Tales From The Garden 4

Well this afternoon found the weather both sunny and at times overcast as thick dark clouds postured over the Irish Sea, however, after filling up the garden feeders a couple of days ago, thought that I would monitor those for an hour to see what came into the garden. First to arrive was the Blackbird who attacked the Sunflower seeds.

Blackbird

Next to arrive was the Goldfinch of where I managed to take a photograph of him flying off the feeder

Goldfinch

Then we had the Woodpigeon who perched above the feeders and announced his presence by upsetting all the smaller birds below on the various branches.

Woodpigeon

Woodpigeon

Getting more and more prominent as visitors to the garden are the Bluetits. First this one and then another which used the telegraph wire as a perch.

Bluetit

Bluetit

Though that this photograph was a nice contrast with both the Bluetit and the very blue sky in the background although I would have liked a much closer shot.

Nicky Nook Fell

After leaving Lancaster today we decided when we got to the Scorton turn-off on the A6 to head for Nicky Nook of which I had never previously been but of which colleagues had made mention to as an ideal location to visit.

Not a great deal seen at this location today however photographed my first Pheasant as seen below. He was enjoying a roam amongst the lambs in the field opposite the fell entrance gate.

Pheasant

Pheasant

Pheasant

Okay. Not a lot seen at Nicky Nook today but another location visited and another type of bird added to the ever increasing list. Perhaps the reason for poor sightings was the Raptor flying high above the fell as seen below and of which I could not identify.

Raptor?

However. Not a bad days outing with five new birds added to the list not including the Raptor above. If anyone can assist with identification I would be most grateful.

Glasson Dock

Well today saw both the wife and myself heading to the City of Lancaster and to the Royal Lancaster Infirmary for an appointment. The appointment was late afternoon and so as not to totally spoil the day, I decided to set off early and visit Glasson Dock on the way in order to add a few waders to my list and of course I was'nt to be dissapointed.

On Way Into Glasson Dock

Common Shellduck

Common Shellduck

 Common Shellducks

So photographing  the Common Shellducks gave me my first Waders and was closely followed by an Oystercatcher.

Oystercatcher

On the way into Glasson Dock their is a small lake on the left hand side of the road and a lay-by so we stopped and spotted a Canada Goose, Mute Swan and my first Pied Wagtail.

Canada Goose

Mute Swan

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Pied Wagtail

Two Swallows

It was nice also to photograph these two swallows (originally three sat on telegraph wire). Also seen was a Grey Heron close by the canal on a small roadside pond.
An interesting visit to this location and combined with our trip to the hospital it worked out very well.

 

Stanley Park 2

We had an appointment Over Wyre today at 1200 hours where we visited freinds with new born Miniature Schnauzers, what a joy to see them and hopefully in mid August both the wife and I hope to add a liitle Mini Schnauzer girl to the family of which we have already named Mia, so watch this space!

Anyway, we fully intended that while Over Wyre we would carryout a recce and identify locations for future expeditions with the camera which we did to a degree but weather stopped play.

After a short visit to daughter No2 who lives close to Stanley Park and on leaving her address, rain stopped and the sun appeared, we decided to pop into the park to see what was on offer.

Glad that we did as I got a few nice Great & Blue Tit shots which made it worthwhile.

Great Tit

Great Tit

 Blue Tit

Blue Tit

Robin

Grey Squirrel

Tales From The Garden 3

Well this morning initially saw me hoping to again capture both the Goldfinches and Blue Tits that have been frequenting the garden and initially all went well with both visiting the feeders and then the forecasted rain started and I gave up.... Only three photos taken unfortunately!

Goldfinch

Goldfinch

Blue Tit

Later this afternoon we visited a local store where we purchased another couple of bird feeders to put out and hopefully attract other types of birds into the garden area.

Marton Mere Nature Reserve 2

My second trip and another couple of hours spent at Marton Mere before tea, this time on the northern side and I was'nt dissapointed with a couple of new captures and have now found the location of the Barn Owl which will take me back to photograph him.

Long Tailed Tit

Long Tailed Tit

Robin

Mistle Thrush

Willow Warbler eating a fly

Grey Heron

Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

My second Small Tortoiseshell butterfly of the day.

Rossall Point

This afternoon decided to visit Rossall Point observatory for the first time with the intention to take a photograph showing the observatory and also to see what birdlife etc could be seen. I think due to the tide being right out in the estuary not much birdlife was on view.

Rossal Point Observatory

Wyre Estuary

 

 Magpie

?

?

 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly

I was pleased to also capure my first butterfly being a Small Tortoiseshell.

I will certainly have to return to this location when the tine is in to see what this location has to offer further.

Tales From The Garden 2

Yesterday saw me filling up the bird food baskets and placing a number of apples cut in half in the trees to tempt any Waxwings in the vicinity.

Spent half an hour this morning observing the area and was only rewarded by a Woodpigeon and a Goldfinch as shown below.

Goldfinch

Woodpigeon

Numerous House Sparrows were seen along with a lone Blackbird scared off by the neighbours cat.
Due to the weather being nice I may venture to Stanley Park later this afternoon.

Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve

Today after work decided on the advice of work colleagues to visit Fleetwood Marsh Nature Reserve for the first time and less than 5 miles from my home address. At 5 o'clock light was low and it was very windy as I arrived at this very exposed area.

This photograph shows one of the lake section subdivided by the footbridge and the car parking area in the distance.

Another part of the lake but very little bird activity on.

My Gull recognition is very poor at this stage but a decent sized flock was moving from lake to lake and I managed to capture a decent shot of Gull activity.

Managed to capture a shot of a lone Coot.................. and below the lone Mute Swan.

Not a great hour out and about, but managed to visit another new location and one which in better weather I will visit again. A nice location spoilt in part by navigating the dog 'mines'.