Marbled Whites, Southern Hawkers etc in Toft

 At last a variety of Butterflies are on the wing in Toft - not large numbers but several Marbled Whites (all males present in the day and coming in to roost) Meadow Browns  and  Small Heaths and single Large Skipper and Gatekeeper. So far two Southern Hawkers have emerged from our pond (earlier we had Four-spot and Broad -bodied Chasers). Delighted to find a Bryony Bee on the White Bryony - a species p that was restricted to the Southern counties. On a morning walk around the wood and fields with a not very long lens, it was good to see a Hare and Buzzard with a mouse.

Hares and Deer at Welney WWT

After a morning session in the hide watching the ducks and swans on the very flooded Ouse Washes, I went for an afternoon stroll around Lady Fen and was rewarded with great views of Hares, Roe Deer and Chinese Water Deer (in retreat but characteristic small size, Teddy bear ears and lack of tail markings). Because noone else was walking on the Fen, I managed to get close to some of the hares before they noticed me and hared off!! Very pooor light so high ISO.

Welney Lady Fen

Welney Wildfowl Trust reserve only has the main hide and part of Lady Fen open due to flooding but we had a very enjoyable day there including a walk in the afternoon on Lady fen watching Cattle Egrets, Hares, Hares, Roe Deer and Tree Sparrows. The final image sums up the habitat and abundance of birdlife. The black bones showing through the feathers of the Cattle Egret in two of the images interested me.

Hoar Frost, Mist and Trees

Sunday morning was magical in Toft with a heavy hoar frost and mist giving soft colours and lightness to the landscape. I walked across to Eversden encountering many Hares though they never allow close approach.

Remembrance Sunday

A few images from a very misty walk around my Cambridgeshire village, Toft, on a very misty Remembrance Sunday morning. I managed a very distant image of a Hare and was thrilled to see very large flocks of finches including lots of Yellow Hammers and Reed Buntings and even larger flocks of mixed Redwings and Fieldfare (next post!!).