Microwave Meals For Birds

I've been making tasty bird treats for the last couple of weeks and they've been going down a storm in the garden. Here's how it's done...

Put a third of a block of lard in a bowl.

Add any bird seed mix into a shallow bowl along with dried mealworms and raisins.

Microwave the lard for 2 minutes.

Pour the melted lard into the bowl of bird food and stir.

Leave to set in a cool place for about half an hour.

**Simples!**

Debbie

Rodley Nature Reserve

I spotted a new reserve the other day and suggested to Paul that we should go and have a look today given the decent weather forecast. Rodley Nature Reserve is near Pudsey, West Yorkshire, across a bridge from the main road in Rodley.

Half way up the motorway the heavens opened but thankfully not for too long, by the time we got there it was dry but still grey with no sign of the promised sunshine.

I've been to a few reserves with Paul over the last few years and this is the first one where the other folk there have been outwardly friendly, which was nice, as was the coffee in the visitor centre!

Our timing was perfect, we arrived at one of the hides just as a Kingfisher did and spent ages watching him in action.

Can't wait to go back, looks like it will be great place to visit in Spring and Summer.

Debbie.

Afternoon In The Dearne Valley

Had a great afternoon exploring two lakes in the Dearne Valley area, one at Park Springs near Grimethorpe and the other at Manvers which is next door to RSPB Old Moor.

After completing a circuit of Park Springs, we spotted a Kestrel hovering but wherever it moved to, I was always shooting towards the sun. A little while after the Kestrel moved on, another bird of prey appeared which was soaring quite high up so I couldn't get a decent picture. We think it might have been a Buzzard but can't be sure.

One of the Swans there took a dislike to one of the others and it's head went down as it charged in it's direction. I was fascinating to watch as both Swans flew past me before landing at the other end of the lake.

Next we visited a lake we've never been to before, despite it being right next door to Old Moor. Not as many birds here but it's a lovely walk and I'm sure we'll be back again soon.

Debbie.

RSPB Fairburn Ings

Yesterday we went along to RSPB Fairburn Ings, we've not been here since June 2005. Paul persuaded me that it would be a good idea to go on the Kingfisher Walk but there were too many people in the group trying to squeeze into the hides for it to be enjoyable or to have much chance of seeing anything. We did find out where the best places were to look for them though and did get some good views during the afternoon when we went back round the reserve.

I tried my teleconverter on the 300mm lens but the manual focus was more trouble than it was worth, I don't think I've done bad at all without it. I did get some shots of the Kingfisher but it was just a little bit too far away, Paul managed a few shots with his monster lens.

I love the bird feeding areas at Fairburn, out in the open with plenty of light, even on a dull day like yesterday, not like at Old Moor where it's dark even in bright sunshine. The rats I'm not so keen on and they were everywhere you looked!

Debbie.

Potteric Carr

Had a trudge round Potteric Carr yesterday, loads to see but not a great deal in range of my 200mm lens even with a 2x converter. On the up side, having to use manual focus with the converter wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be, I still need to try it out with the 300mm lens though.

I'm all photographed out today, having a break from it before we head off yet again!

Debbie.

Askham Bog & North Cave Wetlands

Yesterday we went to Askham Bog and North Cave Wetlands nature reserves, both managed by the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust.

First up was Askham Bog which was easy to spot from the road, with a YWT van parked there. The only other people there were a group helping out on a volunteer day so we pretty much had the place to ourselves.

Next up was North Cave Wetlands which is easily the best nature reserve I've ever been to. Loads of birds, comfy hides and none of those 6 foot fences some reserves seem to love.

I think we'll be revisiting both these places in the not too distant future.

Debbie.