Yanked Out Of Bed Very Early

Inspired by a text yesterday evening by The Guv'nor, with a day off today and the prospect of good weather, and the blog post by that environmental icon fka Sir Stringer of Newton, and it was 4.15 am rouse, and at the scrapes for 5.20am.  Mr Beadnell was there, plus the Fog Blogger and his Robin-like companion, and like shelling peas/shooting fish in a barrel, the Stilt Sandpiper was 'bagged'.  Superb!

And now for a few 'in half light', 'from a distance', 'it would not sit still' record shots:

Getting *uckin' Better!

Ducking, of course.

Arcot Pond is becoming pleasingly more active over the past few days.  In addition to the usual dozen Coots and half as many again Mallards, last night had a nice addition:

Still there tonight, its company had swelled, with a female Goldeneye and Gadwall, seven Tufties not yesterday's singleton, six Pochard (up from two), four Wigeon, two Mute Swans, and the odd Moorhen and Little Grebe. 

Mellow Yellow

The past few weeks have been VERY frustrating; loads to do and the weather's good, chance to get out and it turns to rain.  The almost comic timing of the God of Weather (if I were Greek it would be Zeus) was causing high blood pressure and a face like, ironically, thunder.

So somewhat calmer today as the little ol' sun put in an appearance, and chores done, off to Arcot.  Little to get excited about there - six Canada Geese, 13 Coot, a female Mallard with a few Garganey features (but alas not), a Grey Heron, Little Grebe and two Common Terns.

Wessie H was comparatively dead.  Plenty of Swifts and House Martins, a noisy Sedgie, a few gulls through, and naff all else.

Things can only get better!