April 2017 A Walk around my smallholding in the Cotswolds UK in the early morning.

It was a change to do my wildlife early morning excursion on my own smallholding. To have a look at what's around at dawn.  Quite often it is easy to go off every where, and not spend time on your own door step!  I am quite happy with the selection of images that I got within an hour.

Fox concentrating

Muntjac Stag

Raven

Rabbit always alert for danger

Roe Deer hinds

April 2017 Avocets once so rare, now colonising Gloucestershire, UK

When I as young in my old bird books I used to read how a few Avocets had turned up in 1947 and started to breed on Havergate Island, that was flooded as part of the war defences.  They seemed so exotic and rare and I only dreamed of ever seeing them.  Later I travelled to RSPB Minsmere to see them.  Now I still find it amazing that they are now seen regularly and breed at Slimbridge in Gloucestershire.  I will never ever take them for granted and they are so welcome.

Beautiful Avocet

March 2017 Roe Deer in the early morning. Cotswold Hills UK

Went out for an early morning drive before breakfast this morning.  It was great to see two Roe Deer grazing peacefully.

Roe Deer

Roe Deer

April 2017 Whislt waiting for Short Eared Owls - Mistle Thrush

Sometimes it is good to take advantage of other opportunities whilst waiting for one particular species.  I was waiting at a Short Eared Owl site for them to appear, and a pair of Mistle Thrush came flying into the top of a Hawthorne bush. This gave me an alternative opportunity for a few different images.

Mistle Thrush

April 2017 Nuthatch busy bringing in nest material. Cheltenham UK.

The Nuthatch's are really busy in my local park repairing the nest hole with mud.  The fill in a larger hole with mud that dries, and reduces the entrance to just the right size for them to pass through.  Here they are bringing in some leaves to line the inside.

A beak full of wet mud

Coming in fast

Lining the nest

April 2017 Beautiful Great Crested Grebe pair starting to do their dance. UK

These are really beautiful birds and to me they seem to know they are.  I am thinking that there is no room for anything but the most perfect looks, for the male in trying to attract a mate.  They will soon have finished building their nest and be sitting tight.  So glad we have these on our local park lake, as they always enhance the scenery.

Beautiful Pair of Great Crested Grebes

March 2017 A rare bird in the UK, the Great Grey Shrike

This is a rare bird in the UK with around 65 over wintering.  They are a great little predator to watch and they seem to be quite faithful to an area once they have established a winter territory.  When you know where they are and you get your eye in, they are easy to spot, as they like to perch near to the top of bushes and trees, where they drop on their prey. I feel quite lucky to have one quite near to home this year.  It will soon be off now to its breeding area in Scandinavia, but hopefully will be back again next year.

The beautiful Great Grey Shrike