Buster is a lucky dog to have so many walks .I have to confine my 12 year old lab to the house as he seems to frighten the birds off just with his presence.
Yesterday afternoon was a case in point when we noticed lots of activity opposite the house ,in the willow and hawthorn at the rivers edge.Out came the bins and the scope was readjusted ,and soon it became clear that a new family of spotted flycatchers had fledged.We managed to count three.I am not entirely sure but I think that one might be the adult as it was less active.I also managed to take a record snap.While I write this I have just been told that the parent is feeding one of the youngsters with a nice fat tortoiseshell butterfly.What was that I read about nature caring for its own?
As all this was going on I also managed to see a young willow warbler, it was striking in its canary yellow plumage ,however it looked quite startled and soon disappeared,no doubt flying south !
Lis Collison