27/02/2023 Redcar, Cleavland

King Eider: Busy working this way again and I finally took what little time I had to go see the 2nd winter kingy that's taken up residence with a small flock of common eider off Zealand Slipway.

Took me a little while to pinpoint the bird as it bobbed up and down on the large waves, but once you see it it stand out like a sore thumb with its place hard, dark back and bright orange knob at the base of the bill. 

22/02/2023 County Durham

Hawfinch: Back again and another pre-work trip to the North East hoping to improve on my photos of the hawfinch I saw up here a few weeks back and to try my luck with the Pallas's warbler, second time lucky!

My first stop was for the Pallas's leaf warbler which was still present along the hawthorn hedge east of Willington sewage works. Then for the hawfinch at Bishop Middleham that was showing particularly well this morning. 

Let me start with the hawfinch first, my second visit to Bishop Middleham and the row of hornbeams off Fortmarts Lane. 

The bird was present as soon as I arrived, but this time there was now crowed of birders, no large group of camo-clad toggers and no sound of camera shutters firing. 

The bird remained high in the hornbeam feeding on the seeds before descending to the lower branches and the reach of my lens!

The lack of onlookers and crowds possibly encouraged the bird lower and to give much better views than I had the other week I when I saw it.

My net stop was to Newfeild and to the Pallas's leaf warbler which was still present along the hawthorn hedge east of Willington sewage works. Similar to the hawfinch this bird as also been present for several weeks.

Pallas's Leaf Warbler: I dipped the bird whenI came over a few week ago, so to nail it down and even have it calling was great. 

18/02/2023 Bolton, Greater Manchester

Waxwing: Spent my Saturday morning on a resitential estate in Bolton, a typical place you would find waxwings as they seek out the red berries of ornamental bushes and shrubs. 

Over the past few weeks this single waxwing has taken up residence at Laurel Avenue feeding on s small cotoneaster bush outside of a lovely ladies house. 

When I arrived there was a the group of mainly camouflage clad blokes with long lenses and no binoculars pointing their telephotos high up at a tree, a good sign the bird is still here. 

After a short wight the bird flew down and landed on the cotoneaster before scoffing the berries. 

I need up chatting to the lady who was happy to allow us to stand on her driveway, this was great, really greats as the bird either favoured the far side of the bush or was in a position were the branches where in the way.

 

The wether was hit a and miss with blue skies and then rolling grey clouds, I had to wait and chance my luck between the differing light levels. 

A tricky situation to be in but with some patines and knowhow I got there in the end with some stunning blue skies and an even more stunning bird.  

09/02/2023 Bishop Middleham, County Durham

Hawfinch: I found myself working over near Middlesbrough again and decided this time to make a visit to a small County Durham village, Bishop Middleham to try to obtain some decent images of a single hawfinch which has been feeding on the seeds of a small number of hornbeam trees. 

I arrived at the site just before 9am and by 9.30am after scanning the trees and waiting in the cold I spotted it at the very top of the tallest hornbeam. 

Not ideal, but it was here which is half the of my plan. 

The other half was to obtain some decent shots, well today wasn't my day for this, the bird remained high up and in poor light, but I wasn't too upset its not everyday you see a hawfinch in full view. Lovely stuff. 

This site is a regular spot for hawfinch in winter and I will defiantly be coming back again, I may even try again the next time I'm working over this way, but these marvellous birds are early nesters and may well be busy breeding and nesting by then. 

Hawfinch are primarily seed eaters during the winter months, specialising in large seeds that other birds might struggle with. Hornbeam and cherry are two particular favourites, although they will consume a wide range of other food sources.

Although not much longer than a greenfinch, because of this heavy duty bill and associated thick neck, hawfinch appear as large, bulky birds. Their plumage covers a range of attractive autumnal colours, ranging through soft pinks, buffs, glossy blue-blacks, greys and a mix of browns, all finished off with a distinctive black bib directly under the bill.