Yearly Spring Markers

The relatively mild spring is reflected in the flowers that are out in the garden today, a bit ahead of last year. The daffodils have been out for several weeks along with violets and primroses, Japonica in full bloom with Kingcups  in bud.

Great Crested Grebe Display

As these Great Crested Grebes (GCG) were at quite a distance, I am glad that they didn't perform the whole weed dance when I couldn't record it well. Here some images from the display that did occur. I am very puzzled by the 'weed' - looks to be GCG feathers. anyway, she does not appear greatly impressed by these.

Private Signs in Old Shepperton, Surrey

Old Shepperton on the Thames near Sunbury has one of the finest collection of private signs in a small stretch of road that I have seen. I was staying overnight at The Anchor and ventured out before breakfast on a damp grey morning. I went down to the river edge near the Church and spied two Great Crested Grebes starting to display (see next Blog). I decided it would be best to walk along the righthand bank of the river but this proved impossible as every access point is definitely private for at least half a mile so gave up on that one and just enjoyed the village itself!

Birds on Emsworth Mud Flats, Hampshire

Once the tide went out at Emsworth on Wednesday a variety of birds started feeding on the mud including Brent geese, Black-headed Gull, Redshank, Crows and Teal

 

Subway Graffiti Sunbury

Sunbury has very impressive subways under their major road intersections - couldn't resist the visual pun of the drinks container

 

Emsworth Through the Day

I spent the morning and late in the afternoon at Emsworth, a small town in Hampshire near the border of West Sussex. The town has a basin for small yachts and fishing boats, which fills at high tide and can be emptied through a sluice at low tide. It also has an abundance of Nature Reserves including the Brook Meadow with it Butterbur and Wild Cherry. As it was high tide at midday and not suitable for bird watching, I returned later in the afternoon when the mudflats were exposed.