This will be my last post for a couple of weeks as I am off to Key West via Hollywood Florida, to give my niece Johanna away at her wedding to Bryan.
My camera and lenses are packed and on my return there will be a trip report and photo gallery for you…. and me…….. to enjoy.
But in the meantime back here in Exeter and the goings on, in and around over the last 2 days. Yesterday was a fruitful outing to Exminster Marsh with a Chaffchaff observed and heard, in fact I came very close to a good photograph but just couldn’t get the camera to focus quickly enough. This is proving to be quite a stumbling block and one that is becoming a big, big frustration. Cetti’s Warblers were also seen and heard and I have set myself a challenge to capture a shot of this very rare bird. These are very difficult to get a good luck at let alone photograph.
I encountered several Wrens-Troglodytes troglodytes yesterday, holding territory and singing very loudly for such a small bird go and have a listen on the RSPB site and you will be amazed that such a tiny bird can sing so loudly. The first call is the alarm and is quite often the only indication that there is one nearby.

it’s been a nice interesting “garden” day today. Only the usual protagonists but plenty of them and lots of activity.

I think I have discovered why the Greenfinches are so kean on the garden, can you see the hen feeding on the emerging leafbuds. I am sure she is not doing any real damage and frankly I couldn’t care less but I could imagine a keen gardener being upset about this activity It thrills me that I am able to get such lovely shots in my own garden!

This female Chaffinch popped in for just a minute. This is a very, very well marked individual with very bold wing bars and that’s why I have posted it. I am expecting a visit one day from a the closely related Brambling which will be an excitement. There have been lots around this area this year, I havn’t seen one though, but fingers crossed for next year.

Other visitors today were Blue tits, in fact just at dawn I was woken by the call of one, it was as disturbing as an alarm clock but you can switch those off, listen to it here and tell me if you could sleep through that for 20 minutes? We have had the Collared Doves and Wood Pigeons as well as my Dunnock and Blackbird pair. I am pleased every time I see them because I really am concerned about them falling victim to the cats!
So cheerio dear reader until my return with some………hopefully……. images of Mourning Doves and Grackles at least, Blue Jay is going to be a certainty as well as a Mockingbird. But as always, who knows what awaits me!