There have been reports on the internet recently of a female/juvenile Smew, and 3 very obliging Water Rail at Aldcliffe, just outside Lancaster, so I set off this morning at 7am on a quest to see them for myself.

I arrived at 8.30am. It was a cold and overcast morning with a chilly breeze, but by 11am the sun was shinning through and it turned into a glorious, warm day.

Walking through Freemans Woods there were many Great tits, Blue tits, Blackbirds, Robins, Wrens and...

Took a trip to one of Ruth's recent destinations in North Wales. Started of at the Scoter rich Pensarn for a couple of hours sea watch. Had some great views of both Common and Velvet Scoter but no sign of any of the recent Surf Scoter that have been about. Also present were good numbers of Red throated diver of which I counted at least 8 on the water.
Moved on in the afternoon along the coast to have a scout for the Snow Buntings and Ruth's nice Black Redstart at Kinmel bay. Got the Snow...

I spent a freezing cold 3hrs at Marton Mere this morning after I'd fininshed work. It was very quiet, I didn't see any other birders and only a couple of walkers.

The sun was shining and it was glorious morning - but no good for birding! By the time I'd walked the length of the mere to the east, my eyes were streaming and I had sun blindness - no point searching the tree tops here.

On the way back it was much better, with the sun behind me, it was actually quite warming...

Hi,All,
Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background.
I have been interested in photography for some years now and always wanted to take close ups of birds although I am not a bird watcher. I have recently got into studying birds and bought myself a Sigma 150-500 lens. Having never used such a long lens before ,I find that my photos are not very sharp, is this because there is insufficient light at this time...

Hi,All,
Having just joined birding uk I would like to introduce myself and tell you a little bit about my background.
I have been interested in photography for some years now and always wanted to take close ups of birds although I am not a bird watcher. I have recently got into studying birds and bought myself a Sigma 150-500 lens. Having never used such a long lens before ,I find that my photos are not very sharp, is this because there is insufficient light at this time...