Red Deer Stags feeding on new lush grass near the pedestrian entrance of Wollaton Park. Their antlers have grown fast since I last saw them and the deer were grazing voraciously no doubt to nourish these copious growths.

Redstart. Padley Gorge. Visited this place with the intention hopefully to see Wood Warbler and though I saw what looked like one flitting about the canopy (a pale bellied bird with a shorter, wider tail) my attention was taken by the Redstarts which posed well on the moss and lichen-covered boughs. I also heard Cuckoo and saw Tree Pipit, Winchat and of course the Pied Flycatchers which due to the unseasonable cold wind and hail flew down regularly to the ground in search of food.

Pied Flycatcher on his song perch.

Male Swallow singing from power cables.

 

Yellowhammer. Cotgrave. I think this is a female bird as she looked more stripey around the head. She sat watching me nervously from the top of a Blackthorn hedge.

Fledgeling Dunnock found in the garden this morning.

Fallow Does sheltering during passing heavy showers under a Beech tree. Wollaton. As the sun came out they moved from under the trees into the open. All the females I saw are heavily pregnant and look rather plump especially fromthe back. Last years fawns are almost full grown but continue to keep close to their mothers.

Tree Pipit. Budby. A late evening visit to Budby heath. This bird sat for some time singing intermittently without going into the flying display.

Yellowhammer. Budby. Many birds attracted to a small pool in the track including bright Yellowhammers, Linnets, Chaffinch, Siskin, Crossbills, Blue tits and a pair of Jays.

Dotterel. Gringley Carr. A 'trip' of six birds located in the middle of a Pea field. They could be quite elusive, dropping down into furrows out of sight for some time. Some distance away their white faces were conspicuous.This sketch was completed in the afternoon with the sun behind me as an earlier attempt was less successful with sun directly in front and heat-haze. Also in this field were Golden Plover and Stock Doves. Lots of Hares about too.

Morning sketch

Gringley Carr. Part of the Pea field and drainage dyke. This area was teaming with wildlife.

Crossbill. Budby heath. A quick detour to Budby heath in the hope of seeing Cuckoo or Woodlark. Walking up the track I noticed a few small birds fly up from a pool in the path. A group of Common Crossbills perched in the small trees by the pool and waited to come down to drink. The pool was a magnet to small birds and I had close views of Crossbills, Tree Pipit, Redpoll and Siskin as well as Chaffinches and yellowhammers. This must be the nearest and only source of water for these birds. I managed to hear both Cuckoo and Woodlark.

 

A young male Crossbill waiting to come down for a drink. Though they were cautious about coming to drink they sat in the trees for ages unconcerned even when a group of brightly clothed bank holiday walkers trouped passed.

Adult male Crossbill.

Quick sketches of Tree Pipits 'parachuting' display. Lovely to watch they make a plaintive pew-pew-pew as they descend.

Redpoll. Came to drink at the pool as I stood a few feet away.