Bring me Sunshine!

I heard the first few birds singing as I was getting ready from about 6.30 this morning, I arrived at 7am, after a little bit of defrosting, me and the car. There was only a hint of mist here and there, otherwise it was a refreshing clear start. A Goldcrest was calling in the car park and 2 crows sat facing away from eachother looking like they'd had a domestic!  A couple of Great Spots drummed and at least 3 Green Woodpeckers were calling from their respective corners of the estate. Still the finches are flying out on their way to feed and still for me, the Redpolls are not playing ball. A Grey Heron fished from the walkway between the two lakes

A light mist over the top lake

Just after I took this picture I headed back up towards the castle and saw 4 larger birds coming from over the wood, these turned out to be GREYLAG GEESE (72), a bird which has become a bit more regular in recent years. A couple of Stock Doves called and a Nuthatch was busy in a nearby oak. Out in the fields the Skylarks, about 5 of them were really enjoying themselves filling the air with their song, a Mandarin flew over the alders along the stream and another single Yellowhammer came out of the freshly butchered hedges, I say butchered, I'm not sure what the correct term is they are not exactly pruned back these days, maybe flailed is a better word! There were good numbers of Redwing and Fieldfares this morning and 5 Greenfinches were near the car park.

A Blue Tit surveying the recent hedge flailing

Dunnocks were in good voice this morning

I think they thought I had food!