Continued Rain, Continuing Arrivals

 Despite the cr@p weather and extremely soggy fields the welcome summer migrants continue to invade our lands.

If they had any sense they would hang around sunnier climes a bit longer, but then again they don't know what the weather is like until they arrive by which time it's too late 🤣

Willow Warblers are now an everyday occurence, joining Blackcaps and the well-established Chiffchaffs. Swallows are new in over the last few days, with Sedge Warbler and Lesser Whitethroat arriving this morning. No pics yet.

A Whooper Swan was found at last this morning, my first of the year at the Mere. By this time we've usually had several small flocks landing for a while, on their way north to their breeding grounds.

Whooper Swan with Mutes, taken through a hedge

Yet another Brown Hare came running towards me this morning and got very close before it realised I was in its way and diverted into the set aside.

Brown Hare approaching

Brown Hare just about to turn left

Yesterday morning (it was sort of dry for a while!) I saw a Great Spotted Woodpecker preening atop a branch. It had a birds-eye view of me so I couldn't get close enough for a better image.

GSW sitting out in the open

The bluebells are out in the woods and copses along with their white counterparts. Just waiting for the Wood Anemones now. Note that bluebells are toxic to humans and dogs, so If you ignore best practice and pick bluebells anyway for whatever reason, do remember to wash your hands before you handle anything edible or you may end up being a bit sick.

Blue and whitebells

A few Roe Deer were making sure the crops don't get too high which is very helpful of them. I'm not sure everyone will appreciate their efforts though.

Roe Deer

Back to Saturday now. You may remember the last nice, warm, sunny day we had? 19 degrees if my memory serves me well, sodding different to today's 10 degrees!!

The Marsh Harriers were up and doing early on and while I was watching them the highlight of the morning flew by - a Brimstone butterfly. It was way too far away for a decent photo but when it landed on a bush I couldn't resist...

Brimstone (cropped)

Brimstone (uncropped)

As I was concentrating on the Brimstone I had not noticed a Common Buzzard that was in the long grass just 40 yards away. I soon took notice when it flapped into view but I wasn't quick enough with the camera 😂

Partial Common Buzzard

I spotted the Brimstone again on the wood edge and tried to get flight shots but it was too fast for me.

Brimstone in flight

Everything is bursting with life as the days get longer and the sycamore buds have morphed into leaves. It is a very wonderful thing to see new life everywhere - even if the leaves now make it more difficult to see the warblers that I have waited so long to see 😉

Finally we go back almost a week to last Wednesday for a couple of pics of another Great Spotted Woodpecker - a female this time.

Female GSW

Ooops - I think I made the nest hole too big!