30/06/2014 Burnley, Lancs

Rose Colored Starling: After finishing work early I shot up to Burnley to see my first rosy starling.

And just in case I was unable to find a pink bird among a flock of black birds my guide for the evening was Alan McBride.

Alan came in handy as he had cased the joint the evening before and was able to take us closer to the bird, which when I arrived was miles away across a playing field.

The bird was happily loafing around with some locals beside Woodbine Gardens and appeared to be feeding in a private garden while periodically perching upon a dead tree within the same garden.





We got some funny looks from the residents and a few people stopping us and asking 'what are you looking for?' Obviously we where happy to stop and tell them that we twitchers descend when a special bird turns up.

29/06/2014 Carr Lane Pools, Hale

Wood Sandpiper: My first visit to Carr Lane Pools after a couple of hours working at Wigg Island.

After parking up I started my search from the gap in the hedgerow near the speed bump and give way for about half an hour.



It was from here I could see a large flock of Black Tailed Godwit a couple of ringed plover and several smart looking Snipe.

I then moved on up the road to the next viewing point where I eventually pinned down the wood sand feeding in one of the pools just past the fence.

A cracking bird to pick up after a Sunday spent at work.

21/06/2014 Crosby Marina Lake

Common Swift: After Pete Kinsella's excellent work finding a 1st summer Caspian Gull at Crosby, Dawn and I decided to spend a sunny Saturday down by the marina lake.

When we arrived we were surrounded by huge numbers of passerines and was astonished how low and fast Swift would actually come.

Dawn and I scanned over the small flocks of gulls loafing around on the border pool next to the larger Marina Lake for the caspo. However I was getting very distracted photographing these awesome Swift zooming past our heads.

Herring Gull: After a long search and some time scratching our heads we came across this bird. Distinctively different from the resident juv Herring Gulls but yet not quite what I was hoping for.







We monitored the bird until it came closer and until it took to the sky and still I wasn't convinced.  I have recently showed it to Pete who assures me it is a Herring Gull.

As I suspected a Herring Gull! Or is it a  worn 2CY Lesser Black-backed?? Bloody gulls

27/06/2014 Milnthorpe, Cumbria

Glossy Ibis: It looks like these cracking birds are extending their range and we might be having a lot more sightings in the future.

This would be my fourth including the Horwich and Hindley birds and the most showiest bird of the lot.

When I first arrived it was a black lump sleeping on the far side of the River Bela but after a short wait the bird got spooked by some neighbouring Swans and flew down river.

I caught up with the bird feeding a few hundred yards down river and watched it for a good 20 minutes before I had to get off.  This was a lovely little river bank, fast flowing and green and buzzing with birds the highlights being two Kingfisher and a couple of Little Egret.  

26/05/2014 Elton Reservoir, Bury

Little Bittern: I was gutted yesterday when I saw the news come through as I had a photography gig at Anfield no less, and couldn't pass that opportunity up not even for a Little Bittern.

However I was relieved after missing the bird the first day, to catch up with it the next day and in the lovely bank holiday sunshine and only after a relatively short wait.

Whats weird is that I was surrounded by these cracking birds a few weeks ago in Croatia but unable to get a good enough view to get any pictures, as they were always flying away! And here one is up the road and showing well, brilliant.

Elton res has been throwing up some excellent birds over the last few weeks - I wonder what will be next?

17/05/2014 Elton Reservoir, Bury

White Winged Black Tern: What a cracking birthday pressie, my first white wing Tern on my first visit to Elton res not one but two.

No morning cup of tea, breakfast or time to have a proper wash, and I was out winging my way to Bury.

The little buggers were incredibly difficult to photograph, small and fast and non stop as they chased small insects across the top of the water.

It was nice to bump in to Dennis Atherton and co who had the pleasure of a free day, me on the other hand could only spare half an hour before heading back to some family commitments.

03/05/2014 Winwick, Warrington

Yellow Wagtail: After spending a few days trying for a  few decent shots of Yellow Wags down Barrow, one finally came close enough to reel off a few decent frames.

Also flushed a couple of Grey Partridge and spotted several Yellow Hammer.

30/04/2014 Etherow Country Park, Compstall

Mandarin Duck: My last day at work before my two week holiday and trip to Croatia and I found myself doing some training at Etherow CP.







You know its been a good day at the office when you are surrounded by the brightest and dainty duck that the UK has to offer - even if it was originally a fence hopper!

I counted 11 drake and only 4 females, however I only walked around half the site, staying on the Keg Wood side of the lake.

What a bird!

27/04/2014 Eccleston Mere

Black Tern: After getting some pretty poor shots of Leighton Moss's Black Tern I was pleased to see through BirdGuides that one had made an appearance down the road from home.

After a short detour back from Leighton Moss I arrived at Eccleston to find it showing incredibly close as it swooped above the water and banked against the wind.

Even though this bird was much more closer than the one at Leighton Moss I still struggled to get a decent shot. I have now put this down to the Black Tern being one of the most difficult birds to photograph!!

The bloody little bird was far too fast for me, my auto focus was throwing a wobble as it evaded my attempts to get it in focus. I decided to use manual focus which seemed to work a bit better.

It was great to catch up with some Eccleston Mere regulars, Dot, Paul Brady, Billinge's Damion and Damion Young.

And what a bird, simply stunning it put a little smile back on my face after the Liverpool defeat.

27/04/2014 Leighton Moss RSPB

Black Tern: After working last weekend I was keen to get out and bag a decent bird. OK a Black Tern is by no means a Collard Pratincole or Alpine Accentor, but they are special little birds.






This beauty was showing well, if a little distant from a very busy and very noisy Lillian's Hide! After getting a few record shots it was nice to retreat to the quiet of the wider reserve.


It was good to bump in to Kev Kelly who pointed me in the direction of a Cetti's Warbler and Common Redstart, of which I could only locate the Cetti's.

I then went on to locking my keys in my car and then after some help (cheers Garry) I got some assistance from the AA, I was fuming with myself as I thought I was going to miss the match!  Luckily I bumped in to Allan who accompanied me to the nearest local pub where we watched Liverpool fail to break down Chelsea. Good company despite him being a blue, rubbish result!

23/04/2014 Houghton Green Flash

Yellow Wagtail: A quick stop off at Houghton before a meeting at Wigg Island and I'm glad I did, as I stumbled across this little ray of sunshine!

Little Ringed Plover: I counted 4 LRP scurrying around the edge of the flash like wind up toys.

The flash itself was very quiet, I was hoping to find a tern or two but alas I had to settle with a handful of BH Gulls a Cormorant a single Redshank and GC Grebes.

Common Sandpiper: I was pleased to have picked up two common sands feeding on the edge of the far bank, however without trying to disturb them I just couldn't manage to get close enough for a decent shot!

21/04/2014 Morecambe

Eider: From Leighton Moss Dawn and her gran took a trip to the bay for an ice cream and a sit in the sun.

Looking at the amount of Redstarts, Ouzels and even Wheatears pinging through from around the Lancashire coast, I was hoping to see some migrants.

However I never had a chance to look properly and had to settle for one of Morecambe's finest chilling out on the incoming tide line.

21/04/2014 Leighton Moss RSPB

Garganey: A great bank holiday Monday trip to Leighton Moss where it was nice to catch up with Kevin Kelly and good to hear memberships are doing well.  

Another highlight was catching up up with Leighton's pair of Garganey which were showing well from Grisedale Hid, even if they where sleeping the majority of the time we watched them.

18/04/2014 Wigan Flashes

Red-crested Pochard: Good weather for good Friday and I was hoping for some good birds!

First stop Wigan Flashes, its only up the road however it's a place I rarely visit.

The flash was stunning first thing, before the dog walkers and scally's on their bikes. Willow Warbler were in full song, buzzing bees and butterfly's surrounded me as they charged up in the morning sun.

Willow Warbler: The pair of RC Pochard were right out in the middle of Pearson's Flash continually diving and feeding on the vegetation they brought up from the depths.








I then decided to head back to Dovestone with hope that I will finally bag myself the Two Barred Crossbill - however I missed the mid morning sighting and after another long wait I had to call it a day and head back home.

15/04/2014 Binn Green, Dove Stone RSPB

Brambling: After seeing Tanmay's crippling pictures of the male Two Barred Crossbill from yesterday  I decided to use my day off and go try my luck.

After arriving at around 10am and joining a small group of birders waiting - we waited, and waited!


I kept myself occupied taking some pictures of the wide variety of finches Binn Green has to offer, the place was full of bird song and some really nice birds such as this cracking male Brambling.

Siskin: As the morning slowly turned to afternoon I was really pleased to have Martyn Jones and co. join the group watching the larches, Paul Brewster and co then added to our numbers.

Lesser Redpoll: I knew the bird was showing well in the afternoons but as time went by I decided to say my goodbyes and head off home to do a spot of gardening. This proved to be a bloody awful decision as the Two Barred made an appearance not long after I left, gutted!

Ring Ouzel:  One consolation was spotting this male rouzel high up in the trees across from the viewing platform - a year tick!

Willow Warbler: Great weather, great company and good birds to be had, oh and thanks to Mr Jones for sharing his superb pictures of the two barred with me, I would like to say I am well and truly green!

You can't win them all I guess!