Been distracted for a week with commissions, and poor ND has had to suffer snatched walks. But it was a nice day on Thursday so we took off with a couple of friends for a long wander.
I was overjoyed to spot this little beauty (though I couldn't get very close with ND charging about the river bank)
20 years ago there was so much wildlife along the banks of the Torne and in the surrounding fields and the last time I saw a kingfisher on there before this year was Boxing Day 1996. There were huge heronries, Water Voles, Brown Hare in abundance and Tree Sparrows; large flocks of Lapwing, Yellow Hammers in every hedgerow, and I once heard (but never saw) a Grasshopper Warbler. I doubt I'll ever see Tree Sparrows again but this little Kingy gives me some hope.
And ND came home with a prize!
A quick bit of crafting before me and ND head out into the cold....
Raining on our parade today so plenty of time to finish this!
I suppose it has to be done but ND and I walk along these fields watching Kestrels and Owls hunt and buzzards perching. Mature hedgerows and trees gone
This is what it looked like in Summer.
And now.......
Nothing to see on the walk today but look who was having a wash and brush up in the pond when we got home!
ND and I did some gardening this morning and uncovered the hellebores. We also uncovered several rat holes!
There are signs of spring everywhere now
And time for a paddle to check out the water vole situation...
Nettled feet again! Out late today so we didn't see much, apart from a distant kestrel and lots of crows. I'll brighten this feeble effort with my goldfinch painting
