Operation Nuthatch

As the sun was shining,a break from work at lunchtime was called for, I went up to Risley Moss Nature reserve, 5 mins from the Shopping Centre, hoping to get some good shots of a bird I had not photographed before, the Nuthatch. Ideal place was the woodland hide, and there was a few about, but they are quite elusive and very quick when coming down to feed, but nevertheless mangaged some half decent shots.









This one was taking nuts from the feeder and stashing them in this hollow log.







There were lots of Long Tailed Tits around the feeders, and also feeding off an 'unknown' substance on the bark of an Oak tree.







Great Tit



Blackbird



Reed Bunting

Stunning Winter Walk/Scramble - Great Gable

After switching our days off to catch what had been forecast a clear sunny day, so glad we did, as it was a superb winters day, clear blue skies, clear visiblity, lots of snow in places but above all a stunning part of the Lakes to be on the perfect winters day. We had decided to start from Seathwaite, up past Styhead Tarn, across the craggy southern face of Great Gable across to Napes Needle and the Sphinx Rock, then up onto Kirk Fell. Halfway up on the journey from Preston, yours truly realised he hadnt packed his crampons!! but we decided to go on as planned and hoped as it was south facing the snow and ice wouldnt be as bad, and I pretty much got away with it. We had originally intended to have a look at 'Threading the Eye' of Napes needle but decided against it as there was alot of snow in the shaded descent side of the climb which was not in great condition, and not good without crampons. But it was an entertaining scramble on the crags around it across to the Sphinx rock. Stunning views from here right down Wastwater and across to the Scafells. Some photos below of the day.


Todays objective, Napes Needle.



An early morning start with the locals at seathwaite farm.




Yours truly up at Styhead Tarn



Styhead Tarn, frozen completely, as the sun comes up lighting up Great End



Looking across from Styhead to Lingmell, and its deep gash down its side, Piers Gill



Tom on the high level Climbers traverse path to Great Napes.



Napes Needle.





The Sphinx rock overlooking Wastwater and Wasdale far below.



Great Gable from the climb up Kirk Fell



Pillar from Kirk Fell



A distant Skiddaw from Kirk Fell



Blencathra and the Helvelyn ridge



Scafell Pike across from Kirk Fell



A zoomed in shot of Scafell and Mickledore


Blencathra looking good in the far distance



To the left a zoomed in Skiddaw



Ennerdale valley, with Wainwrights favourite Haystackes in the foreground



Pillar with Pillar Rock prominent, from the lower slopes of Green Gable



From where we had just come from, Kirk Fell



The shaded cold north face of Great Gable



As we start the drop into Seathwaite, this lone tree was growing out of the rock at the top of SourMilk Gill.



The waterfall in Sourmilk Gill

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!