Local Birding

As I'm not about the next 3 weekends I decided I ought to do some local birding.

So off to Hatfield Forest. Not the finest pictures of a Marsh Tit but....





Chiffchaffs all over the place and yes it isn't that good!




Still did see my first forest Blackcap of the year!

Lots of Rabbits as well.




All the birds were singing with Song Thrush in good voice. The lake had the usual suspects and there were the normal woodland birds Bullfinch, Great Spot and Green Woodpecker, Nuthatch and Treecreeper.

But the star was this little beauty




my first Wheatear over the forest!

I then popped down Amwell. The Bunting wasn't showing but I wasn't looking that hard! Oh how blase!













I popped into Rye Meads which had displaying Redshank, a Great Crested Grebe (not that common there) and a singing Willow Warbler. Unfortunately there has been no female Kingfisher. I watched a Heron stand stock still for ages before striking!


Lovely day.

For Kate Blogs

A while ago Kate asked me if I knew the name of Boxted Church in Suffolk. Well I did as I had visited it a few years ago.

Anyway I was on my way back today and I realised I was close by so just for Kate I give you Holy Trinity Boxted.

From the outside it doesn't look particularly special.




Even this internal view doesn't look that promising.




But if you pay attention to the first picture you'll notice a chapel tucked on the side.

Boxted House nestles in the bottom of the Glem Valley and has been the home of the Poley's for six centuries. The church has become almost there private chapel.

A day at Lackford Lakes

I went to Lackford Lakes this morning. It's a reserve run by Suffolk Wildlife Trust.







I was hoping for Swallows and Martins over the lakes but nothing.

Still I did get to see my first Blackcap (and he was singing) and there was a Willow Warbler singing.












Waders about were Redshank, Snipe, Lapwing and Oystercatcher. Nice to find a Marsh Tit singing. Oh and if you look closely at the next picture there is a Snipe!


















I came the scenic way home. As I was driving into Great Dunmow a Swallow flew the other way!! Nice to seem them getting back!