It is an avian theme today! We are currently in one of our favourite places – near the wonderful Leighton Moss RSPB Reserve. It is the first place we ever camped in our camper van Cedric. We arrived early afternoon and have already enjoyed numerous Swifts whizzing everywhere, Marsh Harriers, Sedge Warblers and much more. The highlight was a Bittern flying past us!
Had a lovely time yesterday with young people from Holbeach Primary School birdwatching at Wick Court- we saw Ringed Plovers on the River.
Hopefully there might be some pictures tomorrow!

Had a delightful weekend with our two grandsons Owen and Robin. However we are now tired out! We carried on our indoctrination with a visit to WWT Slimbridge. They were pleased to see the Woodpecker in the garden- Owen saw two so possibly a young bird as well. Pictures from the weekend below.

On the bird front we may have two pairs of nesting Cranes in the village!

Finally I am seeing many hits on this blog from all over the world-would be good to hear from some of my international readers!

A few pictures from the garden today. We have followed RSPB advice on feeders so we are not putting out seed or nuts for the birds but we do have a suet slab that the Great Spotted Woodpecker loves – so do the Jackdaws! I do love the Starlings if the sun catches their feathers so you can see the assorted specks of colour.

You might ask what has happened to my blog? Well it has been all go here! I am just about to play my third game of cricket in 6 days. A test of the state of my body! I also went down to Bristol on Friday to watch the county play= I might go again this Friday to take advantage of my membership.

Also just back from Exeter seeing our lovely granddaughter Ellen. We have her two cousins staying with us this coming weekend. Likely to be tired on Sunday afternoon!

After a busy week storytelling we went away in our wonderful campervan “Cedric” to have a couple of days in one of favourite places near Wareham. We try and time it to when the Dartford Warblers are showing at Arne (a RSPB reserve). I was lucky to get one of my best views ever (sadly unable to get it on camera). Another highlight was seeing an Osprey dive and catch a fish- magical!

A few pictures below. Little Egret, Stonechat, Linnet, Guillemots and some curious Deer.

I have been storytelling again this week. Certainly contrasting audiences! I visited a Care Home yesterday (a new one for me|) telling stories.

Today I cycled to tell stories at a playgroup. Later this week I resume my regular slot at Wick Court.

A great couple of days for me.

Yesterday we went for a walk on Cam Peak to see the bluebells- always unusual because they aren’t in woodland. Some pictures below.

I followed this up by searching for Black Terns up at the sailing lake here in Frampton. These birds are rare visitors as they pass through. I saw three of them- a grainy picture below!

We then went to watch the ancient prog rockers Focus playing in Stroud. I saw them over 50 years ago when I was at college. They are fine musicians and it took me back in time! To quote Lou Reed just about ” A Perfect Day”.

I went to watch the Mad Hatters today who managed to scrape home and still keep our faint Play Off hopes alive. We have been on a super run but possibly too late.

I love the British Spring lovely fresh green , blossom everywhere and animals busy!.

Our pond is now full of tadpoles and we are seeing newts regularly – both grandsons spotted them at the weekend. Migrants are arriving all the time I saw my first Whitethroat today and I did hear the Nightingale- which I found quite emotional after such a long time. A few pictures below I took today- a Greenfinch in the garden, a Speckled Wood butterfly, and a disappearing Heron. I am going out regularly so maybe more pictures tomorrow.

Finally I am getting a lot of hits on my website from overseas especially the USA. I hope it is not some sort of AI trawling – please send me a message so I know it is not a robot!

Just heard a nightingale was heard singing last night in Frampton which is great news the last time one was heard was eight years ago. Fingers crossed we will continue to hear this iconic bird!  When I was teaching I used to bring young people to listen for nightingales in the village – we would then in those days have two or three birds singing in the Spring.

I paid for travelling so much over the last fortnight combined with cycling and a cricket net with a painful bad back. Could hardly move yesterday but better today. I am hoping to play cricket on Thursday!

Lovely day here with spring sunshine and migrants passing through. I heard my first Reed Warbler of the year and then saw it pop up from the reeds. Also my first Willow Warbler. Blackcaps were singing and a few House Martins  were over. The best photo I could do is the Chiffchaff below (with a leaf in front!)  We all feel better for sunshine!

I of course am on a high following my Wembley visit yesterday. A great day and The Hatters beat The Hatters!!! It was lovely to be at an occasion with so many families of all generations. My support over the years has seen a few highs and many lows -so  when those highs come they are special and are savoured! It is probably too late for the league now but it is the hope that gets you!

One or two pictures from Wembley yesterday as well below.