I've had a bit of a six month hiatus on the birding side of things and stopped all major activity last November, with only a couple of local trips to be had since then, in February. Perhaps the change in the weather and the onset of spring has given me the impetus to get out again.

After work this morning, it was way too nice to go home to bed, we've not had a hot, sunny day like this in a while so I decided to take full advantage of it. After a quick change and grabbing my dusty gear,...

I was defeated in my intentions, yet again, to go to Fleetwood Nature Park on account of the council changing all of the bus routes and leaving me at the stop, scratching my head!!

I returned home and decided to pay a visit to Stanley Park instead. I'll go on-line later and sort out the buses for Fleetwood!

Anyway, it was a bright and relatively mild afternoon, we've not had too many of them for a while, and the park was buzzing with visitors all enjoying the better weather....

I had every intention of going to Fleetwood Marsh Nature Park today to try and see a Ring necked duck that's been hanging around for a few days.

I was up bright and early and found that I just couldn't be bothered making the tedious hour+ trip on a stuffy bus in the murky light and drizzle.

Home alone, I eyed a pile of laundry and tried to avoid my other-half's strategic placing of the Mr Sheen (It was like one of those paintings of Jesus or Hitler, that follows you...

I was last at Marton Mere, my local patch, in July. I have been put off by the unruly, rampaging kids from the holiday park.

Now that they have all gone, I felt it was about time to pay a visit.

I began with the feeder station hide and was rewarded with four Tree Sparrows. Always a nice bird to see and it was the first time I had ever seen them here. There was also the usual tits, Dunnocks, Chaffinches and some Reed Buntings with a single wild Rabbit.

The...

I had arrange to meet Maggie in Glasgow yesterday for what would be my first trip to Scotland.

I left Blackpool in the dark and the rain at 05:45 and arrived at Glasgow Central Train Station at 09:15 and looked for Maggie, who had arranged to meet me under the big square clock.

No need for a Daily record under your left arm and a red carnation in your lapel - she was easily spotted in her camouflage gear

I had read about Cardross and Ardmore Point on...