At this festive time of year its important to visit relatives and make them feel special.  Living in Bebington on the Wirral, my sister was delighted to see me and my family yesterday, having made the one-hour journey all the way from Penwortham just to see her. The warm, loving atmosphere was soon shattered, however, when my wife revealed, "He's only really down here to see a rare bird".  
"Oh no, not again!" came the reply.

Anyway, the Buff-bellied pipit at Burton Marsh never showed up for me, but a Hen Harrier and a Siberian Chiffchaff made the journey worthwhile.     
     

All shots taken from inside the car, firstly a Siberian Chiffchaff, flitting about in low scrub next to the road.

Web site launched, I can sit back, relax and watch my children in school nativity plays.  Here's Ben dressed as a traditional Christmas spider: Benus ridiculous.