Marbury Woodpeckers - 3 June 2013

My first visit to Marbury for a while and after a quick tour of all my regular spots, I set off to find the Great Spotted Woodpecker nest site that I had noted on my last visit.

Not knowing if the birds had used the site, I approached cautiously but with no real expectation. That soon changed when I saw an adult bird fly over me and then, as I got closer, I began to hear the constant calls of insatiable chicks.

When I finally got hole-side, the view was amazing but I knew that I had to keep in cover so as not to spook the adults. But I soon realised that I was so conspicuous standing behind trees and the adults would see me as they came back in. So the answer was to sit down at a good distance, hood up, camera on tripod and watch the spectacle from a still and comfy position.

Soon after I settled down, the male came in with food, fed a chick and was quickly off again, leaving the chick squealing for more before withdrawing back into the nest, to be replaced by another at the opening.  A few minutes later the female arrived with food, fed and departed. Soon the male was back feeding, then the male again, and again! I quickly noticed the pattern of the male feeding five or six times between each visit by the female. Maybe the female was busy feeding herself back up after the exertions of egg laying, or maybe the male had found a rich supply of food.

I wondered how many chicks there were and also, with room for only one a time at the dining table, were they all being fed? I studied them closely through the scope and noticed a few differences in cap markings or colouring, very subtle but enough to know that there was some rotation going on. I got to know 4 or 5 of them but as for the exact number I'm not sure.

As the heat increased in the afternoon, the chicks began to show signs of panting and soon withdrew to the shade of the interior. The relieved male stayed on guard nearby and the female, well I hadn't seen her for over an hour.

I returned a couple of times with PK, hoping to see the chicks fledge but I missed them going. I was just happy to know that they had.

The male brings in another tasty tree grub...

... and finally takes a breather on guard duty.

Hide & Seek at Risley Moss - 9 April 13

We had some brilliant entertainment this morning at Risley Moss in Cheshire. Having started at the look-out tower for a bit of a raptor watch, the cold, miserable weather soon had us heading for the sanctuary of the woodland hide.

First of note were a couple of Yellowhammer. I had forgotten what a good spot this was for this fairly shy bunting and you can get a really good look at them here. Watching them ground-feeding alongside a few Reed Bunting, Chaffinch and Dunnock, it was noticeable how the two Yellowhammer clearly preferred their own space and they were always the first to flush.

Before long, PK's Great Spotted Woodpecker radar went into overdrive as she clocked a pair of them darting about in the wood, the female being chased by the male.

A short time later, the male appeared at the feeder station and the female soon followed. We watched the pair feed separately on the suet filled holes, as we have done here many times before. But we noticed how they constantly kept an eye on each other!

It was a surprise to see the male fly off first and the female then chase after him. But normality was restored when the female sped through with the male in hot

pursuit. They disappeared for a while but when they returned, the courtship display that we witnessed was fantastic.

We first saw the female as she settled mid-way up a nearby tree and her constant glances upwards led us to the male. Perched higher on the adjacent tree, he was rather fidgety and side-stepped up and down the branch whilst always looking down at the female.

It was the female that provided most of the

entertainment, as she went through a 'playing hard to get' routine.  She would first look up at the male, no doubt making sure that he was watching, then would manoeuvre herself into a hiding position, before showing herself and then hiding again!

Occasionally, the male would fly off, circle the female and then return to a different perch. Whereby, the female would simply reposition herself and reconvene her performance.

We enjoyed this spectacle for 20 minutes or more before the woodpeckers moved on. What a privilege it was to witness a very amusing display.

Back to the feeding birds and we added Blue, Coal, Long-tailed and Great Tits. Plus Nuthatch, Blackbird, Jay, Woodpigeon and a passing Raven.

Male Yellowhammer feeding in front of woodland hide

Male Bullfinch - I think he knows he's a looker!

Smew (Redhead) - 10 December 2012

I went over to Moore today for a look at the Smew (redhead) that had been around for a few days. I found it quite quickly, patrolling the margins of the large central island on Birchwood Pool. A feisty little duck, I watched it square up to a male Wigeon on more than one a occasion, and keeping track of it was sometimes difficult. There one minute and gone the next, as if it had an invisibility cloak!

Also today - Coot, Teal, Wigeon, Tufteds, Pochard, Mallard, Shoveler, Little Grebe, Gadwall, Moorhen, Jay and Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A distant Smew at Moore

Great Spotted Woodpecker taking a high energy snack

Marbury - 14 April 2012

First stop today was at the woodland feeder station, where all usual suspects were enjoying the freebies. Great Tit, Coal Tits, Blue Tits plus the occasional Long-tailed Tit and Nuthatch. Spend some time here and you are normally rewarded, so I was not surprised to see a Great Spotted Woodpecker turn up. I was however, surprised to see a Common Buzzard drop into a tree behind the feeders (good spot PK).

A quick circuit of Neumann's Flash and then up to Hadyn's Pool where a Black Swan had taken residence; two breed here every spring and although I have seen cygnets, they don't last long and are probably lost to foxes. A Mute Swan appeared remarkably at ease with this intruder, for the time being at least!

Hadyn's pool also held a number of Canada Geese, a few Redshank, Coot and Tufted Duck. And with a big sky in front, it wasn't long before a Buzzard was seen soaring in the distance.

Great Spotted Woodpecker at the woodland feeder station

Black Swan on Hadyn's Pool

Ebony and Ivory - but not much chance of perfect harmony!

Pennington Flash - 10 April 2012

A second visit to Pennington Flash for a proper look and a circuit of the smaller ponds in the north-east corner. To be honest it was fairly quiet with only a pair of Gadwall, a few Lapwing and of course a number of Canada Geese. Penghy's Pond was a bit livelier with a good number of Tufted Duck.

Inevitably, we were drawn to the feeder station at the Bunting Hide where a Great Spotted Woodpecker soon made an appearance and hung around for some time.

Again there were lots of male and female Bullfinch, a similar number of Chaffinch, a Robin or two and a few Great Tits. Lots of Magpies were scattered about as usual and a Hen Pheasant had appeared from somewhere.

I don't like taking feeder photos but will make an exception for a Great Spotted

One of many Bullfinch at the feeder station

Breaking and entering skills are not required for Pennington's squirrels