As Mad As A February Hare

 Brown Hares are famed for going a bit bonkers in March so these three hares were a bit early on the uptake. No boxing going on that I could see but plenty of jaunty prancing and dashing around.

Brown Hares first seen with 8 Roe Deer near the hedgerow

The local population of Tree Sparrows is definitely on the down turn. We don't see them in the places they used to be seen around the Mere, and reports from further down the coast point to a similar pattern. It's difficult to see one reason for this but the usual culprits are habitat loss, food scarcity and a reduction in nesting locations. I walked along Hornsea north cliffs and found a few in the hedgerows there, so we are not Tree Sparrow-less yet thank goodness.

Tree Sparrow at north cliffs

While I was walking on the cliff tops a couple of Stonechats popped up, but apart from them, the Tree Sparrows and a couple of Reed Buntings there was nothing else to set the heart racing.

Stonechat

The two Egyptian Geese that are often seen at the Mere now were there again on the same morning as I was coming back from the cliffs (1st February).

Egyptian Geese at KP

"Our" Barnacle Geese are still with us, usually to be seen in the Clover Field but they do get up and have a fly around every now and then. There were 38 of them when they first arrived last year and that number has been stable until the last few days when only 37 were counted. Whether one has slept in or has gone elsewhere remains to be seen.

Barnacle Geese

Song and Mistle Thrushes have started to sing and they are the harbingers of Spring for me. It was really good to see two Mistle Thrushes the other day.

Mistle Thrush

The snowdrops at Wassand are in full bloom and look just splendid. Well worth a short amble along the drive towards the hall.

Snowdrops near Wassand Hall

A drake Smew appeared on the Mere on Monday and was seen again yesterday. I found it over near Swan Island so not really 'tog-able but I took some anyway - along with the long-staying Long-tailed Duck which was a bit closer.

Drake Smew from a fair old distance

Long distance Long-tailed Duck

I started this post with images of Roe Deer so I thought I'd bookend it with one of Roe Deer. I see three deer most mornings (a buck and two does) and the buck has antlers coated with velvet. This will peel off gradually through the coming weeks to reveal pristine antlers beneath.

Roebuck showing velvet covered antlers