Despite what the forecast said, the weather here on Saturday was fantastic - very warm and bright, it felt like a summers day. Michaela and I had planned a walk around Park Hall and Parrots Drumble this weekend, and as the weather was so good we did both on Saturday - glad we did, it hasn't stopped raining today (Sun). First was Parkhall. Now I've got my 100-400mm Canon lens to add to my digiscoping gear - I've got the best of both worlds, long range photography with the digiscoping set-up and a great lens for medium to short range subjects, the problem is to take both setups out together, I would need a wheel barrow to carry everything! The hardest part is knowing what gear I am more likely going to want to use at each location. Today I think I got it wrong, I opted for the SLR and lens set up, although I got a few shots of Chaffinch and Bluebells (see below) the main stars of the show today were a Kestrel and Little Owl over on the far wall of Play Canyon at Park Hall, I definitely needed the scope for these two birds, they were a long way off. The Kestrel is nesting on one of the ledges so next time I'll take the Olivon scope and get some closer shots. Sightings included Willow Warbler, Kestrel, Little Owl, Linnet (lots), Blackcap and Bullfinch.

Later we strolled through the ancient wood at Parrots Drumble, mainly to have a look at the carpet of Bluebells on the woodland floor, I took a few shots with the 100-400 lens, not normally I subject matter for me, but I was really pleased with the effect that the lens produced.

At home we've got two young Collared Dove sitting in our tree, so I had a quick practice with the new lens, the adults regularly visit and feed them, so I'm hoping to capture that moment as soon as the rain stops and the sun comes out.