Spotted Redshanks and Egyptian Geese!

-

 Spotted Redshank and Egyptian Geese!




We arrived at 5:30pm in hopes of seeing Spotted Redshanks and Ruddy Shelducks. We first walked round the back of the mere but didn't see much other than a Water Vole crossing the path briefly. We then stopped at Reedbed Screen where we saw two Reed Warblers as they defended their territory. We then arrived at Marsh Covert Hide. I asked someone who let me look through their scope to see a distant, yet stunning Spotted Redshank in summer plumage as it waded and foraged along a strip of green weeds. Also present was a stonking Ruff in breeding plumage, showing brown and blue colouration. On our way back, I saw a bird as it flapped its wings on the back of the mere. At first I thought it was a Ruddy Shelduck but upon closer examination I identified it as an Egyptian Goose, a first for me. A brilliant way to end then day.


Location: RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands, Puddington Ln, Burton, Neston CH64 5SF, UK

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cumbria Crack!

-
Image
Cumbria Crack! We arrived at Sizergh Castle at first light in hopes of seeing Hawfinches. We parked on the left side of the car park, and walked over to the veranda. There were a number of birders lined up. We approached them and met Joe and Steve, who kindly pointed out two showy male Hawfinches  less than 40m away. We also saw a female Hawfinch. I managed to get a record shot of both of them, before heading over to the River Kent for Dipper.  Image from @RobsBirding, not same bird We arrived at the River Kent at 8:00am.  As soon as we arrived, we set up the scope along the bank of the river, since the bridge was shut, and on the first scan, I managed to the see the Dipper  bathing, however I wasn't quick enough for a photo. We stayed for an hour, seeing the Dipper  a few more times, however I wasn't quick enough for a record shot. Satisfied with our views and eager for a lifer, we set off on the hunt for the reported Richard's Pipit.  We arrived in Ulverston at around 10:
Read more

Dragonfly Hunt!

-
Image
Dragonfly Hunt! We arrived at 10:30am to meet the kind Eddie Urbanski in order for him to tour us round his patch. Once we arrived had arrived at his patch, which was Cors Geirch NNR, the first thing I spotted was a Painted Lady , followed by a moth which Kevin (Eddie's friend) identified as a Straw Dot . We then started wading through a marshy bit of the site and almost immediately, Eddie pointed out a male Keeled Skimmer . Unfortunately, it flew away instead of landing for a record shot, but little did I know, that this would be one of many to be seen that day. We continued walking through the marsh when Kevin said he had a Bog Hoverfly. I searched the area he saw it in and spotted a male Keeled Skimmer sitting right in front of me, waiting to be photographed. We then walked through a dryer area of the wetland where Kevin pointed out a Bog Hoverfly ( Sericomyia Silentis )   nectaring right besides us, allowing for a perfect record shot. We then started searching the pony dung in
Read more

The Only Way Was Essex

-
Image
The Only Way Was Essex Image by Kristian Wade We set off at 2.00am and took Carl and Kristian with us. We arrived at Heybridge at around 7:00am. We walked towards a silhouette of birders all crowded round the sluice. I managed to squeeze through the crowd and get a front row seat. I waited patiently with the others in absolute silence. Suddenly, the bird came into view. At first, I couldn't spot it, but thankfully a kind man helped me get onto the Northern Waterthrush . I was delighted with my   point blank views of. Unfortunately my camera wasn't choosing to work at this golden moment. I also didn't have my scope on me, so I was unable to get any images of the bird. Nevertheless, I managed to get amazing views of the bird at close range. Satisfied with our views, we then headed off to Abberton Reservoir. We arrived at Abberton at around 9.00aam. We scanned both sides of Layer Breton Causeway first, seeing a few Egyptian Geese , Shoveler & Goldeneye , but not much else.
Read more