Goosanders

 All these images of Goosanders were taken early on the 1st of May. It was great to see them relaxed and resting in the early morning sunlight. How long before we begin to see female goosanders with young? Like many others, I hope they have a good breeding season.

From The Undergrowth

A few with the new set up still getting use to the nikon

Male Reed Bunting

Field Vole ( Basil 2 )

ditto

Chiff chaff collecting feathers

ditto

Chiff Chaff

Tree Creeper

gwh

Walk around the reserve

             Had a walk around the reserve today and it is getting
             very popular, lots of people around today and bumped
             into Colin doing a bit of macro work.

             5 Chiff Chaff and a few singing
             4 Jay, 2 Blackcap, 3 Willow Warblers
             Regular Tits and Finches and 4 Reed Bunting
             3 Mallard in Reed Lagoon one with funny colours
             1 GSW and 1 Heron flyover and sadly 1 dead Canada
             on the canal. 1 Goosander & 1 Pied Wagtail nr Weir
             2 Oystercatchers which I've not seen there before so
             was nice to see and 1 Grey Wagtail.
             3 blokes with terrier dogs in woods where not supposed
             to walk.

           

Very obliging Chiff Chaff collecting nest material in the feeding area today, cameras clicking like it was on the catwalk!!!

 

Few of the residents this lovely morning

 

Spring Specials: Birds and Butterflies

Spring is well under way, but at times it feels like winter is still holding on. Though the weather has been changable the sights and sounds down on the reserve have been a delight to witness. Birds are still making use of the bird feeding area. Male Chaffinches and Bullfinches are looking at their best. On warm days we are seeing a number of Butterflies which reminds me that summer is on its way and its nearly time to get the Macro out in ernest.

                                      Male Blackcaps are singing for all they are worth

                             Bluetits are still coming down foir seeds at the Viewing Station

                                   Male Chaffinches are looking fantastic at the moment

                                  This Dunnock was showing well down by the river

                 Male reedbunting. Topping up with seed before he heads back to the lagoon

     The Jays are still coming down for peanuts. Perhaps the larder was empty for this one.

                                    Robin down by the river path in late evening sun

                                        Female Goosander in evening sunlight on the river

                                                                     Ditto

                                   One of two males that were there that evening

                                          They seem to be enjoying each others company

                                                 But, it was the male that drove her off.

                                                One of our splendid male Bullfinches

                                                               Goldfinch on Tag Loop

                                             Goldfinch in the Hawthorns bushes by the weir

                                                            Chiff-Chaff on Tag Loop

               Jay wondering when someone is going to bring down some more peanuts

                                               Kestrel hunting on the reserve

                                                    A joy to see not one but two

                                                 Small White Butterfly

                                                                   Peacock Butterfly

                                                   Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly