An advantage of going to Rivercatcher in the Dee valley is that vast pine forests of Wales are all around you.One of the most colourful inhabitants of these forests is the Crossbill. They can be hard to find but last week we came across some fabulously coloured female birds but no red males. Perhaps an excuse to go back? www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
Where else but Rivercatcher, on the river Dee in North Wales,could you sit in the bubbles and steam of a Hot Tub and watch a Little Egret feeding below you? Last week-ends superb weather was made full use of by a long weekend at Rivercatcher – Many more photos to follow!! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
When you have been filming birds for more than 55years there are not many species that you have not got on film. However, whilst in the hills the other week I came across a large gathering of Jackdaws that were about to go to roost. Its called a clattering of Jackdaws and I could not resist a few record photos before they dropped into the forest for the night – and I added another species to my list. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
Last October tens of thousands of Waxwings were waiting in Scandinavia to cross the North Sea to Britain. We were promised one of the best invasions ever and all birders waited with baited breath. It never happened!!
It took me over 40 years before I saw my first Waxwing. It was instantly elevated to my favourite bird and still remains so.How can you ever forget seeing more than 300 Waxwings in one tree in Stockport? Sadly that was in 1996 and this winter has drawn a blank for the sixth consecutive time. Can I wait until next winter or do I cross the Pennines into Yorkshire where there are a handful present? www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
Looking back on last year it was a very good year for finding the young of Owls and Raptors. It is always a privilege to examine the nests of Hen Harriers so this weeks blog photo is of four healthy young in a moorland site. Other young this week include Little Owl, Short Eared Owl, Long Eared Owl and Kestrels. www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
Each winter we acquire a Sparrowhawk that hunts all the birds that come to feed in our garden. Last year he was a superbly marked male and it looks like he has come back this winter, even though this weeks photos were taken through double glazing!
It is a well know fact that Sparrowhawks are attracted to colourful birds as prey and our male is no exception. He caught our best male Greenfinch and provided me with a dramatic photo – so dramatic and bloodthirsty that I have been banned from using it!!! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife