Well, here we are at the end of March already. The world is not a nice place at present so its been good to be able get away from the news images and sit quietly for a few hours in the countryside and count our blessings.
This month has seen us spoil ourselves with a new (used) camera each so trying out the new settings etc. so far so good.
Spring has finally sprung, although at the time of writing this it feels like winter has returned,(Its snowing at the moment) and we have been able to visit a few local spots, as well as walking our local woodland without disappearing knee deep in mud. Its been lovely. Our little dog has got quite excited about the prospect of longer walks and lots of spring scents to sniff so she has had to be kept on the lead for fear of her disappearing into the undergrowth. Safer for the wildlife and her. Of course she is not allowed on the reserves so she has a morning at home on those days, catching up on her sleep and dreaming about the next big outing.
Cormorant at Little Paxton Pits early March. A pair of Great Crested Grebes were spotted just starting to nest build.
An early morning start rewarded us with the sight of this Otter.
Surprise!
A hunting Heron on the river bank.
A pair of Kingfishers on the River Nene
Great Crested Grebe on the River Nene. Such beautiful clear morning light showed off his colours.
This Great Crested Grebe was so handsome and photogenic.
Hope the muddy beak is from digging out a nest tunnel in the bank and not a mis-judged dive.
Such a beautiful still morning for fishing.
Just time for a quick snack.
A Dunnock in a hedgerow was singing his heart out.
A morning spent in the hides at Wood Walton Fen was so relaxing. Several of these Chinese Water Deer were wandering in and out of the reed beds. This not a native species, as the name suggets they originate from China and like marshy places. They are slightly bigger than a Muntjac but smaller than a Roe deer and have teddy bear like faces. The males have tusks which somehow do not go with the cute face.
It was quite entertaining watching this Male Swan. He did not want any other birds on the mere, probably because there was a female on a nest somewhere nearby, and he spent hours trying to chase away the geese. In turn, the geese just flew a little way before landing and setting him off again. They were probably doing it on purpose, trying to wind him up, and succeeding. He must have been exhausted by the end of the day.
Grey Lag Geese fighting over a female, its that time of year again. Notice she is staying out of it and just looking on.
Lovely little Long Tailed Tits were gathering the lichen for nest material just outside the hide.
A section of a ditch was alive with noisy toads.
Canada Geese coming in to land.
A male Yellowhammer in full colour in the sunshine.
Corn Bunting singing away. Both these and Yellowhammers are farmland birds that are on the red list so we are very lucky to have them on our local walk. Thanks to local farmers in our area who are farming for wildlife.
One of the first of our summer migrants the Willow Warbler in our local wood.
The warm spring sunshine brought out some early butterflies, a Peacock butterfly. Its colours always look as if they have been painted on.
An easy to spot Comma butterfly with its wavy edged wings.