Nuthatches on Helsington Barrows

Spent a couple of hours up on Helsington Barrows yesterday. It was nice to get out in the sun for a while, although the birding was quiet - as you might perhaps expect at this time of year.

Saw Great Spotted Woodpecker, a couple of Goldcrest, Coal Tit, Raven, Wren, Robin, but only got any shots of Nuthatch, a small group of which came out to play for a bit.



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Marsh Harrier

Just a few photos of Marsh Harriers at Leighton Moss yesterday.

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Helsington Barrows for a Redstart

Back up to Helsington Barrows yesterday morning, armed with the location a Redstart had been the previous day. Got up to the top and could hear it for sure, but it wasn't for showing itself. After a while some dog walkers came by and the bird went quiet.
Had a walk out onto Scout Scar, and got some photos of a Meadow Pipit, also had a probable Tree Pipit a little further away - it was getting a bit to hazy to be 100% sure though.
Walked back in to the reserve and after a little time watching the tree tops picked the Restart out, and got a rather dodgy photo, again affected by the heat haze.
Grabbed a shot of a rather confiding Crow on the way back down.
Was tempted to go looking for a Green Woodpecker that was calling, but the heat haze was getting too bad & I was already ate for a jubilee party...

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Willow Warblers

Another visit to Helsington Barrows yesterday afternoon, which was quite frustrating until a very co-operative pair of Willow Warblers saved the day.

Down by the bottom entrance the Nuthatches had fledged and were visible, but would not sit and pose. I did manage to grab a couple of shots of a Song Thrush though. Working across the bottom of the reserve Great Spotted Woodpecker & Jay were also both seen but not photographable. Then a Kestrel did a very good impression of a Cuckoo flying away from me.
Spent a long time stood next to a Yew tree that clearly had Goldcrest in it, but it just wouldn't come out for me either. Plenty of newly fledged Tits in evidence. A couple of Spotted Flycatcher were seen at the top, but again no photo to be had. Then I found a pair of Willow Warbler that were practically oblivious to my presence, and finally got some photos before being further frustrated by Green Woodpecker calling all around me on the way back down.

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Helsington Barrows

Spent a couple of hours exploring Helsington Barrows yesterday evening.
Nuthatch feeding young - when I realised I was near the nest site I grabbed a couple of shots of the parent & young and then left them to it, although given the location of the nest I don't think they are too bothered about disturbance.
Cuckoo, Green Woodpecker & Great-spotted Woodpecker calling, but none of these were seen.
Marsh Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Wren, Chiff Chaff, Willow Warbler, Goldcrest, Mistle Thrush & Song Thrush all present.
No luck with Redstart as yet though.

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Helsington Weir

Made a couple of visits with camera to Helsington Weir over the last couple of days, pretty much a selection of Hirundines, Swifts, Pied Wagtail and the occasional Grey Wagtail with one Dipper through.

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An hour by the Canal

I spent a pleasant hour with the camera by the canal at Crooklands this evening. The usual mix of Swallows & the odd House Martin although numbers fairly low yet, Mute Swan, Mallard, Jackdaw, Chaffinch & House Sparrow all around and about.

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