More Greenshanks etc

This week I visited Leighton Moss again.Paul Foster came with me and we were hoping for good opportunities for the camera with Leighton's waders.The weather was not good and as we travelled up the motorway it didn't look like improving.On our arrival at the Eric Morecambe hide we found we had it to ourselves,the very damp and windy weather was keeping people at home.Both marsh pools had very little water and in fact the Allen pool was just a sea of mud.One of the RSPB staff came to take pictures of the muddy pools and then left us to it.

The birds didn't mind the large expanses of mud and we were to enjoy a wonderful day's photography with the many birds on show from the Eric Morecambe hide.We had only just sat down when a number of greenshanks were showing just feet away in front of the hide.This was to be the pattern for the time we were there and we were treated to some great photographic opportunities for the camera.

It was interesting watching the feeding antics of the greenshanks as they ran through the water at speed and did some synchronised fishing.Image seven below shows this group action.There were around twenty greenshanks present and they provided some great images as they performed for the camera. There were also a good number of little egrets which were also busy catching fish.Again they made perfect subjects as they showed off their plumage and fishing skills.We finished the session with a very brief but exciting view of a water rail.This was spotted by another birder and Paul and I just managed a few record shots before it vanished back into the reed bed.

All in all then a wonderful day out at Leighton Moss despite the weather.Of course the sun came out as we made the journey back home along the motorway.It didn't matter as the memory cards had been filled with some excellent images from Leighton Moss.Thanks for looking in and I will be back soon with more from my travels.