What have you seen

Jupiter has shown well from here in the South East, just above the horizon.  Managed to see a couple of its moons a couple the other night but really need a more powerful scope.  I use an app called skyview.

Lots of larger birds at Isarmunde reserve today. Day started well when aaBlack Woodpecker flew alongside us for a while. Then we saw a Golden Oriole, no less. Things went quiet so we sat on a bank eating lunch and a Wryneck appeared and started singing which attracted a rival not far away.

We heard something in the sky and right above us  were 2 Honey Buzzards being mobbed by 3 Common Buzzards!!!. Then 4 Hobbies flew past showing off their skill at eating on the wing and finally we saw 2 Red Backed Shrikes. Hardly any small birds but we were entertained.

Back at the caravan we were sitting outside having a cold beer and had our bins with us. In half an hour we were able to see a Male and Female Spotted Flycatcher, M&F Blackcap, a Tree Sparrow, an Icterine Warbler, Black Redstart, Fieldfare, Robin, and Blackbird, all in the trees and hedge behind the van. So the small birds showed up at last.

Went to Boat of Garten Reserve today. Very little action: EJ, the female Osprey, sitting on 3 eggs, has not had a feed from her mate, George, since last Saturday, and the staff at the centre are getting worried about her. She has left the nest but only very briefly (as well as nearly being blown off!!), and George has visited a couple of times today but without any fish.

There was a GSW and a pair of Siskins feeding on the nuts etc outside the centre when I was there. We did hear a Crested Tit as we took the 2 Lochs trail but didn't spot it.

Up in the night I noticed a back door security light come on and saw a badger rootling around. A few holes in the grass this morning...all over the garden, quite a big area! No doubt a few juicy worms were found. We can hear the badgers calling but that's the first one I've seen clearly. Must ask OH to set up the trail camera now I know the route.

We had a visit from one a few years ago now, Brue, and it overturned the cage that I had set up for the small birds to feed safely in and also to make sure the pigeons and squirrels didn't pinch the food. I put the outside light on, about 2 am, and there it was staring back at me, most belligerently. It wandered off and as we had some rabbit visits I decided to fix the fence at the bottom of the garden.

Quieter day on the bird front today but we stopped on a bridge whilst out on the bikes, over a small river, to have a drink of water. The Mallards below made a right kerfuffle and looking down we saw a badger swimming straight up the middle of the stream, then 50 yards further up it did a graceful dive and disappeared from view. Just goes to show that if you're not out and about you can miss a lot.

There was some lovely blossom on what can only be described as Pea Trees.

What a lucky sighting that was WN.

Sadly not many badgers in my area, in fact I have never seen one other than on tv. 

Must make more of an effort and visit a known area when on holiday.

Oops, mea culpa!!!

It wasn't a badger I saw swimming but a BEAVER! Bit different

I'm glad you said that, I was a bit perplexed....

We put out our trail camera on badger watch last night, results...one terrier tail, one plump pussy cat and much later a badgers nose...so OH will try again in a better spot.

Typical. Went back to same spot, waited half an hour with camera this time and nothing.

Did see a White Stork today.

Hope you get to feel better soon Brue. I hate it when my sinuses play up.