December 17th 2010

Well lightning does strike twice! this morning whilst walking the pooch i heard the distinctive trilling of Waxwings but no sign so carried on,after the pooch had his walk i decided to go & have a look around & sure enough found 8 birds perched up by the Community centre on Kingswood Rd,by now the snow was really coming dwn so yet again no pics (but they were there honest!!)Anyway a cpl of hrs later Bob Duckhouse had ventured onto my patch & we spent 1/2 hr searching(Nothing)after a quick cuppa Bob decided to head off,within 10mins he was phoning me to say he'd got several opposite the Cherry Tree pub (Whittleford park) so a quick dash up there & sure enough 5 birds present but very flighty (cpl of pics above & several below whilst waiting)
Redwing

December 16th 2010

Well thats just typical,I'd held off travelling outside of Warks for Waxwing then last Sunday headed down to Alcester (near the border)where i had great views & some nice photos also a Year tick!! Then i walk down to my local shop this afternoon (less than 30 secs away & have 3 birds perched up)Only about the 4th time ive had them in my home town & 2nd time on the Rd where i live!! No photos as i'd only popped out for a paper but a cpl above from last Sunday

December 12th 2010

Finally caught up with Waxwings today in Warwickshire,i was determined not to travel out of Warks for them & the chance of some in the southern part of the county (87mile rnd journey!! even though theyve been a lot closer but in diff counties!!)got me on the move to Alcester,in the 3hrs i was present the birds built up from just single No's to about 28 birds,always a delight to see & good to catch up with a cpl of familiar faces (Pete Walkden & Vince Garvey)
Waxwing

December 9th 2010

Had another brief visit to Draycote Water for another go at the 1st Winter Sanderling as the light yesterday was burning out the colours slightly so with it a little more overcast was hoping for better!! The bird performed well but the biting wind son had me heading back to the car,where i spent 1/2hr watching the Redwings at close quarters!!
Redwing


Sanderling

December 8th 2010

A call from Steve Seal (tellin me to get me arse in gear & get out & do some photography 'again'this morning had the desired effect!! 1/2hr later i was at Draycote Water (this time bathed in warm winter sunshine (well sun anyway still -2) as soon as i pulled up the Redwings were showing so used the car as a hide (well chuffed with the results!)after an hr or so i got out to be met by Kev Groocock we walked to the valve tower & back enjoying cracking views of Sanderling & Dunlin & good views of the drake Smew!!

Sanderling


Dunlin


Redwing

December 7th 2010

(Star of the day 'Grey Tree Rat') yeah yeah i know it's a Squirrel!!


Willow Tit




Jay




Nuthatch


Had a day out with me old buddy Steve Seal today (Old by i mean long time friend!!)-8 when i set out & stayed about -3 all day but a superb day indeed & the time flew by!! a cracking area Knypersley Reservoir,Staffs & well worth a visit or 2!!

December 6th 2010

A txt from my old wing man Steve Seal encouraged me to get out & do some photography today (as Steve put it get out in the fantstic light!!)Well 3/4hr later i was at Draycote Water where it was -3 & thick fog (Oh well!!!) decided to have a look anyway fog fog & more fog couldnt even see the water but moved down to the shoreline & was rewarded with Sanderling & Dunlin (which showed well,typical no sun hardly any light & the birds are performing!!) after 1/2hr i gave up & went back to the motor where a cpl of Redwings were showing well (never really had the chance to photograph them properly before & yep the fog was getting worse,so can't grumble bout my shots!!)
Redwing





Sanderling


Dunlin

November 15th 2010

Red-breasted Merganser


After my 4th attempt at the Red-breasted Merganser at nearby Shustoke Reservoir i finally managed to get the bird in much better light!

Red-breasted Merganser (female)




Whilst waiting for the Merganser to come within range had a little play with the commoner birds!!

Coot


Canada Goose



Mallard