Haw Spotting

Numerous sightings of Hawfinch were coming out of Upper Longdon on Cannock Chase, this is a spot we have had mixed fortunes with in the past, dipping the Shrike but bagging a couple of Wood Lark.

After a lazy breakfast off we set soon as we turned up a chap was saying a bird was showing so off we plodded down the path and were soon enjoying views of this large Finch, which was soon joined by another and then more flew in soon a group of 7 birds were on show.

This was great and much better than our last views of this bird up at Cromford which was rather distant and that was a couple of years ago to boot.

I even managed to grab a few record shots which was a real bonus.

On the way back home we stopped off at the flooded fields near the Mainwaring arms and managed to see a large flock of Linnets with a few Goldfinch mixed in for good measure and a flock of Fieldfare close by.

Westport Lake

Today I decided to venture out during my lunch to try and hopefully see the Long Tailed Duck that had appeared at Westport Lake.
Not the best of conditions damp grey and drizzle didn't make for a pleasant lunch time stroll but it still beats being in work.
I was quite lucky as a kind chap pointed out the bird to me not that close in but I couldn't complain I had at least seen it and I took a couple of record shots to record the sighting.

Now I just need the Waxwings to appear again in the trees in front of the lab.

Burrton Mere

We decided to headed for Burton Mere today partly as we didn't know where else to go and partly to try out the Butty Van that has now taken up a trial residence there (we can recommend it after trying a very decent toastie), on the way we decided to firstly head for Connah's Quay Deeside Naturalist Reserve. We hadn't been there for a while and we had best get the most out of the membership.
Soon after turning up we saw around 40 Twite in with a mixed flock with some Linnet.

After lunch we went around Burton Mere firstly heading for the Inner Marsh hide which was devoid almost of life just two Shelduck were noted. At least we had picked up a Water Rail on the way there from the first screen and 4 Cattle Egret from the visitor centre.
A nice bonus was the Long Eared Owl roosting in the Hawthorn near the Inner Marsh Hide.