Spring Forward

Mute Swan

What a difference four weeks makes ... the snow has melted and sunshine has warmed the soil since my last visit.  Today the sky was filled with Black-headed Gulls and the water was teaming with Wigeon; Tufties and Coots but best of all was the Great-crested Grebes dancing together.  I am always amazed and delighted to see their choreographed ritual.

Great Crested Grebe

A Little Egret was fishing near the bank.  It made a beautiful composition against the dark green reeds with a perfect reflection on the water.  I must have taken twenty shots with my new camera ... all blurred!  Perhaps I should have left it on Automatic instead of trying to conquer the F-stop!

We were treated to a Sparrowhawk fly-by and we had brilliant views of Lapwings ... such a beautiful bird. 

The walk began and ended with a Kestrel.  We saw it in flight as we arrived.  Three hours later it was perched on a hedge, beautifully ginger in the sun.  

All together we saw fifty-five species - a record for this walk. 

Wigeon

The high-lights for the day has to be the butterflies (FIVE bright yellow Brimstones; a Comma; a Peacock and a Red Admiral) and hearing a Woodpecker drumming while watching two Goldcrests and a Goldfinch in the trees.

I spent a couple of hours in the garden before tea.  Happiness found for free in life's simple pleasures.









The Bird List:
Mute Swan; Canada Goose; Wigeaon; Mallard; Tufted Duck; Goosander; Little Grebe; Comorant; Grey Heron; Buzzard; Moorhen; Oystercatcher; Curlew; Common Gull; Great-Black-backed Gull; Woodpigeon; Great Spotted Woodpecker; Pied Wagtail; Dunnock; Blackbird; Redwing; Goldcrest; BlueTit; Marsh Tit; Rook; House Sparrow; Goldfinch; Reed Bunting; Greylag Goose; Shelduck; Teal; Pochard; Goldeneye; Pheasant; Great Crested Grebe; Little Egret; Sparrowhawk; Kestrel; Coot; Lapwing; Black-headed Gull; Herring Gull; Feral Pigeon; Green Woodpecker; Skylark; Wren; Robin; Fieldfare; Mistle Thrush; Long-tailed Tit; Great Tit; Magpie; Carrion Crow; Chaffinch; Yellowhammer.