The Sluice

I'm back in the country now, the Switzerland trip was great, we were lucky with the weather and I seen three new lifers, Nutcracker, Crag Martin, and a Middle Spotted Woodpecker (which may be the first recorded at that site).


This morning I had a wander down to the Sluice end of the Dene, on arrival the Burn was deprived of life, the regular Rooks, Jackdaws and Woodpigeon overhead was all about. It wasn't until I reached a large patch of Elder and Hawthorn covered in berries when things began to liven up. 6 Blackbirds, a single Robin, a Dunnock, 2 Blackcap, 4-5 Bullfinch including immature birds, and a steading stream of a large mixed Tit flock, including Coal Tit, Willow Warbler, and Chiff Chaff were all feeding in the area.


On the way back I bumped into this character hunting in the grass.


Double click on images for a better view.