Sunday 25th December - Parakeet in Chorlton Meadows

Pre-dinner exercise on Christmas Day took us to the Mersey Valley via Chorlton Meadows. We heard the distinctive screech of a Ring-necked/ Rose-ringed Parakeet, and then saw it fly into a tree. Spent a few minutes looking for it, convinced it had not flown out, and then noticed a couple of large holes in the trunk. Just beginning to wonder whether it might have gone in when out it popped:

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Ring-necked or Rose-ringed Parakeet (Psittacula krameri)

Continuing on to the Mersey, we noticed some Willow catkins just starting to emerge, and Hawthorn leaves, both perhaps indicative of the warm winter so far - about 14C today!

Cathy and Mike Pettipher

Sunday 18th December - Pennington Flash

Another trip to Bent's Garden Centre and another visit to Pennington.

Bumped into Dave and Gill Higginson-Tranter, both recovering from winter aflictions, but their species list was already 48, including the Long-tailed Duck and a pair of Scaup, all of which eluded us again.

Saw the Water Rail again at Pengys hide:

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Water Rail (Rallus aquaticus)

Teal hide was particularly good, with Mallard, Coot, Goosander, Teal a few Wigeon and a Little Egret also dropped in - not a common occurrence. The Bittern of course was keeping quiet and out of sight.

Also bumped into Dennis Atherton (who has given us excellent talks), and he showed us a Yellow-legged Gull amongst Lesser Black-backed and Herring Gulls, from Horrock's hide. Even with a scope and a knowledgeable and helpful consultant, we had to admit difficulty in identifying.

Cathy and Mike Pettipher

Saturday 17th December - Dunham Park

A short morning walk before our Christmas pub lunch. This time in Dunham Park - a popular venue at any time, but particularly around Christmas. Many Fallow Deer around, generally ignoring the human disturbance to their home. Quite damp and a few fungi around. Without Fungalpunk Dave around, the only names we risk offering are Buttercap, with dark stem and cap and pale gills:

Buttercap (Rhodocollybia butyracea)

Buttercap (Rhodocollybia butyracea) 

and Oyster Mushroom:

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Oyster Mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus)

Photographing Oyster Mushroom

Not much birdlife seen or heard, but occasional squirrels. Always something of interest, and a little exercise in an attempt to justify an indulgent lunch.

Wednesday 7th December - Pennington Flash

A visit to Bent's Garden Centre provided the obvious opportunity for a look around Pennington Flash.

There was supposedly a Long-tailed Duck on the water, but it easily eluded us. However did spot a Water Rail at Pengy's hide. also a few hundred murmurating starlings over the reedbeds.
A good evening for sunsets:

Pennington Flash sunset

Cathy and Mike Pettipher