Migrant check

After the 5 of us enjoyed a breakfast back at ours, I headed off to the north of the parish for a brief check for arriving migrants. 2 more whitethroats were singing around Hadham Hall and the coot were still present. A check on the barn owls gave the impression that she is on eggs at the moment, as only one owl was at the entrance to the hole, whereas they usually both move up the hollow tree trunk as I wander by. Need to see if the male leaves the nest and returns with food for her.
A splendid male reed bunting was at the edge of the pond as linnets, 2 swallows, skylarks and yellowhammers called.
Back at the Hall a check around the grounds gave up a female pheasant, plenty of green and goldfinch and several blackcap.
As I headed back to the car a grass snake slithered off into the verge. I hadn't noticed it on the warm soil until too late as it was gone before I could get my camera ready. First one of the year.

coot away from the nest

reed bunting

barn owl on sentry duty

peacock