May 26th, a grey, dreich Sunday. The car is dead and I need to collect some mail so, off down the lane, camera and binoculars to hand and a light jacket, who knows when or if the rain will start again.
Over to the barn, see what there is to see at the owl box.
One
Two
There's definitely a pair of Barn owls in there but are there any young? I don't know yet but hope to find out soon enough.
Off down the lane, I stopped by the reed beds for a while but it was way too windy for anything to pop up and show just for me so I carried on.
The lane and the surrounding woodlands are a wonderful area for all sorts of wildlife and the scene changes constantly with the seasons and the light.
I spotted this mushroom a few days ago meaning to grab a few shots but, something took a liking to it and has started munching already, that's Nature! The second is just a bit further along the lane and not quite as munched on, yet.
That ash
The Ash tree seen in the gap is in itself so photogenic, the gnarly branches against the sky but, it also often has Buzzards and more perching there.
I carried on down the hill, right down into the clearing before seeing any more shots.
It was great to see lots of bird life down here, House Martins galore and Swifts, feels like the first I've seen this year. I switched Merlin on and it picked up the loudest Song Thrush I've ever heard. Merlin is a bird listening app that then tries to identify that bird by its call, it seems to struggle with our Thrushes, not surprisingly, they have such a variety of sounds.
Both Merlin and I heard a squeal like a cat, a Water Rail? I didn't get to see it, they're pretty secretive but it certainly sounded right.
I did see around eight Swifts in total around the trees and ponds.
As you can see, it was a gie dreich day, bland, grey sky, not good for this type of photography but, they're a record of this walk........ for now.
There was a Buzzard over the bottom fields that never stopped calling, I wonder if it was a young bird?
Calling Buzzard
I wandered around on the road for a while, amazed by the number of House Martins around, before wandering back to the Mill Pond to check that area for Damselflies, not a one. Too cold wet and windy maybe?
Red Clover
I started back up the lane stopping to watch a couple of Coal Tits exploring in the pines then attacked the first slope, up to the first woodland walk. A random spur of the moment decision meant a walk down to the bottom of the hill where I discovered a new pond being dug.
Preening Swallow
I spotted a Mallard female with a gaggle of ducklings and tracked her slowly and carefully to the smaller pond.
Incoming House Martin
Lots more Martins down here. I also spotted another Buzzard further up the slope
Buzzard & House Martin?
A second Buzzard appeared and they flew around each other for a while, a third appeared but didn't interact with these closely.
The Mallard I'd followed was out on this small pond, trying to keep herself and the ducklings sheltered in the long grasses and reeds so I didn't hang around too long.
I counted twelve ducklings, she'll have her wings full getting them all to adulthood. I heard, then spotted a Reed Bunting singing on the hedge beyond the pond.
There's a lovely wild area developing down there next to the new pond, some Orchids already growing there.
Remember the Mallard and her twelve ducklings? There are thirteen!
I finally dragged myself away from the ponds and headed back up the hill through the woods and onto the lane again, got to be dinner time!
Up towards that Ash again and there it is. A Buzzard sitting watching me. Must be a grand platform to view down on the fields below!
I managed to catch a few shots as it took off and flew off behind, over the hill towards home.
Almost home, a male Yellowhammer popped up on a tree and gave me a song.
Then one last look before heading in to eat...
Is that the top of a young fluffy head I see?
Must check again soon.
All in all, a great wander, loads of birds logged, not all seen but there's more to be seen yet ;)
