A DAY of TWO HALVES

Hi,

Sunday at Otmoor was little on the cold side upon arrival, but that did not stop the birds from singing.

Whitethroat

All along the watchtower sorry tracks Blackcaps, Whitethroats, Sedge and Reed Warblers were singing, finding them was the problem. Singing their hearts out, but in the dense foliage they were playing difficult.

Sedge Warbler

Jenny Wren, Bob Gill

To be honest coupled with poor light the photography was made even more difficult. A Red Kite came close but against the grim sky images suffered, nothing to do with the photographer's of course!

Red Kite

Out in the fields albeit at distance the Brown Hares were chasing each other, what a superb animal the Brown Hare is ! I was also so pleased to see my old mate Loppy ear's.

Loppy ear's

Brown Hare

Still the Birds were singing Linnet, Lesser Whitethroat and a Grasshopper Warbler reeled out its song.

Linnet

After a bit of well earned scoff, we watched a female Pheasant dust bathe, I must try that sometime!

Dust bathing Pheasant

 The weather had started to warm up, as all of a sudden insect's were apparent. As we were the only car on the trip the macro's came out, but then we heard a sound we had been waiting for, the purring of a Turtle Dove. I secretly wondered how long we shall still see this lovely Dove and how have we let it get to this stage of decline ?

Turtle Dove

I say the Macro lens's came out....mine was still at home...but it didn't stop me I had to use my telephoto.

Red and Black Froghopper's were out in profusion .

Froghopper Bob Gill

Cream Spot Ladybird.  Bb Gill

Orange Tip Butterflies danced along the footpath's, Bob becoming the champion of finding their minute eggs on Mustard garlic.

As usual Otmoor had given Mark, Bob, Wendy and myself another wonderful day out.

Rhingia campestris  Hoverfly

Cheers Robin.