Doddington Lake Cheshire

Yesterday we decided to have a drive out to Doddington Lake in the hope of seeing a few waders.  Lots of GC grebes,  in fact 74 !! (largest number I have seen on this lake), 15 Cormorant and still plenty of Swallows gathering.  Lovely September day and the sun was shining affording us a good opportunity to photograph the butterflies in the Cheshire countryside. 

 Great Crested Grebe

 ..... and some more

 Cormorant

 Swallows

 Large Bracket Fungi

 Red Admiral

 Small Tortoiseshell

Speckled Wood

Rainham Marshes RSPB

Just a quick post about Tuesday 11th September - I had the chance to jump in with Malc and the Doc to try and see the Baillon's Crake in Essex.  Long story short,  six hour wait and had the bird for about 10 seconds.  Thanks to the big lad from Cambridge who was next to me and put my scope onto the Crake. Shame it didn't show as well as the Kestrel and Hobby did.

 Kestrel

 Hobby

Hobby

More from Lodmoor

As I was not able to go with Ashley on Wednesday to Lodmoor,  it was a great relief when my phone rang and it was Malc Curtin saying he was going and was I interested in car sharing.  Arrangements were made and we left Cheshire after doing the domestic duties required.   We arrived at Lodmoor just after lunch,  long drive but definitely worth it.  

I wasn't able to get any better photographs of the Short-billed Dowitcher than Ash did on Wednesday but had a great two hours birding there. The Grey Heron looked magnificent in the early Autumn sunlight as did the Gadwall and the Lapwings.   

A sunny September day spent birding with a mate and a UK lifer - what could be better than that ?  

 Mediterranean Gull (Ringed)

 Grey Heron

 Soggy Dunnock

 Lapwing

 Pewitt 

 Black-headed Gull

 Gadwall

 Gadwall

 Grey Heron

Short-billed Dowitcher

Short-billed Dowitcher Lodmoor RSPB Dorset

Just a quick post after a long day for the Short-billed Dowitcher which is present at Lodmoor RSPB Reserve Dorset.  All being well, a more detailed account of my day and some more photo's tomorrow when (fingers crossed), my Dad and a friend go to view the bird. 

 Short-billed Dowitcher

 Again

Short-billed Dowitcher