My first real session in the new hide this early afternoon was an amazing experience. I had wonderful views of the Buzzard who again was catching worms on his soil heap. I had only been inside and settled for a minute or so before he appeared, high in one of the trees to my left. I took a few photos of him in bright sunlight and got some lovely close ups. 

After a short while he came down and proceeded to catch worms. Such surprising behaviour, and as I have seen him feeding in this way on three seperate days, obviously his preferred prey. I have been baiting him with a dead rabbit for two days and he has not shown the slightest interest in it so far although I am hopeful. If I can get him to come and feed on this rabbit it is going to provide me with brilliant photo opportunities. He came and went to and from the heap several times and as he flew of I got the chance to take these in-flight shots. What is particularly exciting is the knowledge that he is sooner or later going to be much closer to me. So far, he has been on the far side of the heap and not smack in front. This is only coincidental and as he is perfectly happy with the hide, why wouldn't he be………. it looks just like part of the natural fence line. 

I was very pleased to have  a Grey Heron fishing on the brook just down stream from me. Again, I am certain to get some good shots of this bird in the coming days. This bird was pretty oblivious to my presence as well.  

A Grey Wagtail was constantly in front of the hide and I took a few nice shots. I also heard a Green Sandpiper, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Wren, Carrion Crow and the usual small passerines. I am expecting the crows, at least, to come to the rabbit bait in due course. What is particularly exciting is the presence of mammal tracks in the mud by the stream, perhaps otter but more likely fox. I am not hopeful of seeing Otter but they are definitely in the brook and on the nearby canal and river.