Jay,unusually half out in the open
Around 8 Willow Warblers ..
A few Mallards ducklings around
Tufted now a long stayer
Who mentioned ducklings ? Heron
1600 hrs and a walk around the water at a very blustery Ogden with a NW>5 but bright and clear.
Willow Warblers were active with 8 seperate birds , some singing and displaying whilst 2 Treecreepers which, as usual ,avoided the camera, were in the edge of the wood. A single Jay was noisy and a Heron patrolled the waters edge dangerously close to a small party of Mallard ducklings. The Common Sandpiper was still present which flushed from the NE corner flying over to the west bank and 2 Raven cronked overhead whilst unfortunately I was under a canopy of trees at the time.
A single Grey Wagtail was down in the sluice gate where the Kingfisher has,nt been seen for some time now and has obviously moved off to a breeding site. 1 Cormorant on the depth gauge float and the resident drake Tufted completed the show.
Whilst typing this an usual sight of 2 grit wagons going passed spreading salt on the road which means its probably going to be a decent day tomorrow. We only get gritters out up here in the gods during good weather or when we are approaching an election.
BS