North Fylde - 24th February 2008

Purple Sandpiper - Taken by Stuart Piner









I spent a morning in North Fylde trying to tick off a few Fylde Birds inc. Purple Sandpiper, Iceland Gull and Hooded Crow. I only managed to see the 2 Purple Sandpipers at Fleetwood Marine Lake, but It was an enjoyable morning as we stopped at Bradshaw lane Head on the way back and I spotted a Little owl on a post and at the feeding station i was suprised to find 60 Corn Bunting - a bird that I have become unfamiliar with of late as the last time I saw these in Lancs was in Spring 2006.

Martin Mere, WWT - 22nd February 2008

Afternoon Spent at Martin Mere saw the return of 6 Avocet for the summer and a Ringed Plover. I enjoyed watching a Pair of Peregrine hunt from John Barker, but was a little confused that I didn't manage to see a single Ruff

Captive Birds

Testing the SLR - 18th February 2008

I spent about 40 mins trying to take some photo's in my Back Garden, this wasn't wise as I was wearing very light clothing in -1oC so I was pretty cold when I got back in the house. i only managed to see five species in the Garden whilst I was out but I only took pictures of Robin, Blackbird and Blue tit. I have adjusted the sharpness on the camera and I am now quite happy with the results!

Dusk at Brockholes

Wintering pair of Firecrest - Bury - 17th February 2008

Firecrest

Male Sparrowhawk
Blue Tit
House Sparrow

A Pair of Firecrest have been frequenting a garden in Bury for a while now and as I was at a loose end this morning, I decided to persuade my dad to take me after showing him the excellent photographs posted on Bird Guides by the owner of the Garden they are feeding in
I think I heard the male singing briefly so there is a chance they could stick around to breed, although is quite unlikely!

Very fabulous birds to just be in the presence of but as a photography point of view, they are little horrors, as you can see from above!!

I really great start to a fabtastic 'spring' February day!

Back to my weekly trips to the Quarry

2 Jack Snipe

3 Buzzard

2 Redshank

2 Pintail...

these were the only things on great interest, but to be honest I wasnt really birding, more experimenting with my new d-SLR