Up Close.

[Merlin]

Decided on a 'wander' around Leighton Moss the other day, most enjoyable.

At the time there was six Marsh Harriers present and I saw my first House Martin of the year. The last I heard, 15 Avocets had arrived here again, something unheard of just a few years ago.

Hides make life easy for the photographer as the image of the Black-headed Gull in fine summer plumage shows.

Pete.

[Chocky]

Very nice capture Pete.

[Merlin]

Thanks Beryl.

I've been trawling through the website again and viewed your (and everyone else's) latest contributions which I have admired with my usual interest and enjoyment......keep 'em coming.

Pete.

[rolf]

Nice shot Pete, nice birds, although a little noisy. There was one stood in front of the hide when Beryl and I went to Moor Green last and it wouldn't keep quiet.

[Chocky]

That's right and the shovelers slept for an hour (would you believe ) through the din.

[Merlin]

Absolutely right about the noisy B H Gull Rolf. They take over at Leighton Moss during the breeding season and if your nerves happen to be on end its pretty hard to cope and you would be well advised to stay away.

Thanks for the comments Rolf.

Pete.

[andy b]

i'll vouch for that ,merlin. always a noisy place to be in breeding season!! nice shot

[Babs]

Lovely image merlin, I didn't know they were really noisy, I obviuosly haven't see a lot of them all in one place, I like trying to capture them when they are flying don't have much luck though...... a little fast

[Chocky]

You need to catch them on a windy day Babs when they ride the wind

[Babs]

Yes sometimes at Pennington I try to get them when they are trying to get somewhere and they can't cause the wind won't let them but either the sky is a miserable colour or I cut half the bird off