Three Sisters Nature Reserve in Ashton

Just about the worst place to try to photograph Tawny Owls. First of all a very steep, wet, muddy and slippy slope covered in brambles, rotten stumps and ash whips and then a high up bird that is obscured by branches, leaves and which sleeps most of the time! That's Three Sisters Nature Reserve for you!

But at least I got it!

More Damsels and Dragons at Three Sisters Nature Reserve

Spurred on by my recent two damsels and dragons trips, I decided to go to Three Sisters Nature Reserve in Wigan this afternoon before the rains that were due set in. I managed to pick up a couple of new ones plus a couple of bugs:

Male Common Hawker

Female Emerald Damselfly

Common Darter

Common Darter

Common Darter

Three Sisters Nature Reserve

After the excitement of the Kentish Plover at Audenshaw last night, I decided to pop out to Three Sisters Nature Reserve near Bryn in Wigan today to practice a little more with my new camera body. At the very least I knew there would be the usual birds at the feeding station, but there's also the prospect of seeing the Tawny Owls there as well as a variety of spring migrant warblers.

After spending some time at the feeding station where the best bird I had was a Jay, although there were also male and female Bullfinches, a pair of Willow Tits, some Reed Buntings and the usual Robins, Dunnocks and Tits, I went for a wander through the woodland paths. I soon came upon a singing male Blackcap, but trying to pin it down for a photograph was really difficult.  However, after about a hour or so I got lucky, as it landed on a branch with a clear background.  These shots almost look as if they have been setup with a prop, but they haven't - it just perched in a great place (for once!).

Update:

I've just heard that my second Blackcap photo on this page got a 'Notable' award on Birdguides this week.

Second Time Lucky looking for the two Tawnies at Three Sisters Nature Reserve in Ashton, Wigan