At the hide I get talking to the locals and they tell me there is a pair of lesser spotted woodpeckers to be seen and heard just up the main path. Excited that I am at last on the trail of this elusive bird I go and see if I can find it. In the woods the calling and drumming of the greater spotted woodpecker is everywhere. Round a bend and I come across a small group of people looking up high into the trees with a telescope. Excited that they have spotted the woodpeckers I go and see what they have found. Sadly not the woodpeckers but a roosting Tawny owl. At first I cannot make out where he is and then suddenly I see him in a gap in the leaves. He is sat very high up in a ivy covered old tree but still gives some very nice views.

Further up the path I am intrigued by an old barkless tree full of holes. I stand and look it over when my attention is drawn by a bird visiting one of the holes. Again not the woodpecker but a nuthatch. This is the nest site for a pair and for a little while I stand and watch as they fetch mud to plaster on the entrance hole to make it smaller and prevent larger birds from getting in. It is rather a large hole too and so they have their work cut out for them. It would be great to go back later and see how they are getting on.

Continuing on and I spot a gold crest flitting about in the trees in front. These birds are so small and quick that photographing them is very difficult. As usual looking through the view finder all I see are snatched views of the bird in between a labyrinth of branches and twigs. Then my luck changes as the bird comes out into the open and lands on a twig very close to where I am standing.. It is a clear view with no obstructions whatsoever. No time to think and worry that the bird will soon be gone I point, focus and shoot. One shot and the bird is gone and I send up thanks to whoever may be watching over me as the shot is in the bag!

 

Having walked as far as I wanted I decide to turn around and come back alongside the waters edge. The sun is still shining and the water is very flat and full of beautiful reflections from the surrounding reeds and trees. Along the way I come to a tiny boat house with a small jetty that is all closed up. Here there are a number of mallard and Canada geese and almost missed there is also a single pink footed goose who looks a little lost all on his own. I sit and watch him for a while. He looks very beautiful with his reflection shining in the water.