Spring at last....

Sorry for the delay in posts but things were fairly tame at the beginning of March but they have certainly hotted up!

Just a selection of some of the stuff I managed to capture over the last 5 days.

 Whooppers have now gone but you have to feel sorry for the lone Black swan.

 More on this character later and what he was eyeing up for his teatime treat.

 This must be the most common bird on the patch at the moment!! 

 Taking some time off calling to top up on some insects.

 Egyptian geese still hanging around.

 Done all his mad March stuff so just having a breather.

 Maybe not!

 Now I was wondering why this perch had been put up some say its for Ospreys but know I can see what is really for!!!!

 Kingfisher sitting pretty and had the bonus of both male and female on the patch.

 Just nice to see these Long tailed tits sitting in the spring sun.

 Where as all the water gone on the North Duff Carrs?

 Only in England!!! four seasons in one day!

 Reed buntings in good health and number.

 Had two treecreepers,Siskin and Chiff- Chaff all in the same tree.

 After getting Swallows on the patch (Sunday) it was nice to see these two.

 Nearly got this all white Pheasant!"*

 This is what the Buzzard was after over 100 Reed bunts,Yellowhammers and Corn bunts.

More to come soon.....

Here they come!

A compilation of the last seven days and the birds are arriving in big numbers.

 Still lots of Whoopers around as well as Wigeon and Teal.

 Shelduck numbers good.

 Over 25 Snipe hiding at the foot of the reeds (but have always got one eye out!)

 Nice to see lots of Song Thrush in the valley most i have seen for a long time.

 7 Red Kites performing aerial combats with Buzzards.

 Redshank Raft.

 Lots of Curlew arriving.

 Little grebe's a plenty.

 Gadwal numbers good.

 Herons are also in good number.

 Plenty of Pochard.

and Reed bunts pairing up.

its all getting very interesting.

First Skylark of the year.

Spring is in the air,and a weekend of firsts.
Snowdrops,Aconites,Song Thrush,Skylark,but no LEO.

30+ Pochard on the derwent.

Started with a walk around the patch, loads of Robins,Wrens,Great tits,Blue tits, and a very nice surprise a Skylark singing its head off.

But Dandelions in full bloom!!! whats the weather doing?

Caught site of something unusual just past the bridge at Bubwith but did not think anything of it.(more later)

Lots of Wigeon , Teal, Shovelor and Shelduck.

Watch out for the tiles on the church at Aughton.

 Plenty of Teal about.

 7 Yellow hammers looking for food.

 Lots of Robins laying out the territory rules.

Recent storm damage on the church.

Also had at least 4 separate Song Thrush,Dunnock,Wren,Chaffinch,Fieldfare.Magpie,Kestrel,and all the usual stuff.

Too windy?

First time out for a few weeks and the river level has certainly risen.
High gusting winds seem to prevent many birds from showing their faces,but never one to give in it was best foot forward and a quick walk around the village.

Not much about in the fields with the exception of corvids and pigeons.
Moved on to the North duff carrs wind now stronger than ever but was greeted by two hungry Bullfinch.
(pic not great)

 Valley very water heavy but combined with the rain and the sun it still produces some stunning light.

Huge flock of mixed Golden Plover and lapwings easily 1000+birds. Redshank, Pintail, Shovelor,Teal all present in good numbers.

Whoopers feeding in the surrounding fields and good numbers of Snipe were also seen.
Back for more soon.

If our birds are few and far between and you fancy something a bit different have a look at this.....
http://cams.allaboutbirds.org/channel/38/FeederWatch_Cam/

well worth a look. (but remember the time difference.)

H2O!

Just a brief update on the water levels at the LDV as you can see from the pics the water level is steadily rising. plenty of Teal,Wigeon,Pintail,Ruff,Dunlin,Golden plover,Lapwing and about 35+ Whoopers. Fingers crossed for a Bittern.