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.

The morning visit to a nearby reserve to photograph Little Owls with some friends did not go well, as the Owls did not provide any good views. I managed one record shot before it went to ground, not to be seen again.

On the way home I called in to photograph some Willow Warblers on my local reserve.

 Local Photographers have set up a Feeding Station which is great for attracting birds and other photographers, me being one of them.

It’s a useful little spot to photograph from the car; you can expect Linnets, Skylark and Wheatear.

When you’re happy with your shots you can go for a bag of chips or a cup of tea.

I returned  for better photographs of the Ring Ouzel, I checked all the fields and with local birders only to find out that it had already moved on.

All was not lost as I turned my attention to other arrivals.

I have been after a photograph of a Ring Ouzel for a few years now, so when one turned up at my local reserve

I went to investigate, I failed to even see it. 

A few days later as I was checking  bird reports, one had been seen in the horse fields, so off  I went to try again.

The Bird was too distant to get a good photograph so I had to settle for some record shots.

Rain and more rain, no hosepipe ban here then, thought I would give the Siskins some more attention as it’s not worth going out in it.

Still trying to get a better Photograph, the blossom isn’t at its best yet so still plenty of time.