Whitethroats at Moore Nature Reserve

The sun is going to shine today, so where do I go. I could stay local to get some better Whitethroat shots, or travel up the M6 to look for some Redstarts and Cuckoo. Both have been on my red list of birds to photograph this year.

 I decided on the latter, travelling up the M6 and reaching my destination one and a half hours later.

First stop is the Redstarts but conditions could be better, I don’t like using a high ISO but I have no choice and no cover.

As I was photographing the Redstarts I could hear a Cuckoo in the background and I decided to investigate.

Difficult to pin down as they call in-flight, the call seemed to come from every direction.

All I could do was sit and wait for a sighting; eventually one came into view and I was able to photograph them.

 I lighting was harsh and getting the bird in better light condition proved impossible.

With migrant birds still arriving I need to get out and see what I can find. But Strong winds in Cheshire make taking any photographs a bit of a challenge; many birds seek cover and are very evasive. I have been trying to get some better Whitethroats, with not much luck, as the habitat they frequent is subjected to strong winds.

 Sheltered spots in the woods offered some sanctuary for birds and me and I was able to photograph some Blackcaps.

It’s Cloudy and wet today with the sun only showing for brief periods, it’s enough for me to go in search of Whitethroats at my local reserve.

With a sunny day forecast I was out at 6.30am, it’s a journey of about one and a half hours depending on traffic. I was after photographing Little Ring Plover. I turned on the Sat-Nav, selected the location from my favourites, switched on the ignition and set off.   As I neared to my destination things didn’t look right to me. Then it dawned on me, Sat – Nav had sent me to somewhere in Middle Earth.

I must have programmed in the wrong location, as I had been here before some four years ago.

After some phone calls I selected a new location near to my final destination and eventually arrived.

It had taken me three hours and I had missed the better light and reduced the time I could spend with them. The time was precious as I had made arrangements to be on top of Pendle Hill looking for Dotterel with Dave Cookson.

I collected my gear and set off in search of the Little Ring Plovers not knowing if I would even find them in the limited time I had left.

My luck was in, just a short walk from the car and I was on the Birds.

With the Plovers Photographed it was off to Pendle Hill to meet Dave. After meeting up at the car park we set off up the hill stopping on the way to admire the view (Catch our breath) after a lots of stops we arrived at the top to find the Dotterel had flown.

I tried but failed to produce any good photos of this bird as they would not come close enough, although Dave did manage to get one or two shots. I will be trying again soon. I also missed some Redstarts.

As the day progressed I found some Lizards basking in the sun on black sheets of tarpaulin, not the best pose for a photograph I also found some on the grass, still not ideal and I missed a big Adder on the footpath.

Later in the day we found some Pied Flycatchers in the process of nest building. We moved well away from the nest and took some photos as they hunted for insects. Not a bad day out......

Last time I photographed Whinchat I was in Northumberland some years ago. I was invited to visit Dave Cookson who was on holiday there.  They are nice shots of Whinchat on Foxglove in good light.

Northumberland bird

Male Whinchat at Moore Nature Reserve not a good shot as the light was very harsh. Don’t think the bird will stay which is a shame, as I should be able to get better results than this.

In its habitat of dense foliage this small bird can be difficult to photograph, at other times they can be found singing from a prominent perch, that’s your best chance of getting a half decent photograph of one.

Whilst I was photographing Willow Warblers this fox decided to join me, after watching me and with no food on offer it seemed to be bored and ended up sunbathing.

Blackcap

 Red Squirrel at Whinfell Forest Penrith,Cumbria

Living close to so many Nature Reserves is ideal for me, it means I can be at any one in just a few minutes. Any break in the weather gives me plenty of opportunity to get out with my camera.

At five o’clock this morning thunder and lightning started the day, followed by heavy rain. I was up at 6.30 and I didn’t hold up much hope for the rest of the day, however the sun did come out for short periods later on, and so did I.

I visited Moore Nature Reserve and was able to Photograph a male Blackcap and a Willow Warbler before the rain returned sending me back home.

Most of the North West had lots of blustery showers today, but a small break in the weather enabled me to get some more

Willow Warblers at my local reserve.