A quick selection of images from out and about, if you need any details let me know.
Gadwall, Newton Marsh
one of three, I think, well I know two are a pair and this male I think is a juvenile that
has been following mum and dad about as again three Gadwall were seen last year too
Lesser Black-backed Gull at Preston Docks
as above
my local residents!
one of five I have seen over the last few months; as well as the well known ones
Garden visitor (but not my garden), I liked the irridesence
More Gadwall, self explanatory really, opportunity to compare the two males and the female; to compare, to compare (clever advertising that, even I can't stop myself from doing it! Yuk! BUT I refuse to use them on principle for that reason, so it IS counter-productive).
Oh and as I have said before dear reader, while I am more than pleased to share; this is also a selfish blog so I can keep a track of my images and when and where. I can't remember what I had for breakast (have I had breakfast?) let alone images I took one day many moons ago (howwwllll) and this blog is a useful reference for images taken and when. As proved to be the case this very week when I needed to find an image taken in July 2011 (but I didn't know that then) and the most efficient way of finding it was on this blog. I know what I'm rabbiting on about, don't worry, I'll go and lie down now. Photos taken about a week ago (so I can find them!).
I have spent any spare minute keeping an eye on three Gadwall down at Newton Marsh – a species you don't see hereabouts that often. They are nervous and easily disturbed and keep their distance. The every present procession of waste wagons to Clifton Tip and worst of all when they pull up for a fag break, kick their tyres and undertake other bodily functions keeps the birds well away from the roadside pools. As a SSSI and all that it makes you wonder what these designations really mean (as in the case of the Biological Heritage Site (BHS) that was Cottam Brickworks, itself a misnomer as it is Ingol, [Ingol Brickworks} one of the rare site of Orchids now to be a bright shiny new Tesco, just what we all need at that location – and designed by the firm I used to work for... hmmmnnn. I feel a howl coming on).
I started off with two Gadwall a male and a female one evening when the light wasn't very good and having spent the dark hours howling at the moon I returned early the next morning as the sun rose. Spooky indeed, but I managed a few photographs. I have been back every day since (until recently) and I'm not sure I obtained any better images than that first morning... but it will generate more than one post. Sorry.
There are (were) a pair of Gadwall a male and a female, then a third, another male appeared. The male of the pair appears to be dominant as the pair sometimes 'chase off' the second male. I'm guessing this a juvenile (help from someone who knows the species better please) but he has the most striking plumage, more readily seen than that of the male in the pair.
All the images are of just three birds, dominant male, female and another 'flash' male. As always you can see the light makes a big difference and so many images of the same birds to show the variation in plumage.
I hope they stay a lot longer as they are great to study, but I fear human interference will see them on their way before too long, if not already – they can be difficult to find sometimes, indeed not seen at all.
And to all of you who have been good enough to leave comments, I am not sure how or where to thank you, so I am doing it here (I don't think people return to 'comment' when they have left a comment) THANK YOU, one and all – it is much appreciated even if I haven't responded individually to you.
If you are wondering about the title, I'm afraid you will have to scroll to the end or read this blog to the end.
It hasn't been the best of weeks and a posting wasn't likely. However Tuesday found me out in the afternoon as the sun had appeared, so I thought a quick trip to Fairhaven to see if I could catch up with the Red-necked Grebe. I think this first photo probably reflects the week and this post.
As per usual the subject was always just too far away for me to obtain anything other than record shots and you will find much better images on other blogs and web sites. As always Fylde Bird Club members have some crackers, including one image that made BirdGuides Bird of the Week photo – well done to DM.
While being interested in photography, the interest is also in birds, so it is about bird watching and I was happy to spend some time watching this grebe go about it's business. One thing of note was the constant attention it had of one particular Black Headed Gull that insisted in following it everywhere it went – I'm guessing in the hope of a snatch and grab, should the Grebe return to the surface with a meal.
I spent some time at Fairhaven the week before and the Grebe 'didn't seem well', generally out-of sorts and spending a lot of time asleep. I have to say this week it seemed much brighter, doing much more swimming, diving and feeding, and as these record images show, grooming itself.
There has been a Pochard on the lake for sometime and I was a little surprised to see five near the island along with a Gadwall and the Tufted Ducks that inhabit the lake.
The Grebe appeared with what looked like a Stickleback, still accompanied by the Black Headed Gull.
Having circumnavigated the lake, back to where I started, (I always need the exercise), I managed a poor record shot of the male and female Red-Breasted Mergansers.
Now, early today I was somewhat surprised to manage to capture an image of this male Blackcap. As a consequence this seemed worthy of posting, so the Fairhaven rubbish came with it!
An over-wintering male blackcap, seen and photographed January 14 and 15 2011
Most birders will know Blackcap tend to be summer visitors but more and more appear to be over-wintering in the UK. So a bit of a surprise that had me thinking and effectively will lead me to my next post as I have seen Blackcap locally for the past three years, complete with juveniles, suggesting local breeding, so I may just go back through the archives and throw a post together, reviewing and collating old files...
Another early start in the marsh to see if anything was about. Nottalot!
Two Godwits, a pair of Redshank, a male Gadwall, Little Grebe while the Coot were looking after the family, each parent appearing to take two young to feed and look after. Bad tempered at the best of times and territorial Coot can get a bit 'stroppy' and fights frequently break out – with anyone who gets too close. An Oystercatcher looking for worms and in the hedgerow a Linnet and a Whitethroat. Overhead Canada Geese and the every present Shelduck. I included the Godwit on the bank as seeing the bird against the dry mud makes you realise why their plummage is as it is, not always easy to pick out at distance.
Later that day a sedge warbler was giving me the runaround at Carr House Common singing from deep within the reeds and dry grasses. A reed bunting sat up in a tree singing while at Brock Bottom a Nuthatch appeared adjacent to the car park on the feeders.
