Marbury - 26 March 2012

A fantastic morning and the 80 acre Budworth Mere was flat calm and a sight to behold. Black-headed Gulls were up in the air and darting back and forth in swallow-like fashion, coming low over the water but gracefully swinging away again as if not wanting to break the mirror-like surface. I am not sure how long I watched this but I do recall thinking that no matter how often you visit the same place, nature will always find a way serving up something new!

I had a quick look at the woodland feeder station and all the usual suspects were there, including two or more Nuthatch. Then, heading to Neumann's Flash, I spotted a Kestrel perched up near Forge Pool. I watched on for a while, took a few snaps and reluctantly moved on.

The circuit around Neumann's was filled with the sound of newly arrived Chiffchaff and as usual, they refused to show in any good light, so I added to my growing collection of silhouettes. The flash itself was just as still as Budworth Mere, rather lacking in bird activity but a beautiful sight nonetheless!

Hadyn's Pool was more active, with Gadwall and Shoveler, and I spotted a couple of Common Buzzards sitting in the trees to the north of the pool.

Heading home, I realised just how glorious a day it had been. I had felt the first true kiss of spring and was certain that the harsh darkness of winter was now behind us. Fingers crossed eh!

    Awake, thou wintry earth, fling off thy sadness!
    Fair vernal flowers, laugh forth your ancient gladness!
                                                                      (Thomas Blackburn)

Kestrel taking a time-out near Forge Pool

Chiffchaff can be difficult to photograph but I've had worse silhouettes

Neumann's Flash on a beautiful Spring day