bridge royd wood

 I’ll be away for a while and the bluebells might well be past their best by my return. They’re not quite there just yet but still a sight to behold at Bretton right now.

Warblers were keeping a low profile this morning with the Garden variety particularly scarce. Both Willow Warbler (above) and Chiffchaff seem well into their breeding cycle already – this bird was preoccupied with driving rivals from it’s territory whilst his mate sat tight in the brambles below.

The Great Crested Grebes have decided to build their nest on the site of last year’s – right in front of the hide - so another chance of obtaining cute family shots may well be possible after all. The Mute Swans too are incubating in a favoured spot, which keeps the male very busy dispersing the Canadas all over the lake – hilarious stuff!

first day of spring

It’s been a little while since my last visit and consequently the changes at Bretton are quite apparent. The heronries for example, deserted and desolate a mere three weeks ago, are now throng with birds. Egg laying has already begun in the untidy tree-top shacks, and whilst the females sit tight, their partners are kept busy collecting yet more nesting material - albeit superfluous to the structure. The reason, according to studies, is that the bigger and more numerous the sticks brought in, the more receptive the females become to the males’ amorous advances –  i.e. the better the pressy, the more sex you get!

At the top of Pikeley Hill and right on cue, the first Chiffchaffs have returned from their African jaunt and are marking out territories with repetitive  song. These are the first migrants to arrive for the new breeding season and are at their easiest to see right now before the leaves appear. It’s always difficult to get pictures for the first couple of weeks though as the birds spend a lot of time in the tree tops, but it’s customary for me to snap the first I see each year so here it is. Better images will appear soon!

At the feeding station near the hide, trade is brisk as birds are coming into peak condition. Maintaining strength is key if they are to attract mates, and topping up body weight now is important - especially for those that will be spending a good deal of the Spring  cramped in a tree hole like this female Great Spotted Woodpecker. She was certainly piling on the calories this morning, consuming peanuts faster than I could deal them. Her problem might be squeezing in there when the time comes! 

 

From the top: Grey Heron, Chiffchaff, Great Spotted Woodpecker & Nuthatch