A visit to Marton

I always like going to Marton and having a natter with Dave.
Today I was limited to the top 2 hides nearest the car park, due to using a crutch to over come my old war wound { fell of my motorbike 6 years ago and on Wednesday, for some reason, my ankle had blown up like a balloon }some war wound !!!
So I hobbled and Trace carried all the kit, good girl. For a change the weather played ball and we got some 1/2 decent light. 

Out again

Sorry for the length of time between post's but I have just spent 2 week's struck down with some virus and this is the first time out.
Didn't miss much by the feel of the weather, every body I have spoken to says how slow it has been and by the lack of new arrivals I could find they seem to be right.
Did see 2 Teal on Knypersley and a Shoveler on Westport but got no photo's, did get a few and some of them are here, the rest you will find on Picasa

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Quick trip to Westport

Not in work today, I had to go to a Funeral at 1.30, so a wander around Westport was on the cards first.

Muscovy was on its usual perch, Gooseander avoiding me as usual, Pochards floating with heads tucked away.
Coots nest building, Grebes nest building, spent a good 30 mins watching a Coot trying to pinch the Grebes nesting site and they were having none of it.

A Day at Marton

Went to Marton for a day in the hides, weather started off terrible, after the fine start to Saturday the overcast grey morning didn't promise much.
After a lot of praying to the weather man he turned on the sun and we got a good few hours of nice weather, it even got a bit warmer.
Heard and in flight saw Buzzards but none came to have their pictures taken.

Strange sort of day

I think, because it was the first really nice day of the year, every one and his dog was out and about today.
All of the car parks were full and most of the wildlife had done a runner, to escape the mad rush.
Found these wagtails  frolicking in the sun by the river on the car park at the top of wildboarclough, the runners were on the way down from the Cat and Fiddle.
Rudyard produced the usual Tit's and Finches and that was about all before I had to get away from the crowds.
Sorry to say that I am not a lot of good with crowds of people and get very fed up with speaking to folk who can't be bothered to answer back,  I say that I get worse with age, others say I have always been a miserable sod, not that it matters much because I still prefer it when it is nice and quiet.

After the thaw

Last night most of the snow melted or was washed away, a trip to to the moorlands last Sunday didn't bring a lot of success, so a trip today was called for.
After a 1/2 hour wander and a bit of waiting look what arrived.

I get the feeling that Mr Seal may know where this bird is, due to the fact that he may have some pictures of the same bird.  Only guessing !!!
You should really follow this link to see the photo's Tracey got of the same bird.

Yesterday I took a trip down to Westport lake and had not a bad hour or so.

Last day before work..1st day of 2013

Work in the morning!
After the last few days weather, had to get out today, as it turns out the weather was good, so 8.30 at Tunstall Prk no Goosanders  but the Little Grebes are out for a play.
Gave it an hour or so then wandered down to Westport.
Scaup still on the water but nowhere I could get a decent picture, 2 Goldeneye and 6 Pochard in with the Tufted Ducks, took a few images then left and called in at Tunstall on the way back home, still no Goosander.

Yes the last image is in fact 3 images, the wonders of Photoshop !!!!