26/03/2017 Carr Lane Pools, Cheshire

Garganey: Firstly let me point out the poor quality of these images, most have been taken through my old spotting scope with my Iphone, held by hand.

Secondly I would like to express my disappointment as when I arrived at Carr Lane this morning hoping for seconds on yesterday's Lapland Bunting there were folk walking along the hedge and in the field, hoping to flush the bird.


Unsurprisingly the Lapbunt has been much more illusive today unlike yesterday when it spent most of the day in the same area and showed quite well.

That aside after three recent attempts at seeing the drake Garganey, which has been on both Carr Lane Pools, and the newly named Ibis Pool, I was pleased to finally pick it up.

Water Pipit: I was told the Garganey was flushed from the Ibis Pool by a birder who was walking along the bank, near the bridge. I guess he did me a favour as the bird came on to Carr Lane Pools and was visible from Town Lane. However the bird was very settled and slept for most of the hour that I watched it.

Merlin: Two Water Pipits were also present, as well as this Merlin who was perched on the telegraph pole off Carr Lane.

A nice day out overall, with stunning blue skies, decent birds and friendly faces to say hi to.

19/04/2013 The Great Orme

Ring Ouzel (female): I finally struck luck after several failed attempt's at spotting a Ring Ouz this year.

Over in the sheep pens I spotted six, five males and only one female they were very actively calling to each other and moving between the rock wall and bank.

Ring Ouzel (male): Its nice to see one but its fantastic to see half a dozen of these charismatic birds, it was just a shame the sun was behind this male.

Merlin: In the same field this female Merlin suddenly came out of no where and perched right in front of me until the local Crows came to mob it off their patch.

Chough: I have recently been told my Blog is full of rubbish puns well here's another! I was so choughed to bits to see these Chough.

There were two birds again in the same field and they kept coming back to feed beneath the stone wall the Ring Ouzels were using, another UK tick, get in!

Meadow Pipit: Other birds of note were the many Stonechat and Wheatear which were literally everywhere. I spotted a small flock of Siskin over the grave yard, there were two Linnet near the summit car park and mipits like this one were also very numerous.

07/01/2013 Burton Mere Wetlands RSPB

Merlin: This magical bird was seen from the reception hide perching on a fence post next to the old barn, I grabbed my camera hoping it might be within photo range and when I got to the old barn It had moved to an even better place, right on top of the roof.

I tip toed down the path and leaned on the closed fence facing old barn, the Merlin didn't seem to care I was taking its picture and sat there looking at me, preening and calling. Other Highlights over the past few days include both female and male Hen Harriers which have been showing incredibly well and the resident Water Rail that has been a brilliant star showing from the reception hide.