Pennington Flash

A trip to Pennington Flash to see what birds are about.
Very overcast (as it usually is when we come here). A Snipe was lurking in the woods. Blackcaps were in the trees by the first hide.

Great Crested Grebe

 Stopping for lunch at the central hide we saw a Cormorant on a little island. Apparently it had been there for weeks, some of the local birders thought it was dead. We had seen it moving, dragging itself around, and a close-up shows a damaged beak. But, later, it hauled itself into the water and swam off, presumably this is how it's managed to survive so long.

Injured Cormorant

At the final hide we had the usual flocks of Bullfinches and other small birds. Joined this time by some Stock Doves and Jays. We made the most of the close birds, although the almost complete lack of light didn't help.

Jay

Male Bullfinch

Stock Dove

Magpie

Stock Dove

Male Chaffinch

Female Bullfinch

Female Bullfinch

Male Reed Bunting

Female Mallard

Jay

The squirrels were scoffing up bird seed as well.

Fat Grey Squirrel

Male Bullfinch

Male Bullfinch

Female Bullfinch

A female Mallard popped in with a clutch of ducklings, making the most of the dropped seed.

Mallard Duckling

Formby & Crosby

We headed up to Formby to see how the Squirrels are doing these days. We expected a struggle to see any but we had one pointed out in a feeding station before we'd even passed through the gate. We saw many red (and almost black) squirrels, although mostly at a distance and in the gloom under the canopy. Most of the shots are from one area that had less canopy cover. A tripod will be useful next time, holding heavy lenses is tricky when you're pointing straight up.

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

Red Squirrel

 There were also some birds around, making the most of the nuts, including a pair of Jays although they were more wary than the squirrels.

Magpie

Woodpigeon

Magpie

Carrion Crow

Walkers on Formby beach

As there was some time left before having to go home we called in at Anthony Gormley's Other Place. There were lots of waders out by the shore but as we didn't have any wellies with us we had to make do with the statues.

Other Place

Other Place

Organic and Inorganic paddlers

Another Place

Another Place