Forget me not

Having been away for 2 and a half months i was keen to get back to Stocker's Lake and see how things were.

The Forget me not is in bloom but I forgot to take a picture of it but did take a few of the blossom which was looking glorious in the morning sun.

Other reminders of what time of year it was were buds, butterflies and bees

I was also reintroduced to how rich in birdsong the Lake is, it's certainly a place to consider for the International Dawn Chorus Day takes place on Sunday 7 May 2023 which the #RSPB describes as "the wildest free music festival of the year!" Check out https://www.rspb.org.uk/reserves-and-events/events-dates-and-inspiration/events/dawn-chorus/

I heard many more birds that i saw or managed to take pictures of but did capture two of singers - a robin, a wren and a Blackcap (other members of the chorus clearly included a number of warblers)

Another highlight was the black-headed gulls defending their territory...

It is also now breeding season and I saw numerous pairs including two Jays, numerous pairs of geese and even some nests

I saw a number of old favourites including grebe and a single Lapwing

As I said I've been away and while I posted about some of the New Zealand birds I saw, the Australian birds are to follow and as I saw 70-80 different species and took hundreds of photos I expect it may be enough for just one or two more blogs.