I’ve been dodging April showers and going out on the better mornings to see and listen to what’s going on in my local patch. I am so lucky to be able to step out of my back door and into the countryside. These past few mornings the overriding calls have been those of gutsy wee wrens trilling and singing.
I’ve also seen stonechats pairing up. The male is a very handsome.
I don’t have to go far to see that the ospreys have returned. I sometimes see them flying overhead towards the hills carrying fish. This one was hunting at a nearby fishing loch.
Other returning migrants are willow warblers and chiff chaffs. Here is a willow warbler aptly perched on a pussy willow branch. They have a sweet melodic song.
Chiff chaffs can now be heard chiff chaffing all around. They are more easily heard than seen. But I did manage to snap this one.
I’ve been keeping an eye on the tawny owls in what I call unimaginatively “owl wood”. This morning I saw the female cosied into her tree hollow nest, almost invisible, however she raised her head when some noisy geese flew over. I keep well away from her tree so that I don’t disturb her.
Today I spotted her mate tucked into the side of a neighbouring tree. His head is only just peeking out. Again I stayed well back.
Today I was at the edge of my housing estate and had just taken my big lens off from its harness when looking back towards the field I spotted a fox chasing a pheasant. I hastily tried to get some shots of it. Here it is, almost tip toeing towards its prey.
Wow! It’s ages since I’ve seen a fox. A great surprise to finish my morning walk!
Sarah's Wildlife Watch 