One Last Local

Watergrove, Rochdale - 8.4.19

After Saturday's curtailed session due to being mega busy with a Parkrun I'm hoping for a quieter morning. It's a little cloudy which is exactly how I like, sunny conditions doesn't really work for this location as the sun angle is from the side so hopefully I'll get a couple of hours before the dreaded sun comes out.

Lesser Redpolls and Brambling as my previous visit are busily taking advantage of the free food on offer but I can't see the Mealy Redpoll, looks like waiting is the order. I'm in the same position as my previous two visits as it's the only location where I can get down low to try and loose the background, minus one stool which I've forgot again its sit on the ground time !

Now well over two hour have passed and the Mealy hasn't appeared which is the main reason for my return visit, but I must say I'm more than happy to keep snapping away at the very wary Brambling which are always the furthest away at the back of the wood.

Other birds noted out of interest include, M/F Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, L Redpoll, Brambling, Reed Bunting, G/B/LT/C Tit amongst others.  

It seems like I'm just repeating the same shots over and over so I'm being more selective before I hit the shutter. Now very quiet with very little activity I decide to call it a day.

And that's it another new venue locally and only five miles from home, happy I made the effort with some worth while images. Until the next time.

Brambling

Lesser Redpoll

Gone Local II

Watergrove, Rochdale - 6.4.19

Couple of hours out again this morning to try and improve on Thursday images taken in grey and drizzly conditions, today it's the total opposite with bright sunlight, shadows and the sun angle from the side the joys of wildlife photography.

Work in progress....more  text to follow

Mealy Redpoll

Lesser Redpoll

Ringed bird with some detail...... NH...LOND...AJO ?

Brambling - male

The Brambling has a ring on the right leg which I think reads.....W75 NLA

Gone Local

Watergrove, Rochdale - 4.4.19

Around mid-day today I got wind of a possible Common or Mealy Redpoll that was associating with a group of Lesser Redpolls showing on the edge of a local wood, the light being is a little on the grim side and a forecast of rain later never the less I thought I'd give a go and get some images.

Clattering up a cobbled road I'm at a new location for me further more I haven't got the foggiest idea where I'm supposed to be heading, so with the gear loaded up I decide to head off in the direction of the wood in the distance. It's all very quite until I see another chap out with a scope....ah a birder !...he sets me straight to where I should be heading and bingo....birds mainly finches everywhere.

Although I'm not out birding logging species winter birds seem to be the order noting, numerous male and female Lesser Redpolls, what appears to be a whiter Mealy Redpoll, up to 4 Brambling, 4 other types of finch, a solitary Reed Bunting amongst many others that keep me occupied for the short period I'm on site. Now with the deteriorating light requiring me to shooting at iso 4,000 and light drizzle setting in decide I call it a day.

I may very well try again tomorrow.

Click image to view....

Common or Mealy Redpoll

A stand out bird and easily picked out amongst the darker browner Lesser Redpoll's

Lesser Redpoll

Estimating up to ten birds present not always easy to count when you are concentrating trying to get that one mega image.

Brambling - male

Both male and female birds present but due to disturbance from several walkers, a dog, rain and eventually low light I never managed an image of the female.