07/11/2020 Crosby Marina, Liverpool

Long-tailed Duck: Between the busy shops and fast food outlets of South Road in Waterloo and the Antony Gormley cast iron men that stand like soldiers guarding Crosby beach lies Crosby Marina Lake.

The waters of the marine lake often holds good numbers of diving ducks like goldeneye and tufted duck, as well as great crested grebes, and especially after storms, other aquatic specialists taking refuge from bad weather. 

Over the last two years or so there has been a wintering long-tailed duck often on the smaller boating lake keeping away from the much busier activity centre lake. When I saw the bird last year it kept itself to itself and stayed far out in the middle small boating lake, this time the bird was much more confident and showy! 

This was just incredible, I've seen many across the country in my time, but never like this. The bird wasn't bothered by the dog walker, children and passersby. 

With lockdown 2.0 now here it was great to get out with the family, have a pleasant walk outside with the baby and fit in some birding. I couldn't recommend it enough to everyone, if you can keep yourself and others safe get out there and enjoy the autumnal weather. 

15/10/2020 Elton Reservoir, Bolton

Greater Scaup: With Lockdown 2 looming I was keen to capitalise on any small opportunity I can get to go out birding. So when dawn asked me to collect a parcel from Whitefield after work today I jumped at the chance. 

As I was passing Elton Reservoir  I thought I would stop and see if I could relocate the greater scaup that has been there for a few days and also the bar-tailed godwit that's taken up residence there. 

It didn't take long to pick up the scratty looking 1st winter drake scaup as it was feeding con its own lose to Capsticks.   

The bar-wit was was also foraging in its usual flooded field, viewed from the muddy track around the res. 

Losing the light and with the rain clouds moving in fast I didn't hang around the res for too long and made my way to the shop to collect Dawns parcel. 

27/10/2020 Meols, Wirral

Snow Bunting: The coast and the Dee estuary have always attracted the snow bunting and they are now a fairly regular winter visitor to the Wirral coast. 

The two birds were very confiding and seem to ignore the presence of humans whether they were walking past, cycling or walking their dogs they weren't phased and continued to forage on the embankment of the sea defences along the prom. 

Seeing that they were showing incredibly well, once I had finished work I headed over just in time to catch the last of the diminishing Autumn light. 

And I'm glad I made the effort as they were walking right up to me, within two or three feet. 

The one thing I have to comment on are the bone-headed selfish members of the public who without any consideration of what I and the other birders and those with cameras were obviously doing decided still to walk right past our shots. A little courtesy wouldn't have gone a miss!  

This is probably the world’s land bird that breeds furthest north, seeking treeless barren tracts for its nesting sites in the Arctic Circle and nearby. Although a few nest in the tops of the Cairngorms, it is mainly a rare winter visitor to our coasts, particularly the east coast.

The two birds can be found 100m north from Meols Parade. along the promenade heading towards Leasowe.  

Black Redstart: Another great bird that was in the area was this cracking black redstart. It was frequenting the garden of 292 along Meols Parade. 

The bird kept its distance while foraging on the lawn and driveway of the house and regularly few up onto the roof and garage. 

Common Buzzard: I do love this part of the North West, I always have a feeling that it would be a nice place to live. Somewhere you can find scares birds and somewhere you can see interesting birds, unlike Wigan. 

Maybe one day when I win the lottery!