Cotebrook, Tarporley, Cheshire

Visited today the Shire Horse Centre, Cotebrook,set in 50 acres of the beautiful Cheshire countryside, home of the Internationally renowned Cotebrook Shire Horse Stud and Clydesdales, which have been bred there for 40 years, along with other family favourites, although still in their winter coates they are still stunning regal animals.

In The Home Woods Bosley

This morning sat in my dressing gown having Breakfast with the window open over looking the feeding stations we have set up and had 18 plus Redpoll's, three Siskin, long-tailed tits and the Treecreeper, along with all the usual residents which at the moment are being overlooked (photography wise not feed wise I hasten to add) while we concentrate on the visitors that will not be with us for much longer. Lesser Redpoll Treecreeper Long-Tailed Tit Long-Tailed Tit

Just Stayed Local

Well yesterday saw me enjoying only my second day of Semi-Retirement, has'nt quite sunk in yet that I can start to take things a little easier, went on a drive round even though the Bird Feeders are so busy at the moment it's hard to drag yourself away. First stop was Redesmere for a record shot of the Red-Breasted Goose, then up onto the Staffs Moors to see what was around and had to take a shot of this Mountaineering Grouse as he surveyed his estate, then went to find a Little Owl seen in local paddocks a few weeks ago to see if it was still there and bingo this time there were two present all be it very distant. Red-Breasted Goose Red Grouse Little Owl Splash Landing

The Moors and Redesmere

Mute Swan Mute Swan Red Grouse Red Grouse

Bosley Cheshire

When this Treecreeper arrived at the feeding station I almost fell off the Settee, dashed for the camera and had to shoot through the window as did not want to frighten it off, hopefully liked what he found and hope it will be back. Treecreeper Treecreeper

Bosley Cheshire

A new visitor to the feeding station at home, started with just one Lesser Redpoll arriving and have now increased to 14, feeding really well and although they are close to the lounge window, they are quite happy for us to sit and watch them. Lesser Redpoll Lesser Redpoll Lesser Redpoll

Allotment In The Woods!!

As if I don't have enough to do, a neighbour and I have found an area in our Woods that has not been used for years and thought it would make a great Allotment and decided to start on clearing it this morning, to my astonishment after only a Couple of hours we have made great headway and found a lot of paved area's that were already there, we found some large railway sleepers just hanging around and got a very nice gentleman to move them for us, which will make a great raised bed in the centre of the pitch, the first two photo's below are before work started and the second two are after, when I have watched the Rugby on the T V I am off to the garden centre to get some early Potatoes, Garlic and Onions, so you know were I will be tomorrow!!! Before.

Before.

After.

After.

Astbury Mere Cheshire

What a difference a litte bit of Sunshine can make !!!! Slavonian Grebe

Slavonian Grebe

Slavonian Grebe