The Song Remains the Same - Led Zeppelin

Major MIS-IDENTIFICATION on Monday's post, the Butterfly was in fact 

a female ORANGE TIP and not Green-veined White as published

 (male ORANGE TIP for comparison)

while the 'pretty flower', I am reliably informed, is a fine example of Common Storksbill. Thanks go to Mark Litjens plus John and Maggie Gifford. The appropriate amendments have been made.

Today started with a light frost and a chill wind as a

LITTLE EGRET
cut across a gloomy sky, the first at the farm since my return.

Otherwise at LONGHAM the Lakes were shrouded by fine mist,
over which 200? Common Swift were flying at extremely low level
accompanied by a few each of Barn Swallow and House Martin.

At least c2 COMMON SANDPIPER remain there

along with several dozen TUFTED DUCK
 
Closer inspection was needed of the Island in the southern most Lake

as among others MUTE SWAN are nesting
and GREY HERON standing sentinel.

REED BUNTING remain much in evidence, with vocal males
stealing the scene this morning along with plenty of

GREAT TIT

This pair of GREAT CRESTED GREBE

between them chases off a usurper,

then continued to form their little
Love Hearts!
 
SEDGE WARBLER
were also in good voice and making up the chorus were
Blackcap, Reed Warbler, Robin, Dunnock, Chaffinch, Wren etc.

Low flying MUTE SWANs,

mum MALLARD and the new brood,

and a couple of fine looking CANADA GEESE.

So, as can be seen, not a lot of change from the past couple of weeks. Good reason then to head off elsewhere. First a return visit to the north end of Parley Court Farm and the 'Common' where Dartford Warbler have not been seen for the last couple of year since the Central Electricity Generating Board did essential maintenance to the overhead cables there. Once again none were seen or heard, so onward to the North Woods in search of Marsh Tit, Nuthatch and Treecreeper where all 3 followed suit.

There have been a fair few occasions when I have had occasion to cross the Avon Causeway and coupled with reports of interesting and plentiful birds there from time to time have always intended to suss it out. Today was the day.

Stationing myself on the bridge the River

was viewable in both directions
 
but with only another 'sitting' MUTE SWAN close enough for
a decent photograph.

However, across the meadows and beyond, both sides of the road, there were c8 Little Egret, c5 Grey Heron, c2 Common Buzzard, possible breeding Lapwing, a host of House Sparrows, more Sedge and Reed Warblers and much else besides. This is a site well worth keeping an eye on should there be future visits to this part of the county.