Yesterday was one of the busiest in the eight years (almost!) that I've worked at The Lodge. Blue sunny skies, an Easter trail for families and a few good birds got the crowds flocking in.
Bird highlights were mainly on the raptor front, with large numbers of buzzards (up to seven together on one occasion and others around) possibly 3 red kites, 2 pairs of sparrowhawks, kestrel and peregrine and merlin both reported. A woodcock flew past some of the birders looking for the lesser-spotted woodpeckers, which were seen several times, and a male was photographed yesterday by Richard Harvey.
Still good numbers of siskin, a few brambling and a singing yellowhammer , but the large flock if thrushes and the ring ouzel had all gone yesterday morning.
A brimstone butterfly dashed around the gatehouse car-park and several bees were around, including bumblebee and buff-tailed bee.
Have a very happy Easter and don't forget we lose an hour tonight!