The Slavonian Grebe was happy feeding close to the bank but as it ventured out into the open water it came under attack from a

Great Crested Grebe.

The pair of Great Crested Grebes would not tolerate any intrusion into open water as one of them repeatedly challenged the much smaller Grebe.

The Slavonian Grebe sort refuge in the margins of the lake.

I didn’t expect to get any more Fieldfare shots this year; it just shows never take things for granted. Only two birds showed up but that’s enough. I would sooner have two birds close up than lots of birds at distance.

His Fieldfare is not willing to share the berries with any other birds

As I could not get out of the drive today due to the snow I decided to turn my lens on the garden birds.

Although the lights not great it’s still worth a go

The Song thrush had to stand its ground against Blackbirds to get any food at the feeding station.

Goldfinch

Lots of Brambling around this year

Not the best light for bramblings

Goldfinch on Teasel

Blue Tit having a rest

Only Managed to see one Snow Bunting today, but what a view.

Just as I arrived to photograph the Snow Buntings the sun decided to hide behind clouds for the rest of the afternoon.

I managed a few shots and made my way home.

24,000 Knot, 4,000 Dunlin, 700 Sanderling all at high tide roost at Hoylake shore it’s a great sight and well worth a visit.

Knot

Sanderling

Snipe are one of the birds that seem to elude me; I have seen them at close quarters before but never with my camera in hand.

It was late afternoon as I arrived at the Eastern Reedbed; I was hoping the Bittern would show up. It hadn’t been seen. 

As I sat in the Hide ten Snipe arrived landing at the water’s edge and blended into the surroundings.

Still not the shots I want as they are just too far away.

I spent a few hours in the garden to see what would turn up

On my first trip down to my local reserve this year, I was informed that a small group of Waxwings were feeding in a Mountain Ash tree at the far end of Birchwood Pool.

When I arrived at the site I was able to photograph some of the birds as they flew in to feed on the berries.

 Although not in the best of light (and I would like them to be a bit nearer) I decided they were worth a few shots

That could be the last of the waxwings this year.

With the weather being rubbish today I decided to clear out last year’s wildlife folders from my Pc and store them on a external hard drive as I do every year.

As I sat making up this year’s folders I heard a soft thud on the window a sound that I am familiar with, it was a bird strike on the window. I looked up to see all the birds scattering.

I went outside to investigate and found a dead male Bullfinch. It had broken its neck as soon as it hit the window.

The culprit just sat on the fence before it disappeared into trees.

Not a good start for the year.

As I got out of my car I spotted this Fieldfare feeding in an apple tree

The weather was grim but I managed a few shots before the weather took a real turn for the worst

Widgeon

Shoveler