Sunny days are here again

On route home the other day I saw three common buzzards and three red kites on the thermals and
looking for road kill,I also heard one red kite had been brought in to the vets at Moneyhill,alas it died
fom its injuries.

Today I was at Maple Lodge where 2 green sandpiper and a common snipe obliged. Most species

were pairing up singing or holding territory,including Canada Geese.Long tailed tits were collecting
lichen for nests ,while it was good to see Song thrush and Starling.

The Starling posed for me as I walked up Maple lodge close, home for breakfast.

woodoaks farm

Well what a difference a day makes 0800HRS I am at the farm but no sign of yesterdays black redstart,

however female blackcap obliged with a couple of yellowhammer.Moving on to the orchard
two little owl obliged briefly at some distance,more birders arrived in search of the now gone

but not forgotten black redstart.

Spring at Maple Lodge

0800hrs walked to Maple Lodge a sunny morning after a frosty start,on arrival a Chiff chaff was

singing as I waked to the Rotunda hide,nearby some tree planting had occured over the week end.

Made my way to the Teal Hide where seven Common Snipe were present.  A Kingfisher showed

well but fleetingly and caught a fish.Next a Fox in the distant phragmites caught my attention as it

hurdled through the undergrowth.Bird song was everywhere trilling wrens ,great spotted woodpeckers

drumming,at the Paddock a Wren was building a nest.A Peacock butterfly a first for Spring was in the

dried up sluice.Finally in the Paddock another Chiffchaff and a Ring necked parakeet near it nest

hole,formerly a woodpeckers hole.On the way home a Red Kite sailed overhead.

woodoaks walk

Walked Ted to Woodoaks with Sarah not much about ,Ted flushed two skylark and a
meadow pipit ,a few flocks of wintering thrushes and starlings obliged before the

threatening rain arrived.

working party

This morning I was on a North Harrow Waltonians working party clearing up Springwell GP.
A Chiffchaff was singing as a steady drizzle ensued , a Great crested grebe was on the stock pool evading the anglers looking out for its welfare.
A good many trees needed to be removed from certain swims, a carpet of wild garlic interspersed with

Daffodills made a pleasnt spring view.

Other matters

Been tied up with work and family, for a while but managed a days fly fishing in Hampshire on Saturday
We had breakfast in the village of Kings Sombourne then in was in to the Test valley where I caught 4
Rainbows bagged up early and sat in the late morning sunshine prior to departure.
On Sunday I walked Ted with my daughter Sarah to Woodoaks Farm where on my early return I saw

3 Common Buzzards and a Red Kite overhead.