I'm very lucky in my job, I get to explore a lot of countryside and see it change on a daily basis. What ever the weather - there is always something to see and more importantly, appreciate.
Gravel pits, woodland, heathland, rivers and streams. I am paid to walk or cycle around it all. That said, even the estates have there own special moments. I've seen Waxwings in The Nightingales, Kingfisher on the River Lambourn, Woodpecker nests in Pigeons Farm and Swifts nest in a house in Turnpike. Only a month until we hear them screaming around the estates again. Can't wait!
There are multiple Badger setts in Greenham, Cold Ash and Speen.
Muntjac and some urban Roe deer are common sight in and around West wood, Greenham.
On one walk in Greenham we saw three different foxes before 9 a.m.
And then there is the Red Kite. So common are they here, that it's hard to believe they haven't spread to the whole of the UK yet. They can be a rare sight in places as close as Southampton.
I could probably retire if I had a pound for every time we said 'if only we had a camera'. Usually after a Red Kite had drifted over our heads or a badger scuttled past on a night time patrol. Us, not the badger.
So, today, I decided I'd take my camera with me. The weather was stunning and migration is in full swing. Yesterday we heard the first cuckoo and reed warbler of the year at Lower Farm trout lake.. So a return visit was made today.
First up was a Reed Warbler and a Cetti's. Singing in the reedbed, too covered to snap.
A Green Woodpecker then flew off in front of us and disappeared down the track. Yesterday two of them gave better views, but that's how it goes!
The trees are full of Chiffchaff and Blackcap at the moment. Last week it was the Nuthatch that were in full voice. The leaves are about to burst open, so for a little while longer it is possible to get good views. If they stay still long enough.
A nice male in the sprouting willow.
They are a bit of a way off, so the pictures are considerably cropped, but you get the idea.
It seems most of the young are already fully grown. Surprising considering one pair of our swans are only just thinking about nest building.
And the heron looked almost ready to fledge too.
A female Gadwall with 10 ducklings, only a few days old. No sign of the pair of Shelduck today.
Orange tip butterflys were out in good numbers today. Both at the GP and in Speen. Wouldn't stay still long enough for a good pic though.
Next stop was Nalderhill Lane in Speen Parish. Target - Red Kite.
This area, on the hill side and next to a busy road is always good for Kite. All that road kill from the B4000 or A4, and so many fields to scour over. The skies are always full.
Except today.
We saw a few, in the distance, being mobbed by crows, but quite quiet otherwise.To be fair we didn't stay too long, work to be done and all that.
The sheep were happy in the sunshine and some male pheasants were scrapping nearby.
Nipping down Rookwood we saw a female Kestrel on the telegraph wire. We did notice that a large field in the distance had been recently 'topped'. Could explain why the Kites were elsewhere. making the most of all the recently disturbed small mammals?
Snake Lane and Bagnor were surprisingly quite. Little Egret elsewhere it seems today. A bit of a flying visit, so maybe next time.
Rookwood Kestrel.
