Garden Blackcap

Some lovely garden birds recently, the highlight being two male Blackcaps singing away.

Greenfield Ring Ouzel

Several passage Ring Ouzels near Pots and Pans today. Also had some decent garden birds with daily Pheasants male and female with one male roosting in the the Oak tree in the front garden last few nights. Also had Lesser Redpoll, Brambling and a male Blackcap

Grasshopper Warbler and Garden Brambling

Excellent birding day started with dawn trip to Red Rocks Hoylake where we had good views of a reeling Grasshopper Warbler and managed to get some video. Back at home I was treated to a new garden species this year in the form of a male Brambling. still getting daily male Blackcap, Goldcrest and Bullfinch.

Warbler Day

Beautiful sunny conditions today on the Dee Estuary and Greater Manchester for a great day viewing new spring arrivals. We managed six species of warbler including reeling Grasshopper Warbler at Red Rocks which proved the most elusive to see. Also seen were Whitethroat, Sedge Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Willow Warbler.
A hawk circled overhead which on first impression looked large and possibly a Goshawk. However on looking at photos it appears to be a male Sparrowhawk.

Three new species on a day!

Incredible day on the East coast yesterday. Daurian  (Isabelline) Shrike  Flamborough and a flock of 40-50 Twite. Siberian Stonechat at Scalby Mills. Finally up to Hartlepool for the Western Bonelli's Warbler. Bonus of the day was a Pallid Swift that was spotted by birders viewing the warbler and gave good views as it circled overhead. Or so we thought! Now been identified as a juvenile Common Swift. Aaargh!! Several Blackcap and Goldcrest were also seen feeding with the warbler.