Not at work today, and for once on a day off I was up early, so I was out of the house in the morning and on my way on what ended up about a three hour walk, with a cup of tea stop.
Despite the cold and the wind, happy Easter everyone, it was still a productive trip out, with a fair few firsts.
I saw my first non-native bluebells in flower.
I saw my first sand martins over by the North Marina, a flock of about 10 of them scything about.
I saw my first solitary swallow over London Road Pond, no doubt arrived on the warm southern winds of early in the week.
But it was a more commonplace sight that was more captivating. I visited my stepfather for a bit, and as we chatted over the front garden wall about how to my total surprise I'd received a text telling me to book my covid shots - I'm going in on Tuesday, probably a month earlier than I thought - a goldcrest arrived to feed in the silver birch tree that has been in the garden for at least 30 years or more.
We watched it for ten minutes, as it fearlessly paid us no attention as it flitted like a hummingbird among the budding leaves, about a yard from my face. They never seem scared of humans. Yet, happy to feed amongst 6 foot giants, it was chased off by a 4 inch blue tit.
Hopefully I'll get more long walks in this long holiday weekend.
Si
All text and images copyright CreamCrackeredNature 02.04.21
We love the way you find colour in every season.
ReplyDeleteLovely photos, especially of the Goldcrest.
ReplyDeleteThey are racing through vaccinations, I thought I would be at the least the end of April but had my first one 3 weeks ago.
How amazing to get that photo of the Goldcrest - such a rare sight. And a Swallow! what will it do when we get snow on Monday?
ReplyDeleteBlue tits, despite being sweet little birds, can be quite agressive it seems. And what a perfect shot you got of that goldcrest - I think it really posed for you.
ReplyDeleteGoldcrests love that birch tree!
ReplyDelete