Well I guess spring is now officially here as the clocks went forward last night. I was late to bed and getting up at 7am which was really 6am I was shattered. The backs of my thighs are really hurting after sitting on that very uncomfortable hard bench whilst watching the kingfishers yesterday. The things we have to suffer! Anyway with a very dubious weather forecast I set off once again on the hunt for the Lesser spotted woodpecker. Picked up Mr Darcy…oooops sorry Dancy and due to a lack of concentration from too much chatting ended up going to Marbury the long way round.

Upon arrive the weather was duller and the birds much quieter than yesterday. Once again made our way to the bird hide but apart from the usual tits and a male reed bunting there was nothing much to be seen. Therefore on with our hunt for the woodpecker. Down the path to the waters edge and we see a bird that I didn’t see yesterday, the Treecreeper. He was slowly working his way up the tree and giving some very nice views. As predicted if you see one of these birds then others are usually not far away and we ended up seeing three that day.

Whilst watching the tree creeper we hear a noise that to my ears sounded suspiciously like a green woodpecker but it seems that I am incorrect. Today I am in luck for the elusive Lesser spotted woodpecker is calling and he is very close indeed. Back on the path and a group of people are watching it high up in a tree. Shouts of “There he is!” can be hear all round and with bated breath I scan the trees expectantly. The light here however is bad. The sun is shining straight into our faces and seeing anything up there is difficult and I see nothing. The bird continues to call. It has moved further away and now it is drumming. Slowly we creep up a side path in its direction. We hear it again. It is in one of two large trees right in front of us and it is drumming even louder. This is so frustrating! Still I cannot see it. Suddenly the bird flies down and away and I see it but it is only in silhouette and I do not get a good view. For a good half hour we play cat and mouse with this bird and a couple of times all I see is the back silhouetted view as it flies away. I am now beginning to realise just how difficult getting to see this bird, let alone photograph it really is! After a while the bird stops calling and the trail goes cold. Once again I am denied a good view of this beautiful bird . The hunt continues…..

 

Visiting a second feeding station in the middle of the woods we find a wrens nest. The pair are busy bringing nesting material into the nest and from the hide we sit and watch. In and out they come and ever so often the male stops his task to go and sit in a nearby tree to belt out his territorial song.At the feeders can be seen tits and chaffinches as well as a pair of jackdaws that are sitting under the feeders waiting for any peanuts that the birds above throw down. A territorial robin or two can also be seen chasing off other birds and a greater spotted woodpecker puts in a brief appearance.