Walking on sunshine

We had a sunny weekend, aaaallll weekend, and spent every minute of it outside. It’s a crying shame to be indoors. on Saturday, we turned Azures into a Cabriolet and had a lovely time driving on the motorway with the winds ruffling our hair and the sun warming our backs. It was such a glorious weather.

We went for a long drive to check out Rutland Nature Reserve. We have been here 2 years ago along with 15k people for the 2008 Birdfair where I stalked Simon King!!! It was nice to be back again.

We went to the Anglian Water Bird Watching Visitor Centre located on the Egleton section of the reserve where we were serenaded  by this lovely greenfinch. We followed a self-guided trail that led us through a variety of habitats range from old and newly created woodland and birdwatching hides that overlook the lakes. Off course, we had to check out every hide :-).

Rutland Water is all about ospreys. But so far, we’d not seen any. We saw the usual culprits from the hides. I love these specially built nesting platforms for the terns. They were very noisy, twittering about the weather, I bet. We also spotted lots of butterflies enjoying the glorious weather.  I was pleased that this Brimstone was able to pose for us. Could you spot him?

As I continued walking, I came face to face with this willow warbler with its beak full of moss staring at me. I don’t know who was more surprised. She just stood there and I took the opportunity to snap a few photographs. She must be busy gathering nesting materials. Happy nesting my feathered friend.

I saw a pair of twitchers observing something on the ground. I just had to ask what were they looking at. It was a very handsome weasel. My oh my…. forget the ospreys. This very active, small and slender chap made my day. He was busy burrowing in the undergrowth.

Finally, we made our way to the lagoon where the ospreys were supposed to be nesting. Did we see them? Zilch, nada. non…But we spotted several Red Shanks, oyster catchers, shelducks, ringed plover and little ringed plover. There was a scramble when someone had spotted a whimbrel. I couldn’t see it. We were more interested in these sheep across the lagoon. We missed these woolly creatures.

After about 3 hours of splendour in the sun in gorgeous surroundings, we headed home. The temperature was nearly 20C. The football fans had already left the Ricoh. The Sky Blues drew 1:1 against Preston. It was an unsatisfactory result for the boys but it moves them one point closer to safety in the 16th.

Yesterday was another splendour in the sun. We soaked up more rays from the glorious sunshine at Brandon Marsh. For the past few days, the arrival of an Avocet (Recurvirostra avosetta) had created excitement among the twitchers. We checked her out on Wednesday evening and she was fast asleep.

Today, we saw this beauty feeding on Teal Pool. I could sit and just watch her graceful movements and the sweeping of its bill from side to side in the water as it seeks for food. The Avocet is the emblem of the RSPB and symbolises the bird protection movement in the UK.

As we walked towards the Carlton Hide, we met Andy sans Kay. While he was telling Babe about his nightingale adventures, I spotted a chiffchaff feeding among the nearby trees. He was soo busy that I was able to get a few photographs. Babe and i planned to meet up with Andy soon so that he can show us where he’d seen the nightingales. Couldn’t wait….

Last Tuesday and Friday evening we went for a stroll after office. We’d this need to bask in the spring heatwave. We walked towards the Tocil woods which lies adjacent to the University lakes. In May, these woods will be covered with miles and miles of bluebells.

As we were walking, Babe spotted this lovely treecreeper running up and down this tree. we just stood there watching him feeding. What a lovely sight. We could hear woodpeckers drumming nearby. It was a wonderful way of winding down for the day.

This week was also the final week for PB before she left us for greener pastures. I’m going to miss her. We’d some fantastic time together and she’s such a sweetheart. My colleagues and I gave her an arousing send-off with a dinner at Browns.

Then there was another party given by her department. I contributed my usual spring rolls and prawn crackers. Lots of food, bubblies, laughters and friendships. We didn’t say goodbye cos we made a promise to meet again. All the best PB…

Eyjafjallajökull, the Icelandic volcano that brought Europe's air travel to a halt. SH had to cancel his conference in Chicago. GLW is stuck in Granada and JG managed to get on the last plane from the Caribbean.  Volcanoes have no duty towards us, and the wind bloweth where it listeth. Babe had to wash away some volcanic ash that had fallen on Azures.

Stay safe.