Sunday 12 May 2013

Farndale

I'm a little late with this post, as I visited Farndale 2 or 3 weeks ago!  It's always worth a visit to Farndale to see the daffodils and for a walk along the river to see what wildlife is around. 
 
This photo of the Goldfinch was on the ariel at home, just before we set off - notice there was even a blue sky!
 

Daffodils showing nicely

 
Waterfall
 



 
Lambs enjoying the spring weather
 
 
Male Redstart
 
 
Spring flowers everywhere
 
 
Nuthatch busy nest building
 
 
Goldfinch looking good, still one of my favourites
 
 
Unusually scruffy Blue Tit
 
 
Daffodils in the woods
 
 
Male Redstart
 
 
Female Redstart
 
 
Pied Wagtail
 
 
Meadow Pipit
 
 
Male Bullfinch
 
 
The sun came out again making the daffodils look even better
 
 
Mistle Thrush
 
 
Marsh Tit
 
 

Monday 29 April 2013

North Cave Wetlands

A brief stop at Warter en-route to North Cave, proved worthwhile with my first sighting of goslings this year;
 
Greylag geese
 
 
And the morning got better still with a fly past from a Red Kite!

 
I'd heard reports of lots of Yellow Wagtails being seen at North Cave, and sure enough there was a quite a few around, the biggest group I saw was nine together all busy feeding. In the same area there were plenty of other birds also feeding including...
 



Reed Bunting

 
Redshank

 
Meadow Pipit 
 
 
On one of the small pools a Coot was sat tight on her nest


Likewise for the Mute Swan, but a bit bigger nest!

 
Nearby these Lapwing flew by making lots of noise!
 

The warm weather, certainly encourages the butterflies; my first Peacock Butterfly of the year

 
Reed Bunting
 
 
Blackcap
 


 
Some nice spring blossom!
 
 
One of my favourites - Avocet - Look at those amazing blue legs!
 

These were seen on the pools near Turret hide, there were these two close by and a small group a bit further away


Black Headed Gull showing off in the sunshine!


Black Tailed Godwit flying in


and time for a quick scratch! Unfortunately, they were a bit far off for a good shot.

 
Sandmartin checking out a suitable nest
 
 

Thursday 18 April 2013

Rutland Water Nature Reserve

Osprey are high on our wish list of birds to see this year.  After a little research on the web, we decided Rutland Water in Leicestershire would be a good place to try.  Rutland Water is a huge reserve with over 30 bird hides - we didn't manage all of them as we ran out of time.  There are 2 visitor centres; Lyndon and Egleton, they are approx 5-10 minutes away from each other by car.  We all had a great day even though it was quite windy and cold brrr.... 
 
Kestrel at Lyndon visitor centre
 


 
View over Manton Bay
 
 
Manton Bay is one of the spots where Ospreys nest, the viewing hide is manned by volunteers from the time the Ospreys arrive from their wintering grounds in West Africa, and throughout the breeding season until the chicks have fledged.  Manton Bay is reached from the Lyndon visitor centre.  Great to see these birds, that's another tick for our bird list!
 
Female Osprey on the nest
 
 
Male Osprey
 
 
 
 
Great Crested Grebe 
 
 
 
 
Wigeon feeding on the grass at the edge of the water
 
 
Pied Wagtail
 
 
Signs of Spring ... 
 
 
 
Cattle just outside the visitor centre at Egleton 
 
 
View towards Upper Hambleton
 
 
Muntjac Deer
 


 
The meadow near the visitor centre had some great birds including;
 
Fieldfare
 

Redwing

 
Bullfinch
 

Thrush

 
Water Rail
 
 
Sparrowhawk - but unfortunately he turned the other way, then flew off!  
 

Egyptian Goose - a very long way away