There once was an ugly duckling...

and so again back in October 2012 I found myself 'sarf of the riva' (not at this time of night mate*) at Marshside near Southport in an attempt to practice and attempt to capture some bird flight images, check camera settings and all that.

Believe it or not, the sun was out at one stage before it turned murky as always and despite trampling the scrubland, no Goldcrests or anything other than a Robin showed itself.

More or less as I arrived something must have spooked the Pink-footed Geese as best part of 8,000 or so took to the air and landed out on the marsh/estuary foreshore. The sad thing about still photography is the fact it doesn't capture the duration of the flight and seems little point putting image after image of the birds in the air here and it also fails to capture the noise, both of the wingbeats and calling of the birds. Impressive.

After my previous post about Little Grebe on Newton Marsh, here at Marshside one was showing very well.

Despite all my efforts I managed one or two flight photos of some of the other locals, primarily Shoveler, Mallard and Teal. There were a great many Black-tailed Godwits, perhaps approaching 500 and all I have are some distant images. The Little Egret is almost guaranteed and it wasn't that long ago you were lucky to see one in the UK. So much we take for granted.

I've dropped a couple of images in of the locals... and again all this photography stuff is all well and good but I never knew, male Teal had a brown eye, male Shoveler a mucky yellow eye and a female Shoveler a chestnut brown eye – there aren't many books that go into that much detail, so while enjoying the photography, in the words of Vinnie Jones 'it's been educational' (Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels).

The flocks of Canada Geese (seen but not shown) and Greylags,  I have seen at Newton Marsh and Fairhaven and environs and Marshside and the estuary is clearly a home for these mobile flocks of resident geese.

The sun set (again in the west) and the distant gas rig in Liverpool Bay was seen through the haze.

And finally, if I was an artist and I'm not, if someone said 'paint a field' you'd go for green – right? Yet there is but a single strip of green in the final image of the marsh and if someone had said use 'russet red' you'd think they were barmy. Funny what you see if you look.

* from all those days spent racing around London

surprising how the marsh soon hides 5,000 geese

Mallard, Teal and Shoveler.... more like it

now there's a question – why does a bird of the same species but different sexes have a different coloured iris? As in the case of the Shoveler shown here – I have no idea so any responses or comments appreciated.

Another 'bitty' post

Too much happening to write posts!

Over on the esplanade at Preesall I often come across Wrens in the sea defence wall. Back at Newton Marsh, early one morning, Lapwings were not allowing the Godwits any peace and frequently chasing them off their territory. A dodgy image of a Black-tailed Godwit, for just that, id purposes, showing off it's black tail. I caught a Moorhen dispute, sadly the sun was not up, that's how early it was; while a male Teal walked serenely past when the sun did finally rise. An image of a male Wigeon as most of them have now departed. I found myself at Lower Bentham where I spotted a pair of Grey Wagtails and a Dipper flying low along the river. Up on the top a number of Meadow Pipits were passing through, otherwise strangely quiet, except somewhere 'over the tops' I came upon a large flock of Fieldfare, but sadly they were spooked by passing traffic and disappeared from their feeding into some nearby trees making a racket and it wasn't possible to stop and park.

The local Blue Tits have decided to use the nest box again this year, sadly they left 14 young in it last year... I fear their demise relating to the loss of the parents, which I think was probably the local cats; the Blue Tits coming and going drawing attention to themselves, although there may be another reason, I will be waiting to see this year.

While skulking for the local Grey Wagtails this Brown Rat showed itself in broad daylight... not impressed. Brown Rats carry the nasty Weils disease ... so always wash your hands etc when you've been out and about (I never do!!). 'Weils' can be deadly I think, certainly doesn't do you any good.

While looking for Goldcrests, the Coal Tits were feeding o the pine cones; I came across an early Comma, and again while looking for the Grey Wagtails had time watching Moorhens... so easily overlooked and I was glad I spent some time watching them. I think they are now on nest (but again rarely I have seen them with any young, mink and rats I fear)... but have you seen the size of those feet, you know what they say about big feet? A pic of a Sparrowhawk to illustrate just how high they appear and ride the thermals hereabouts (almost out of sight).. what do they see at that height? Answers on a postcard please.

I have five blackbird nests around the garden and not one has been successful – magpies! yet again the blackbirds decided to nest in a flowering blackcurrant bush in the front garden and their coming and going attracted the attention of a magpie – I wonder if it is a deliberate 'dupe nest'. (The photos taken from the car, parked on the drive as usual, on a bad light day). On the way back from Knott End a Hare trying to hide in grass too short and a pair of Collared Doves because I ignore them – and I was watching a programme about 'Attenborough does Africa' or something and at a water hole in the Kalahari were... correct, Collared Doves. 

And, in case you were left wondering, as Julie Roberts said to Hugh Grant in 'Notting Hill'... big feet: big shoes.

Something has sprung!

How soon we forget – not that long ago EVERY day was dark, dreary, miserable and overcast and light levels so low, photography wasn't an option. Now it is wall to wall sunshine and there aren't enough hours in the day.

So here are some images from out and about and briefly, a coal tit from the garden; Martin popped around and a quick walk locally revealed a Bullfinch (no photo) and SPOOKILY no sooner had I finished the sentence 'I have only ever seen one Golcrest hereabouts over many years, I don't think there are any', than two minutes later, flitting about in the hedgerow was a Goldcrest. I could only manage a record image, so you know I'm not making it up. Spooky indeed! Two sightings in twenty odd years (but that's probably my lack of ability than there not being any). 

Godwits at Newton Marsh, a male in summer plumage with an immature male of the Icelandic variety I believe; Lapwing, Shoveler, a male Teal, some Wigeon action and on another visit no sooner than I was mentally bemoaning how quiet it was when I found this Merlin. Smashing.

Boinnngggg! (or was that just Zabadee passing?)

Coal Tit in the garden 

Goldcrest

Goldcrest – spooky

Black-Tailed Godwit, Icelandic, male and juvenile male

Lapwing – becoming territorial

female Shoveler

male Shoveler

male Teal

Wigeon fly by

spooked Wigeon, harrassed by Coot and Lapwing

Wigeon, retreat to water

male Wigeon

female Wigeon

the Wizard of Newton Marsh – Merlin

Merlin

Strewth, it's nearly the end of March and I have only posted 4 posts, hmmnnnn – too busy birding!