26 February 2022 - Hollingworth Lake & Shaw Moss

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Curlew, pair Stonechat, Buzzard, Reed Buntings

A pleasant and sunny day, though quite cold and blustery. I walked clockwise around the lake and a Pied Wagtail popped up on a fence post briefly by Rakewood Road. There didn't seem to be much around otherwise, most small birds seemingly keeping a low profile, and nothing to report on the water.  I decided to head for Shaw Moss, and on arrival, a party of four (maybe five) Reed Buntings flew up from the path and perched up in a willow.  As I scanned around, I located the pair of Stonechat on the lake side of the path, but they were quite distant and no good for photos.   A few Teal and a Lapwing were all that were on the pools. 

Heading back up the lane towards Peanock Farm, I heard a Curlew calling and looked up to see it flying quickly past, and managed to snatch a few not very good shots.  Further up the lane I noticed three birds high over Clegg Hall fields, and these proved to be a Buzzard being harassed by two Carrion Crows.  I then came back down to the lake perimeter and just alongside the large houses before the Beach Hotel, a group of three or four Greenfinch were high up in one of the trees.

Pied Wagtail, 1/400 sec. f/5.6, ISO 100, 220 mm

Curlew, 1/1600 sec. f/5.6, ISO 100, 220 mm

Buzzard, 1/1600sec. f/5.6, ISO 100, 220 mm

Buzzard, 1/1600sec. f/5.6, ISO 100, 220 mm

Reed Buntings, 1/250sec. f/5.6, ISO 250, 220 mm

Greenfinch, 1/640sec. f/5.6, ISO 100, 220 mm