Yuletide Redwings
This Winter has seen very few Redwings and Fieldfares despite a good crop of Holly and Hawthorn berries. All that changed last week when Redwings found a berry laden Holly in a friend’s garden. The weather was awful but I managed one session of filming before all the berries had been devoured – it could […]
Snowy Badger
When the winter snows arrive it is usually time for Badgers to remain underground.It was surprising, therefore, to find that the Badger visiting our garden was still coming when we had our first snowfall a week or so ago. Even the severe frost did not stop his nightly visits, long may it continue! www.facebook.com/gordonyateswildlife
A Hyde and seek
At long last the first decent flocks of Waxwings have now arrived in Manchester with more than a hundred present in Hyde as I write this blog.They prefer the red Rowan berries to the yellow ones so now is the time to check any local trees and you may be in for a treat. This […]
Its time for Jack Snipe and Waxwings
This last weeks severe frost and sunshine have been perfect winter conditions to go looking for Jack Snipe and Waxwings.The first are down in number this winter but the Waxwings are only just arriving. I watched two separate flocks yesterday so this weeks blog is devoted to them and so is next weeks as they […]
The Beared Reedling
There is no doubt that the Bearded Tit (or Reedling) is one of the most illusive and spectacular Pennine birds. In recent weeks I have searched the reed-beds of several wildlife reserves but to date I have had only minor success. Along with the Bittern, its close neighbour, they are still at the top of […]
The Deadly Assassin
This male Sparrowhawk is not only an immaculate specimen he is a lethal hunter.The autumn birds feeding in the garden have been severely reduced by his lethal hunting. Robin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit and perhaps even Bullfinch have all been taken on an almost daily basis.Is it now time to take action?
Migrating Stonechat
At this time of year Stonechats move off the high moorlands of the Pennines, where they bred in summer, and relocate at lower altitudes. Just recently I have seen plenty on lower-level wildlife reserves, parkland, and regularly on my local Golf course. It will take severe winter weather to finally push them onto the coast. […]
Acorn Bonanza
There is one bird that absolutely delights in eating acorns and that is the Jay. Normally it is difficult to film them eating acorns as it usually happens deep in a Pennine wood. However, last week I had a lucky break when I came across two Oak trees on an Industrial estate that had just […]
Eastern Promise
When the wind blew from the east on the 17th October I was not surprised to see my first Redwings of Winter. What did surprise me the following day was to find a female Brambling feeding in the garden, with a handful of Chaffinches. I have never before had a Brambling in the garden during […]
Back In Business
After three months off it is time to charge the camera batteries and find my fishing stool! The new hip is in place and I now able to put my sock on and fasten my shoe-laces!! The big event of the last three months has been the appearance in the garden of a Badger. It […]