A SHORT WALK INTO YEO VALLEY
WEATHER: a cloudless sunny morning, but a bitter cold, easterly wind took the edge off it.
I wanted to check on the progress of the Long-tailed Tits, they are making a nest in the first clump of brambles along the entrance track into Yeo Valley. The nest site was in shadow when I got there around 9am, but the birds were still very active, bringing more and more nesting material to add to the nest.
As you can see from the pictures below the dome-shaped nest is almost completed. Today the birds were working on the entrance way which, unfortuanately, is facing away from the path and cannot be seen. Soon the birds will be collecting feathers to line the nest, I will miss that part of the build as I will be away in Morocco from Tomorrow (19th March).
a Long-tailed Tit facing its almost complete nest.
another shot of a Long-tailed Tit near the nest
From the first view point overlooking the river I saw a pair of Grey Wagtails, it was good to see them back on their nesting territory and hopefully they will breed again. Whilst I was watching the wagtails a flash of turquoise-blue shot down the river! A Kingfisher of course, I hope it was heading to the 'newly' formed river-bank (due to a collaspe) were I think they may nest this year.
female Grey Wagtail
the male bird coming into summer plumage
I searched for the Treecreeper in the same place where I saw it last time but I didn't get a sniff of one. As stood watching the trees a small group of Redwings flew up from the meadow behind the trees and landed nearby. I counted six of them, I expected to see none! By now most of the wintering thrushes will have departed, But I remember during the Covid years I saw both Redwings and Fieldfares in early April.
probably the last Redwing I will see in the valley this winter
Other sightings included: a pair of Jays, some Pheasants, at least four Wrens were singing, also Dunnock, lots of Robins, both Blue Tits and Great Tits, also singing, and a Song Thrush in flight. I did also see a pair of Common Buzzards and a Chiffchaff.
Bird of the morning had to be Red Kite because of its 'rarity' value here in South Somerset, I saw one fly over the garden as I reached home.