Vulgar Commotion

Juvenile Starling (Sturnus Vulgaris)

A commotion drew me to the window this evening, where the sight, and sound, of at least 250 starlings devouring the insufficient fare offered by my bird feeders, was quite a sight.

The flock was a mix of doting parents, and vociferous youngsters. Well it is half-term after all.

Home is in the hedgerow

A wander along the field margins at East Holywell, gave me numerous encounters with the new residents in the hedgerows.

What was nothing but barren twigs just 4 weeks ago, is now alive with Whitethroats, Yellowhammers and Greenfinches.

And the Dandelion, persecuted by our culture of tidiness, is a corner stone of the hedgerow ecosystem - feeding the many insects that in turn feed the birds. In a parallel universe, they would surely be coveted blooms?

Bluebell - sometimes they're white!

Hoverfly

Black Ant

 Greenfinch pair

Yellowhammer

Whitethroat

Blackcap

What colour is your heron?

Purple Heron

After doing my Breeding Bird survey at Widdrington, it seemed sensible to pop along to East Chevington to see the Purple Heron. A cracking bird, showing well, but at half a mile away the 2x convertor went on the camera. This hazy shot was the result.

Sedge Warbler

Then, came a  report of a Great White Egret at Hauxley, just a couple of miles up the road. On arrival I was told it was in front of the Ponteland hide. It's a long walk to the Ponteland hide, and even further to then get to the Eric hide, where the bird had decided to move to after 'interacting' with a Grey Heron!

Interaction!

Great White Egret