Wake Up Dobbin!

 During my last few excursions out I've felt that if the horse that I've been flogging isn't actually dead then it has certainly been in the deepest of slumbers. Today that snoozing nag at least stirred in its sleep even if it didn't exactly start galloping around! It was a much colder day than we've had recently though I at least managed to avoid most of the snow that other areas saw. My walk today trod the familiar path to Deene and back taking in Weldon and Deenethorpe on the way out and Willowbrook Industrial Estate on the return leg.

Deenethorpe Airfield

The early part of my walk was uneventful to say the least, a Siskin was heard at the logistical park where Stanion Lane Plantation used to be and a Cormorant was noted over Weldon. Deenethorpe Airfield had wind that was almost Hebridean in strength with the added disadvantage of being rather icy. Wind whipped clouds delivered a few very light flurries of snow which continued on and off for most of my walk. Only the hardiest of birds showed and these included Skylarks, Meadow Pipits, Linnets and a solitary Lapwing.

Shelducks.

Nearby at Deene Lake inflow water levels were very high and wildfowl numbers seemed low. Shelduck numbers remained constant at nine but every other wild species were greatly reduced. An exception to this was the Black Swan that once again has a friend to keep it company. This didn't appear to put it into a good mood however as the cob spent some time aggressively driving Mute Swans away. An unlikely sign of spring given the weather was a Lesser Celandine on the verge next to the A43. A visit to the farm ponds did not add anything to the list and the walk down Kirby Lane was also a little on the dull side.

Black Swans and Lesser Celandine

Willowbrook's Fallow Deer herd had increased to twenty three and still included the three leucistic specimens, all were grazing out in the open once again near the old speedway grandstand. Best moment of the day came soon after when a scan of the cleared area near Morrison's chilled warehouse revealed a Ringed Plover. Initially its muddy bill looked blackish making me think that I'd found an exceptionally early Little but sustained observation revealed that it was a still unseasonal Ringed. Not much else to report afterwards other than a Grey Wagtail near Tescos.

Fallow Deer herd and Ringed Plover record shot.