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Woods and Water

This morning had some very interesting moments. I went down to Rickmansworth to take a walk around Stockers Lake.

Making my way up from the car park I saw that the black swan was still in residence, this time on Bury Lake with a group of mute swans. The songsters were in fine voice and  I was lucky to see a garden warbler singing. On the water were the usual selection but I only saw chicks with the coots. The common terns are returning and in a wooded area a wren managed to beat the warblers on volume. When the flags come into flower the display around the lake edge will be magnificent.

Driving home I stopped at Codmore Wood to take a look at the bluebells which are now fully out. Walking in the wood I saw a group of three roe does. They were wary but I stood still and they did not run, giving me the best view of the species that I have ever had. The large mobile ears were very striking giving, for a moment, the imression of a very elegant donkey. They kept a wary eye on me, they could probably get my scent but I wasn't directly down wind and I don't think that they could work out if I was a threat or just a strange tree standing there. One was bobbing its head up and down while watching. They moved away a little when I started moving but without any panic. Returning to the car I saw the buck who must have been a little behind the does and was surveyed with a sort of wary indifference. The reaction seemed like one that I have seen with muntjac. As long as I was on the path I was just part of the scenary.

For a final piece of excitement as I drove away my first swallow of the summer flew across the road in front of me.

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