Greys Court revisited on a beautiful Spring day..

Yesterday we got back from Venice where we'd enjoyed warm sunny days.... I will be posting more about that during this coming week.

Last day of our hols today, sadly.... We went to Greys Court en route to taking Pete back home.

It's a delightful Tudor house, but the gardens are the part I enjoy most, especially as this time of the year - so colourful and wonderful scents..

This is part of a now, non-existent, medieval castle

Red Kites have always been evident over the estate on each of my visits.. today was no exception... I didn't have the correct lens for bird pics... so just record shots

It's such an amazing privilege to watch these wonderful birds soaring and wheeling above you

and a scone for lunch to finish off our visit there...

Second Twitch of the weekend ....

The day dawned - in thick mist/fog.. oh great!

Pete was lunching with his Dad so I popped over to Fishers Green and then Hatfiield Forest.. briefly.  A few pics from this morning follow BUT... Pete had noted that Hawfinches had been seen near Bramfield Church and,  hat not being far away we headed off early afternoon.

Obviously in the right place as about three other birders with binocs and scope were there before us and YES, the HAWFINCH had been seen but flew off about 5 minutes ago! Typical.

However, patience prevailed and finally against a dull grey sky it perched in one of the graveyard trees.  Several Greenfinches and Chaffinches about as well and Nutchatches calling.

While all were waiting Pete called a Red Kite... wonderful to see it fly over and not too high up either!

So Waxwings found yesterday and Hawfinch today - both with the added bonus of a Red Kite... hope the birding year continues in the same way :D