4 Days from Spring

Here we are just a few days away from the Spring solstice and already it is feeling Spring-like. The strong westerly winds have eased and the sun is out so here's hoping we don't backslide into a cold, wet slough of despond 😊

The day started well with 4 Roe Deer in the field behind our house. First time we've had 4 but I only just managed to get the fourth in the photo before it moved off.

The route this morning was along Southorpe Road, through the fields and wood then into the hide at Decoy. Lots of birds singing including 3 Yellowhammer, 2 Skylark and 4 Song Thrush as well as the usual Great Tits, Dunnocks and Robins. Fantastic!!

Song Thrush

Almost all the birds are in their finest breeding plumage now and this Chaffinch was looking very fine indeed.

male Chaffinch

At the hide a male Marsh Harrier was collecting nesting material again - it seems to be a never ending task for him. A female watched, seemingly unimpressed! As was a Cormorant that swam in front of the hide, intent on getting somewhere fast.

male Marsh Harrier

 

Cormorant

There are still plenty of Goldeneye around with 26 present at this end of The Mere. There are also a few Wigeon hanging on, but the Spring movement of wildfowl has begun so they won't be with us much longer.

Goldeneye

Great Spotted Woodpeckers were drumming away as usual in the wood and a couple of Treecreepers flitted from tree trunk to tree trunk in search of insects. I just can't resist taking photos of these secretive little creatures whereever I see them - this one landed very close to me...

Treecreeper using its curved bill to good effect

Out of the wood and through the fields on the south side footpath I stopped to watch the flock of Goldfinch and Linnet as they fed on the set-aside. The flock is gradually reducing as birds get ready for the breeding season and is standing at about 150-200 birds now.

I decided to go along to KP and see if anything was showing there and on the way down Southgate I paused to look over the bridge into Stream Dike, as I always do. I was in luck as I could hear Grey Wagtail calling and soon it came into view from under the bridge. A shaft of sunlight was reaching the water and I had great views as the wagtail flew from the stream side up into the air to catch insects, or darted along the waters edge and back. A few reflections from the water were showing on the bird and hopefully these show up in a couple of the photos.

Grey Wagtail

Another totally enjoyable morning wandering around doing nothing but admiring the wildlife and getting a bit of exercise. I can't think of a better way to spend the first few hours each morning 😃