Pics. taken on shopping trip to Chester City

Spring has sprung and some of the following pics are proof of that.






Find the Ladybird.

Euphorbia

The main tower Chester Cathedral



A short ride out

Went up to Thacka first thing and had a good look round while walking the Westies. Very little on the flash, just a few Lapwing and about 6 Oystercatchers. The two Lesser-blackbacked Gulls were still present on the island, and I'm wondering if they are thinking of nesting on there, interesting.
   There was little difference on Thacka beck reserve just a few Black-headed Gulls.
        Later in the morning Mrs W and I had a ride down to Waterhead & Ambleside. No sign of any Otters, and it looks like the Long-tailed Duck has left us, however I did find these Goldeneye on the confluence of the River Rothay and the river Brathay

Male Goldeneye

After a walk round it was the usual problem of having to replenish Mrs Ws food reserves, so we made our way to Hayes garden centre & some food.
We were just sorting out which table to sit at , when we found Alan & Geraldine, they use to be our neighbours when we lived over at Keswick. It was great to see them again and we had a good crack.

On and around Derwent water









A very confiding Dunnock outside the workshop.

Spent the day with my mate Les over at Keswick launch company, and part of the day was spent finishing some work on the Ashness landing stage. its been completely renewed after the ice and wind smashed it up earlier in the winter. By the time we had finished it the launches could use it for the rest of the day. We then did a circuit of the lake checking out the wild life. Most of the time we were on the lake the sun had gone in and there was a cool breeze blowing, so it was good to get back into the warmth of the shed.

Two pair of the many Goosanders that was on the lake.

You cant beat an early morning drink and paddle

From left to right
Great End, Broad Crag centre, & Scafell Pike.
As can be seen , there is still quite a bit of snow on the high ground.
All in all an enjoyable day.

Friday March 18

Sarcoscypha coccinea (Scarlet elf-cup)

Friday March the 18, and as Mrs W had the day off,  we headed South, First stop Sizergh Castle, unfortunately no Hawfinch while we were there about 10ish, but there had been good numbers earlier.



Lapwing

Next stop Leighton Moss, the sun was shinning and it was very enjoyable  wandering about. Although good numbers of Avocet had been recorded in the last few days, there was none viewable from the marsh hides.





Male Wigeon

Back at the main centre there was all the usual on view, pairs
 of Goldeneye, Little Grebe, Great Crested Grebe, were the pick of the bunch on the water. Mrs W found 5 Buzzard in the air at one time, and Peregrine over Lillian's hide. Also Long-tailed Tit and Goldcrest at the back of Lillian's.

Just the two of us, Male & Female Wigeon

After lunch we had a look in at the Jackson hide & then Grizdale. 1 Little Egret could be seen at a distance, but apart from the usual wildfowl there was nothing unusual.

Male Pheasant
A very good day.

On our feeding wall this morning



Female Chaffinch


Just a selecton of visitors to our feeding wall. My self and nabours put the food out and it attracts a modest selection of birds.


Female Blackbird




Female Blckbird

  These are just a few that was about this morning, others were Collared Dove, Blue Tit, and Starling.


Male Chaffinch



Hedge Sparrow (Dunnock)

                                        Pair of Hedge Sparrow

I took the Westies out first thing and just as I got out of the car John pull up in his, He had come to see if the Pintail was still about as he has not had a chance to see it till this mornng. Luckily it was on full view although for a while it had its head tucked in.
           Talking to Steve yesterday he had seen a Dunlin on the new ponds (Thacka beck Nature Reserve) so I drove round there before heading home. There was no sign this morning, mind its a big area and a small bird, so could easy be hidden. There was a couple of  Lesser Black-backed Gulls about, they were on the flash yesterday, also a Moorhen on the new area, and 2 Lapwings. This use to be the their breeding patch so hopefully they are moving back in.

General update

Its been a while since my last post, but to be honest there hasn't been a lot happening on the patch, and since my Daughter has past her driving test I have been letting her use the car as often as poss. to give her more experience. However this in turn means I have less of a chance to get out and about myself , hence the lack of posts.
       Up on the flash, apart from the Shoveler, we have had Tufted Duck, and more recently a female Pintail. Like the Shoveler the Pintail was a first for the flash, but we have had Tufted before, still the list grows.
        The Lapwing continue to stay around the 100 mark, and I have had a high count of 24 Oystercatchers.  A Buzzard has put in an appearance on 2 occasions, but only seen the Kestrel once.



Reedmace (Bullrush) beginning to seed.

This morning I had a walk round Cliburn Moss nature reserve, and the place was alive with the drumming of Great spotted Woodpeckers. It was good to feel the warmth of the sun after a frosty start.




Mrs W couldn't resist doing this jigsaw with the Westies on .

          My sympathy's are with the people of  Japan, My their God be with them.