Leighton Moss

We saw some lovely stuff at Leighton today but it still felt like a 'quiet day' if that makes sense.  The feeding stations were certainly quieter than usual and this probably has something to do with the fact that some bright spark has erected a huge set of wooden wind chime type things that kids are encouraged to bash with sticks.  Don't get me wrong it's nice to see the kids enjoying themselves but I would have thought they would have put it somewhere else. ANYWAY!  These are the species of interest we saw today:

Gadwall
Pochard
Shoveler
Teal (1)
Lapwing
Grey Heron - being mobbed by plenty of Black-headed Gulls
Marsh Harrier
Reed Warbler (heard - we think)
Cetti's Warbler (heard)
Treecreeper
Sedge Warbler
Carrion Crow - managed to steal a Black-headed Gull egg and carry it away whole in it's beak
Marsh Tit
Coal Tit
Nuthatch
Bullfinch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Greenfinch
Willow Warbler (heard)
Chiffchaff
Wren
Long-tailed Tit
Avocet
Black-tailed Godwit
Little Egret

Cheshire and on to North Wales!

So today our North Wales trip began.  We stopped off at Burton Mere to bag the Garganey.  Good but distant views from the hide - as you can see the camera struggled.  The Spotted Redshank that have been reported were not to be seen.

There is a small area of woodland behind the visitors centre where we saw Great Spotted Woodpecker, Blackcap and Chiffchaff.

I may have seen a Willow Warbler but I'm not sure.  The bird wasn't vocal so obviously I only have this photo to go from.  From what I can make out the bill has an orange base, the supercilium is long and the eyestripe bold which is all good for Willow Warbler.  I know primary projection is a good diagnostic tool but I couldn't distinguish primaries and tertials from the angle of these photos.  If anyone could help it would be really appreciated.

It may also be worth noting that I noticed a strange looking bird from the visitors centre.  The volunteer said it was an escapee 'Winged Teal'.  I've tried Googling it but it doesn't throw up any similar pictures.  Isn't it pretty though eh!

Whilst heading back to the carpark a Buzzard flew overhead - very low down indeed!

We moved on to Parkgate and The Point of Ayr but tide wasn't on our side and there was nothing much to see apart from Crows and Gulls.  On to Anglesey tomorrow!