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Osprey down at Oakham this evening - private trout farm.

Frozen Over..

Out for a winter stroll in the park a few years ago and finally got around to posting this one.

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© NICK MUNROE (MUNROE PHOTOGRAPHY)

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The shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) is a large, colorful duck that is bigger than a mallard but smaller than a goose. Both males and females have a dark green head, a chestnut belly stripe, and a red bill. Shelducks are primarily found in coastal areas, but they also inhabit inland wetlands and estuaries.
These birds nest in burrows, often repurposing old rabbit holes or tree cavities. After breeding, they undergo a complete molt, becoming flightless for about a month. Shelducks feed on small invertebrates, including aquatic snails and shellfish.
Their population has expanded inland over the past 50 years, with breeding sites now found in valley farmlands and reservoirs. In winter, large numbers gather in muddy estuaries and coastal marshes.

Scientific name Linaria cannabina. Males have red patches on their breast and forehead during breeding season while females are brown and streaked. Melodious song admired by poets and bird enthusiasts. Found in open countryside, farmland, and hedgerows. Diet consists mainly of seeds, especially flax and hemp. Social birds often seen in flocks. Declining in some regions due to habitat loss.

The meadow pipit (Anthus pratensis) is a small, streaky brown songbird commonly found in grasslands, moorlands, and coastal areas. It is one of the most widespread songbirds in the UK, known for its fluttering flight and high-pitched calls. Meadow pipits are important hosts for the common cuckoo, which lays its eggs in their nests. Despite their small size, some individuals migrate over 1,000 kilometers between breeding and wintering grounds. Their population has been declining since the mid-1970s, leading to their inclusion on the Amber List of conservation concern.

Scientific name Linaria cannabina. Males have red patches on their breast and forehead during breeding season while females are brown and streaked. Melodious song admired by poets and bird enthusiasts. Found in open countryside, farmland, and hedgerows. Diet consists mainly of seeds, especially flax and hemp. Social birds often seen in flocks. Declining in some regions due to habitat loss.

Herons are large, long-legged wading birds that thrive in wetlands, rivers, and coastal areas. They belong to the Ardeidae family and are known for their slow movements and sharp hunting skills. The grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is common in the UK, while the great blue heron (Ardea herodias) is found in North America. These birds primarily eat fish but also consume amphibians, small mammals, and even birds. They nest in large colonies called heronries, often in tall trees or reed beds. Their wingspan can reach nearly 2 meters, allowing them to glide effortlessly over water. Herons are patient hunters, standing motionless before striking prey with their sharp beak. While their populations are stable, harsh winters can pose challenges when water sources freeze

Dunnocks (Prunella modularis) are small, inconspicuous songbirds often found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands. They have a streaked brown back, a greyish head, and a slender beak well-suited for feeding on insects and seeds. Despite their quiet demeanor, dunnocks have complex social behaviors, including polygamous mating systems where multiple males and females can form breeding groups. Their song is a delicate, high-pitched warble, most often heard in early spring. Dunnocks forage close to the ground, frequently seen hopping under shrubs and near leaf litter. Although they are sometimes mistaken for sparrows, their slimmer body and subtle movements distinguish them

Blackbirds (Turdus merula) are one of the most common and recognizable birds in the UK. Males are entirely black with a bright yellow beak and eye-ring, while females are brown with streaks on their breast. They are skilled singers, producing melodious songs that help establish territories and attract mates. Blackbirds play a vital role in ecosystems by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds. They are adaptable birds, thriving in gardens, woodlands, and urban areas. Their population increases in winter as migrants from northern Europe join resident birds.

Dunnocks (Prunella modularis) are small, inconspicuous songbirds often found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands. They have a streaked brown back, a greyish head, and a slender beak well-suited for feeding on insects and seeds. Despite their quiet demeanor, dunnocks have complex social behaviors, including polygamous mating systems where multiple males and females can form breeding groups. Their song is a delicate, high-pitched warble, most often heard in early spring. Dunnocks forage close to the ground, frequently seen hopping under shrubs and near leaf litter. Although they are sometimes mistaken for sparrows, their slimmer body and subtle movements distinguish them

Scientific name Linaria cannabina. Males have red patches on their breast and forehead during breeding season while females are brown and streaked. Melodious song admired by poets and bird enthusiasts. Found in open countryside, farmland, and hedgerows. Diet consists mainly of seeds, especially flax and hemp. Social birds often seen in flocks. Declining in some regions due to habitat loss.

The teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling duck known for its vibrant plumage and swift flight. Males have a chestnut-colored head with a striking green eye patch, while females are mottled brown for camouflage. Both sexes display a bright green wing patch in flight.
Teals are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and flooded meadows, where they feed on seeds and small invertebrates. They are widespread across Europe and Asia, with many migrating to the UK in winter from colder regions like the Baltic and Siberia.
Despite their small size, teals are agile flyers and can take off almost vertically, a trait that has earned them the collective name "spring" when in flocks. Their population fluctuates seasonally, with large numbers arriving in the UK during winter.

Scientific name Linaria cannabina. Males have red patches on their breast and forehead during breeding season while females are brown and streaked. Melodious song admired by poets and bird enthusiasts. Found in open countryside, farmland, and hedgerows. Diet consists mainly of seeds, especially flax and hemp. Social birds often seen in flocks. Declining in some regions due to habitat loss.

The teal (Anas crecca) is a small dabbling duck known for its vibrant plumage and swift flight. Males have a chestnut-colored head with a striking green eye patch, while females are mottled brown for camouflage. Both sexes display a bright green wing patch in flight.
Teals are commonly found in wetlands, marshes, and flooded meadows, where they feed on seeds and small invertebrates. They are widespread across Europe and Asia, with many migrating to the UK in winter from colder regions like the Baltic and Siberia.
Despite their small size, teals are agile flyers and can take off almost vertically, a trait that has earned them the collective name "spring" when in flocks. Their population fluctuates seasonally, with large numbers arriving in the UK during winter.

Dunnocks (Prunella modularis) are small, inconspicuous songbirds often found in gardens, hedgerows, and woodlands. They have a streaked brown back, a greyish head, and a slender beak well-suited for feeding on insects and seeds. Despite their quiet demeanor, dunnocks have complex social behaviors, including polygamous mating systems where multiple males and females can form breeding groups. Their song is a delicate, high-pitched warble, most often heard in early spring. Dunnocks forage close to the ground, frequently seen hopping under shrubs and near leaf litter. Although they are sometimes mistaken for sparrows, their slimmer body and subtle movements distinguish them

The short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is a medium-sized owl with mottled brown plumage, pale underwings, and striking yellow eyes. Unlike many owls, it is often seen hunting during the day, particularly in open habitats like grasslands, moorlands, and coastal marshes.
Short-eared owls are ground nesters, creating shallow scrapes lined with vegetation. Their population fluctuates based on vole abundance, as these small mammals form a significant part of their diet. In winter, numbers increase in the UK as birds migrate from Scandinavia, Russia, and Iceland.
They are classified as an Amber List species due to conservation concerns