Spring sunshine, flowers and insects at NT Ickworth (still too early for lambs...)

The Rotunda

We visited NT Ickworth for the first time this season, hoping to see some early colour in the spring sunshine. The Aconites and Snowdrops were at their best.



Nuthatch - you can just about make it out...

We saw our first Nuthatch of 2017, high, high up in one of the trees. We have seen Nuthatch and Treecreeper here on previous visits, so we knew where to look.

The next three Nuthatch photos were taken here last year: I am re-posting them just to give a better idea of colour and shape. These are such fine birds.

The lovely photo below was taken by David this afternoon...

... while I spotted this branch of early blossom.

There were plenty of catkins on the trees...

... and tiny clumps of a plant that I had assumed was a form of miniature Comfrey or Lungwort, but I suspect it is something else altogether. Any ideas, please? I feel the black spots on the leaves ought to provide a clue.

We saw one Great-spotted Woodpecker in flight and heard drumming in the wood. The hole below, taken with a zoom lens, was high up on a trunk. I'm still wondering what is inside... 

You can see the snaking path of Snowdrops and Aconites. We were looking for the Woodpecker...

The spring flowers were magnificent...

... in their clumps and swathes.

We were particularly surprised to see several bees hard at work in the Aconites.

They were not the only ones who had been beavering away. The wood sculpture took us by surprise as it is a new feature, and as yet an unfinished one.

We found this board, telling us more about it.

The sculpture was well done, but I was not entirely sure that I  felt it fitted the ambience of this otherwise unadorned woodland walk.

This bee in the photo above has evidently 'bagged' a good amount of pollen. I wonder if these bees are from a local hive.

My thanks to David for the photo below...

And finally, what mammals did we see (apart from the sheep who are expected to produce over 1000 lambs in the coming weeks)? Well, two Grey Squirrels... and deer, or at least these rather fun recycled log-and-stick deer, egged on by a pair of log-snowmen!

We made a couple of purchases at the secondhand bookstall before leaving Ickworth in the glow of late afternoon sunshine, rejoicing in the knowledge that longer lighter evenings lie ahead of us.

Spring at NT Ickworth (another visit)

We saw three Nuthatches this afternoonat NT Ickworth.

The first one we saw was high up in a tree, but it flew down, and we noticed two others on the ground. 

The Robin attracted our attention with its song ...

Meanwhile, a little further into the park, the lambs were drawing a small crowd. 

Some were curled up at the base of a tree and others were looking alert. 

This pair, presumably twins, walked about in tandem, nudging up against each other as they went.

This little one was the closest to a black lamb ...

Notice the lovely markings on the ewe's face.

We noticed a few Grey Squirrels ...

like this one ...

... who was making the most of its nut. 

You can see the Ickworth rotunda here ...

We have seen an Egyptian Goose here before, and right on cue, this one appeared before our eyes ...

There seem to be quite a lot in East Anglia.

While we were admiring the goose, we noticed a charm of Goldfinches high up in one of the trees ...

The goose seemed to be looking for something, but we did not see a partner on this occasion. 

 There were some lovely clumps of Snowdrops and Primroses ...

This tiny Wren was scampering about on the bark.

On our way out of the park, we noticed an insect enclosure.

The arrows (clockwise from top) show:

• an high rise insect house, ideal for overwintering Ladybirds etc. 
• a path to allow the visitor to observe without disturbing the wildlife.
• a tree (there were several) providing bark in winter and leafy habitats in summer. 
• dry leaves and clumps of vegetation, again for insect homes, but also for food. 
• mossy tree roots, another kind of habitat for woodlice, snails, beetles etc.
• notice boards with beetle and butterfly identification guides.

NT Ickworth - a lovely place for a walk in the spring sunshine!

Treecreeper and Nuthatch at Ickworth

We visited Ickworth last weekend to see the snowdrops (pictures still to come). While we were there, we saw two 'firsts' for 2015 ... a Treecreeper and a Nuthatch. Both these shy birds were high up in the branches, so apologies for the record-shot quality of my 'winter light' photos! 

Above and below: the Treecreeper

The photos below show the Nuthatch ...

Feeding time!

My total number of bird species recorded to date for 2015 is now 37.

The Tree Year (2): Winter Visitors to the Larch

Some of you may know by now that I am 'watching' a Larch in Carmarthenshire, Wales, UK, as part of The Tree Year.

We returned to the Larch on Saturday, not expecting to see anything very different. However, the feeders had been re-filled and there was a buzz of activity in the area. We were thrilled when this Great Spotted Woodpecker put in an appearance.

The Tree Year: my second post

As you can see, he has fine black and white markings on his back. Every so often you catch a glimpse of his scarlet plumage, too. You can see the ivy on the trunk.

With Bluetit

Amazing wing markings

The Woodpecker's Tea Party

We really enjoyed watching the birds. The temperature was hovering around freezing and the light was beginning to fade. The car made a useful 'hide', but it is hard to take good pictures behind glass. However, they serve as a pleasing record of a lively visit! There were still more takers to come at the feeder . . .

A Starling enjoyed the nuts ...

... and so did a Nuthatch and Bluetit

Suddenly a Grey Squirrel arrived

What a character!

We saw a Greenfinch ...

... and a Chaffinch.

We also had a better look at the cones from last year.

A tiny streak of white caught our eye ...

... it was a Treecreeper

I don't think he likes being enlarged!

We were so busy watching the feeders on the tree, that we nearly missed the male Blackbird below, scurrying about in a pile of mixed deciduous leaves. I wonder whether he found the worms or grubs he was trying to excavate. All in all it had been a very profitable visit. I wonder what we will see next!

Previous TTY Post

• TTY Post 1: Introducing the Larch - January 2011  
• TTY Posts from others - January 2011

Now you see me, now you don't!