Island in the sky

A walk around Mottistone Down on the Isle of Wight on a sunny Easter Saturday.

Dartford Warbler on gorse in full blossom.

The view towards Freshwater.

Stonechat (male)

The way to the top!

Mottistone Manor

Jackdaw nesting in the old manor barn.

Mottistone Manor from the other side.

 

The longstone.

Window in the church of St Peter and St Paul.

Predator of the Marshes

A male marsh harrier quarters backwards and forwards over the reed beds at Ham Wall RSPB nature reserve in Somerset. 

 Also out in the marshes birds are busy nest building and, those that are further advanced, are working hard keeping their eggs warm against the quite intense wave of cold currently affecting much of Europe. 

A Canada goose firmly on the nest.

Another view of the reed beds with various wildfowl in the foreground.

A beautiful male shoveler - in splendid breeding plumage - UK Amber list.