Mandarins on show.

I'm pleased to report that the plumber was 'ace' yesterday so plenty of hot water on tap once more ..... so thanks Kevin. He also shares an interest in birds so I was able to help identify a raptor species he had seen recently while watching a Ring-necked Parakeet eyeing up the feeders in our garden.

With a very cold easterly wind and overcast sky I only managed an hour circumnavigating the 'Great Pond' on the patch around midday today. While driving towards the car park I spotted 5 raptors very slowly circling over the woodland ... obvious shape suggested Common Buzzard but one individual definitely had much longer wings and a more languid, slower wing beat. I was in a long queue of vehicles so couldn't stop at the roadside and by the time I had parked up they had disappeared eastwards so any positive ID goes unanswered!

One of the Canada Geese is always on sentry duty while its partner has a preen.

The visit didn't lead to any new sightings and the lighting across the water didn't help my photography efforts but I took a few shots of the Mandarin Ducks as they came a little bit closer than normal. Today there were six males but only one of the two females I have seen recently on view. Well at least the female was getting plenty of attention.

 Him and her playing follow the leader.

The list for today as follows:

Mandarin Ducks (6F and 1F);

Tufted Duck (now a pair on the pond so we may see a repeat of last years breeding);

Mallard (6), Coot (1), Moorhen (2), Canada Geese (6), Grey Heron (1);

Common Buzzard (5), Kestrel (1), Sparrowhawk (1) disrupting the local Woodpigeons;

Carrion Crow, Magpie, Blackbird, Robin, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Wren, Chaffinch, Chiffchaff (3) and Blackcap (1).

We are entertaining Anita's parents tomorrow so may not have time for a patch visit!     FAB.