Gem and me did manage a brief visit to the Void (Silverdale Country Park) for a quick walk plenty of Chiffchaff and Willow Warbler were around plus a few Swallows and loads of Toads spawning in the main lake which we caught with Gem's rock pooling net so she could have a closer look.
Another quick trip out this time to Dane Bower in the hope of a few Wheatear produced two birds quick a few Meadow Pipit and Red Grouse and a single Raven but only two Wheatear but it was bitter up there.
Today again started with a lap of the Void no Toads what so ever today just the odd dead individual a couple of Hose Martin and Swallows over head and the odd Sky Lark but less Willow Warbler or Chiffchaff today.
In the afternoon I took Gem to Hanchurch to see the Brambling I had been hopeful that the odd one might appear in our garden as previous years but no such luck this Winter, but I shouldn't complain I still have the odd Siskin and Redpoll visiting the feeders.
At first just the odd female Brambling appeared alongside the Chaffinch but no males or the 12 - 15 birds reported. A couple of Jays visited the feeding area and a single Great Spotted Woodpecker was spotted by Gem. Eventually the birds did arrive in numbers but with passing do walkers and cars they were quite flighty but I did manage to grab a few shots.
