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!

Moss and Eyes - 19 May 2012

An early start on this fine Saturday morning and a walk around Risley Moss. We stopped at a secluded woodland table and with the dew still misting around us, we enjoyed a fine morning chorus. Further on we watched Blue Tits busily moving in and out of nest boxes and Blackbirds scurrying around in the undergrowth.

The feeder station was being topped up by the ranger as we arrived and was soon alive with birds. We stayed a while watching Tits, Robins, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Nuthatch and Bullfinch. A couple of Yellowhammers enjoyed the freebies being spilled to the ground by the raiding grey squirrels. A Jay soon joined the party as we awaited the arrival of a Great Spotted... PK (woodpecker magnet) was not disappointed!

We then made the short 7 mile drive to Woolston Eyes for lunch and a walk around the island. Sightings included a number of Moorhen and Coot with chicks, a Pheasant (cock), Little Grebe, a Pied Wagtail, a few Greylag and a Ruddy Duck.

Breakfast cereal at Risley Moss

A Nuthatch joins the breakfast table

Broom (Cytisus scoparius) a bi-coloured variety @ Woolston Eyes

Risley Moss - 5 May 2012 - The Woodpecker Magnet Strikes Again

Today we made our first visit to Risley Moss Country Park, Birchwood. Just 20 miles east on the M62, this small reserve sits on a boggy landscape from which, large  amounts of peat were taken during the industrial revolution. It is now recognised as an important wildlife area and has SSSI status.

After a walk around to familiarise ourselves with the surroundings, we headed to the tower look-out, an excellent place to spot passing raptors. A Common Buzzard soon obliged us before landing in a nearby tree. We found the feeder hide and watched grey squirrels 'breaking and entering' and defying gravity to reach some of the feeders. Blue, Great and Coal Tits fed as if oblivious to the chaos, and a more nervous Jay popped in and out when given the chance.

Next up, and the days highlight, were two very different coloured male Great Spotted Woodpeckers. First to show was a very buff coloured specimen. Probably an oldish bird, having been exposed to lots of tree resin or tannins. Another male showed shortly after, and this was a more natural coloured bird and probably younger. We did get a glimpse of both birds together and the contrasting coloration was amazing.

Crazy squirrels (very crazy) and two Great Spotted's - PK was a happy bunny!

Buff coloured male Great Spotted Woodpecker

Another male with more natural, whiter coloration