First arrival... me at WWT Arundel

I headed off relatively early and got to Arundel at 9.00... bit early as they don't open till 9.30 more's the pity.  However when the doors opened I was the first through and it was nice to have the place to myself for a bit... a rare occurrence.

Not too much about but the youngsters were very evident.

Before I went in I heard Sedge Warblers and caught a glimpse but no more than that!

A black-headed gull was perching high up on a telegraph pole!

A pheasant youngster dived for cover as I approached

Bees abounded amongst the wild flowers

and a wood pigeon gathered nesting material

a young moorhen enjoyed a meal

and who do you think you're looking at!!

In one of the hides, a pair of Swallows were starting a nest.  I advised a member of staff at the visitor centre of this..

A proud mum...

Pretty colours!... Is this a stock dove?

Be afraid, be very afraid!

A pleasant morning...

Pulborough Brooks and High Beeches Garden

Had to wait for the plumber this morning so didn't get out till gone 9.00!!  Off to Pulborough Brooks.. glad I didn't have to travel far as it was somewhat birdless today!

Just a few about but mostly what was there was way too far off for pictures!  The Nightingales have quietened down now - no doubt attending their nests somewhere!

Walking out from the visitor's center.. I love this view..

Greenfinch on the feeders

As I started out, rabbits popped out from nowhere it seemed..

A lone crow perched..

In the distance three mute swans were landing..

One of the many cattle.... contented in the morning sun

and a male house sparrow clung to a nest box attached to the visitor centre

and from there, after a quick pit stop at home I headed off to a new venue...High Beeches Gardens

Today I was using the Panasonic G3 with the 14mm f2.5 lens and the Nikon V1 with 30-110 lens.  Unfortunately I 'lost' some pictures as the camera had 'switched itself' to movie mode...there's now some black tape in place!!

In my view, this is definitely a spring garden, full of rhododendrons and azaleas.. the colour was amazing.  This may be at its best now but further visits, particularly in the Autumn I think, will allow more to be discovered!