August 2018 Time with the smart wader the Spotted Redshank at Slimbridge WWT

This really is a nice looking wader.  It spends much of the time vigorously feeding with its bill in the water.  The light was initially poor this morning and it stayed at quite a distance.  The sun came out eventually and it also moved nearer and even began to stretch and preen in front of me.  Happy days!

Being careful with a wasp

Time for a stretch

What a beautiful bird!

August 2018 Welcome return of a Brown Hare to my local patch

I have not seen a Brown Hare on my local patch for more than ten years.  I went for an early morning drive and was really pleased to see this one grazing away in the grass.  I think they are great animals and I always love to see them.

Sitting up keeping an eye out

Looking out for a tasty morsel

Alert for any danger

They are always welcome and I hope this one stays around.

August 2018 A good time for waders at Slimbridge WWT

As we get well into August it is a great time for waders at Slimbridge WWT.  Those that have breed have juveniles around and also the migrants are present in increasing numbers.  It can be quite quiet for birds during the summer period after birds have gone past their breeding season and spread out in the countryside.  A visit to Slimbridge always give me a great bird therapy session!

Migrant Black Tailed Godwit

Juvenile Avocet

Lapwing

Ah that's better!  Great bird session at Slimbridge WWT certainly brings my connection to nature back to the fore.

August 2018 Red Kite finds sheep carcass in the Cotswold Hills

Driving through the hills in the Landrover is always great because you get a higher view over the hedges and can often get a different perspective.  Seeing these Red Kites on a sheep carcass reminded me  of how Kites managed to just hold on in Mid Wales during my younger days.  There were only a few pairs and it was probably the remoteness and also that this was a big hill sheep farming area.

Red Kite on Sheep carcass

They are always great to see.

August 2018 Early morning Landrover drive. Roe Deer, love in the air!

I woke up early with the sun streaming in through the window.  Definitely time for an early morning drive in the Landrover.  I caught up with these Roe Deer and love was definitely in the air.

Roe Deer doe.

Buck following doe closely

A few minutes earlier this buck had driven away another buck contender.

August 2018 Its hot and dry so wait at the water hole!

 It has been so hot and dry lately. I didn't feel like driving through any traffic or going too far.  I was contemplating where I could go and get some wildlife images when the thought occurred that a lot of birds have to drink frequently.  I thought I would go and wait by the water trough on the top of the hill.  There is not much opportunity to get a drink anywhere else in quite a large area.

Female Linnet

Goldfinch

Juvenile Goldfinch

Male Linnet

It proved to be an enjoyable hour.  I think though that the main visitors will always be the seed eaters:
Linnet, Goldfinch and Yellow Hammer.  They seem to have to fill up most regularly with a fresh drink.