Shower time!

With the body clock out of kilter with the rest of the country, I made an earlier than planned visit to Venus Pools today. It was interesting to see the result of the "topping" that had taken place on the two work party days last week. The islands now clear of the vegetation enabled a good clear view around the pool, sadly there was not a lot in the newly opened areas, or in any of the other areas either.

It did not take long for the rain to start and continue for a good spell, rather a relaxing sound as it hit the roof of the hide. The Kingfisher chose this moment to make its first appearance of the morning and started to preen in the clean! water.

The majority of Shoveler left around this time, but the Swans from the Trout pool put in appearance in force and with the resident adults of goodness knows where at the time the interlopers started to hassle the resident cygnets for a good while, and any other adult swan that decided it was fair game to invade an otherwise well protected area.

A chance conversation with another birder produced a good report of Whooper swans at the Malverly area, a good place for the past few years. However as they are on private farm land stay to the footpaths if you should go.

So with the low light and the rain it was an early return home, to work on green and goldfinch shots around the feeders as they were building in numbers daily, and squabbling on a minute by minute basis, shame the light was not sufficient for action shots.

Well there it is short and sweet, really it is dire! very little activity on the birding front from around the count, some nice starling activity at the pools late on worth a look.

see you
Paul