Cormorant

There are quite a few resident Cormorant around the local Parkland.

This particular one was perched quite precariously on one of the Bouys on the largest lake. 

The wind was blowing at something like 35mph and he was getting blown about.

He was drying out his wings after a spot of fishing in the lake which is something they do regularly.

Its amazing to see the size of some of the fish or eels they get down their throats.

Snowdrop Time

I went in search of Snowdrops on my latest walk. Its that time again.

Have also included a few bird sightings observed along the way.

Reed Bunting

Tufted Duck

Grey Heron

Nuthatch

Carrion Crow

Shoveler

Canada Goose

Robin

Song Thrush

Pochard

More Stonechat

I know what your saying to yourself, "Not more Stonechat images". 

Sorry, but I located this female again on my last walk and took some more shots. 

When there was not much around, one has to take any chance thats offered.

These last two images are not so clear, but they are typical Stonechat and I liked the way they looked.

Stonechat

The first post of 2017 depicts the female Stonechat that has been frequenting one of the open meadows in the Parkland. It is the same location that previous male and females of this species have been observed over the last few years. There is a male recently reported in the same location by other Birders, but I have not observed that as yet. The immediate area being a superb location for Stonechat with open grassland, some tall dead foliage stalks and plenty of fence posts for perching on. There is also a lakeside edge which it is often seen searching for caterpillars and other grubs.