8th/9th November

Not much birding done really this weekend.

Saturday 8th November, Neumann's Flash, Northwich, Cheshire.

I was really busy on Saturday morning getting various jobs done, but the main one was sorting out my Visa application, so I can get into India in February. A little bit of hassle is involved but not too bad. As well as filling in a form, the Indian consulate in Birmingham require TWO passport style photos. They don't accept cheques but a postal order or bankers draft instead.

Burton Albion had a re-arranged game at Northwich Victoria today, as we got knocked out of the FA Cup at Kettering the other week. We won't be troubling Manchester United this season, concentrating on the league!

Spitting distance from the Vics ground is Neumann's Flash, so I spent an hour or so here before the game.















There was an impressive flock of Teal, but not much else really. As for the game, a hard fought 1-0 victory took us the the top of the Blue Square Premier. That's all very well, but being top at the end of season is when it counts, long way to go yet.

Sunday 9th November, Uttoxeter Quarry, 8:15 - 9:50

I saw the weather forecast last night, the afternoon looks like armageddon. So an early start at the quarry was called for. Well, as early as I could wake up anyway.

There were also some other birders here, what's going on? Mind you, after this morning's haul that's probably the end of that! After last weekend's haul that included Water Pipit, Whooper and Bewick's Swans and Common Scoter, not a lot at all really. Although the place was absolutely crawling with thrushes, could've been well over 1000 Fieldfares and Redwings. Also a personal site tick in the form of a Siskin.

As there appeared to be a break in the rain around lunchtime, where else could I go locally, bearing in mind it could pour down at any moment. Like Vic Reeves and Bob Mortimer used to say on "Shooting Stars", don't know how much time I've got (but at the end you'll here this noise!, St-St-St-Studioline from L'Oreal!).

Anyway, I went to Consall Nature Park to check the bird tables round the visitor centre. A bit gloomy for digiscoping Nuthatch. There was also even more Fieldfare and Redwing, Great Spotted Woodpecker and about 20 Chaffinches, but no Brambling with them. Could well be worth keeping an eye on in future though.

As there's been a distinct lack of photies recently, here's some picturesque autumn colour:































Sprink Meadow didn't actually have that much colour, but it reminded me of this:















This is Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in India. Although Sprink Meadow didn't have one of these:















Roll on February!