Spring is here..... but the northerly wind needs to be told that!

I've been down in Sussex for a couple of days in the bitterly cold Northerly wind. Had a walk along the beach on Saturday morning and saw dozens of Sanderlings, Dunlin and a single Plover on the waterline as the tide was just starting to go out - lovely. No pics as the light was dreadful and they flew off every time I approached!

After I got home early this morning I headed off for Bushy Park. I dipped on the Lesser Spotted Woodies that I'd hope to see but did see a Little Grebe which is a first for this location!

The sun was coming in and out and when out, the warmth was lovely!

Ring-necked Parakeets are very evident and obviously in pairs now.

"Hello" - "Will you be my Valentine?"

"Well, I'll have to think about that!"

"Oh please......?"

"Well, I do rather like you"

(no further narrative necessary ;) )

"OK, friends then :D "

The Egyptian Geese as usual were the first to produce any goslings that I have seen this year. But they were very new and wanting to hide under Mum.

Later on, they got a bit braver and headed towards the water.

"Hmmmm, it does look rather wet!"

Walking through the Woodland Gardens, a Jay perched high up in a tree..

A Canada Goose was "double the trouble" as it dozed.

And I came across a flock of siskins; the sound was wonderful as they dashed through the trees and bushes - there must have been about 40 of them... these two stayed still for a few seconds only so I was lucky to get the shot!

Along the pathway and up a tree, a Grey Squirrel had found something tasty.

At a divide in the pathway, fungi (Shelf Fungus I think?) adorned the dead tree trunk.

And on the way to the Visitor Centre and Cafe, magnolia flowers were in bud - lovely :D

And pink blossom decorated the day!

By now it was lunchtime and I stopped for Leek and Potato Soup with crusty bread and a rather wicked slice of Chocolate Fudge Cake! Oooops...