Purple Sandpipers

Last week I at last made contact with some purple sandpipers. An uncommon bird on the Lancashire coastline and it only occurs in very small numbers at difficult to photograph locations.I had previously photographed one bird roosting in with a flock of sanderling at Rossall Point.Last year I made the long journey to Workington in Cumbria where good numbers are regular at high tide on the harbour breakwater.I however made a terrible error and didn't check the tide times,I arrived at low water and couldn't find any birds.This year however I got my calculations correct and arrived at Workington Harbour just before high tide.I soon found a good number,60+ birds on the sheltered side of the breakwater.I took many images of the birds which were very approachable before heading back home through a snowy Lake District. Hope you enjoy the images of these unusual but quite photogenic birds.

Dancing and Romancing

This week I have paid a couple of visits to local nature reserves where great crested grebes are present.It is Valentine's Day tomorrow but the grebes have started their displays and courting early.Despite yet more gloomy conditions I did manage some nice images of the head shaking displays. Best of all however was capturing the weed dance,this began hidden by vegetation but eventually the grebes danced their way out into the open and I rattled off a few shots.I was pleased with the results and my best efforts from the week are shown below. Hope you enjoy the images and thanks for looking in.I will of course return for more encounters with these super birds

Goosanders and Grebes

I visited one of my local nature reserves last week,one I hadn't visited for some time. There were plenty of birds present,mostly wildfowl and it was also a nice day weatherwise.The good weather had tempted other photographers and birdwatchers and it was nice to catch up with friends I hadn't seen for some time. It was also nice to see a number of goosanders present and they eventually came close allowing some nice shots.The male goosander caught a large carp but found it too big to swallow and abandoned it.The great crested grebes were pairing up and one pair were already showing signs of nest building.I hope you enjoy the images below of the goosanders and grebes.Also shown a coot enjoying bathing in the pleasant afternoon sun.Thanks for looking in and I hope to be out and about again this week,weather permitting.

More Waxwings

Preston has been favoured by the waxwings this winter.They spent some time in Preston prior to Christmas and delighted local bird watchers and photographers.They stayed for a number of weeks and at times numbered over one hundred birds.It was a great surprise to see yet more waxwings as they returned to Preston for second helpings.They had discovered a large supply of cotoneaster berries at the Network Rail Depot on Corporation Street.The number of berries has kept them here for a couple of weeks and I have visited a few times and obtained some nice images.I uploaded some recently but below are some more from a recent visit. The weather was superb with blue skies and was ideal for photography.As usual with waxwings they allowed a close approach and were not bothered by the nearby town centre traffic.Other photographers and watchers were present and we all went away happy after spending time with these fabulous visitors.This will probably be the last opportunity of the winter and I hope you enjoy the images below as much as I certainly did taking them. Thanks for looking in and enjoy the weekend.

Feeding Time

By way of a change this week I visited a local beauty spot where a feeding area is set aside for the numerous small birds in the vicinity.I hadn't visited this spot for a few years and had forgotten how good it is for bird photography.You can sit in your car close to the action and obtain some nice shots of the comings and goings.The weather was still unsettled with gales and yet more rain but a few brighter interludes helped the proceedings.The birds visiting were the commoner small birds attracted by seeds and food left by visitors to this picturesque part of Lancashire.I have shown below some of the many images I took of Great Tit..Blue Tit..Coal Tit..Long Tailed Tit..Robin and Nuthatch.It was a nice way to spend a few hours not far from home and return pleased with the results. Hope you enjoy my efforts and thanks for looking in.

A Welcome Return

Most days since New Year seem to have been depressing with very grey and gloomy weather.We are currently in a cold snap with many parts of the country suffering heavy snowfalls and much disruption to everyday life.Lancashire has come off lightly with very little snow but the gloomy weather is still with us as I upload this latest posting.Yesterday however brought a welcome return to brighter weather with sunshine but it was still very cold.Also making a very welcome return to Preston was a party of waxwings.The waxwings had been reported on Monday as five in number in the Corporation Street area of town.I had to visit Preston yesterday so took along my camera just in case.I went straight to the location and spotted some waxwings on the cotoneaster bushes which still had lots of berries.Cotoneaster seems to be the least favourite berry for waxwings but is currently all that is available.I was pleasantly surprised to eventually discover that there were fifteen waxwings and they came to feed on the berries very close to where I was waiting.I enjoyed some excellent close up views of these beautiful winter visitors and the best of the images I obtained are shown below.It would be nice if they stay awhile but I think they will quickly move on as they will soon be heading back to the breeding areas in Northern Europe.Thanks for looking in and let's hope for some warmer weather.