Avocets

Walking along Southport pier today was somewhat taken aback to see a small flock of avocets down on the beach. There was a large flock of other, smaller birds, but without binoculars it was impossible to identify them.

At home yesterday I saw the kingfisher again and this time near a hole in the bank of the stream. It really would be something if there is a pair looking to breed here.

Unexpected Kingfisher

I often frequent environments which you might consider to be ideal for kingfishers; the River Wye, and my local lakes. It came as quite a surprise the see one on the little stream that flows through my local wood. I walk here most days and have never seen any sign of this bird before. Similarly, I recently saw a tree creeper near this stream. To see this bird now suggests that it is breeding nearby, yet, even though I walk here regularly, this is the first specimen of its kind I have come across.
A little while ago I posted a picture of Dylan (my dog) chasing a canada goose from its nest. This nest was in a very exposed position on a plateau overlooking the recently filled sand quarry. It appeared to be a site open to predation. I am pleased to be able to report that on Sunday, I saw the two parent birds, shepherding their four cygnets on the water, safe and sound.

Myxamatosis

I was walking with my dog Dylan in the Forest of Dean the other day when he managed to catch two rabbits. He occasionally catches a rabbit, but in this case, his chase was very short, as the rabbits had no chance to escape as the disease had blinded them. I put both animals out of their misery. It is a terrible disease and there are much better means available to control the rabbit population.
On a better note, I heard the song of a wood warbler for the first time in many years.

Goose nest

Went back to the flooded quarry, and on a grassy plateau Dylan disturbed a Canada Goose revealing four eggs.
Also glimpsed what I suspect was the Curlew Sandpiper, so perhaps there is a breeding pair. They are draining

the lake as it is polluted with sewage, though the intention is to re-fill it. We shall see.

Goshawk

I never cease to wonder at the possibilities that technology can afford us.
The other morning I was walking my dog in the woods at Symonds Yat and watched a male goshawk. To begin with, he was perched high in a tree but then moved to another branch before taking his leave which afforded me the spectacle of watching the bird's fantastic ability to navigate between trees at speed.
Later that same day, I was 150 miles away walking my dog on the North Downs in Kent listening to skylarks, blackcaps, whitethroats, yellow hammers and linnets singing away.