Back home in Devon today, after a weekend visiting family in Yorkshire, I was pleased when the predicted cloudy morning proved to be yet another Met Office cock-up!  Sorry to tell you though, those that are waiting for more Kingfisher photos, that in spite of a two hour wait in the hide, there was no sign of him today. A real shame because the light was perfect.  I came home for dinner and made a comment to Jenny that the garden was surprisingly quiet, no birds whatsoever. I guessed that the Sparrowhawk had been causing some panic and my guess was right.  Late in the afternoon I  spotted our magnificent garden predator. Sparrowhawks are  at  the top of the food chain and never fail to impress me though I don't really like them taking my garden residents, but that's what happens unfortunately. I took this picture through the glass so it's not as sharp as normal but hope you like it.  I am pretty sure that this is a male.  Males are bluish rather than "brownish" on the back and females usually have a noticeable stripe behind each eye.  On average, we have a Sparrowhawk encounter in the garden 3 or 4 times a year and a couple of weeks ago a Collared Dove was taken and half eaten. 

This Dipper was photographed this afternoon on the River Teign at Steps Bridge. I am really hoping to, one day, get a few really good close ups of this species. Today I almost did but the dog walkers at Steps Bridge are a real nuisance. I do wish that their dogs were controlled which unfortunately is not often the case. Today, as I tried to get close to this bird, a very selfish woman with 5…… yes 5 dogs, allowed them to run riot and obviously that put an and to any decent Dipper shots. I suppose she would say that she has a right to walk her dogs but this area is owned/managed by Devon Wildlife Trust and there are very clear signs at the bridge asking people with dogs to keep them under control.