19/07/2013 Carnforth, Shore Road

Green Woodpecker: Dawn and I headed up to Carnforth to see her family, but I was able to persuade her to make a detour to Heysham in search of the Bonaparte's Gull.

After and hour or so in search of the gull I started to get a bit peeved as I had that sinking feeling, we dipped on the bird and headed to her dads house.

My day soon brightened up, as the traffic built we decided to take the scenic route to Milhead via the Shore Road where I spotted a Green Woodie sitting on a fence post, we parked up, I grabbed my camera and soon there were two birds which showed really well.

03/12/2012 Moore Nature Resreve

Smew: (female) My first Smew, ok it's not a stunning white cracked porcelain male but a red headed female and the pics aren’t great as the birds was staying some distance away from the lens but never the less a great bird.

It was a busy bird, feeding along the far side of the bank at the Phoenix Hide it seemed to be hanging around with the Tufted Ducks.


Other birds to note were Willow Tit, Reed Bunting, Greater Spotted Woodpecker and a number of Jays at the feeding station which was nicely stocked up!




I was suprised how samll this bird actualy is, only a little bigger then a Little Grebe must by far the samllest of the saw billed ducks. I know this stunning duck is a winter visitor but I was suprised to read (BTO) that their UK population is only 180 individuals.



Green Woodpecker: Another good tick of the day had to be this Green Woodie which was feeding on the grass bank at the foot of the Phoenix Hide. I must have missed it as I only caught it as it flew in to an old dead tree.

24/11/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Green Woodpecker: Another great day at work, bird of the day had to be this stunning male Green Woodpecker which has been seen around IMF and BMW car park for a few days now, It was reported to be to be in the old big Oak Tree next to the onsite farm house near the entrance.

I found the bird feeding in the adjacent farm field and another flying over the farm house, later on that day I then saw it flying through the woods and towards the Bunker Hide where it was perching on a fence post.

Brambling: The male Brambling made another appearance after a few weeks, I thought I would put some seed on the same path I last saw it and it worked. The pile of seed first attracted the attention of the local Squirrels and Rats then a huge flock of Chaffinches about 20+ with a dozen or so Goldfinches.

 

I was obviously working and not able to kept a regular eye on the pathway but it was not until a couple pointed out to me that they had seen him feeding on the path until I grabbed my camera and took a peak.

 

Brilliant, it was there and showing well, It has been the only one seen on BMW side and I will continue to put seed out to entice the bird.

 

Its my 100th post!

THANKS TO EVERYONE WHO HAS TAKEN A LOOK OVER THE LAST YAER OR SO

25/08/2012 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Common Lizards:  This was one of many highlights of today action at Burton Mere Wetlands it was spotted on one of the ditches on the reed and fen trail, I actually found out that Common Lizards although their name suggest are no so common but here at Burton Mere Wetland there is a large and widespread population.

Green Woodpecker: I was surprised to see this young woody feeding in a garden as I walked in to work this morning. It was on someones lawn in one of those million pound houses just off Paddington Lane.

We know there is a resident Green Woodpecker on the reserve itself and we often get reports of people hearing its call but very few people actual get to see it. I was chuffed.

The Marsh Harriers once again didn’t disappoint as they showed really well through the day as did a Pectoral Sandpiper which was a fantastic tick.