There is quite a lot to fit in today so without further ado, I had better get on with it. It started with a hint of disappointment and bad planning. I had arranged to go ringing as part of my training to obtain a BTO ringers license. Unfortunately when I got to the organised venue there was no sign of anyone. I hung around for ten minutes and then decided to come home. It turned out that they were there all along and I had not looked properly! Oh, never mind, it meant that I could get on with the rest of my day. I love Saturdays anyway, good sport and a nice relaxed  feel to the day by everyone you meet.

I went on down to my second hide to check it out and have a "look-see". Not really a lot going on except  a Grey Wagtail when I first arrived. I am pretty sure this a female and if so, the first female of the year.

 As I sat there I reflected on the great pictures taken yesterday and hoped that the Kingfisher would return, it really was a special sighting. She didn't,  but not to worry, if you put the time in, eventually you are rewarded. I did however, note that yet again there was no sight of the Buzzard who had been pretty much constantly here only days before. Suddenly to my left there was a noisy commotion. Crows were mobbing something in the trees to my left. After just a few seconds of this , out flew the Buzzard, followed by three crows who definitely didn't want the Buzzard in the vicinity and literally chased it away. Now I know why the Buzzard is not so noticeable.

Later in the afternoon I took up position in No1 hide hoping for the male Kingfisher. The Little Egret, resident at that end of the brook was patrolling up and down the bank sides and it wasn't long before he presented himself right in front of the camera.

It was after 4 when the male Kingfisher first showed himself. I always get a buzz whenever I see him and I pretty much know exactly what he is going to do now.  I have learnt almost every aspect of his behaviour.  I watched him fishing but he was  just a little bit too far upstream to get photos. He was scanning the water from about 3 foot above, perched on bank-side vegetation . I saw him dive and then return to his perch with nothing. I had him fixed in my viewfinder as all this went on. Suddenly, he wqsn't there any more, then I saw him.  He was flying downstream towards me, very quickly with the fish he had just caught! He zoomed in and landed on the nearest branch to me. It was getting a bit too dull for photography so I used the cameras flash and got a couple of half decent images.

 This is a shot just before he disappeared back up to his favourite place to catch. I think it is quite remarkable that as soon as he is successful, he will fly back to the perches in front of the hide, 50 yards or so.