Starlings by the thousands

On the way to Knott End, I couldn't miss this lot and wasn't going to give up the opportunity to stop, watch and listen.

Starlings are and have been one of my favourite birds since I found a dead one and drew it, sometime around when England won the World Cup.... at football! (I was very young at the time... and gifted, but seem to have grown out of that!).

There was a raptor appeared very briefly and I didn't get chance to even identify it, came in low behind some trees, did a 180 and went back the same way, looked like it was 'coursing' at about fifteen feet above the ground; possibly a Marsh Harrier or more likely a Short Eared Owl as it was dusk; either way the Starlings didn't like it!

Go on catch me if you can...

The Lookout

Towards Blackpool

Pink Footed Geese on the way to Morecambe Bay at Pilling

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Reflections – without eyes

Sometmes we don't see what is in front of us

Morecambe Bay

Underneath the... cherry tree

A visit to the Ribble Ribble to spot a Kingfisher I'd been informed of proved fruitless, but as I got back in the car, this little fella (above) dropped onto my jeans! I can tell you what it is or you can guess or leave a comment (no prizes)... I liked him/her.

Some time ago, I know not when, I found a seedling in the gravel on the drive... and now it is a 20 foot cherry tree in the garden that fruited quite well last year, much appreciated by the birds. It has become a landing stage for many a visitor...

While below...

and ten days later... but is it the same bird?

another Tortoishell butterfly on lions teeth

While over at Lytham I dropped upon a small group of Turnstones  – I love these small engaging birds, there is just something about them; probably their plumage but also I think it is their behaviour, somewhat confiding nature and so easily over-looked.

No idea what is going on with this layout.... but just given up, so it will have to do as it is. 

Not a lot but quite a bit

Nothing much to show for hours watching a Juvenile Red-necked Phalarope (not shown) except poor record shots, Ringed Plover (not shown), Turnstone, Dunlin, Knot, Curlew (not shown) in the rain, Juvenile Great Crested Grebe and a Barn Owl (not shown) on a day that was blowing a whoolie yet again...

Cormorant and Little Owl

While down at Lytham... simple studies

All Sorts

I take what I can get... that is my photos come from what I see... some study around the garden and gulls because I know nothing about them, in the hope I will learn something and skies for future reference.

On the road again...

Don't chew on humbugs! Regular readers will know why... another trip to the dentist... in Southport! Still the sun was out. Sometimes my posts wont be about bird pics I'm afraid... sometimes the environment and composition is equally important to me.

Not much to report, so look at the pictures. Except there were three buzzards well high up over the estuary, well high, looked like common buzzard to me, but somebody had said there were three Marsh Harriers about.

I'm hopeless at the type and age of gulls!

I could adjust this, but I like it the way it is: Canada Geese and look carefully for two Greylags

I love the wide-open space and skies of the Ribble Estuary (and Mori cam bie bay)

Once upon a time, Little Egret were 'rare' up north, now they appear common as muck!