Pex Hill

The weather had been a bit unpredictable so we didn't plan a big day out. It stayed dry for a while so we had a local walk instead, up to Pex Hill and round past J7 on the M62.

Pex Hill route

Quite a few Yellowhammers around. Also a very loud Song Thrush, an obliging Kestrel and fields swarming with Swifts.

Swooping swifts

Song Thrush singing

Kestrel

M62 from a new perspective

Carsaig and Grasspoint

Over to Pennyghael where we were told there were hares but we found very little (that we could get close to, anyway). We drove over to Carsaig Bay, past the phone box by the waterfall as used in the film I Know Where I'm Going. The sun was out for once, and as usual it was intensely bright and in the wrong direction. After sweltering in the sun shine for a while by the old ferry pier and watching the seals watching us, we headed back, taking in Grasspoint. On the way, while trying to get a Kestrel we were interviewed and photographed by a highly inquisitive french woman.

It was very quiet, still with the bright sunshine. A cuckoo was seen in some of the open grassland, singing in a tree. On the way back we got stuck behind some cows on the road, spent a few minutes trying to photograph a flying bat (why do we do this to ourselves?) and saw a quartering Short-eared Owl.

Seal nose at Carsaig Bay

Hooded Crow

Kestrel

Red Deer

Red Deer

Robin

Short-eared Owl

Sun with halo

Summoning Batman!

Dunham Massey

The weather finally wakes up and realises it's summer so we got out to stretch our legs around Dunham Massey. This time walking through the countryside around (and through) the estate. The deer were making the most of the sun and lots of insects down by the canal. The 100-400 proved quite useful for some birds along the way.

Fallow Deer

Fallow Deer

Poppy in wheat field

Kestrel hovering

Kestrel Hovering

Yellowhammer in muddy puddle

Fallow Deer

We've also been taking advantage of any brief periods of good weather to capture some more birds in the garden.

Blackbird fledgling

House Sparrow fledgling

House Sparrow male

Robin fledgling

Robin fledgling

Dunnock

Human female

Human Male (summer plumage)