There and back again!!!

My guest today was Pip Wood (hence the title)

Incidentally, to all Tolkein followers, no hobbits were injured or harmed in the production of this blog.

First thing spotted this morning were some sparrows....

Pigeon and some starlings (pic from last year)

Next was a wee Red Squirrel

a Greater Spotted Woodpecker

a Long Tailed Tit

a Chiffchaff

Male Marsh Harrier seeing off a Buzzard

Osprey

Roe Deer

Red legged Partridge

Peewit/Lapwing

When we arrived to look for adders, we were greeted by these loved up pair

The male is the grey one, the female the darker, brownish one.

We came across another large male

Then spotted this lovely wee slow worm

The gorgeous female

and her equally handsome mate

Three different corvids were spotted, Carrion Crow, Rook and a lot of Jackdaws. Mistle Thrush were everywhere

And a good amount of Red Grouse

Curlews, oystercatchers, meadow pippits and wheatear were also spotted.

Next photographic opportunity was the skeebies

And I saw my first swallow of the year

Then another Wheatear

a wee wren, love them

Great tit

Siskin, chaffinch and Dunnock

A lovely wee Yellowhammer and a Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Umpteen sightings of the elusive Green Woodpecker but no pics regardless how hard we tried but we did get this gorgeous Jay

Greylag geese, tufties and Goldeneye

Wigeon, mallards, coot, moorhen, Teal, Bullfinches and Goldcrest were also sighted, and another Woody

More sightings of Blackbirds, Great, Coal, Blue and Long tailed tits, possibly a Redpoll, definitely a Reed Bunting and to finish off a glorious outing, a wee touch of gold, this Goldfinch

However, to make the day even better, a trip to the river was a must.

So, all in, a very successful Nature Nuts tour, apart from those silly Green Woodpeckers, with around about 60 different beasties and birdies spotted. Brilliant day with equally brilliant company. Thanks Pip for your company, interest and knowledge.