Great White Egret at Middleton Lakes

Had a lovely Monday Morning at Middleton with the Great White Egret he had been reported on Middleton Hall Lake so we went had a look and there he was a Warwickshire tick for me and a Year tick for us both, it's such a great feeling when it's a local tick I love it :)
It then flew and went into the heronry  at Middleton Lakes, had great views and we walked to the end of the path and you could see it closer and more in the open so we took some photos still a little distant and high up for my camera but I was over the moon to be getting views like this and being able to take photos It's so much fun when you can do both see and photograph a great bird.
On the Saturday we went to Gloucester again for the Penduline Tits we had better views than last time and I managed to get a record shot but still too distant to Photograph but lovely to them again there so pretty :)

Trittiford update

Had some lovely views of the Goosanders at Trittiford one Male and one Female were quite content sunbathing on the path edge of course on the side you can't get to but nice watching them through bins. I got a blurred distant record shot but still so nice to have them at Trittiford by the end of the week they had gone and all the Goosander's were gone from the Old Mill pond too, I think the water had frozen so they more than likley relocated somewhere else.
Had a long walk round Trittiford and the Dingles lot's of Greenfinch and Bullfinch, Redpoll and Redwing. Also managed to get a few shots of a Wren which was nice because I haven't got many.
Both the Little egrets were present at the Old Mill Pond and one Shoveler going round in circles at Trittiford lol

First lifer of the Year - Dream weekend :)

We began the weekend by staying local we decided to go to Ladywalk to see if we could see the Bittern again as there was 3 there now, we went to Hide B where people had being getting great views, we sat there for awhile and I was thinking it wasn't going to show, then Dave said Bittern I was like where where lol Dave there in the channel, I got him Didn't even need the bins he was just coming out into the open at the channel from the reeds, this was just like I had dreamt being able to see my fav bird this close and see all the detail on him was amazing and very exciting and bonus I managed to get a record shot, we were lucky he showed for about an hour mainly in the reeds but had great views and watched him catch 2 fish, too be able to watch your dream bird like this and in Warwickshire too is the best feeling :) I feel very lucky and blessed never thought I would have views like this :)

My record shot

Dave got a stunning shot of the Bittern in the reeds with his neck stretched up and his eyes peering such beautiful eyes and stunning neck pattern, love them.

Taken by Dave Hutton

On the Sunday we headed to Gloucester for the Penduline Tits, was a nice journey down there and didn't have a long wait to see them, took me awhile to find them in my bins is so hard as they blend in with the reeds and wind didn't help but I eventually managed to get on one and also had stunning views through a kind gentleman's scope, beautiful little birds and so happy to have seen them as we dipped last year on one, both birds moved over to the other side of the reed bed and they were lower down here but I could see both birds but I never managed to get any photos, Dave struggled too but he managed to get a record shot or that's what he would call it a record shot, I call it a beautiful photo as always lol. 

I'm just over the moon to have seen them and my first lifer of the year and a lovely bird :) 

Taken by Dave Hutton

Goosanders - Old Mill Pond and Trittiford

Some Goosanders turned up at the Old mill pond I was very excited as I had never seen them there before, I was just praying they would still be there for Tuesday when I could get there, I arrived there Tuesday and they were still there, 3 Drakes and 4 Females they were very jumpy and something spooked 2 of the Drakes and they flew off, I managed to get a few record shots, I then went back each day for the rest of the week the total there was 1 Drake and 7 females but they seemed to dwindle down by Friday with only 1 Drake and 2 Females. Some lady called loudly asking what we were doing on the Friday and the remaining Goosanders flew off in Trittiford Direction, so I got in car and went to Trittiford and they were at the far end I was very pleased as it was a Trittiford tick for me but couldn't get any photos there as they were hiding behind the other side and you can't walk round there. The following Monday I went to check if they were still there but they had gone which I had guessed as the water was all frozen, hopefully they will come back :)
Had a really nice week going between the Old Mill pond and Trittiford the Little Egrets were lovely to watch at the Old mill pond sitting in the tree.
Trittiford also had a female Pochard join the Males, and I had great views of Coots fighting was amazing watching them.
I also took a trip to Swanhurst which is just down the road and spent 2 hours with a showy Shoveler the sun was abit annoying coming in and out and then in the wrong direction but enjoyable even though I see Shovelers all the time it is always nice to get close and spend time with them :)

First Moths of the year - Pale Brindled Beauty

A very enjoyable night getting are first Moths of the year, we started the night by going out to the woods to look for winter moth by trunking but was unsuccsessful we think we have left it a bit late.
We wasn't expecting anything in the trap in the garden we just thought we would give it ago, are first Moth was Emmelina Monodactyla which was so nice to have at least one Moth, then a bit later on I went to check it couldn't see anything then I though I will just check round the side of the Trap and then I saw a lovely Moth my heart gets all excited and pounds lol
I wasn't sure what the Moth was I knew it was one I hadn't seen before I took it into Dave and straight away he said Pale Brindled Beauty it was a first for his garden, just amazing beautiful moth very well marked, I love my Moths I have such a passion in my belly for them i'm so excited for the main Mothing season :) We also had a Light brown Apple Moth, three Moths for January is not bad going:)

  

Jack Snipe - Marsh lane Nature Reserve

The past couple of weeks have been spent locally picking up some year ticks with Common Sandpiper on the River at Edison road, Hams Hall.
Also had more views of the Bittern at Ladywalk this time it was the paler one so now I have seen both Bitterns had lovely scope views beautiful birds, also picked up Short-eared owl.
Also a very exciting moment when someone said they could see some small geese in flight everyone was trying to guess what they were then they started to come closer and also called Dave then said White- fronted Geese, he is amazing I still couldn't tell what they were they got even closer we thought whey were going to land but they flew through there was at least 50+, a great year tick and even though I have seen them at Draycote it feels more of a local tick with it being Ladywalk. :)
The following weekend was spent mainly at Marsh Lane nature Reserve getting great views of the Jack snipe and manage to get a few photos but really struggled as the reeds were in the way lol love watching these birds they are so enjoyable watching.
Dave got a fantastic photo looks so natural and beautiful his so so talented so proud of the results he gets even though I get jealous lol.

Taken by Dave Hutton

Here's a couple of my Record shots of the Jack Snipe nowhere near as clear as Dave's but still glad to have a record Shot, also a record shot of the Mandarin Duck which was also at Marsh Lane :)

Great Northern Diver and Hybrid Scaup - Shustoke

Today we headed to Shustoke for the Great Northern Diver which has relocated to Shustoke from Ladywalk fishery, also we got some photos of the Hybrid Scaup.
It was a very enjoyable day spending the whole day photographing and getting to see the Diver close love these birds I find them fascinating when they dive and then just disappear for ages lol
Also the Hybrid Scaup has proven to be a challenge, Dave loves a challenge ;) I find it very intriguing learning from Dave and reading others opinions, Alan Dean has gone into alot of detail in his blog about the Hybrid Scaup.  http://deanar.org.uk/general/articles/aythya.htm
I could look at this bird a million times and not pick up on what Dave and others see don't think my observation skills will ever be that good but i'm learning everyday which is what I love about birding.