Weekend winds.

 Having spent the weekend firmly indoors because of the Baltic conditions outside and doing my birding through the double glazing ,on the Saturday as I was thinking about lunch I heard the unmistakable sound of Buzzards calling just above the house looking out two buzzards were having a right set to but I managed a couple of belly shots before they disappeared into the sun.

Then on Monday as things had calmed down and was looking like a nice day I tramped down the pond (with wellies ) the pond was still frozen over and all the wildfowl was over the far side so I moved on to the flash which was also frozen ,a solitary Redshank and surprisingly the Turnstone had returned

 ( not often seen on Holywell ).

Retracing my steps a look in the hide produced this rather nice Little/Egret I think it was just testing the water temp ?

Passing the feeding station I cannot refuse a shot of these brilliant little birds.

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE (things might be looking up?)

Joe.

Pond and beyond.

 I have spent a couple of days this week when weather permitted! looking for the SEOs  I did catch site of one  earlier in the week it was at distance with this being my best shot.

later that day I got a second chance with a quick fly bye.

Then on Wednesday I tried again along with two more folk but to no avail although this little guy gave us a bit of interest scrambling around and keeping an eye on us.

But by this time I was loosing the will to live in the cold so decided to call it a day and leave the other two guys to it.

Returning on Friday wasn't any better with another no show however all was not lost as I managed to get quite a nice shot of this Kestrel

and a nice to see Stonechat (rubbish shot ).

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE

Joe.

 

Rape- field surprise

 Escaping the lock-down for a much needed walk I took the well trodden path around the pond ( with wellies of course ) ,the pond was very quiet probably because of the shooting in the morning ,moving on to the flash where the little egret was showing well (o for better weather ).

It was early afternoon but I thought I might have a look for the SEO that had been seen in the area 

of the so called dairy house fields,trudging thru mud and hoof tracks I managed to spot it in the rape field hunkered down.

heavy crop from miles away.

Then this morning (Friday ) as I was doing the blog I noticed this Buzzard land in one of  the trees in the dene ( in the rain of course ).

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE

JOE.

Pond walk.

 My morning exercise walk around the pond and the now full east flash was a little better than the norm although the paths were frozen it made for much easier walking,my first encounter was this Buzzard hiding in the branches 

                  He then saw me and flew off landing in the line of trees between the pond and flash

I think it had been giving the field-fares and redwings feeding in the field along side the sheep

the evil eye ?

Nothing of note on the pond or the flash for that matter other than the two Redshank that have been hanging around for a while but I did get a little closer to this bird on the way home.

I had only just got my coat etc off when I saw this bird through the dining room window

Not a bad mornings exercise .

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE

 Joe.

 

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Quarry Goose.

 A text from Paul C last night informing me of a Egyptian Goose at Marden Quarry.The following morning I decided on a relatively early start as I wanted to miss any crowds,dog walkers etc .On arrival I could see the Goose on the other side of the Quarry from the car park,as I walked towards the area there was another chap there taking pictures he said the Goose seemed reluctant to go in the water other than for a drink here's a few pics.

It did manage a short swim before I scarpered as more people arrived.

Always nice to see (thanks Paul)

Thanks for looking 

STAY SAFE

Joe.

A Kestrel Morning.

Having waited for a break in the showers I set off on my walk to the pond, I had just got to the end of the village when I came across my first Kestrel it looked quite a small bird as it flew onto the top of a telegraph pole I presumed it to be a first winter bird?

Having travelled along a very muddy waggon way until I came to Holywell flash looking rather splendid but only hosting a few BH Gulls. I could see another Kestrel hunting over the field towards the Obelisk,as I turned towards the pond another rather splendid looking bird landed in the tree in front of me (Kestrel no three).

I got quite close.

This bird then flew off in the direction of the flash, A quick peek in the public hide produced nothing but the usual suspects, coming up to the gateway to the key hide there was another Kestrel in the tree top above me (no four)

I then turned to take the last section of path back to the village nearing the small cut between the houses I came across my last Kestrel (no five) .

What a morning.

Thanks for looking

STAY SAFE

Joe.

Last supper !

Here's the local Kestrel looking for its last supper of 2020.

 

All the best everyone 

STAY SAFE

Joe.