As May begins I rise early to the sight of the Rook raiding my feeders, but in the middle of the flock is a Grey Squirrel taking the nuts I put out the night before. I arrive at the river which is very low, and great for the Kingfisher to get the Minos for their young. I crawl through he undergrowth and settle down with my camera and wait to see if the Dipper has had their young. As I wait a lovely Grey Wagtail Flits about from stone to stone unaware of me being there, Stop for a Picture I think but not this time. As the early morning water glistens the Mallards fly past just above the water, and I get my first sighting of the Dipper with the beak full of food for the young, so you are still in the nest in the Mossy rock face.
I get back to site and slowly walk round in the morning sunshine, as I pass the Thrush nest I can see some little heads with their beaks open. Mum must be close so I leave quickly so they can be fed. The flash of a Sparrow hawk startles me as it failed to catch the Collard Dove feeding. The Song thrush still sings its amazing songs at the top of the Pine tree as I approach the hide Mr Buzzard must have been waiting near the hide and takes to the sky in search of a meal. The morning light shines on the Bluebells in Redstart wood.
A Wren comes close chased by the Blue tit, your near my nest stay away he says. Most of the trees have Blossom on now and the fruit trees in the hide are all getting blossom, and the Wild Orange Iris I planted earlier have escaped the Roe Deer. I enter the hide to the call of the Redpoll, Goldfinch, Goldfinch and Blue tit. He is here folks the food will be out in a minute. As I fill up the feeders the Coal tit comes so close just for a Nut and the Little Redpoll sits on the Niger with me feet away.
My old mate the Male Pheasant walks in and comes straight to me for seed , and I kneel down and throw some peanuts down for him. You made another year my friend without being shot. Wood pigeon, Jay, Woodpecker and Nuthatch all wait till I sit down and make myself a coffee.
Sunset soon so I head to the Big Stone and park up in a fav spot. Grouse are calling from the heather, when a head pops up. Get your camera ready Ron I am about to fly, but as I get ready the Curlew goes above calling to its mate so I wait. A small bird sits on a post singing, its a Meadow Pipit enjoying the evening sun. I look up high into the sky for the distant call of the Skylark but cant see it as its to high. The Lapwing screeching as they chase each other.
As I settle down for the night I remember the new birds that have arrived this month, the Bullfinch was seen up near Birch wood male and Female. I spotted the Redstart near the hide and the Sound of the Blackcap came form the woods near the Lake.
