Thick cloud and mist negated any chance of seeing the eclipse of the moon last week so I have included, for this week’s blog and gallery, photos taken three to four years ago when we had the last one. Still only two years to the next one but over twenty years to the next Wolf Moon – an optimistic length of time to wait click here
Last weekend I finally caught up with two Waxwings in Salford. The weather was foul and the birds were sub-adults but as they are my favourite birds I could not let another winter go by without seeing them.One is this weeks blog photo and just to remind you how good they can look I have put some more in the gallery from two years ago.Click here
In the last few weeks the mild winter weather has been good for Woodcock locally with one walk producing four birds.
Its always a nice surprise when a Peregrine appears from nowhere and flies past you at breakneck speed. This happened during the week when I was exercising our two dogs along the local canal. It had its sights on a Canada Goose but veered off at the last minute and gave a high pitched call that I have never heard before.
During the last week Lapwings have returned to our local industrial estate to roost on the warm roof. They peaked at 350 on the 8th and this is one of the largest flocks I have ever seen at this site. A few photos are in this weeks gallery.Click here
What better way to start the new year than watching Kites from a Hot Tub in the valley of the River Dee in Wales. Its that time of the year again when I look back and choose my ten favourite photos from 2018. Every year it becomes more difficult and no excuses from the weather which was exceptional last year.
The photos are in the gallery with the clear winner being a male Long Eared Owl bringing a vole to its fledged young. It is a photo I have dreamt of capturing for fifty years and last July it all came good with the male Long Eared Owl hunting before dark for three weeks in evening sunshine to feed five fledged young. I don’t ever expect to be presented with this opportunity again.
Among the other photos are my favourites on Hen Harriers, Osprey, Short Eared Owl, Sea Eagle, Parrot Crossbill, Fieldfare and a Mountain Hare at full speed over a snowfield. Bittern is now the only bird missing from my gallery and preventing me from more time in the Hot Tub!! Click here for my favourite photos.