Charlcote Park NT

Another visit to our favourite National Trust property on Thursday to take advantage of the Sun.

This was just a quick get away for a few hours and the opportunity fore a nice walk by the Avon. We didn't expect much birding and there wasn't although the Herons from the large Heronry were busy fishing and chasing one another always good to see some action, the Swans weren't that happy with them though:

There were plenty of Swallows skimming the grass and nesting at various locations all over the house. A couple of Buzzards were floating very high over the park land and a Great Spotted Woodpecker gave us some good views inspecting a hole in one of the trees (I wasn't quick enough with the camera though!)

The far side of the park was closed to protect the pregnant Deer, but on the house side of the park all the young stags were showing well:

A very pleasant afternoon, made even better when our brilliant daughter phoned us to say that she has 'passed' her Phd and is now a Doctor of Physical Mathematics!

A 'Tern' up for the books at Upton

On Sunday we took our good friends Keith & Liz to Upton for the afternoon, primarily to see the Avocets and their broods. I did look at the Birds Forum on the morning to see if anything else was happening and saw that a Black Tern had been seen at the Sailing Pool about 8:30 in the morning, I didn't hold up any hope of seeing it as we weren't planning to get there until 2ish, but to my and our surprise it was still there zooming around the pool picking up what it could. I tried some photos but trying to focus as it flew around was nigh on impossible, I did get a record shot though:

So a lifer for us and on our favourite reserve, bonus!

We carried on to the hide overlooking the flashes, where of course plenty was going on:
Lapwing with 3 chicks (the 3rd is just under the adult..)

 Little Ringed Plover

 Avocet

 Avocet young

 Lapwing chick

 Shelduck and ducklings

We then went over to the Moors Pools, again admiring the Black Tern, who was still cavorting around the Sailing Lake.
Mute Swan on approach!

Juvenile Long-tailed Tit

Vociferous Reed Bunting

Canada Goose

Sedge Warbler

Greenfinch

TTFN!

Warrens Hall NR & Canal

After neglecting our canal for some time we took a walk from home as far as Warrens Hall LNR. Not much to report other than lots of Mallard, Coot, Moorhen and Canada Goose young, although we did see our first UK Blackcap of the year, so here are a few pics from the walk;