Hello 2024.
Early Snowdrops were starting to show at Lynford Arboretum.
We always seem to be a bit “lack lustre” in January, struggling to find the motivation to get going again after the Christmas/ New Year break. However, 2024 is going to be an exciting year for us. In the spring we have booked a week on the Northumberland coast where we hope to visit the beach at Bamburgh, which is an absolute must, and also a trip to Holy Isle. We would like to take a boat out to the Farne Islands while we are there, but not sure if they will open to the public. The last few years visitors have been stopped due to the risk of Bird Flu spreading to the breeding colonies of sea birds. This coastline is stunning and breath-taking so we will be very busy. Hope the sun shines.
The second week we are back on the Yorkshire coast again, Bempton, Flamborough, Whitby, Filey and all bits in between.
In the autumn we have booked the trip we have been planning for many years, and at last, fingers crossed, it will go ahead. This year is our 50th wedding anniversary, and to celebrate, we are going on a road trip to British Columbia and Alberta, Canada. Starting in Vancouver and finishing in Calgary. Taking in a bear watching trip and a whale watching trip on Vancouver Island, and then onward to the Canadian Rockies. We are already sorting out what camera equipment to take.
With the flood plains and farmland around the Rivers Nene and Ouse still underwater or under mud we visited Thetford Forest again. The Crossbills and Hawfinches were still eluding us but we did spot a few Brambling. Flocks of Brambling head to the UK each year, escaping the Scandinavian snow and taking advantage of the food on offer in our woods. They can be difficult to see in the leaf litter beneath the trees. The only way you know they are there is when you see the woodland floor moving. Then you know they are searching the leaves. Brambling are very similar to the Chaffinch and like to join up with them during the winter.
Lovely little Long Tailed Tits can be seen in large numbers around the woodland.
A Coal Tit searching for food in an old tree.
A little mouse like bird, the Treecreeper. Always starts at the bottom of a tree and makes it way up the trunk searching out food in the bark.
Early Snowdrops. It may still be winter but a promise that , all though six weeks away, spring is on the way.
One of the Holly bushes at Lynford was covered in berries and Redwings were flying backward and forward feasting on them. After being on the tree all winter, the berries must have been at just the right sort of ripeness for the birds. We had to stand partially hidden behind some other trees as the Redwings were very skittish and as soon as we moved they were off.
We were very pleased to get at least two reasonable pictures of the lovely Redwing.
An absolutely stunning golden late afternoon and we called in at the Fen to see if the Short Eared Owls were flying. The paths were surprisingly dry but the ditches were full.
Some of the young Konik ponies
Starlings like to hang around the ponies when they are grazing.
The Kestrel is always around but this time she came and hovered in front of us. Amazing how they keep their heads completely still whilst the rest of their body is moving. What with all the Owls and Kestrel about the poor voles have been under siege this winter. Still, there must be enough small mammals around to keep everyone fed.
We never get tired of seeing these beautiful Owls.
Hunting!
It was getting late in the afternoon and this Owl took a rest from hunting and sat on one of the fence posts for quite a while.
Back at home in the garden and capturing the many colours in a Starlings plumage.
Lots of Blue Tits in the garden when this photo was taken, but, as usual, only two on the day of the RSPB great garden birdwatch.
The Grey squirrels are getting too cheeky and not at all bothered when we are around. This one was waiting and watching for us while we replenished the bird feeders, as if to say “about time too, hurry up!”. We have five of them visiting at the moment , despite little Eva dog chasing them when ever she can. Our friends have Black Squirrels visiting their garden regularly and they have kindly invited us over to see if we can get some pictures, we are looking forward to that.