More from Marton Mere

I had a few hours to spare last week, so I went up to Marton Mere to see if I could get some clearer shots of the Long eared owls that roost there. The weather was lovely clear blue skies when I set off, but the grey clouds came over quite quickly. Nevertheless two owls were roosting and there was a clearish view through to one, although no better than the last time I went. On the way home I again called in at Newton Marsh to see what was about, lots of Wigeon and an odd Black Tailed Godwit.

The clearest shot I could get, a few minutes later it turned its back on me!



Dunnock



Blue Tit



A distant shot of a Kestrel scanning the field below



A pair of Pheasants collecting seed that dropped from the feeders above, and a zoomed in shot of the male, I just love the distinctive colours of the male Pheasant.





The male then hopped up onto one of the wire covered feeders, obviously covered in wire to keep the bigger birds and squirrels off, but it wasnt stopping this one!



Robin



After a short stay at Marton, it was homewardbound, calling in at Newton Marsh on the way home. Lots of Wigeon feeding, with the odd Black Tailed Godwit














Once I got home the sun was back out, so grabbed some shots of the Great Tits on the garden feeders, and watched with interest as they checked out the bird box, thats need straightening!

Wildlife Day photos

As mentioned in my last post, on Saturday just gone I had arranged a Wildlife event in the Shopping Centre, on the mall we had Cheshire Falconry, Risley Moss Action Group and The RSPB. The Action group are a group of volunteers who raise funds for and work at Risley Moss nature reserve, about 1/2 mile from the shopping centre, and today they were making nest boxes and giving them away for a donation to the Moss. The RSPB were recruiting members, and Cheshire Falconry brought down some birds of prey to help advertsie the falconry centre. You can find more details at http://www.cheshirefalconry.com/
I have read many wildlife photographers expressing their negative comments about photographing captive bred birds, personally I would much rather photograph a bird of prey in the wild, but these are stunning birds that are lovingly cared for at the Centre, and I have no problem photographing them, a few shots below.



Getting the birds on display soon drew in big crowds.



The kids especially enjoyed getting hands on making the nest boxes up.



An absolutely stunning Harris Hawk called Yorky.



Below a Verrauxs Eagle Owl, now almost extinct in its native Africa, this bird part of a Uk breeding programme.





The last bird they brought was an extemely cute, White Faced Scops Owl, called Frosty, which one youngster likened to a 'Furby'

Wildlife Day

This coming Saturday I have organised a 'Wildlife Day' at the Shopping Centre that I manage, Birchwood is very much bordered by rural areas and as such the local community and shoppers are very 'wildlife friendly' and interested in these type of events that we hold. This Saturday I have Cheshire Falconry bringing in their birds, and a local organisiation that I have supported for many years, Risley Moss Action Group, who are a group of volunteers who raise funds for and do a lot of practical work at Risley Moss Nature reserve, which is less than 1/2 mile from the Shopping Centre, they will be in the Centre making Nest boxes and giving them away, and any willing visitors can join in and make their own, all free of charge.
I will get some photos on next week, and hopefully some nice close up shots of the birds.

Birchwood Birds

A short session at lunchtime today on the nature reserve at the shopping centre, the feeder area was very busy and although the light wasnt great managed to get some decent shots, was nice to see the Marsh Tits are still about, still trying to get some pics of the Great Spotted Woodpeckers that feed on the fat balls, but they are very easily spooked, I'll keep plugging away.

Lots of Robins about today scrapping over the territory



This one looked like it had just had a bath



This one singing heartily from its perch





A flock of Long tailed tits came in but are difficult to get clear pics of in the low light as they never keep still but did manage a few





This one has been ringed







Was really nice to see that we still have the Marsh tits coming in to feed.









As always lots of Great Tits on the feeders





Other birds about were Chaffinch and Dunnock

Fort William & Oban

A short winter break for the better half and me, and what a lovely time we had, based in Fort William the weather was glorious sunshine for 3 days, although rather cold but well wrapped up it was great to be out in the clear Scottish air. No mountaineering on this trip, although I did cast many envious glances at those heading up into the mountains which looked stunning with their snowy caps against the clear blue sky. We spent the first day after travelling up in Fort William, a nice walk down Glen Nevis in the morning, then into Fort William and in the afternoon a drive out to Spean Bridge and the Commando monument. Our third day saw us take in Oban on the journey home, a lovely little fishing port that I had never visited, with great views out to the Island of Mull. A great trip, hundreds of pictures, a small preview to follow.



Not long out of Glasgow, a taste of the scenery to come, Ben Lomond across Loch Lomond.



Still learning the Munros, so not sure what this one is called, but stunning none the less.



The stunning view across Rannoch Moor.



Buachaille Etive Mòr, at the entrance to Glen Coe, one of the most stunning valleys in Scotland.



Two of the '3 Sisters' of Glen Coe with Stob Coire Nan Lochan behind, which I stood on last year.



To the left from the same point is the 'third sister' and the entrance to one of the most atmospheric and beautiful valleys I have ever been in, The Lost Valley, which again I did last year as we climbed Bidean Nam Bean, the picture below was taken then looking back down the Lost valley towards Glen Coe.





We stayed at the Ben Nevis Hotel in Fort William, and we had a great room that overlooked Ben Nevis, the snowy western end of the summit pateau visible.



A zoomed in shot.



We took an early morning drive down Glen Nevis to do a low level walk, only to meet a herd of Highland cattle standing guard!



They are magnificent beasts, but very intimidating with those big horns, glad of the zoom lens meaning I didnt have to get too close!



No Camping or else!!



Hooded crow perched in a roadside tree.



Even more intimidating was the black version!



Stunning beasts in the early morning sun.



Just as we saw a chance to escape as they moved off the road, we saw why as they had heard breakfast being delivered!!





After leaving Glen Nevis we walked into Fort William, mainly for the shopping, although I manged to get to the Loch side to see what was about, a few hooded crows and some Redshank feeding at the tide line.



After lunch we had a drive up to Spean Bridge, but on the way there are some cracking views of the Nevis range, the very cold North face of Ben Nevis above.



And a wider shot showing the Carn Mor Dearg Arete, one of the best mountain days out I have had when I climbed the Ben via the Arete a few years ago.



Just outside Spean Bridge up on the hillside is the Commando Memorial, a memorial erected in 1952 to commemorate the commandos that trained in the area during the Second World War, there are stunning views here over the Nevis range and beyond to the Mamores and Grey Corries.







A zoomed in shot of the Summit plateau of Ben Nevis, the ruined observatory just visible.



Neighbouring Aonach Mor, zoomed in to see the ski lifts taking skiers up to the ski runs.



That evening from the hotel room, the summit of the Ben turned a stunning shade of pink as the sun set.



Our last day saw us head off from Fort William down the coast to Oban, with many stunning coastal views as above.



The Fishing village of Oban at the Harbour side, with McCaigs tower above the village, where we drove up to to get some stunning views later.



Zoomed in shot of the tower and the observation deck at the front.



Some varied bird life in the harbour, with Oystercatchers feeding along the waters edge.





Lots of different gulls competing for food around the fishing boats.



Turnstones working along the waters edge, well camouflaged against the rocky shore.



Lots of Mute Swans.



A strinking pair of Eider Ducks were parading around the harbour, I just love the males call.



The local fisherman surveys his waters!



Hooded crows patrol the stony shore picking up scraps.



Fishing boats were firing up ready to head out to sea.



The Isle of Mull ferry coming in to Dock.



By the time we had got up to the tower the ferry was just leaving to go back to Mull.



On a lovely clear day like this the views from the tower are amazing, here the Ferry is a bit farther out from the dock.



And a wider view looking out over Oban .



Then it was into the car for the long journey back to Preston, but as we drove down the side of Loch Lomond I couldnt resist another shot of the first mountain we saw coming up, Ben Lomond.