Saturday morning stroll

The sun was shining as I set out and I went to see if my of old walks was passable (until recently it was passable when it was frozen) and I was pleased to see it was. I suspect a few more may be doable now :)

These Horses/Ponies were in a place I've never seen them before.

These were shot through a very deep hedge! hence the heavy "vignetting". You don't often see two sitting together.

Brimstone... record shot

Still here

The weather has been good this week. After freezing it now feels very Spring like. My headphones are off for most of my  walk now and it feels very different. The sounds of birds singing is glorious.

I did cut the grass on Monday! I don't how I found the time ;)

A bit early for migrants but next week I'm hoping to see and hear my first Chiffchaff. I once SAW one on January 1st but hearing them is when I start Spring. It probably won't be next week but I can hope.

So here are some photos I've taken this week.

Frosty is back on the common. I'm told she went to the stables for cleaning. She wasn't happy apparently as she is used to being outside. A long distance photo as the common is still boggy but it is drying in out now!

These 3 ducks have always been together today alas they weren't in there usual spot. Maybe off to think about breeding? We'll see.

The local woods are now passable which is good as it is somewhere else to walk. Hopefully the other walks will be accessible soon. 

I didn't see anything new here, I can't believe I haven't seen a Nuthatch.

Daffodils now out in some numbers

I need that longer light telephoto... roll on! 

Bird highlight was a Coal Tit first I've seen on my walks. I've walked past the spot many times and it isn't that near trees just hedgerows. Still lovely to see.

Even more signs of Spring

Another mild day. I am going to have to cut the grass this week if I can find the time ;) OK Monday or Tuesday!

Still plenty of Sparrows about

Hello Hello

There were lots of Dunnock's singing. 

Now my friend Pat on facebook is constantly moaning at me for always having headphones on. I decided yesterday that the volume of birdsong meant that I am going to have to leave them off for many of my walks.

I took the above photo and, I kid you not, heard a Skylark!! I couldn't find it at first but then he came down and took off again as I watched him head way into the sky. I haven't seen one on my walk before but I only started in April so maybe I'd have heard them last Feb/March

As I strolled back I heard a call I didn't recognise.... Yellowhammer! (I'd have recognise the song). A good walk. Soon we'll have a new wave of migrants. I am waiting for that dull little grey bird to make and appearance! 

 

It's warmed up a bit! Signs of Spring

Last weekend it was freezing cold today it feels more like Spring with temperatures around 60f! 

My neighbours but wood chipping all around the tree in his garden but these have poked through 

The pond may be being drained up there were 16 Mallards in the small bit of water that has been left! 

The 3 ducks (2 males and a female) are still about and together.

Blackbird! 

The common pond was devoid of birds. I suspect this will perk up as breeding starts. 

Since I started this walking bit I have been hoping for a cormorant and today one duly flew over! 

In May last year I reported finding Blue Tits nesting in a camera overlooking the M11 well today I spotted these two inspecting.

A longer travel telephoto will be handy ;)

Yet more signs of Spring

I was well pleased to see a Bumble Bee and a Brimstone Butterfly! I may have to start leaving the headphones at home as I took them off at one point and the birdsong is picking up. Chiffchaffs will soon be back!