Last year I had heard one at Fenwick Ponds at Cowley on the edge of the city. There is also a nest box placed there for their use and Ray, the Water Bailiff has told me that they have lived in the adjoining wood “for years”!

So armed with all this info and prior knowledge when I was wondering where to go on this Easter Saturday I thought I would give the ponds a look.

It has been a great sunny day and when I got to my destination on the Chinese Bike I was surprised that the ponds had been cleared somewhat. I suspect that there will be some impact on the wildlife as the undergrowth has been totally cleared with no under-brush whatsoever. I guess that in time this will grow back, at least I hope so and my fears were slightly allayed when I saw my first Brimstone Butterfly of the year. At the moment with the trees still bare it is a good time to see birds and I saw both Blackcap Warbler and Chiffchaff (identified with certainty by their call).

Suddenly a Tawny Owl came in to sight and then disappeared just as quickly in the thickness of the canopy which in this spot was quite dense in spite of my previous comment. It was obvious that the bird was close by because there was a lot of “mobbing” activity from the tits and other small birds who will always mob an owl once they know of it’s whereabouts.

I always amaze myself when it comes to patience and I sat for well over an hour in the hope that the owl would pop out in to the open.He kept calling and I scanned the trees in front for a glimpse. Suddenly I caught sight of him as the wind blew the larch branches aside. He was so well camouflaged that when I took my eyes of him he had blended in again. I managed to pick him up again and took several photos the best of which is above……… my first Tawny Owl photo!

I am pretty sure that this is a Chiffchaff because I heard it calling but to be honest I can’t be certain that it was this very bird which as I look closely again looks very Willow Warbler like to me with flesh coloured legs and greenish body, they are very hard to tell apart.

I know this is a Blackcap!!!! Who wouldn’t. They sing really beautifully and this one was really giving it some wellie!
Canada Geese are a bit of a pain really and they are actually harmful to the breeding success of other geese being very territorial. At the top pond this pair have chosen to nest. The fox, according to the Baliff had the first 2 eggs but she continued to lay more and now she sits on 4. I cant believe that the fox has not taken her because she is in a very vulnerable place and I am sure she is not safe.

She didnt seem to mind me being near her and just carried on sitting with absolutely no reaction whatsoever. She does make a very pretty picture and I am pretty certain that she will make the fox an even better dinner, its just a matter of time!