A Spring sunset at Woolhampton GP.

Took these a few days ago at what is fastly becoming my fave new place to go.

With the main Gravel Pit, the River Kennet and a decent bit of reedbed and woodland its a very diverse place to go to spot wildlife.

These pics were taken on a day I was watching 2 Black Necked Grebes.

In between showers.

Off work for most of this week, so am trying to get out a bit - between bike rides, which is the main reason for taking the time off..

Started out on Greenham Common, the former US Airbase.

This base has been returned to the common land it was, before the Cold War al kicked off.

Its been 10 years now and through the excellent management it attracts a variety of birds and wildlife.

Dartfords and Stonechats have a foot in the door here. Nightjars in the Summer.

The target today was trying to see any of the 3 female Wheatear that were reported yesterday.

I was lucky enough to see 2 or 3 at the back end of last Summer, but really really want to see a male Wheatear in Spring plummage.

Well, no luck.. despite a long walk and look in last years place.

What was abundant was Golden Plover. Yesterday I saw over 150 as they gathered to roost.Today there was a flock of around 70 that circled for a very long time.. the flyover was quite amazing.. Some were on the ground in the 'no public access' breeding area - and were very hard to spot in the gloomy light.. as you can see in the pictures.

How many Golden Plover in this picture??

A male Kestrel was also showing well on the Gorse.

I managed to get fairly close before he flew off.

This strange looking thing is known as the Fire Plane.. and its purpose is obvious..

The Ground Crew used to practice their firefighting when it was an active Air Base.

After the stroll around Greenham, where the showers beat me back to the car :o( I then headed to Woolhampton GP.. If you havent seen any Chiffchaff or Reed Bunting this year, then head there.. The trees around the main lake were brimming with both species.

A Cetti's Warbler was heard, I got quite close too, but typically this shy bird went unspotted..

No sign of the Black Necked Grebes either, apparently one is still present though.

Final call was at Thatcham Discovery Centre to look for Sand Martins..

Right on cue, 8 flew over and shortly after a Swallow.. 2 new Year Ticks.

On the Tern raft, a dead duck was attracting the attention of the rapters and a Red Kite and a Sparrowhawk circled for a while, before 2 Herring Gull dropped in and did their sanitation work..

That duck wont last long - but thats Nature.

Well Wintered my friends..

An early finish from Work on a lovely day.

It was too nice to go home and do nothing (rest day from the bike) so decided to go for a stroll around Greenham Common and see how well the vulnerable birds had coped with the Winter.

Towards the end of last Summer there were plenty of Stonechats in the Gorse and previously a couple of Dartford had been seen too.

Had they survived the Winter?

First up was a herd of the Common Ponies, taking advantage of a quick drink in one of the pools.

It took a while to see anything other than Pigeons, Crows and the occasional Green Woody, but towards the middle of the Common I finally saw half a dozen Stonechat.. both sexes showing well.

A Skylark couldnt really be bothered to fly away from me..

It did eventually and let rip with a great song in the sky.

I know its a poor shot, but Dartfords are never easy to picture.
Pleased to see 2 and hear at least one more in the area.. thats all that matter.

By the Control Tower on the Common there was a flock of around 70 Golden Plover.

Just enjoying the sunshine.