A quick count of the birds on the pond today revealed two herons, seven
goosanders, four Canada geese, four mallard, one little grebe and three tufted
drakes. We were out on toad patrol last night and we were speculating that the
recent high numbers of herons ( I have seen up to five at once ) and
gooosanders could be due to them hanging around to eat all the spawning
amphibians that we have so carefully saved from the wheels of cars the night
before!
On the path by the lake I saw two male yellowhammers. On the common by the
wind turbines were two meadow pipits and a pair of stonechats - seeing them
back on the hills makes me feel that spring really has arrived.
Elaine Izett