It will end in tears

The latest spell of better weather seems to have convinced the garden bird population to get cracking
This Blue Tit was gathering strands of garden twine whilst imitating a 'blue owl'

and the Dunnock stripped the stone frog of its mossy covering.

A pair of Blackbirds have chosen a small privet which is roughly no more than a two feet diameter sphere as their secret spot only it was secret for no more than four hours from when they started to build.

A pity that the one uncovering the secret was this guy

 who has its own  nest no more than fifty yards away. I watched it on top of the privet with its head inside to see what was going on, so no doubt it will return.
Its all going to end in tears.          AND IT DID

Tawny Mining bee

A full month later than last year provides our first garden sighting of a Tawny Mining bee

New visitor

We are still getting good numbers of birds visiting our garden feeders and we were particularly pleased to see a male and female Siskin.

Regular visits by Goldfinch and Greenfinch brighten up the garden.
Although this is the time of year when we  would reduce the amount of feed available I have decided to keep it going a little longer since there seems little more available naturally now than there was in January.

The Bumpy Road

A mid afternoon stroll along the bumpy road at Prestwick Carr was very peaceful. We spotted four or five dragonfly hawking along the berry laden hawthorn bushes.
For several minutes we were entertained by a flock of Long-tailed Tits who seem to be still for only only a fraction of a second before being on the the move again.

Bullfinch, Great Tit and Coal Tit were present also. Without bins I was unable to decide which geese were at the top of the horsey fields, although I think there was Canada amongst them, along with a good flock of Lapwing
The water levels are not far below the road level and it seems that the least shower of rain will top it up again but a very enjoyable visit.

Holy Island

Judging by some recent blog posts I am the only one to visit Holy Island recently and not see any owls despite being in the right place, but, it appears at the wrong time.
However we did see some nice sights.
Just like  this pair of Snow Buntings who were very partial to having people around them

On the beach in the harbour area were Ringed Plover, Dunlin, Redshank and Bar tailed Godwit

with Eider and a few Guillemot  just offshore

In the garden behind the castle was a lone Goldcrest and on the wall just outside a Stonechat

There were huge numbers of birds  adjacent to the causeway, with the large number of  Brent Geese being very vocal.

Large flocks of Golden Plover and Godwits provided exciting flying displays

Although past its best flowering season the castle garden is still a place of peace. It is planted out as planned by its designer, Gertrude Jekyll.

Nice one, Gertrude!

Linnet and Goldfinch were regularly seen

Town Moor

After all of the recent rainfall the Town Moor is swamp like in large areas
Together with the mud making cow herd still on the moor there are a couple of well muddied ponds which I hoped may hold some birds. Late this afternoon I set off to check them out.
The first distant target I could see had birds flying over it but then they were flying off. By the time I was in binocular range I was just in time to see a Sparrowhawk flying away - so no more birds there for a while.
My second target was being approached by a couple with six dogs - another blank.
Being almost there I set off for Exhibition Park pond setting a Snipe to flight from one of the numerous wet areas.  The pond held six Goosanders.

On the return over the Moor I could hear the calls of Golden Plover overhead where a flock of many hundred wheeled about prior to settling into their night time roost. I understand that this Town Moor roost has been going on for many years.

Pied Wagtail and Black headed Gulls were populating the many wet and muddy patches

across the Moor

Northumberlandia

An open day at Northumberlandia presented to chance to have a look around.
There were loads of visitors in the same mind. The extensive pond areas will no doubt provide some wildlife interest in the future.

Spotted only Pipits, Grey Heron and Magpie but, once the number of visitors settles it will be interesting to see what turns up. The scrub area adjacent will no doubt provide good cover for the local bird population.

 We did have a Common Darter come to rest on the path in front of us so it hasn't taken them long to find the place.

I understand that it will not be open to the public fully for another few weeks but we will then have another location to have a wander and watch - can't be bad.