Thought some of you might be interested in the abilities of the Nikon P1100 in terms of zoom. This Marsh Harrier couldn't be seen from near the site as it's obscured by trees. Took this photo from Wirswall Hill at least a 1/4 of a mile away & you can still just about I.D. it! #ukbirding

This weather is so perfect for walking and birding. Busy today: Stonechat (with worm early), Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Buzzards, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Wigeon, Goosanders, GSWoodpeckers drumming, Mute Swans, Siskins, Redpolls, Cormorants, Pink-footed Geese, GCGrebes #ukbirding

I don’t think I could love my Ravens any more than I do already!!They are still sat with me as I write this. 💕 #ravens

Absolutely stunning morning and the Ravens are early for their breakfast!

Some amazing astro photography!!! Jupiter and a couple its moons. Was surprised to be able to see any of Jupiter’s moons with my camera but it was quite clear, clearer than the photo. Said Saturn on my previous post duh!

I think some you were expressing interest in the January Moth Challenge. This post was shared on the Cheshire Moth Facebook page. I will have a go! I have a new notebook all ready for 2026. Wonder what will be the most exciting moth in it next year after Clifden Nonpareil this year 😁 #teammoth

Beautiful walk and bird-full too! Marsh Harrier, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, Kingfisher, GSWoodpecker, Pinkies, Tufted Ducks, Wigeon, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle &Song Thrushes, Siskins, Stonechat, Mipits, Little & GCGrebes, Great White Egret, Meadow Pipits, Greenfinches #ukbirding

Today's posing Raven photos! They both came today. Chips came on his own at the end and found some carrion on the road. Not sure what it was (terrible photo!) One photo is of Chips calling, he seemed to be wondering where Gravy had gone and he eventually flew off to find her!

Chips sticking his tongue out at me this morning!

Finally! The Ravens posed beautifully this morning so I had to share some pics. It was funny how interested the sheep were when the Ravens landed close to them! I am a miserable bah humbug but Chips & Gravy wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Hope it's a good one for you all!

Also on this morning's beautiful walk: Kestrels, Buzzards, Kestrel flock of 40 Lapwings, Fieldfares, Redwings, Mistle Thrush, Goosanders, Wigeons, Tufted Ducks, Cormorants, Mute Swans, Great Crested Grebes, Great White Egret, Siskins, Redpolls, Nuthatch, Goldcrests, Pinkies. #ukbirding

Finally got to see the Marsh Harrier in good light as it was still around on my way back home when the light was better. Up to now I have only seen it very early or late. It is a real treat to see Marsh Harriers on patch. #ukbirding

Oh my! There are no words. They have been with me for my whole walk. Need to get home to get ready for Christmas visiting but I can’t drag myself away. Great views of the Marsh Harrier too. The Ravens chased it off. It really showed off the size & power of the Ravens #Ravens

Going through yesterday’s videos and although this is a bit of a long video I think it shows what it feels like to sit and relax with Chips and Gravy. Just look at Chip’s eyes as he is being groomed at the end #Ravens

A bit quieter on my walk today, on a day that never seemed to get light. Highlights Ravens (followed me on a lot of my walk), still large flocks of Fieldfares and Redwings, Mistle Thrushes, Siskins, Great White Egrets, Pink-footed Geese, Wigeon, Tufted Ducks, Little & GC Grebes #ukbirding

1/2 last night in Marbury VC58. I think they are both Dark Chestnut but as always happy to be corrected! Also this beetle was a very impressive bycatch which Obs says is Dytiscus Dimidiatus and it does look very similar to the one @jamoth.bsky.social had, but it is rare for here. #teammoth

Today’s Raven reflection! What makes a Raven want to spend time with a human? I know food plays a big part but even after they’ve eaten they spend time relaxing. Maybe I am anthropomorphising but there does seem to be a genuine bond between us Bet you think I’m crackers! #Ravens

The female Tawny Owl was so close today that I managed a photo on my phone. So much Tawny activity this morning at least 2 males as well. It’s fabulous!

Fabulous wildlife walk this morning as well as the Hares Rabbits & Ravens, some birds I don't see that often. Had my 1st Redpolls of the winter, Nuthatch, Coal Tit, Siskins, Song & Mistle Thrushes, Redwings, Fieldfares, Kestrel, Wigeon, Tufties. Pinkies, Teal, Great White Egret, #ukbirding

We actually see more Hares than Rabbits around Marbury, but today I was lucky to see both. Cuteness alert!!

As I walk I reflect on things. Today as I was hoping & waiting for the Ravens to visit I thought it’s no use worrying they’re a wild animal & I can only hope they choose to visit & when they do just enjoy each moment with them. Today they chose to spend time relaxing with me 🥰

Quick walk this morning: calling Tawny Owls, both Ravens, Great White Egret, Siskins, Fieldfares, Mistle Thrushes, Pink-footed Geese, Great Crested Grebe, 13 Cormorants and Tit flock including a Coal Tit #ukbirding

First attempt at Chips and Gravy finished this morning. Now I am back in the swing of painting I am sure there will be many more 😅 Off for a quick walk to hopefully see them, before Christmas visiting!

My favourite view of the village, even looks lovely at night. Don’t know if I have ever mentioned how much I love Marbury!!😆

Like lots of #teammoth I am so missing my moths. After a couple of visits from the mean Irishman 😀, having a few days off but it wont be long until my favourite Winter moth the Oak Beauty is back. Had my 1st one last year on the 4th Feb. I will do a trap on Christmas eve though as you just have to!

Dank & cold walk highlights both Ravens (very chatty again, vid in comments!) Large flocks (100’s) of Winter Thrushes, Mistle Thrush, displaying Wigeons, Teal, Tufties, Great White Egret, Kestrel, Sparrowhawk, Buzzard, Mipits, Chaffinches, Great Crested & Little Grebes, Coal Tit, Siskins #ukbirding

Amazing walk this morning. It's great to have a Marsh Harrier regularly on patch and the Ravens spent most of my 3 hour walk with me! Also flocks of probably 200+ mainly Fieldfares with Redwings, Mistle Thrush, Coal Tits, Siskins, Mistle Thrush, Cormorants, Great Crested Grebes #ukbirding

said could the day be any better but it is! Chips and Gravy both here and very friendly and talkative today. Chips came the closest ever, within a foot of me! 😁 #ravens (2 more videos in comments as I couldn’t choose the best!!)

Marsh Harrier hunting over Quiosley and the Ravens flying in to say hello. Can there be a better start to the day. 😁 #ukbirding

The weather & being busy has meant not done as much walking as usual but today's early walk before the rain was bird rich! Both Ravens, Buzzard, Kestrel with a Meadow Pipit, Great White Egret (never noticed the colours on it's beak before), Fieldfares, Mistle Thrushes, Siskins Tufties etc #ukbirding

A few corvids for #Thursjay. I thought the Crows looked small against the Raven but look how small the magpie looks! Also 4 corvids together eating suet: Raven, Crow, Jackdaw and Magpie. I need to get a Jay to come down with them too!

Going through today’s videos of the Ravens and think this shows just how handsome Chips is. A short ultra close up of him 😁 #ravens

Harmony is restored! Listen to the little chortle as they begin grooming 🥰 My fav thing about my friendship with Chips & Gravy is how they sit with me so relaxed. It makes me sit & relax too, which is a rare occurrence! Today we sat in the sun together for 20 mins ❤️ #ravens

Also on today's walk there were both Ravens, calling Tawny Owls, Treecreepers, Great White Egret, Tufted Ducks, Great Crested Grebes, sky full of Pink-footed Geese, Buzzards, Kestrel, Kingfisher, Sparrowhawk, Great Spotted Woodpeckers, Song and Mistle Thrushes and Stock Doves #ukbirding

Habitat loss is 1 of the biggest causes of the decline in birds. A positive example from this aft: some fallow fields, pockets of woodland, berry hedgerows & you get flocks of 100's of birds: Winter Thrushes, Siskins, Greenfinches, Linnets, Chaffinches, Goldfinches, Tit flocks etc #ukbirding

Miserable weather on this morning's walk. It started well with 2 Kingfishers chasing each other (pic from yesterday), Great White Egret, Fieldfares, Redwings. It went downhill as the shoot where here. For someone who loves all living things, seeing dead birds was very distressing 😥🙁

So here’s my description of what happened this morning along with videos. I would be interested in people’s thoughts. In the 1st video it looks like Chips is attacking the interloper. The 2nd shows him chasing it while Gravy is in the tree (videos in comments) #Ravens #ukbirding

There’s been a 3rd Raven with Chips & Gravy for 2 hrs this morn. I will write a detailed description later but the 1st Video is them chasing it off. Then Chips sat with the new Raven ( 2nd video in comments ) & chased Gravy off but C&G back together at the end. Not sure what going! #Ravens

2/2 Fieldfares, Kestrel, Raven (didn't come down today), Kingfisher, Teal, Wigeon, Shovelers, Tufties, Great Crested & Little Grebes, Cormorants, Great White Egret, Pinkies, Lapwings, singing Song Thrush, flock of Finches (300ish) Linnets, Chaffinches, Greenfinches, Goldfinches #ukbirding

1/2 Brilliant 7hr walk this morning & it was so full of birds I will need 2 tweets. I'm taking to the converted here but there's nothing as exciting & uplifting as nature! Here goes: Tawny Owl, Marsh Harrier, Peregrine, Sparrowhawk, Buzzards, 5 Jays, Siskin, Mistle Thrush, Redwing.. #ukbirding

What a morning thanks to a call by my friend have a NFY: Peregrine 😁 He called to tell me the Marsh Harrier was sat in a tree. I was disappointed when he called to say it had flown but then had great views of it being mobbed by a Peregrine! Not great photos, but I don’t care 😆

Just found this on my phone from yesterday. These iPhones are really great at landscape photography. Mine has also been a game changer with my macro photography of moths and also taking videos of the Ravens. It seemed expensive when I got it but for me it is worth every penny!

Highlights today: both Ravens, Great White Egret (one with with the Heron again (I had always found Herons & GWE didn't really like one another in the past), hedges full of Fieldfares, Redwings, singing Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, Sparrowhawk, Wigeon, Goldcrests, Siskins, Kestrel #ukbirding

Beautiful Buzzard sat on one of its favourite perches in the rain (don't like to be negative but the weather forecast is so rubbish: said it would stop by 7, still raining at 10!). Normally the Buzzard is very flighty and goes before I can take a photo today it was more obliging. #ukbirding

The skies and light were amazing today at Parkgate and Neston. It was such a beautiful afternoon!

Wonderful afternoon in Parkgate & Neston despite not seeing a Hen Harrier (one day I will see one and it will be all the sweeter!) Most exciting bird of the day was a Short-eared Owl (haven't seen one in over 15yrs.) Also up to 4 Marsh Harriers at once, Sparrowhawks, Kestrels #ukbirding

Good morning from Chips! 😁

Morning from Marbury. Beautiful view down our lane this morning. Short walk here before a trip to the Wirral to hopefully see a Hen Harrier. I have never seen one, but I am optimistic that maybe today will be the day!

Still managing to stave off Mr Wogan and get my moth fix even if it is only in very small numbers. December Moths seem to have finished in my garden now and I am only seeing Winter Moths, Mottled Umbers and Chestnuts. The later 2 made up last nights trap. #teammoth

Beautiful walk. As well as the Ravens and Winter Thrushes saw: Jays, Great White Egret with an Heron, Tufted Ducks, Little & Great Crested Grebes, Wigeon, Cormorants, Pinkies, Siskins, Kingfisher, Kestrel, Goldcrests, Buzzards, a Crow posing in the churchyard and a festive Robin #ukbirding