Drive-by Stonechat

Water End nr Hemel: After Wheatears in the sun yesterday, it was a Stonechat in the rain today…viewed from the car. I’m no fool.

I had commitments for much of the day, so my first chance to see if the bird reported earlier was still about was after 16:30, just as the rain moved in. I parked up and scanned the fence line from the car. Well marked, spring male Stonechats stand out like daisies on a hillside. There he was, jet black head, brilliant white collar and that warm orange-russet chest. Even through the murk and pouring rain he was stunning. I watched him fly down to the farmed field and return with a whopper of a worm. That soon disappeared and he continued to work his way along the fence line until he was as near as he ever got to the car. I watched him a while longer and then called it a night. Crossing my fingers he might still be around tomorrow….in the sunshine.

Wheatears hit Water End

Well, hello everyone. It’s been a fair old while! Where do I begin? How about I just dive in with today’s stuff. The remnants of storm Katie, followed by a flat car battery and an hour’s wait for “home assist” made sure I didn’t leave the house this morning. That fiasco was closely followed by an afternoon fighting the urge to snooze, until, at about 16:30, I crowbarred myself off the sofa and out into the blustery sunshine.

With not a lot of energy, the horse paddock just north of Hemel, at Water End, seemed like a good plan. I really wasn’t expecting anything, sure that others would have checked the site earlier in the day. But, hey, I got lucky. Not one but two gorgeous Spring male Wheatears: a much needed antidote to the winter hangover and proof that spring really is taking hold, thank goodness.

One bird would occasionally hop over the paddock fence line into the adjacent ploughed field, blending in perfectly with the earthy tones

Spot the birdie

The two Spring males: one had a stubby tail (top bird), the other had a pronounced/very striking white supercilium (bottom bird)

Killer Squirrel: the end of Robin Redbreast

Warning: not for the squeamish or lovers of Robins

I can’t say I feel a million dollars today but I did fancy sharing a garden drama from earlier this week. Tuesday morning, there I was, standing by the kettle, waiting for my first cup of tea of the day, when out of the corner of my eye, Something was happening in the garden. Still slow with sleep, I turned to take a look. A squirrel emerged from the undergrowth and proceeded to manhandle a meaty looking prize. Aww, how sweet, it’s found some burnt toast, I thought. But wait, nope, there’s orange on it….what on earth?! Surely not….flipping heck, it’s only gone and killed a Robin! Mr butter-wouldn’t-melt Nutkin must have employed stealth and cunning, clawed the Robin from the top of the back fence and finished it off on the ground. He proceeded to carry his plunder to the Honeysuckle trellis podium, where he proudly plucked and tore at its lifeless body. Nothing like a bit of death and carnage before breakfast. Anyway, I’d never seen a squirrel kill or eat a bird before, so, thought it worth a blog post. I’m hoping the Robin wasn’t my midnight singer but I fear the worst, unfortunately.

The video was shot in 4K. To watch it at the best resolution, press play and then click on the cog in the right lower corner, select Quality and choose 2160p 4K



P.S. Was woken in the early hours of this morning by a "singing" Tawny Owl. Spring advances...

In the shallows

Sunshine on the rippling surface of the River Bulbourne transformed plain pebbles into an ever changing, flickering canvas of colours and kinks. Totally mesmerising.