoir....








I'll spare you Villa Park, St Andrews and a host of Brummie points of interest... Maybe I'll pick the right hand side of the plane nest time??

Which reminds me, I did flying back from Dublin last year - Bloody hell, if you zoom in on this particular patch of water, isn't that Steve Nuttall walking along the path.......






Back to birds hopefully very soon!

Hollingworth Lake - Pied-billed Grebe

Whilst it was likely to be a 'stayer', I was not going to take the chance of the Hollingworth Pied-billed Grebe doing a flyer. My only opportunity over the next week or so was to be this afternoon (on one of the stormiest days of the year!)

So, with a lunchtime finish to work, I headed North amid blue skies and storm clouds....

Hollingworth lake is at a reasonable height and it was even windier there! Nevertheless the Grebe was settled in the South-East corner and once I'd walked there from the visitor car park (it was now 2.30) there was not a breath of wind - completely sheltered by a hill and trees!!

I joined the small gallery......






The Grebe was quite mobile and spent quite a bit of time sitting in a patch of water vegetation on the far bank....






The obligatory record shot followed as it had a bit of a preen for me (another lifer too, I feel a Tunnocks teacake coming on!!)






I'd have settled for that but it then moved out into open water....










And decided to come much closer.....






MUCH closer!!






In fact TOO close!! It wstarted fishing uder the bank and out of view. It retreated occasionally and was in full view, just a matter of avoiding reeds in the way!!









The light was fading fast by now and most of the 'fish shots' were suffering from motion blur, nevertheless, a few keepers.....










What a little cracker and just look at that stonking bill with just a hint of a band present!







Unbelievably, the rain held off and the Grebe was still sat there on the far bank at dusk - dozing after consuming a rather large Perch......