Stags Lodge (Cuerden Valley Park) & On The Feeders - 14th April 2012

The sun was out so I decided to grab the camera when heading out with the dogs with the hope of getting a few photos of the current warblers on the local patch. I heard a newly returned Willow Warbler on the edge of Church Walk Woods and managed a few shots as it intermittently called and preened amongst the top branches.

 ABOVE AND BELLOW WILLOW WARBLER

Heading around Stags Lodge I heard up to 5 calling Chiffchaff and 2 Willow Warblers the first of which I’d heard on Wednesday evening. What I didn’t expect was this Northern Wheatear at the top of the meadows which was soon flushed by one of the many dog walkers making the most of the great weather. It was easily relocated and I kept my own 2 away as I photographed it feeding up before it moved on. For the hour I was there it relocated several times to the trees surrounding the meadows, a great patch tick and maybe a first for Cuerden Valley Park (David Beattie). For my up to date patch list for the year Click Here 

 ABOVE AND BELOW NORTHERN WHEATEAR

Back at home the feeders seem to be very busy at the moment with both Goldfinch and Greenfinch eating me out of house and home. Collard Dove and Woodpigeon are also regular visitors along with the local Blackbirds, Dunock, Robin, House Sparrow, Blue Tit and Coal Tit (the only place locally that I see Coal Tits!)

 ABOVE MALE GREENFINCH BELOW FEMALE

 ABOVE GOLDFINCH BELOW COLLARD DOVE

 BELOW COAL TIT

Back Yard Birding 16/17th April 2011

I was laughed at this morning as I put a large clump of Jaspers (one of my border collies) winter under coat that I had brushed off him on to the feeding pole. This afternoon though the laugh as on me as Reece spotted this Blue Tit collecting it to line its nest and I watched as it returned several times to collect about a third of what I'd put out.

Yesterday we had a pair of Coal Tit visiting the feeders for the first time this year and this stunning Starling is a regular visitor to the fat ball.

ABOVE COAL TIT BEFORE STARLING