I don't suppose the report of a Moorhen on the Alphin Brook will create much of a stir but it was the first I have seen there this winter, another for the list. I think they are a very under-rated bird and extremely attractive when you are very close to them They can be very common in public parks and in canals where they are obviously very used to humans and lose a bit of their natural caution. However in a true wild environment they are much more wary. Again, this was another one of those examples where the hide was doing a good job because it pretty much came right up to it and was feeding only feet from me giving me really good views of the incredibly attractive beak which, as you can see is red and yellow. I have started to put out seed and peanuts because there are Woodpeckers in the trees nearby and I am hoping that I may be able to attract one down. When I arrived this afternoon most of the seed had gone and I was excited to see what has been eating it. After a while a Robin put in an appearance, sure he isn't responsible for eating lots of seed so the mystery remains. I am leaving for Yorkshire first thing tomorrow so I will not be there over the weekend to keep an eye on things.

It was just 1 minute past 8 this morning when a bright blue flash went past the hide and up-stream. I had to wait another 30 minutes before he came back and had a bit of a wash and brush up perched on the branch opposite. It was interesting because as he zoomed back towards me I was convinced he wasn't going to stop. He did, but I think it was an after thought and I watched him as he hovered, literally before choosing a newly placed branch which he obviously liked the look of.

 


After his preening and a good scratch, he looked up-stream and off he went. With the light still too dim for anything like a really good shot, yet again.