Trumpeter swans, Martin Mere, November 2007

Am sure you will remember the trumpeter swan with her eggs (23/05/07 - have included the original photo). I have been following her progress, sadly she lost 2 of her babies but the 3 remaining cygnets seem to be doing very well. They are no longer shy and come to the fence for bread.

Whooper swans at Martin Mere November 2007

Arrived just in time.

Come on folks - food this way!

Can't believe it's only 3.15 pm!!

Just for you Anya!

And for this one I had to stick my head out of the window of the hide and nearly got blown away, the weather was atrocious! You had to set the camera, take a deep breath, open the hatch, stick the camera out and take a series of shots and hope for the best. I suppose the swans thought it was like summer after their flight from Iceland.

Some old favourites (again)

Think this was the early morning yoga class for flamingoes

and cygnets!

The crowned cranes just aren't the same now since the new younger ones were introduced, they tend to be camera shy so you will have to make do with the common and demoiselle cranes.

Is this the first 2 and 1/2 headed duck!!!!

SWANS !

Apologies for the quality of these photos but the weather was so horrible it was unbelievable. You had to brace yourself to open the window in the hide, stick the camera out , shoot and get back in again before being blown away.

Filming time for Autumn Watch

It was another freezing cold, windy day at Martin Mere but never the less I managed to take 188 photos but only about a quarter of them any good of course. Although my fingers were dead I think they were on automatic pilot!!

We were fortunate enough to stumble on a filming practice - here comes Kate hotly followed by Bill. After seeing the programme tonight I now realize they were practicing the introduction.

Berry's Autumn Watch! 6th November

I went out and about today looking at the carpets of leaves that are forming everywhere. I had hoped to park at the top of Parblod Hill but unfortunately 2 lorries beat me to the spaces. This is in Newburgh, we go along this road on the way to Martin Mere but never really notice this village green.

The road to the right of the above photo leads to Skelmersdale and is a lovely tree lined country road. It is unbelievable to think that at the end is the ghost town made originally as an overspill for Liverpool.

And last but no least - back home in dear old Shevi. I think the best carpet of leaves can be found right on the doorstep!

It looks even better when you walk inbetween the trees, it's hard to believe you are only a few feet from the dual carriageway and a few yards from the busy M6.