Lackford Lakes on Rainy Day

 We spent sunday at Lackford Lakes - it was mainly overcast with some rain but the birds didn't seem too put off - a Little Grebe gave us a dancing display. The young Blackheaded gulls had a lot to learn on the art of collecting insects from the surface of the water - they mainly crash landed.

Lakenheath RSPB Reserve

 Sunny but cold wind at Lakenheath on Saturday resulted in a poor show of small birds but the larger species were active, including a female Marsh Harrier with nesting material. The spider is yet to be identified. The reeds and poplar woods made great backdrops in the sunlight and even the Coot obliged by having a wash in the late afternoon sunlight.

Little Grebe Dance

This little grebe kept us well entertained at Lackford Lakes today practising its dance. We didn't see a partner but perhaps she is busy sitting on eggs. Video made using Photoshop sequencing module.

April in Cambridge

 We have had some wonderful warm sunny days in Cambridge this week. All the trees are coming into leaf and the city looks at its best.

Hardwick Hall

I have often wondered about the ruin on the hill when travelling up to Sheffield etc on the M1. Hardwick Hall was built between 1590 and 1597 for the formidable Bess of Hardwick  Countess of Shrewsbury and ancestress of the Dukes of Devonshire.The first pictures show Hardwick Old Hall, a slightly earlier house which was used as guest and service accommodation after the new hall was built. The Old Hall is now a ruin. Many of the Old Hall's major rooms were decorated with ambitious schemes of plasterwork, notably above the fireplaces. Remarkably, impressive fragments of these are still to be seen (protected by preservative coatings and rain-shields), though most of the building is unroofed. The New Hardwick Hall was designed by architect Robert Smythson and is famous among other things for the long gallery whose walls are covered with fine tapestries. These have faded over the years though were originally bright and vibrant as in those on the walls of the bedroom. 

Nightingales are Back at Paxton Pits

A few pairs of Nightingales are back at Paxton though still very shy and not singing that enthusiastically. There are also several pairs of Common Terns fishing on the lake along with the masses of Black-Headed Gulls. The Great Crested Grebe did its usual catching a fish in front of the hide and the Greylags periodically flew past.

Mansfield

 We visited Mansfield on Wednesday. Mansfield is a market town with a 700-year old market tradition, and a campaign is running at the moment to Save the Market. Certainly the 1950's large store, formerly a Co-op, now known as Beales is in need of refurbishment. There is concern at  the decline of the town centre shops and an under-used main Market square. The town certainly did not give the feel of a vibrant market town, though they do seem to like hands in Mansfield.

Refurbishing Sheffield Cathedral

 Sheffield Cathedral is undergoing extensive refurbishment.  The pews have been removed and the floor taken up and replaced with underfloor heating and new stone floor. There will be a new welcoming entrance. This is all due to be complete in 10 days time so there was a lot of activity and consulting. Again compare with the Cathedral in 2010. The inner Chapels are unaffected.