Winsford Soul

Just sat in the garden enjoying the sunshine when completely out of the blue a buzzard flew not more than 50 foot above where I was sat. A very common Bird of prey these days but it's only the 2nd one I've seen out of my back garden where I live. I see them a few miles away quite regularly but not here. And I also seen a couple of Swifts. Steve

Just seen five Swifts going about there normal flight hunting for insects flight as opposed to heading South flight Happy chap tonight, really thought I had seen the last of them on Wednesday till next May Steve

Russell. It certainly looks like a kittiwake you can just make out its black wing tips. Regards the previous post. I've fished since I was a five year old . It's in my blood, Just love the outdoors day or night regardless of the weather. There's a famous saying. There's no such thing as bad weather just bad clothes. Which is so very true, providing you have the right gear and experience why shouldn't you get out and about and enjoy this fabulous countryside. Steve

Sad day. Not seen or heard any Swifts in the Manchester skies since Wednesday Was fishing at Milton green south of Chester yesterday, loads of Swallows and House martins. Seen a kingfisher, loads of Buzzards. One Hobby. Chiff chaffs singing and flitting about plus all the usual suspects. Oh I caught loads of carp too Steve

And Joe's a top guy to boot and hosts legendary parties. Steve

No Pete. It because only you are sad enough or daft enough to admit to watching Mr and Mrs. hope your well my friend. Steve

Mal do you ask because the falls are sideways . Which would make them rivers. Steve

Martyn. How very dare you question my upright ability. When I take picture in portrait mode my recently updated Canon software auto turns them to standard mode but for some reason when I upload them they revert back to portrait style. Confused by it all. Will have to have a look. Steve

Still Swifts today Steve

One of the smaller falls further up from the main one A view down the valley taken about 200 metres to the left of the main waterfall Steve

Don't know why these vertical pictures haven't rotated Steve

The view from as close to the edge from the top of the falls as I wanted to go. Steve

Pistyll Rhaeadr waterfall, the long drop is 80 metres, which makes it the tallest single drop waterfall in Wales, its actually taller than Niagara falls Steve

Still Swifts about this morning. Not expecting them much longer though. Last year August 7th was the last day I saw them in the skies above Manchester Got a few picture's from today's visit to pistell rhaeadr waterfall. Will sort through and post them up Steve

Chris. I have to travel 60 miles to see sand martins. Don't know of any colonies nr Manchester. Always lots of house martins , swallows and swifts here. I must be lucky with house sparrows, still plenty about up here. As you say gold and greenfinches are now very common. I think they have both entered the top ten most common bird list., goldfinches definitely have. Just on my way to see the highest waterfall in Wales at a place called pistell rhaeyadr. Hope to have plenty of pictures to post later Steve

Peter. Don't encourage him. Steve

Ha bloody ha Martyn. It's the right way up on my image gallery don't know why it ended up like it did on here. Steve

Sunset just taken from out of my back garden Steve

Still Swifts in the Manchester skies today Steve

Dave. that sounds interesting Steve

Russell. Apparently the Netherlands are one of the best places in Europe to see Eagle owls. They have even been reported as breeding in a few secret places in the UK. I,m lucky enough to hear/see tawny owls very regular probably on a weekly basis Steve

Martyn. See them every time I,m fishing but never take my camera. Top pictures as always Steve

Dave. Would love to see a Hoopoe. That's another bird on my list, apparently they turn up regularly down south. Not known in the north west as far as I'm aware. You will have to keep us informed regarding the Swifts. You can gladly have some of this rain that's fell in the Manchester area this last 24 hrs. Steve

Love the pictures Russell. Didn't mean to make summer's over as dramatic as it sounded sorry bout that. As you say it's only the 2nd of August. Another bird that's missing around here at the moment is the chiff chaff, normally hear it untill September, all gone quite unless they're moulting after the breeding season getting there feathers in shape for the migration. It's a very quiet time for birding at the moment. Steve

Yeah . Got to agree I'm getting dizzy watching it go round and round again and again. Steve