Eerr been away a long time

Not, thankfully like Captain Lawrence Oates... my apologies for the gap in proceedings ... as Spike Milligan said... "I told you I was ill!". I am not sure I can remember how to do this! Eeek they appear to have updated some of the way one does things.

Local friends, birders and bloggers will know, Preston has been beset by an influx of Waxwings from Scandinavia... and I have been patrolling the streets of Preston looking for them (you can get locked up for that!). After many fruitless attempts I finally managed a few photos on 16 November. Here ya go...

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Great Northen Diver (juvenile) at Fleetwood Marine Lake

I think everyone has been out to see this surprise visitor and I was there on my own as it was freezing and blowing a whoolie. Needles to say it kept chasing off the Mergansers and didn't really come close enough for me – so no more than record photographs. (BR site as always has much better images) It spent most of the time under the water, pop up somewhere, just have time to see it, move the camera before it dived again!

The annoying thing is you are half a mile from Knott End yet it's a fifteen mile road trip. Perhaps someone could build one of those ramp things like Evil Kneivel used to use, a Ski Jump ramp or Skateboard type thing but for cars, so that those of us brave enough could speed along at 70mph, up the ramp, over the River Wyre and land in Knott End! Not sure the suspension would survive though. I like the thought ... any engineers out there with some money? Perhaps a Car Ferry? Too obvious. Low water is the problem... nah simply drive across!

Great Northern Diver (juvenile) 

par for the course

Red Breated Merganser (male)

Waxwing Impressionist

While staking out a local spot that looked hopefull for Waxwings, all I got was a Wood Pigeon... eating all the berries... I have no idea ih this behaviour is documented. I suppose it makes sense if you stop to think about it, but never do; the heavier birds strip the 'easy' berries, thereby leaving those berries at the extremities to the smaller birds to feed upon, or something like that. It also gave me an opportunity to do some camera tests, all of which were an abysmal failure.

I also came across a small flock of about 20 Meadow Pipits – not that unusual, but in mid November? The record shot is just so you know I didn't imagine it or get the id incorrect.

Whooper Swans de famille

On the road to Knott End I came across this small group of Whooper Swans taking advantage of the stubble and flooding.

Waxwings a go-go... NOT

Just in case you thought it was easy... rain and blowing a force six... and this is what you get!

As everyone who does this m'larkey knows, behind every reasonable image are hours of nowt and a 1,000 images! A small collection from the cutting room floor!

Enjoy!

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.