All Around The World - Oasis

Another dull and overcast start to the morning, but before very long the clouds rolled away and out came the sun. In the cemetery there seemed to have been a small increase in the number of Redwing and for a better look

here are a couple of 'in the hand' images from the files of this smart Northern Thrush. All else there was the singing Goldcrest, while over at Radipole it felt as though things remained unchanged.

A few Pochard were still swimming about

while vocal Reed Bunting

are now singing from a number of perches around the reserve.

Water levels are still low and attracting a few Black-tailed Godwit and Common Snipe

while the Gull flock, only small this morning, still hold Mediterranean

and Lesser Black-backed Gulls.

It was about then that Bob Ford's text alerted me to some action at the North Hide where this Glossy Ibis was feeding (right of fence post and just above top strand of barbed wire).

2 birds have been knocking about the area for a few days now, but this has been my first chance to catch up with them.

If it were possible to have any bird 'too close' this was a fine example

allowing for these shots

which hardly needed cropping.

It was having no trouble catching these small Roach either.

On the way back I bumped into a much missed character on the reserve, Damon who surname I forget. Nonetheless, it was a real treat to catch up with him after about 4 years, and I know there are a few readers out there who will be pleased to hear this news. He is at the moment reed cutting, and tells me the product will quite likely be used to re-thatch the Visitor's Centre. Let's hope that comes to fruition.

and finally, when you get to thinking you're a World Traveller carrying little in the way of baggage, then spare o thought for this little chap! Click to Open.

Northern Wheatear