SPARROWHAWK

One less young Pied Wagtail, poor little sweetie.

 

MARSHES AND MOUNTAINS

The Mallttraeth marshes were full of singing birds, Reed Warblers, though hidden from view, Reed Buntings singing on the top of the Sedge grass.
A Kestrel hovering over the reed beds, Cetti's Warblers determind not to be seen and doing a very good job too.  A pair of Mute Swans and Cygnets at the far end of one of the lakes keeping a very close guard of the youngsters, a male Great Crested Grebe keeping watch over his mate on a nest.  Male Tufted Ducks doing the same and keeping a watchful eye on their mates.
Greylag geese making a lot of noise calling to each other as they do a fly by, as did a Grey Heron.  A female Cuckoo sits in a tree watching for an opportunity for maybe a good nest to lay her single egg in.  Chaffinches and Wrens calling from every which way.  All in all a haven for breeding birds.
As we walked along the grassy paths male Orange Tip butterflies make use of the fading Bluebells, deep orange tips with pale blue flowers.
Damselflies small but shiny wings flitered about the grass, greys and blue.  Female Broad-Bodied Chaser resting in the shade.

COMMON SPOTTED ORCHIDS

Lots of wild flowers growing along a little river I walk along, glad to see Common Spotted Orchids amongst the Buttercups.

 

GREEN HAIRSTREAK BUTTERFLY

First Green Hairstreak butterfly ever and what a fantastic little creature.  It blended into the leaves of the Bilberry so well and was the most beautiful green.  As it flew it became silver white and very hard to see.
From now on I'll be searching every Bilberry bush I see, you never know.

 

SPRING IN MAY

May is the month of flowers and birds, my favourite month.  I  like it as the temperature rises and winter is over.
My Dad had his birthday in May so the month has special memories.  The Lilac is out and the scent in the garden especially in the evening is like a soft blanket.
Wallflowers have always been special to me, reminds me of the flower beds at Chester zoo.
Bluebells speak for themselves, blue as the sky and the scent is beautiful.  What better that a carpet of Bluebells in a wood.

 

MY UK IMAGRANTS 2015

1st April The Chiffchaff has to be the first on the list.
4th     "  Sand Martin
5th    "   Swallow
5th    "   Wheatear
7th    "   Willow Warbler
8th    "    Blackcap
15th  "    Willow Warbler
16th  "    Common Sandpiper 
17th  "    Sandwich Terns
21st  "    White Wagtail
22nd "    Common Whitethroat

 

GREAT SPOTTED WOODPECKERS

King and Queen of the woods, the drumming echos round the trees.  The quickest way to attract attention to other woodpeckers.
The sound is different to the normal tapping for insects, drummimg is a Spring thing.
I was so lucky that a female found my tasty treats specially left out for the smaller birds and it certainly was a treat to capture on camera such a wonderful bird.
In the deciduous wood that I visit there are many old branches and dead trees suitable for the woodpeckers.  Recently I noticed one drinking from a hole on the side of a 30feet tree, clinging on and looking from side to side and enjoying a drink.
Super bird for a bird watcher like myself, I watch them for hours.