SPRINGWATCH

In the first week of Springwatch it seemed fitting that I should come across an array of different kinds of wildlife in one day.
For a start there were more than the usual amount of bugs, a lot of migi-flies and other flies flying in and around my face, but you become immune to there presence when you've experienced such environments often. (no sign of any Alien flies thankfully.)
The crops had increased in size considerably, the wheat was becoming recognisible and other crops getting tall and overgrown - well, for walking through anyway.
The first thing I spotted was a couple of Sparrows just bobbing along the path next to the crops, real casual. Next I spotted a Robin, I've seen glimpses of a Robin in the courtyard, but not for a while, I've spotted a Robin out here before too, although that was winter time. and only glimpses. I was able to take film of it this time because even though near housing, the trees had really become thick with foliage, much more than last time I was out here, even though they were thick then, there were a couple of houses that still robbed me of privacy, this time they were almost totally blocking out any chance of being overlooked, which can be awkward (being overlooked) , I've missed lots of great photo opportunities due to this. I can't just say stuff em, I don't care what they think, can I? Is there people who wouldn't understand, are there people who just want to be confrontational and that's what I'm trying to avoid?
Moving past the Robins I spotted one of the Yellowhammers from the nesting site nearby, I think it was the adult male keeping guard over his family, and I don't blame him, for what had come into the area and spooked everything - gliding around looking for a kill - a Sparrowhawk. I didn't manage to get a photo though, nothing worth publishing anyway - couldn't make out what it was, neither could I make out the Swallows I saw previous to spotting the Sparrowhawk. There are a pair of Swallows that pass near my window, but they could be Swifts, as I can't see any Swallow markings. and they are very rapid in their movement. The pair I saw out over the crops were unmistakable Swallow markings, and breathtaking in everyway, their movement is rapid and graceful, but impossible for me to catch on camera, if I had all day and that is all I was doing then yes, I'd have some film of Swallows to show you.
I carried on and reached my usual resting place along the grassy verges, this time I brought a rug with me, which was great, a descent size to lay myself and my gear down safely.
It was a beautiful day, very hot and energy-sapping, so I sat for a bit longer than normal, although I was up and down, keeping my eye out for the Swallows that I kept seeing sail by. it was there where I first spotted the Sparrowhawk, unmistakable brown wingspan as it flew alongside a green stretch of woodland to my rear.
I then gathered my gear together and moved on keeping my camera and tripod at the ready. it was a long walk to the woodland which was my next destination, although I did set up alongside a wheat field, where I heard birdsong in the hedgerow and large tree close by, there is woodland boardering the far side of the wheat field, but that is too far out of my way, and leads to suberbia, even though it is teeming with birdsong and very tempting, but the heat was starting to take effect, so maybe another day. Once I reached the other side of the hedgerow near one of the rabbit warrrens I decided to take that opportunity to sit down on the last open piece of ground and start to pack away my gear properly in my backpack (whose volume is less than that of it's contents - I need a bigger backpack!) before I reach suberbia the other side of the woodlands which I was almost at.
The wildlife there was very interesting, and so close, at first I thought wild rabbit, but it would have had to be a large rabbit, then I thought it was a dog off it's lead, but deep down I knew it wasn't. You'll have to see the photo's at the bottom of the page to see what I mean.
I didn't have the energy left to explore the woodland further, there was a great view into the woods the other side, but there you are looked over by housing, and I would be very conspicuous crouching down looking into woods on my own. it's a shame because I'm sure I could have had some superb subjects to film.
I made my way home through the tractor tyre tracks , the ones I'll use if I plan to explore the woodland properly, they take my straight there, missing out about a mile of hedgerows and the path around the crop fields.

Robin images taken today: one two three four

Other images taken today

Deer images taken today

all photography by geoff