Common Scoter and a Botanic Trip

Sunday 8th April 2012
A great find today by Nick Goatman was this female Common Scoter at Frampton on the sailing lake (photos above and below) - nice one Nick, and thanks to Mike for Tweeting it. When I left the lake, the local 'regatta' was kicking off, though it didn't seem too perturbed.

Later, a family visit to North Meadow at Cricklade was rewarded with a fine display of the Snake's Head Fritillary which are just coming into flower; they'll probably be at their peak in a week or so. Photos below of Fritillaries and others.
Snake's Head Fritillary
Snake's Head Fritillary, white variant
Marsh Marigold
And an arty shot
In the garden, the singing male Chiffchaff and Blackcap continue to proclaim their respective territories, providing an almost constant, and delightful, acoustic daytime backdrop at home. The first Orange Tip and Bee Fly of the year also paid a visit to the garden today.

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