Burdon Moor

 27.03.24 A slow steady mid-afternoon walk around Burdon Moor with my wife (she said she enjoyed it even though it rained mid-way through the walk). I didn’t find what I was hoping for but we still saw some canny wildlife.

Female Roe Deer.

Male Roe Deer.

Male and female.

It’s amazing how far and high they can jump when they are being chased

Female.

Or chasing.

Male in almost the same spot.

I think this is a third Roe Deer she had just emerged from the long grass after the rain and looks rather forlorn.

Little Egret which we spooked as we walked by the top pond. I put it out on Bird Guides that I had seen one but for some reason it didn’t show up. That’s the second time it has happened.

Female Stonechat.

Male Stonechat. He was chasing the female all over.

Meadow Pipit.

Quite a few Curlew were flying around the fields.

Heron.

I haven’t a clue what this Crow is eating but it seems to be enjoying it.

Another local walk

 24.03.24 An afternoon slow short stroll up to the whinny bushes to see if I could get my first images this year of Chiffchaff and I did indeed. They seemed to be in every tree and bush I passed calling and singing their heads off.  There were also dozens of Gorse Shieldbugs which was a bonus however they were the only Shieldbugs I found which was a bit of a disappointment.

Chiffchaff with an insect in its beak.

Which it dropped so it can’t have been that tasty.

Chiffchaff and Shieldbug.

Willow Tit.

Long-tailed Tit.

I know it’s not sharp (it was a long distant grab shot) but I like the way it’s trying to catch flies.

Wren.

Gorse Shieldbug.

7-spot Ladybird.

Last night’s full moon.

Local

24.03.24 A slow short stroll locally this morning produced some canny birds. 

Goldcrest. These little things do not stay still for very long. 

It’s not often you see a Goldcrests tongue. 

A distant Sparrowhawk enjoying the sun it must just have had breakfast as there were small birds flying around it and it just watched them.

It also had its eye on me.

That was until the Crows arrived and saw it off. How it managed to fly through the branches I will never know.

Goldfinch.

Song Thrush. I heard at least three this morning.

Chaffinch.

A distant pair of Roe Deer.

Wallington Hall

 22.03.24 My wife and I had a drive to Wallington Hall today and if it hadn’t been for the wind, it would have been the perfect day out don’t get me wrong it was still canny mind but the wind spoilt it a bit.

I don’t often show images of birds flying away from me but I thought these ones of a Buzzard were a little different.

Brambling. I think this is the first of the year for me.

After our visit to Wallington, we went looking for Adders but instead, I found my first toad of the year.