Taken early this evening.
Last Decembers full moon was December 30th
Sunday, December 19, 2010
Labels:Moonscapes | 0
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This male Blackcap made a first ever appearance in the garden this week and has settled in so well that he has returned daily. This is one of the new breed of over wintering birds that refuse to fly to the south of Europe.
The Redpoll numbers continue to rise with a garden hightest count of 17 very early one morning, although they all seem to be Lesser Redpolls (image below) I may have had a Mealy Redpoll, unfortunatly no image to clarify its true ID.
The Redpoll numbers continue to rise with a garden hightest count of 17 very early one morning, although they all seem to be Lesser Redpolls (image below) I may have had a Mealy Redpoll, unfortunatly no image to clarify its true ID.
The Greater Spotted Woodpeckers are now almost daily visitors, although 2 males appeared together this afternoon
even the Moorhen has made a few further visits
as has this Grey Heron who often sits atop of the neighbouring houses keeping watch over the estate
add a superb sighting of a pair of Goldcrests, Mistle Thrush, Pied Wagtail and huge numbers of finches its been a busy start to the winter.
Matty disturbed this Moorhen from the front door this morning, it then flew over the top of the house and spent the next 4 hours feeding and preening in the sunshine. It has come searching for food as the local pool a mile away is well and truly frozen.
it closely inspected the feeding tray and certainly felt comfortable enough to sit and relax in the sunshine
this is this years 50th species to visit or flyby my garden in 2010, but will it return.......
The Cat & Fiddle road had been closed for best part of a week so when news came through that the road was now open I decided on Sunday morning to try and get some Red Grouse images. I was met by thickening fog and very heavy damp air..... not the best siyuation for getting photographs. Add a closed track that crosses Axe Edge moor, It didnt bode well..... the gates may have been open but certainly no access, I didnt fancy treking on foot, its bleak on there at the best of times
Anway I percevered for an hour or so in hope that the Grouse would come to me, although they didnt come and shake my hand they gave good views even if a little distant. At one point 13 Grouse flew over my car as I parked up. However the only shots I was able to use were of a couple that ventured just close enough.
The fog eventually forced me off the moorland. Further down the only wildlife were a few Carrion Crows and a single Raven. The not so wildlife are hardy old souls, and this sheep was more than happy to see me as he bounded down the hillside
as were these Red Deer that were all huddled together on a farm lower down the valley
This if fabulous walking country... just not today!
you just dont know how deep the flurrys could be....
Brrrr..... wrap up warm and stay local was the best I could do this weekend. Both Poynton Pool and Higher Poynton canal were both frozen (and look like being so for a while now as the nightly lows reach around -8c). Plenty of Gulls on the pool with a nice couple of Common Gulls in with the Black Headed.
However the gulls didnt take all the limelight, as a couple of Kingfishers flew from one side of the pool to the other, fishing in the sheltered parts under the tree branches that shade parts of the waters edge
The Grey Heron didnt fancy being on camera! so it retreated to a quieter corner
Plenty of woodland birds along the pathways including a small flock of Long Tail Tits
and an inquisitive Wren
whilst this mother and Juvenile Morehen forage for morsals on a less slippery surface
up at the Canal the usual Mallards made use of the very little water that wasnt frozen
and along the towpath berries are still in abundance, as are the Thrushes. Good numbers of Mistle Thrush guarding the food laden trees
from the dozen or so nervous Redwings that were easily chased off
Other local birds were very visible while foraging for food in the sub zero conditions
now for the new Garden visitors when the snow eventually arrives!!
not full and not quite the clear skys needed for the extra sharp detail, but this is how it looked on Tuesday evening over East Cheshire....
With a helping hand from the windy weather conditions, the last few days have seen an increase of winter migrants to the UK. The lastest birds to fly in seem to be the Redpolls. Luckily for me 2 arrived yesterday and even better news is that 6 arrived this morning on the feeders.
One of the birds is ringed
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