Otter Than Yesterday

 A fine, sunny and dry day today. Still got that sneaky cool westerly breeze, but it is a breeze and not a wind so all is well.

Started the day with a heads-up from Jon saying there was a White-fronted Goose, Common Scoter and Mandarin at the Mere. I got there as soon as I could which was still too late as off first field there was hardly a bird or duck to be seen. I soon found the probable reason...

An Otter at last

My first Otter sighting of the year. If I'd have got my camera ready sooner then the photos would have been better, as it was heading away from me when I first got on to it. It was coming to the surface and yawning or playing with something in its mouth as it was showing its teeth a lot of the time.

Nice gnashers

Otter at the Mere

I didn't see the Mandarin or the Scoter (although the Scoter was still about, but very distant I found out later) but I did see the White-fronted Goose in a field rather than on the water. I got a few photos through the hedge and into the sun so not the best but not bad.

White-fronted Goose (first winter)

Over in the wood Stock Doves are present and are audible most days, along with woodpeckers drumming and the usual finches and tits. The Green Woodpecker was calling again but was not seen.

Stock Dove

I had 3 Chiff Chaffs singing yesterday morning in the wood and there were three again today. One was pretty close so I snapped it up.

Chiff Chaff singing

Over the weekend I walked on the cliffs and found 2 Snow Buntings in the stubble field. They weren't there yesterday or this morning but I'll check back again tomorrow.

Snow Buntings

Also over the weekend I got what may be the last photos of the Slavonian Grebes for this Spring as they have disappeared from the Mere now.

Slav Grebe among the Tufted Ducks

This week promises to be fine and dry and hopefully the wind will shift to be more favourable for migrating birds to come in to us. It would be good to see a Wheatear or Sand Martin before the end of March, but we will see.

Stoatally Marvellous

 At last, this morning I got some half decent photos of the stoat that I've glimpsed a few times recently. I had been standing watching a likely place for a while when it popped its head up. Stems of undergrowth got in the way of a clean view for much of the time but I managed to focus on it every now and then. 

Damn that twig

The large numbers of Coot, Wigeon, Pochard, Gadwall and Tufted Duck have left the Mere now but we still have several Coot, Pochard, Tufted Duck and Goldeneye left. The male Goldeneyes are busy displaying to mainly disinterested females.

Drake Goldeneye trying his best to impress

Goldeneye couple off to the pub instead

I didn't see the Red-crested Pochards this morning so they may have left. Here are two of my last pics of them from a few days ago.

Red-crested Pochards, incl a leucistic drake

Standard pair of RCP

The small groups of Long Tailed Tit seem to have broken up now and I see pairs of birds rather than several together. They will be nest building soon but I haven't managed to find one over here yet. Maybe this year?

Chiff Chaffs are arriving in dribs and drabs. I had 2 singing yesterday morning from Wassand Wood and there were 2 again this morning. No Photos from today but here's one from last week.

Chiff Chaff

Chiff Chaffs join our resident Cetti's Warblers in song at this time of year and it's a definite harbinger of Spring when you can hear the 2 together.

 

The Linnet flock is still making itself heard in the mornings in the hawthorns and tree tops but it is reduced to about 60 birds and decreasing with time. They will be fully dispersing shortly as they seek mates and leave for breeding grounds.

Linnets in the tree tops

Linnets in flight

Wild flowers are coming through in the fields and woods and I look forward to being able to get into Wassand wood once again soon. Until then I can check the fields to see what is growing and flowering. 

Coltsfoot is an early bloomer

In days gone by Coltsfoot was used as a remedy for coughs and colds and I remember as a lad I used to buy Coltsfoot Rock from the sweet shop. Perhaps that was why I didn't get many ailments 😂 but it tasted rather nice if I remember correctly.

Wildlife Awakens and An OCD Woodpecker?

 The past week has seen a general increase in the sightings of wildlife locally. The warmer weather and longer days are gradually working their magic.

Too many of these in the wood for my liking

Grey tree rat - I'm not a fan

A pollen fest for this bumble bee

Roebuck in the morning sun

Same Roebuck checking me out

A single Brown Hare

I've only seen one Brown Hare at any one time in the fields this year, which is a bit worrying. In previous years I've seen several together by this time. I live in hope that more will appear soon.

I walk down the woodland edge most mornings and the Great Spotted Woodpeckers are drumming all over the place. I noticed a line of 'pecker holes in a tree and marvelled at the alignment of them. They seem to be drilled in a line down the centre of the tree - a woodpecker with OCD perhaps? 😂

Where will the next one go?

Question. Do Great Spotted Woodpeckers ever reuse old nest holes? I have seen active nests and checked them the next year and have never seen one being reused by woodpeckers. I've searched online for an answer but haven't found anything to help me resolve this one yet.

 A Kestrel has been patrolling the fields over the last few days and often perches for long periods on the top of hawthorn bushes. Sometimes it sits patiently while I fumble with my camera then it flies off just as I point the lens towards it. This time it didn't fly off..

A patient Kestrel

 Our long-staying birds are still here with Smew, Red-crested Pochard, Scaup, Long-tailed Duck and Slavonian Grebe to be seen every morning if you have a scope. The Slav Grebe was joined by another on Friday. As I mention every time I post about them, these birds stay well off shore usually so a longer lens or digi-scope are needed.

Distant Slav Grebe

Distant Slav Grebe and Goldeneye

Long-tailed Duck

This morning's walk was very enjoyable with birds singing and wildlife showing well. I am trying to limit the number of photos I take as the processing of them is very time consuming. It's hard to change the habit of a lifetime though!

Dunnock

Song Thrush

Fieldfare

Chaffinch