Northward Hill Part I

I had an hour to spare so went off to one of my favourite local sites, Northward Hill RSPB Reserve.

Cuckoos were calling - there was some territorial shenanigans going on with several joining in at one stage.  The nearest one was most obliging . . . .

Common Cuckoo

The flooded woodland is looking good, and there was a beautiful air of spring about the place, with Nightingale, Blackcap, Common and Lesser Whitethroat starring, and Song Thrush, Dunnock, Wren, Blackbird, Chaffinch, Goldfinch, and House Sparrow in vocal support.

Young Rabbits

There were five Grey Heron standing in the field by the Ernie Hemsley Hide and Green Woodpecker 'yaffled' in the background - later I disturbed one twice as it fed on the anthills by the side of the track.

Spring at Northward Hill

The scrape by Gordon's hide was busy with Mallard, Coot, Little Grebe, Moorhen and a pair of Gadwall.   Lapwing were displaying on the marshes behind until a Marsh Harrier appeared and they then turned their attention to mobbing instead.   In the reed-bed a Sedge Warbler sang.   There was a Little Egret hunting for food in the shallows,  its plumes showing well in the breeze,

Young Rabbits munched on the fresh grass as I left the hide, and the noise from the rookery was distracting with many birds in the air busily collecting food.   At one stage a Buzzard flew over the wood and Rooks moved from every direction to remove the intruder.