Knypersley.

Only had a couple of very quick visits to KNYPERSLEY and after missing a beautiful day Saturday doing a house move really felt we needed to get out and about today, just before Sunday lunch, too late and not enough time to track a lot down so used the trip to get our barings, got a shot of the Fishing Lake at the bottom of the Waterfall, a shot of the Reservoir itself and found a Butterfly to add to my small collection.
Has left us with the promise of much more to come there, and in those famous words, "I'LL BE BACK!!!!!!



Orange-tip (female).

Coombes Valley & Rudyard Lake.

It truely was the hotest day of the year!! (So far) went to the RSPB Coombes Valley in hot persuit of the Pied Flycatcher, took a good walk down to the pond and cottages were it had been seen but not a sign, the only thing worth taking a shot at was the picturesque stream quietly going about it's daily business, I have to say we found more bird action on the Bird Table in the picnic area next to the car park, were we had lunch before moving on (first frustrating trip out and I'm sure there are many of you saying "welcome to Wild Life Photography!")
Went on to another area were the Pied Flycatcher had been seen but again no luck. When we arrived back, one had been reported as being seen at Westport Lake which is only a couple of miles from me. (Go Figure!!)

Coombes Valley RSPB.


Ended a lovely although frustrating day, at Rudyard Lake Nature Reserve, were we finally found what had been discribed as the Chalet area (Poetic Licence at it's best!) to find the Redstart, spotted him well, but very high up singing his heart out for a mate, (the female sex has a lot to answer for, in my opinion!!)On the way back to the car however, there is a makeshift feeding post on the bridge, which is well frequented and managed to get the following shots to add to my portfolio. So not such a bad day after all.......




Willow Tit.

Nuthatch.

Bullfinch (female).

Bullfinch (male).

North Staffs Revisited

Re visit to the Staffordshire Village deep in the valley and lucky enough to get a crack at the Dipper and Wagtails which were constantly up and down the stream but patience paid off in the end.

Weeping Willow.

Grey Wagtail (fem).

Grey Wagtail (male).

Grey Wagtail (male).

Dipper.

Dipper.

Dipper.


First visit to Rudyard Lake but went into the wrong car park so after a scenic shot went to the other end and found the Nature Reserve and got some real show offs below.
Rudyard Lake.


Coal Tit.

Robin.

Chaffinch.

North Staffs

Saturday 10th April best weather of the year so far by a mile, visited a lovely village deep in the Valley of Staffordshire, found a lovely fast flowing stream, while my partner was in hot persuit of his chosen prey of the day, I decided to record my visit with a couple of Scenery shots. After a couple of pleasant hours we moved onto the North Staffordshire Moors to look for Red Grouse and with quite a few of them playing Cat and Mouse with us (now you see me now you don't) got pleasantly diverted by a passing Golden Plover, who was far more obliging. We were just in the car ready to leave without any really decent shots, when my partner asked me to keep the camera on my lap until we were out of the area, just in case and it payed off, a Red Grouse suddenly appeared right at the side of us, as if as a reward for all the time we had spent there and our patience, could not believe that in such beautiful sunshine we actually found patches of snow still refusing to leave. A great day to be remembered.

Oakamoor

Oakamoor.

Golden Plover.

North Staffs Moors.

Red Grouse.

Red Grouse.