Easter Weekend

Well with all of the snow last weekend stopping play for much more than a quick local drive around, no heading off to the Peaks with the A53 Buxton road being reported to be closed we didn't bother really heading out just doing garden birding and restocking with Sunflower hearts.

Siskin on Bamboo

Stock Dove on garden feeder

On Friday we headed for Attenborough near Notts a nice reserve and just shows what the Wildlife Trust can do pity we don't have anything similar in Staffs.
A cool breeze was blowing off the lakes but we wrapped up and plodded on regardless, from the bridge crossing the lake by the visitor centre we picked up Dunnock, Robin, Mute Swan, Great Crested Grebe, Egyptian  Goose, Tufted Duck, Coot and Mallard.

By the tower hide Lesley managed to see a Water Rail but I couldn't get on to it at first as I was down below looking after Gemma who was checking out the birds on the ground level with me. We did though manage a brief view of a Cetti's Warbler which was a nice year tick, from the hide we managed to see Red Crested Pochard, Golden Eye and a fly over Snipe.

Gemma

 Saturday was Bakwell Farmers market and also a trip to the Wee Dram (http://www.weedram.co.uk/), as my malt Whiskey supply was getting dangerously low which I believe is a criminal offence north of the boarder.  Coming home the more scenic route via Millers Dale for a coffee and then Peak Dale to grab a train shot or two, well after Worm Hill the road was down to single track with the drifts and the road to Peak Dale it self didn't look suited to a two wheel drive Fabia so I just saw what was around Tunstead instead.

High Peak industrial shunter

Hope Valley industrial shunter

Have to say their shunter High Peak looks quite a beast!

Today I had to get Gem out of the house for the afternoon as Lesley was on nights so need a spot of peace and quite and toddlers don't really do quite. So it was off to feed the ducks at Westport Lake and play on the swings.
Nothing really to get excited about on the lake itself but we did find a Tree Creeper right by the path and a couple of Chiffchaff showing Spring can't be too far away now.

Herring Gull

Tree Creeper Westport Lake

Tree Creeper relieving itself 

Lesser Black Backed Gull