MY LOCAL PATCH IN THE SUNSHINE.

The excellent weather last week encouraged me to go to my local patch (Baddesley Clinton NT) three times as usual getting there just as they opened the doors to the grounds.

Like everywhere else locally it's not easy to find birds to photograph but it's such a nice spot in the sunshine it doesn't matter too much.Here are a couple of shots both taken round the lake.

On the birding front I didn't do to well considering I made three visits. This Wren came to check me out when I arrived in the car park. 

This Bluetit was sunning itself on a hedge line.

Had my usual battles with the resident Goldcrests but I didn't do too well. I don't know whether I'm getting slower or they are getting faster. I suspect the former. This is all I could get.

Best by far for me was on Friday when resting on a bridge by the lake a Nuthatch landed very close looking for some food.

OUT IN THE SUNSHINE.

Been out a couple of times since my last post and then only because the sun was shining.I went on both occasions to what is my local patch these days the grounds of the NT property at Baddesley Clinton.

As I've said before the grounds round the house are excellent and if I get there early I have them to myself.Here are some shots taken last Saturday with my phone.

On the birding front it's like most places these days hard work.The number of birds about has reduced a lot in recent years.Other than Spotted Flycatchers that have nested there for years (not this year though) I have seen nothing remotely rare so it's a good job it's a pleasant walk.

Here are few shots taken there last week.Nothing special although I'm pleased with the Grey Wagtail shots as they were taken in a very gloomy spot at the end of the lake.

BADDESLEY CLINTON

Not been out that much since my last post but having filled up with paracetamol (backache) on a couple of mornings this week I went over to the grounds of the NT property at Baddesley Clinton.

If I get there early I have the grounds to myself for at least an hour until the plebs arrive and if it's nice weather it can be very pleasant wandering round trying to get some shots.

I had a losing battle with a couple of Coal Tits but they wouldn't let me get any decent shots. 

The Swallows have nearly all gone now but I did get this shot of what I think is a juvenile looking apprehensive about his flight to S Africa.

Managed a shot through a bench of a Green Woodpecker.

Caught this Blue Tit after an early morning bath

The best bird I found was this Chiffchaff hidden deep inside a tree.

There were loads of Nuthatches about but the only shots I managed were of this one feeding upside down. 

A Robin like all other Robins was very friendly.

Caught this Wren sunning himself.

Had my usual enjoyable battles with the Goldcrests but I could not manage any keepers.

WHERE HAVE ALL THE BIRDS GONE.

As I'd not posted anything for a while now I thought I'd better post something if only to prove I'm still around.

There was a good reason for the lack of posts the whole family was hit by the Noravirus this despite living in different houses.My youngest son got it first it was going round his office then his wife so we all stayed well away.The wife and I got it from their 1 year old son who we look after every Friday. I seemed to get it worse then the others being violently sick for a couple of days never being able to be too far from the loo. 

So what birding I've done has been remarkable because of the lack of birds around.Some of the places I visit were almost birdless.Here are a few so so shots of birds I took in a overspill car park in Temple Balsall.Nothing special and no decent shots but I was pleased to see a Common Whitethroat  and a few Swallows.

BACK TO LOCAL BIRDING

After an early morning visit to Sainsbury's on Monday and seeing the weather would be the last decent day for a while I went the short trip to the NT property at Baddesley Clinton again.

I can get the grounds to myself if I get there early and I did that morning in very pleasant weather.The inner courtyard of the house which has been great getting close to some Swallows was very quiet and they could only be seen high in the sky.

Lots of Nuthatches were calling but they were all high up in the trees so no shots.The first bit of action was when I caught up with two young Goldcrests with which I had the usual battle to get some shots. No keepers but great fun and lots of swearing as they kept hopping around. These are the only shots I managed. 

It was a good job I found the pair of Spotted Flycatchers in Abbey Fields because for the first time in many years none nested in the grounds here.

The only other shots I managed before the visitors started wandering around were of a young and friendly Grey Wagtail.