Small Tortoiseshell

My first Butterfly (Photographed) of the Spring.

This year its the turn of the Small Tortoiseshell.

I found several feeding on Lesser Celandines beside a river bank.

Some are in better condition than others, but overall they appear to have survived the Winter quite well.

Goldie

I took these shots which are very typical of the way that you get to see Goldfinch at this time of year where they are searching amongst the teasels for any seeds amongst the spikes. This is often in the open and you can only get so close before they fly off into the trees, only returning when you have moved on.

Where did I put that Acorn

Fortunately, this Jay came to me rather than me finding him.

I was in a covert position in woodland near an Oak tree. He suddenly flew down and started searching for the acorns he had probably buried around there last Autumn.

More Chiffchaff

This Chiffchaff posed very nicely on a horizontal branch.

Great-spotted Woodpecker

This male was performing very well for the camera and its plumage is very Spring like.

Wren

This Wren was doing what Wrens do (searching through the undergrowth) when I caught up with it.

I assumed it was a male as it was singing occasionally from a higher perch.

The Chiffy Returns

The return of the Chiffchaff is always good to see at this time of year. It is an indicator that summer migrating birds are on the menu for observation again (and photography as far as I am concerned). Although in some areas the species never left in autumn. Some remain on the southern coastal areas of England through the winter. However in East Anglia we would be extremely fortunate to find one during that time. So my first sighting of the season yesterday was of two different birds located in separate areas of the Parkland.

Parkland through the Week

Scenes from over the previous week in the Parkland. There was a variety of weather conditions, but although some rain caused the rivers to rise the temperature was noticeably more mild.

Birds are starting to chase each other about trying to pair off which is a sure sign that Spring is on its way. 

I was also encouraged by a brief sighting of a Peacock Butterly recently.

Robins really look at their best as the Spring approaches.

I did observe two Meadow Pipits searching for food in open grassland.

The river was quite high at one stage during the period.

Walking along near the one of the lakes I could hear a call which I knew to be the Reed Bunting....

....it flew up into a nearby tree.

Miniature Daffodils are flowering in the grass around the Parkland.

For more of these check my Flickr site at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/roylogbook/33222940902/in/album-72157679615040080/

Wrens are making lots of noise now staking a claim for their territories....

.....necessitating taking a quick drink every now and then.

Reflections of a Great Tit and.....

....a Blue Tit.

There were also some strange sky scenes.

Dunnocks are more obvious by their singing now.

I observed this Dabchick (Little Grebe) diving in open water.

House Sparrows congregate at the feeders.