Hatfield Forest in the sun and Anglesey Abbey, today, in the rain!

Came up to Essex yesterday and as the sun was shining for some of the time, I headed off to the forest.  It was delightfully quiet in terms of humans.

Birds, amongst others, were two pairs of nesting Great Crested Grebes; at least one pair of Blackcaps, the usual Blue/Great Tits, Chaffinches etc, Green Woodie calling, Swallows dipping and skimming over the water.  A sedge warbler singing away and a couple of Reed Warblers, and this chappie below which was rather nice to see.

Pleased to get a Garden Warbler...

It was great to see the forest coming to life with blossom and new leaf growth!

Shy white throat

and everything's being painted green :)

and today - off to Anglesey Abbey - where it rained for most of the visit - hey ho...
But the Mahonia was a welcome sight with its cheery yellow flowers..

A Dunnock posed - briefly..

Loads of miniature tulips making a carpet underneath the birches!

No bluebells yet - but carpets of Forget me nots

Masses of these cheery little flowers everywhere.. can't remember what they're called... :(

and still some Snowdrops about

Magnolia buds just opening!

These wind turbines can be seen from the road but today I pulled over to get a shot of some of them

It was a really cold day today but tomorrow looks more promising... and it's to be a musical Sunday.. :)