Chelmarsh - On the Rails....

An early morning call at the reservoir saw the usual assembly of Tufties and Coots. Also 13 Goosander, 15 Wigeon and 5 Pintail but no sign of the Diver I keep hoping for.
With just ten mintes to spare, I called in at the scrape and as is always the way (with no time to savour the moment) there were not one but TWO Water Rails out in the open to the left of the hide. They didn't hang about for long though and weren't exactly enjoying each others company (not enough light to capture the scuffle....

Condover - Golden Wonders!

Thanks to Jason for tipping me off that the Golden Plover flock were at last, spreading out from the middle of that rather large field and creeping ever nearer to the road - a chance to finally get what turned out to be a few 'record shots' of individual birds, rather than the distant flock. Even managed a bonus flight shot.....














If you haven't been to see them - after leaving Bayston Hill on the A49 take the second left turning for Condover and view in the field to your left from the railway bridge onwards. There's a nice gap in the hedge if you want to just sit in your car.......

Venus Pool - out for a duck

Nothing exciting around at Venus Pool but at least given the clear skies and good light, an opportunity to record some decent images of the local duck population which is definitely on the increase! Along side the Mallard, at least 20 each of Tufted duck, Teal and Shoveler.













There were six Pochard including a nice male, and with distant females to compare with what I thought was a bit odd (lower pic) with reddish brown colouration to head and breast.










The Little Grebes still active too and catching plenty of small fish......

Colemere - Scaup for the record

A rainy Sunday looked like being spent at home until a call from Andy Latham tempted me out to check out the Golden Plover flock at Condover. They were still there in good numbers and whilst too distant for detailed photography, I did come away with a few record shots of the flock!! There were well in excess of 500, difficult to assess as they were well spread out with some in the stubble.....














This is Gull roost 'season' and after a disappointing display thanks to the sailing boats (highlight a leucistic Black-head) at Chelmarsh the previous evening, we agreed to try the Mere later. I decided to check out some of the other Meres as well and with Crosemere virtually birdless, the omens didn't look good. Colemere came next and with sailing boats on the water, I nearly gave it a miss! Glad I didn't, as keeping away from the disturbance, there were at least 30 Goldeneye with one male well away from the rest keeping company with a Pochard and one seriously interesting duck!! Even from 400m or so distance, the plumage looked right, the white bill base band shone out together with pale cheek patch - had to be a female Scaup, taking the Shropshire year list to 155!






Sadly for us. the gull roost held no great surprises (a nice one for Jason though at Gresford!!). Hopefully a White winged Gull will turn up in Shropshire soon, long overdue? With a stiff North Westerly blowing, a Roast beef dinner suddenly became a more important option!!

Picture of the Year (Shropshire)

Thought I'd try a little a little interactive diversion whilst you are browsing here. I've posted below a selection - a sort of 'Top Twenty' favourite pictures (in no particular order)taken in Shropshire during 2007. I'm interested to see what 'appeals' to others - portraits, action or cute!

You will find an voting box to the right, simply check the FIVE pictures you like most! (click thumbs to open a larger image) Five votes only please! (Only one voter is possible per PC sorry!)

I will let this poll run until December 21st and then depending upon how close the voting is, the top two or three pictures will be included with more photos taken elsewhere in the UK during 2007. Voting will then begin again over the Christmas period with YOUR No 1 choice being declared on New Years Day....

PS if you feel strongly that I've omitted a contender, Email me and I will see if it can be given a chance in the final round.....




Picture 1 - Common Sandpiper at Venus Pool (April)





Picture 2 - Whimbrel at Venus Pool (May)





Picture 3 - Kingfisher at Venus Pool (May)





Picture 4 - Great crested Grebe and fish - Venus Pool (May)





Picture 5 - Garganey at Venus Pool (May)





Picture 6 - Great crested Grebe and family (May)





Picture 7 - Hobby eating Dragonfly at Venus Pool (July)





Picture 8 - Little Egret at Venus Pool (August)





Picture 9 - Spotted Flycatcher at Acton Burnell (July)





Picture 10 - Redpoll at Chelmarsh (November)





Picture 11 - Mandarin at Venus Pool (November)





Picture 12 - Mute Swans at Venus Pool (November)





Picture 13 - Ring Ouzel at Titterstone Clee (April)






Picture 14 - Common Buzzard at Isombridge (March)





Picture 15 - Goldfinch at Venus Pool (June)





Picture 16 - Dunlin flock at Venus Pool (May)





Picture 17 - Black Redstart at Pole Cottage (November)





Picture 18 - Cygnets at Venus Pool (May)





Picture 19 - Green Sandpiper at Chelmarsh (August)





Picture 20 - Greenshank at Venus Pool (October)

Venus Pool etc - Gold strike

Despite the rain, couldn't resist those Goldfinches feeding on the Teasel outside the main hide at VP! Marsh Tit in the car park and Buzzard nearby....

Dodgy pic of the distant Golden Plover flock at Condover taking flight - I struggled all year to find one and now there's 500+ on the doorstep - how ironic is that!

Polemere - Lesser Canada

Hmm whats this then. Jim's reduced to blogging pictures of Canada Geese! Well, I'd called briefly at Polemere to check out the gulls and this little fella reported by Jason was sat on the water...

The last two pictues show just how small this bird is in comparison to a 'normal' Canada. 'Beaman and Madge' describe various races in N America with the Cackling Goose 'minima' having dark breast, short neck and tiny bill. Undoubtedly 'feral' and who knows the origins? An interesting bird nevertheless!














An interesting account of the races described can be found here and here How about Branta hutchinsii minima!