As I looked out of the window to check the number of birds on my feeders all seemed quiet, it’s that bloody white cat again after an easy meal I thought to myself. After a quick check around the garden to see in which direction I needed to throw a brick it soon became apparent the cat was not the reason for the lack of activity on my feeders. Sat next to one of my bird feeders was the culprit a Sparrowhawk. I grabbed my camera and took some shots through the window just for a record.

At 1/80 sec not a good shot, but it’s a start.

Early on in the year a Sparrowhawk spent many hours just sat in the pear tree waiting for a meal to arrive, I tried on numerous occasions to get a good photograph of it with mixed results, as the light was either not good enough or in the wrong direction or it was taken through the window.

Since then some trees have been removed and others pruned which overlook the bottom of my garden to let in some more light, which should help improve any photographs. I did some pruning myself and the local Council did some; however my request to leave the Hawthorns fell on deaf ears.

The small woodland strip at the bottom of my garden which formed a natural wildlife corridor has been left in a sorry state with trees remove and a drastic reduction in the undergrowth. This has not affected the number of birds overall but it has affected the diversity.

 Hoping for a better photograph this time around I retreated to the garden shed and set up my camera behind a camouflage screen. This will be a long wait but I can amuse myself with some shots of the more frequent visitors.

However events soon transpired against me as the next door neighbour decided to do some work in his garden shed, which involved some banging and then it started to rain heavily. At 12.45 I decided it was time for a cup of tea and went back into the house. Returning a short time later I found a few birds nervously feeding and keeping an ever watchful eye out for their nemesis.

Grey Squirrels are an unwelcome guest in the garden, emptying the bird feeders on a regular basis

That’s the price you have to pay for putting up feeders in the first place.

By 2 o’clock our next door neighbour must have finished his work in the shed as the noise stopped, at the same time it stopped raining.

Things are looking up and I expect a lot more birds in the garden now, followed (I hope) with a visit from the Sparrowhawk.

By 4 o’clock the light was rubbish, it started raining and I called it a day.

The red mist will be coming soon to the Red deer as rutting season gets underway.

I took the opportunity to get up close, while the Red deer are in a good mood.

It may not be a good idea to get so close to them in the coming weeks

The Red Deer Stag can be very menacing if it stops and gives you long stare

I took a few shots and decided to retreat to a safe distance.

 I will be back when the rutting starts.

I could have been on a boat in Liverpool bay today but had to turn it down. I was appreciative for the offer of a place, maybe next time I will be able to go.

I planned to go to Leighton Moss today, but after checking the weather forecast last night ditched that idea. 

Burton Mere Wetlands was the location I decided to visit again. The Marsh Harrier being the target. I arrived to find the footpath down to the lower hide flooded.

 Managing to get to the hide without getting my feet wet proved a challenge, but I made it.

It wasn’t long before the Harrier turned up, as usual my shots of the bird proved to be lacking.

They are just a collection of pixels and not what you would call a good picture; however that’s all I have, so I will keep them until better shots appear on my screen.

Realising my dilemma I decided to pack up and go to RSPB reserve at Conwy.

After a cup of tea and some food I was off checking out the reserve. I was still blighted with crap weather, but I persevered.

 I eventually found a Little Stint but at distance.........I collected some more pixels before setting off for home.

RSPB Burton Mere Wetlands main hide

Opening times

Reception building is open between 9.30 am and 5 pm. The reserve is open between 9 am and 9 pm, or dusk if sooner.

Entrance charges for none members

£4 adults, £6 family, £1 kids, concessions £2.

With a slight improvement in the weather I decided to take a trip to the RSPB site at Burton Mere Wetlands and renew my membership at the same time.

The light was not very good for photography but I took my camera anyway, you never know when opportunity will strike.

I paid my subscription and headed down to the lower hide. The hide was empty; I sat down and scanned the marsh for anything of interest......Nothing much caught my attention.

A short time later I was joined by a bird watcher, whilst in conversation with him he noticed a Marsh Harrier flying towards the hide.

I swung round my camera and managed to squeeze out a couple of shots as it hunted over the marsh.

I still don’t have any good shots of Marsh Harriers and these shots are not much of an improvement

Even though the distance was not too great they still lack any detail, I put it down to difficult lighting conditions

(or user error).

The kingfisher’s visits are not what they use to be and the light is starting to be problematic.

You are lucky if the Kingfisher turns up now and even luckier if you can get a shot.

Sadly it’s time to call it a day and turn my attention to other photographic opportunities.

I have plans to photograph Mammals and wading birds in the coming weeks plus Owls in winter.

More Kingfisher images in ther folder.

Summer at Moore Nature Reserve

Fallow Deer Stag surveying its rutting area  

Some subordinate males group together, keeping their distance from the dominant stags

More in the folder

Garden Spider Araneus diadematus

With summer on the wane Garden Spiders can be found spinning their webs between shrubs and any structure that can support them.

During the night the spider spins its silk and weaves it into a web ready for the following day. One of our largest British spiders and a very common resident of gardens. The distinctive white cross mark on the abdomen has given rise to the alternative names of 'Cross spider' and 'Diadem spider'. Colours vary and include sandy brown, fox-red and almost black.

Adult female grow to 15mm (body length), and males to 9mm. They are commonly seen between June and November when the first frosts kill them off. Garden spiders are found in Europe and much of Asia.

Early in the year I visited Dunham Massey Park to photograph the Fallow Deer as they tried on some new head gear to impress the ladies.  

October is the rutting season , so a return visit will be made next month

If you are a fish, that is.

I called down to the see if the Kingfisher was showing; its visits are getting less frequent.

It can take most of the day to get a shot, that’s if it shows and even when it does it only stays for a short time.

I was in luck as the kingfisher dived in and returned to the surface with a small fish.

After taking a few shots the bird disappeared into the distance.

But this one is