LOCAL PATCH VISIT.

Popped over to Marsh Lane again this morning getting there at just after 8.00 AM.The weather was excellent with the sun blazing down.

Wasn't going to go for Swift shots again but when I got to the causeway I could not resist with the bright sunshine behind me showing them up really well.

A Sedge Warbler was showing very well from the S causeway hide except for some reeds getting in the way.

From the oak hide what I hope is a young Lesser Whitethroat was flitting round a distant tree.

It was nice to see a wader on the RW pool.This Common Sandpiper showed well in front of the oak hide.

A COUPLE OF LOCAL PATCH VISITS.

Went to the local patch on Monday and forgot to take the camera.Had to become a birder but felt naked walking round.I hoped I didn't see anything so I would not be upset missing a shot.Things went well till I got back to the car park and the juvenile Kestrel cruised over my head and landed in a near by tree.It looked down at me and seeing I was without the camera I'm sure it said "Tosser "

The morning visit on Tuesday was saved by the ringer who had caught a Tee Pipit by the back gate coppice. What a little cracker.Never seen one at ML before.

This morning I missed an Osprey by a few minutes.John Hunt spotted it over the RW pool.It soon flew off SW.

There were a few Chiffies along the causeway again. 

I was pleased to get some of my best ever shots of a Raven when a pair for a while cruised along the RW tree line.

VISIT TO LOCAL PATCH AGAIN.

  

Been down to Marsh Lane a couple of times again.On Thursday morning got caught by a downpour whilst in the RW hide and this morning got there pretty early and it felt like Autumn had arrived.

Shots were hard to come by on both visits but managed to get some of young Common Whitethroats , Sedge Warblers and Chiffchaffs.

This morning the only fun to be had was trying yet again to get some decent shots of the 4 Swifts that were zooming around with the Swallows and Sand/House Martins.This time I cannot use the excuse of poor light as the sun was out most of the time so it's down to me being far too ancient to capture these fast flying birds. Didn't do too bad though.

SOME RECENT LOCAL PATCH SHOTS.

Been down to Marsh Lane again briefly Saturday lunchtime and early this morning.

Here are a few shots taken on those days.The only two birds calling for a special mention are the pair of Spotted Flycatchers that I found along the railway line tree tops.A bit distant so no keepers but they are my first at Marsh Lane.

Tried for some Swift shots again these are my best. 

Whilst trying for the Swift shots a raptor flew over my head.I rattled off some shots and not till I checked them did I see that it was a Hobby.It flew off into the distance I'm afraid.

Here are a few other shots.

LOCAL PATCH VISIT AGAIN.

Went over to Marsh Lane again early on Friday morning getting there at 7.45 AM in order to beat the forecast rain.

There were about 6 Swifts zooming round the streamline trees and as the sun was out I thought I'd have yet another go at getting a decent shot of these guys.Great fun but they are simply too quick for me.I was soon out of breath, swearing a lot and getting hot.These are my least bad shots.In the last two shots the mouths seem swollen.Full of insects for their young ? 

The causeway bushes were full of birds.Here is a shot of a young Blackcap that liked the blackberries. 

The N Causeway hide has been quiet for me for a few weeks but that morning it was back to form.A Reed Warbler showed very well.

A Sedge Warbler was a bit more elusive but was nice to see one was still about.

When I first entered the hide a Water Rail was very close.Too close to get a shot with my lens.That one shot off to the right and a couple of minutes later another two shot across the newly opened up channels.I didn't have to wait too long for them to show again.My first shots for a long time.