My patch is starting to get busy again with a few birds coming to the feeders. I am pleased to say that I have seen all four of the weaned Kestrels, with one actually staying on the patch, so that's good news for next year. I have made a few alterations to the feeding station recently, firstly I have fenced off the area so the horses, which now number five cannot eat my offerings, especially as I saw around 200 Fieldfare on the patch last week, so any apples I put down to attract them wouldn't last five minutes.
Fenced in.
Although I have the large pond behind the feeders, I decided to create a small pond closer to the hide, around ten feet away, I am hoping this will allow me to get some images of the birds bathing or drinking. I used the kids sandpit we had for the Indian Runner ducks, a quick coat of paint to help it look more natural, a bit of digging ( I really am getting too old for this now) and a few strategically placed logs and it was completed.
Sand pit
Pond.
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It took a day or so before the new pond got used, but today it did as this Goldfinch came for a drink, I am looking forward to seeing more soon.
First visitor.
The Sparrow Hawk paid a few visits also, four times he swooped in for a meal and on each occasion he failed. He looks like an immature male, he will get more accurate soon, then the little uns will have to watch out. On one attack he came so close to the hide, I swear he was less than a foot away from my face.
Male Sparrow Hawk.
I had a couple of hours in the hide this week and it was cold at times, I must be getting soft because this week I laid out 50 quid for a heater. At least I got a few shots with a promise of much more to come.
