Out and about last week

 

Ring-necked Duck, not easy to see through the bank-side vegetation.

A few Mandarin were also quite close but these were flushed by a Lincs birder who thought it ok to climb the fence to get closer. Well and truly flushed and not seen again all day. Bet his ears were burning....lots of angry birders. 

Princess Pixi snoozing away xx

Simon planted a full wood before he retired, adjoining Brumby Woods, a semi-ancient woodland. After 10 years, it is maturing nicely and looking good. We had a small Oak tree in the garden so re-planted it in the woods. Tucked away nicely, lets hope it flourishes to greatness.

My lasagne is to die for, even if I say so myself.  It is one of my specialities. Just look at that golden cheese. It was delicious!

Hawthorn out in February

A very, very distant Goshawk. Saw this one fly twice, just a dot in the sky !

Great Crested Grebes pairing up

Cattle Egret near Messingham Nature Reserve

February buds. 

Cheers you up no end to see spring growth, feel like we have turned a corner towards spring.

Common Cranes

 

BINGO !!

Catching up with bits and bobs

 

1000's of starlings coming into Alkborough

The forest floor is covered in clumps of snowdrops to lift the spirits

Lots of siskins high up feeding in the trees on our walk yesterday

We have lots of dwarf iris in the garden now. We feel like we have turned a corner when the garden kicks into colourful life. 

Goldeneye

The railway at Crowle Moors. Funded from a project that was on the go when I was at work (I have been retired for 6 years). The track was purchased from a company that supplies film studios with props, including the one that made the Harry Potter films. Perhaps he is going to fly over this track on his Nimbus 2000, wave his wand and put a straightening spell on it. Money well spent 😡.....not !

And another birthday for me !  Lovely pressies and flowers, thank you xxxxxxxxx

Goodbye Magic

Last week we had to say goodbye to Magic cat. He had 6 very happy years in the world, so sad that it wasn't more. A lovely cat that we will miss dearly, he has left his pawprints in our hearts xx

Dolphins, River Ouse

 

Oh my dear Lord, how good is this !  3 dolphins, 2 adults and one calf have been spotted in the River Ouse near Goole. We headed there on Saturday to try and see them but failed miserably in the howling gales. So gave it a second try today. Was in wrong place to start with but the local dog walkers are full of knowledge and all know where to see them so with local info and definate sightings this morning,  we headed to the recommended spot. We were certainly not disappointed as we soon had a glimpse of a fin breaking water and the calf leaping. Stunning !  Viewing is very limited and luckily we were the only people there, apart from 3 Environment Agency workers armed with chainsaws and a chipper that were clearing the bank. Quite annoyed that they were working right infront of the dolphins, talk about disturbance. We live is a world that's totally disjointed and so far removed from nature.  We had excellent views but they didn't come close, but still, more than happy. They are being monitored to make sure they feed and stay healthy, lets hope they stay that way. 

Water Pipit

 

Good to see a water pipit, even better to self find one !