10 April 2022 - Hollingworth Lake, Clegg Hall

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2 Oystercatchers, 2 Curlew, Willow Warbler, f. Blackcap, 2 Redpoll, Little Grebe, Tawny Owl, Roe Deer

Another cold and clear day with early frost. 0°C to begin with. A pair of Oystercatchers were on the jetty by the rowing club first thing, but as I walked along they flew overhead towards Ealees. A small group of Long-tailed Tits flitted in the roadside bushes on Rakewood Road. It was early and in the shade, so I wasn't too expectant of good results, but a couple of photos turned out OK, proving the eye detection works quite well, even in low light. No sign of Water Rail, but a pair of Redpoll were in the willows, along with a Wren; and a Grey Heron perched on the brow of the hill.

A Dunnock sat up for me on the wall behind the hide, and then I went down via Shaw Moss to Clegg Hall. Shaw Moss was very quiet, but as I reached Wildhouse Lane, two Curlew flew over towards Milnrow. Along Branch Road, a couple of Roe Deer were in the field to the right, just beyond the houses, and one walked down and across the lane in front of me.

At Clegg Hall, a couple of Goldfinch sat on the wires briefly, and near the pools, a Willow Warbler sang a couple of times, showed briefly, then moved away. Three Roe Deer were in the field to the left, but slightly further away than the earlier one. I walked down to the Tawny Owl which was in residence, and on the way back the Willow Warbler sang again but I couldn't see it. However, a female Blackcap popped up briefly. A Little Grebe was on the pool.

Oystercatcher, 1/500 sec. f/7.1 500 mm, ISO 500 (view full size image)