Delamere

Last weekend I had planned to visit Conway RSPB reserve to search for Britain's smallest breeding bird, the Firecrest; this beautiful little bird shares this status with the commoner Goldcrest. There have been up to three Firecrests recorded at Conway this winter, and I managed to photograph one bird during a brief visit last November, and a return visit was very much on my mind.
Unfortunately, near-gale force winds greeted me as I left the house, and the clouds threatened rain and sleet. Probably the worst conditions for viewing such a sprite, nevermind trying to photograph one. So I changed my plans and decided to head for Delamere Forest in Cheshire where I knew I had more than an outside chance of capturing reasonable photos of the birdlife.
I took a bag of sunflower seeds and headed for a car park deep in the forest that is frequented by common woodland birds. I was not disappointed; no sooner had I sprinkled the seed than at least 5 Robins and legions of tits were hopping around my car. And although the light was still poor, I still captured some acceptable images, including a dapper Nuthatch; my first of the year. A female Great Spotted Woodpecker was visible on a distant tree, but never came close enough for a photograph. Likewise a Redpoll put in  a very brief appearance near the car, but was far too quick for my camera.




Our only breeding Accentor, the subtly beautiful Dunnock




Only one Coal Tit was seen.



Firecrest at Conway RSPB, last November.

 

Firecrest

I had planned to visit Conway RSPB reserve this weekend in the hope of seeing the starling roost.
By pure coincidence there was a flock of Waxwings at nearby Llandudno, a bird which I will always go out of my way to see (photos in the next post). Unfortunately, due to family commitments I couldn't stay long with the Waxwings so I drove to Conway RSPB for a coffee. After a delicious bowl of parsnip and apple soup, I was enjoying my coffee when my son, Adam, pointed out a bird in the bushes right outside the cafe window; it was a Firecrest!
Camera in hand, I shot out of the cafe and managed to grab a few shots of this beautiful, but elusive, sprite as it made its way along a small hedge. The bird then flew to the car park and I did not see it again all afternoon, but what a great sighting.
The starlings started to arrive at about 4pm in flocks varying in size from a few individuals to hundreds, but none were in the mood to perform their aerial ballet and they all dived straight into the reedbed to roost. But, nevertheless it was a great afternoon's birding.

You might also like:

Norfolk in October

Stoatally Amazing