Goosander Male and Female

 Not very often you are able to see these birds at Ferrymoor Flash. The scientific name is Mergus merganser. These diving ducks are a member of the Sawbill family because of their serrated bills which they use for catching fish. They love to feed on Trout and Salmon but it is very unlikely they will find any here.

Canada Goose

 Many of these birds can be found at Ferrymoor Flash, At times many hundreds of them. Their scientific name is Branta canadensisi. They cannot be mistaken for other breeds of Geese as they have a Black head and neck and a white throat patch. They originate from North America and have spread to cover most of the UK. When there are large flocks of them they can be very noisy.

Robin on Suet Feeder

 While I was visiting the Feeding Station at Ferrymoor Flash this Robin appeared and perched on the Suet Feeder. He stayed for quite some time and was singing away for most of his visit. The feeding station is not really visible but is set in a small tree lined alcove. Many small birds visit here throughout the day. Saying that I have seen a Mallard Duck perched on the top of the seed feeder before now. 

The Mad Dash

 When there is food to be had by a  passing visitor there is always a mad dash across the lake. This male Mute Swan came out of nowhere and made a quick burst across the water. When I turned round and looked up the path I saw Harold was there providing the birds with lots of goodies. Fortunately a day does not go past without someone visiting Ferrymoor Flash and leaving the birds some food.

Grey Heron

 This bird is on a mission. He has obviously seen a fish that he fancies and is determined to have it for lunch. There are normally a couple of these birds to be found at Ferrymoor Flash. With their long legs, long beak and that magnificent grey and white feathering you cannot mistake them. When they are fishing they normally stand upright with their eyes on the water ready to pounce on a nice tasty fish.

Edge of the Lake

 The edge of the lake at Ferrymoor Flash in Winter. This is the section close to the industry area. It is actually a small island. Many of the birds can be found on here some even tend to nest on here. It has many trees and bushes where they can hide and get away from predators. Some of the vehicles belonging to the industry can be seen in the background.

Willow Buds

 

Just starting to burst out these willow buds look so fluffy. It is that time of the year when many trees and shrubs always surprise us with lots of new and fresh growth. The willow then goes on to produce those   wonderful yellow catkins Known as Pussy Willow. Yesterdays picture was of a Coots Feet closeup. Did you get it right? Many did so well done. I will put another quiz item on later perhaps next month.          

Who's Feet are these?

 These feet are very spectacular, and look at those long claws. Manty of these birds can be found at Ferrymoor Flash. They are very monochromatic to look at. It is not possible to determine the male from the female by just looking at them. Mainly because they both look alike. Their nest always seem to look a very untidy mess. The sound they make is a sharp metallic click. What Bird is this?

Spring is on the Way

 This Horse Chestnut Bud is starting to burst at Ferrymoor Flash. The tree is actually the other side of the railings but starting to protrude on to the reserve. Also known as a Conker Tree this has spiky  golf ball sized fruits which dry out and open up to supply Conkers. I well remember back to schooldays playing conkers. I don't suppose this is allowed today what with health and safety rules.

Mute Swan Male

 This magnificent bird closeup shows the main difference between the male and female of the species. I captured this photo at Ferrymoor a couple of days ago. This very large white waterbird has an S shaped neck with an orange beak, the male has a large bump at the top of the beak where as the female this is not so prominent. As these birds are now a protected species the population in the UK has greatly increased.

Snowdrops

 I spotted these yesterday on my walk around Ferrymoor. In the dull of a February morning they stood out among some dead undergrowth. How bright the flowers were just one large clump growing there. Probably not really known as a wildflower but many can be found growing wild. Perhaps they were planted there in the past by some kind person or even a single bulb was dropped by a bird and they have gradually increased in size.

Robin on path

 This bird was standing on the path at Ferrymoor. Singing his heart away and really adding some brightness to what was a dull morning and had been most of the week. No wonder it has always been voted as Britain's most favourite bird. No wonder it is the subject of many greetings cards especially at Christmas time. They can become very tame at times and I have even seen them feeding out of peoples hands.

Reflections in the Lake

 The lake at Ferrymoor has much to offer at this time of the year. The sunlight on the distant trees causes a nice reflection in the water. I am finding the same place can vary in light and the birds that are about changes on each visit. Soon the trees and bushes will be starting to come in to bud. In fact a few are already including the willows and alders. 

Blackbird on Tree log

 This male Blackbird was perched on a  log cut down recently from a tree at Ferrymoor. The feathers of the male bird are always very shiny. This one seemed to be rather tame and got quite close to me. He was chattering away for a while and then flew off in to the bushes close by. Possibly there was a mate he had or was searching for.

Bramble Leaf

 I turned this Bramble leaf over and was surprised at the design on the back. It is quite amazing when we look at nature closeup and in another way. I tend to do this quite a lot on my visits to Ferrymoor. I cannot wait for Spring to arrive and put my Macro lens to good use. I really love the world of closeup even better the extreme world of closeup. Yes put an extension tube between the lens and the camera and Wow.

Blackbird in a Puddle

 A female Blackbird standing in a puddle of water beside a path at Ferrymoor. There was no sun out but I managed to capture this reflection. There are many Blackbirds about there both male and female. I suppose it wont be long now before they start building their nests. I love to here them singing sometimes they tend to make a strange ticking or even clucking noise.

The Slope

 This little bridge crosses over a stream leading up to the picnic area at Ferrymoor. It also leads to another entrance to the reserve from Park Spring bypass. It is quite steep and does at times get very muddy. The area at the top of the slope is normally left wild where many flowers can be seen growing in Spring and Summer. I have seen many different kinds of birds here feeding on seeds and insects that are perched on the wildflowers.

Winter Aconite

 I found a small clump of this growing in the bushes at Ferrymoor the other day. It is one of the first wildflowers to appear early in the year. I love the bright yellow buds and when they open they are like stars. Hopefully we will see a lot more wildflowers growing down there as we gradually get closer to Spring. 

Heavy Frost

 Getting out early on my last visit to Ferrymoor was well worth it. There had been a heavy frost overnight. As the sun had just come up everything was beginning to sparkle. The grass that was still green and the dead foliage were covered in white powdery ice. It was very atmospheric and helped me obtain some spectacular images. 

Raindrop on Leaf

 A  leaf with a droplet of water hanging on after a fall of rain. It is quite amazing what you can see that really takes your eye on a walk round Ferrymoor. I do love using my macro lens especially when there is not much about of a general matter. It make you look for a special subject to capture even more. After seeing this I spotted many more images to capture my imagination.

Mute Swans and Cygnet

 This pair of Mute Swans and their Cygnet took off from Ferrymoor , had a short fly around and then landed back on the lake. The Cygnet was all that survived from last years brood.  Hopefully if they are left alone we will see some new chicks in the spring. The wing flaps make a very strange loud noise when they are airborne. Because they were flying with the sun behind them the light has been captured through the wings.

Frost on Mosses

 These Mosses growing on top of the wooden railings at Ferrymoor were covered  in Frost on my visit yesterday. Moss also known as Lichens is a hybrid colony of Algae. They tend to grow in many different shapes and forms. In many environmental conditions they can grow on almost any surface. They seem to grow in this particular part of the reserve. May be it is because it is close to the water.

Goldfinch

 This brightly coloured bird was sitting in a Hazel Tree on a recent visit to Ferrymoor. Its red face and yellow wing patch make it stand out among the other finches. The sound is like a twittering and when they are in groups you cannot mistake them even if they are out of sight. They can often be seen at bird tables and their favourite food is teasel.

Bracken in Winter

 Bracken also known as wild ferns. Some of this still about at Ferrymoor. Looking at it close up the patten is quite spectacular. I do love to get out with the macro lens on my camera. It is amazing what life looks like closeup. Not only plants and flowers, but insects also seen by the naked eye look so very different when magnified.

Blue tit on Feeder

 This Blue Tit was enjoying a feast from the suet block on the feeder. This area at Ferrymoor is a haven for many of the small birds. Although a few of the waders get here to see what is available and pick up from the floor what others have dropped. Since the feeding station was erected it has attracted many birds of all kinds including also a few mammals.

Black Headed Gulls

 These Black Headed Gulls were standing on the ice at Ferrymoor. This picture was taken a few days ago. All of the birds are  in their winter plumage. There is always quite a lot of these birds about most times of the year. Although a sea bird they can be found inland almost places where there is a stretch of water for them to land.

Hawthorn Berries

Just a few of these left hanging on the trees at Ferrymoor. I spotted this one with a droplet of water from an overnight frost that had started to thaw. These berries are an asset to many birds in the winter months including Redwings, Blackbirds and starlings. The flowers of this tree always appear after the Blackthorn that in turn produces Sloe Fruits.

 

Robin on Bird Feeder

This little Robin was enjoying what food was left on the feeder at Ferrymoor. Like all of these birds he was very chirpy and hung around for quite some time. All different kinds of birds seem to make a regular visit including the odd Mallard Duck. Since the feeder was installed it has been kept filled with seed by many volunteers. Made of steel a it had to be vandals have left it alone thank goodness.

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