A number of Mallard broods adorned the calm waters of the flash. A pair of Moorhen were busy checking out a small islet of rock as a potential nest site (a previous nest had been washed away). Lapwing were performing tirelessly over the Spit and the Cormorants below them slumbered on point duty. Closer to me, a young Song Thrush rested quietly amongst still bare branches, whilst a not so quiet Dunnock warbled joyously above it, and a Grey Wagtail hopped around almost unnoticed on the rocky ground below.
At Ramsdale's Flash, a vixen was stalking something near to the aptly named Fox Scrape and I watched it skulking along the bank before it disappeared over the top. From the hide, I watched a large Common Carp basking in the nearby shallows. A Heron dropped in for a look around and as I watched it, I noticed a well camouflaged Little Ring Plover as it fed along the stony edge of a small island.
Next, and I did have to rub my eyes, a pair of Great Crested Grebe I was watching way out on the flash, suddenly launched into a full courtship display dance - the whole works - including the exchange of weedy gifts. Brilliant!
What a fantastic way to end a day that was truly the epitome of spring-time.
The Argo sailing through the Clashing Rocks of the Bosphorus - or just a Moorhen?
I think I was doing the watching but I can't be sure!
Natural camouflage as modelled by this Grey Wagtail
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