What have you seen

I was out in our garden today, we have a Glastonbury Thorn tree in one corner. It's quite a famous thorn locally and it's unusual because the leaves and flowers appear very early. It's related to Hawthorn which flowers much later in May. Our tree is just coming into leaf, if the weather stays mild the flowers will follow.

Just read the latest sightings on Avon birds and there are 9 cattle egrets at Chew Valley resevour.

Good to see the early signs of Spring. The Glastonbury Trorn is indeed the bifloral form of the common Hawthorn, it has mutated this ability to leaf, and often, if the weather is kind, flower twice in one season. Such mutations do pop up in from time to time but many of these in our gardens have been grown from cuttings originally from one of natural mutations. Many of us will have heard about the famous one from Glastonbury. 

Yesterday there were 25 Hawe Finches reported at Lynford Arboretum so drove the 50 miles and didn't see one!  Never mind did see plenty of others, Marsh Tits, Nuthatches, Goldcrests, Little Grebes etc..

I saw three  male and two female goosanders on the Skipton canal this morning, I had my camera with me but they wouldn't keep together or pose for a photo. Could this be another sign of spring getting nearer?

Also it looks like last years resident swans have dumped their cygnets, it looks like they have been left to there own devices since last week, could parents be preparing for this years brood.

Similar experience at Clumber on our last visit, Hawfinches about but only heard them. 

Oneputt

Just seen your post about Breydon........spent around 3 hours today and those birds are doing there best not to be seen.  Admittedly it was very gloomy and in the end I got fed up carrying the camera, so I went home grumpy,  Only highlight was a large flock of Widgeon, something spooked them and was able to get some action as they took to the air.

This morning it was my fault as I got there on a rising tide and I am sure the birds were driven off.  Next week I will try to get there before low tide and hopefully there will be some spectacular flying clouds.

Oneputt

Just seen your post about Breydon........spent around 3 hours today and those birds are doing there best not to be seen.  Admittedly it was very gloomy and in the end I got fed up carrying the camera, so I went home grumpy,  Only highlight was a large flock of Widgeon, something spooked them and was able to get some action as they took to the air.

This morning it was my fault as I got there on a rising tide and I am sure the birds were driven off.  Next week I will try to get there before low tide and hopefully there will be some spectacular flying clouds.

Loads of Brent geese, a small flock of Dunlin and a solitary Wigeon on my perambulation round the shore of Portsmouth harbour

GL I usually go to Burgh Castle and walk down Breydon from there.  Nearly always Curlew there and if the tides in they disperse to the surrounding fields.