Taste of Spring.

My brother and I took an early trip over to Barnwell this morning where once again the hoped for reward was a sighting of otters. Unfortunately the otters had business somewhere else and we did not manage to find one. Kingfishers happily did show from their namesake hide and although they were usually distant we did have some nice views of both the male and the female.

Double trouble for the Barnwell cygnets and a Kingfisher.

Elsewhere the cob swan had enlisted the help of his mate as he continues to try and drive the cygnets away and there was the usual collection of common birds on view. The call of breakfast to my brother meant a parting of the ways, I headed off along the river while he headed home to the table. While the riverside was busy with dog walkers there were still a few bits and bobs to see.

Lovely day for flying.

A pair of Egyptian Geese were seen at the marina, the male made several circuits before landing next to his mate. Just a little further on at the A605 floods there was a reasonable collection of dabbling ducks present with good numbers of Wigeon and Teal being joined by a Gadwall and a dozen Shovellers. About a hundred or so Lapwings were also feeding in the area, hopefully a few other waders will join them in the next few months.

Egyptian Goose and birdlife on the floods.

Continuing my walk I checked through a large flock of Greylag Geese but only found Greylags and also enjoyed watching the many buzzards and kites that showed very well today. Not much else to look at along the river though the walk was enjoyable, it's going to be a bit of a shock when winter returns.

Oundle church and churchyard.

I popped into Oundle churchyard just in case the reported Peregrine was around but it proved to be as elusive as the otters. Not a total waste of time however as a large patch of crocuses were attracting several species of bees and some hoverflies. Sadly no butterflies showed today but there is at least a lot of year still to go.

Early insects.