stocksbridge, and the first new bird of 2010

went to stocksbridge this morning with my mum to hopefully spot a water rail. apparently it had been quite bold leading up to this visit so i was hoping. when we got there a BOG birder was already there. the water rail had just gone. so we sat and waited and then out of nowhere it came trotting out. i managed to snap these shots. just look at this bird!! it is quite extraordinary

what a stunning day. also presant were:

a nutty blue tit which kept banging at the bird hide

a sparrowhawk quite a way up in the sky

about 6 long tailed tits

a stunning male reed bunting

2 female and one male pheasant

a kestrel

a heron munching frogs

a swallow, thats two in a week

and if the swallows werent enough i also spotted a red tailed bumble bee and a small tortoiseshell butterfly, spring is definatly here

plus and assortment of waterbirds, mallard, 2 canada geese 6, coot 1, moorhen 2

all in all a really great day