Martin Mere

I got the chance this week to spend a couple of hours at Martin Mere, having been a few times this year already I wanted to get back to see the Whooper Swans again before they return to Iceland soon. As usual there was lots of other birds about although nothing spectacular this time,the light wasn't great, but for a short two hour visit the camera was kept very busy. Earlier that morning I had visited the spot where we scattered my sisters ashes, two years to the day that she passed away, it is on the top of Moel Fauma in North wales, and on the way back down it was great to see all the spring lambs in the fields.
Edited this post this morning (18th) two days after visiting Martin Mere, extract below is from the WWT Martin Mere website for the 17th, looks like I got my last visit in just in time as the Whoopers are now starting to leave.

American Wigeon on the Mere
17 March 2010
The drake American Wigeon spent most of the day with Eurasian Wigeon around the Mere.

Though difficult to assess accurately without being on the reserve early morning, there appeared to have been a sizable departure of Whooper Swans with perhaps as few as 500 for the afternoon feed.

Fifty seven Avocet were counted this morning. These birds have are starting to disperse around the reserve, although last year the favoured breeding spot was on Sunley's Marsh.

Female Merlin again in the afternoon.

Great to see the Whoopers again

















3pm and its feeding time



Still plenty of Pink Footed Geese about



Whenever I go there is always a friendly Robin about





This one was really singing is heart out



Occasionally the light did improve, really highlighting the colours of this Pheasant



Reed Bunting



Pintail



Teal



Lots of Shelduck about





My favourite duck, the Eider





And lastly, the very cute Spring lambs, complete with black socks!





Tracys final resting place, her ashes scattered at the top of Moel Fauma, looking across to Snowdon.

Godwits and Knot - Lytham

We had a walk along the front at Lytham last weekend, there were lots of Black tailed Godwits and Knot quite close in but I didnt have the camera with me, so I went back a couple of days later when it was a lot quieter, hoping they still fed close in. When I arrived there was a flock of knot feeding right up against the sea wall, and the Godwits a little further out. I really wanted to get down to mud level to get a good side view rather than down on them, and the challenge was to get close enough without spooking them, it happened a couple of times but with a little patience pretty much got the shot I wanted, the light was tricky at times with the sun in and out of the clouds, but overall was pleased that they were still there.

The knot were in close to the sea wall so getting down at mud level was impossible.
















Too close and off they go!



Nicely silouetted in the sun





The Black tailed Godwits were a little further out, but by sitting tight and being patient they came closer.

































Chanced my arm and tried to creep in a bit closer but off they went





A mixed flypast of Knot and BT Godwits.



The mixed group settling to feed again