Hello everyone
Margaret and I have just returned from a visit to friends in The Lake District. The Weather there was kind to us, and we were able to get about in the lovely countryside. We made a trip to the R.S.P.B. Reserve at Leighton Moss, Lancashire, where we saw some great birds. The best by far were a pair of Marsh Harriers, which danced 
about in the sky for ages. These are large birds of prey, which are at home in the lakeside reeds and fens. They were showing off for us, as if they knew we were fascinated by them. The male bird is largely chestnut, but with blue-grey parts of its wings—a truly magnificent bird. His mate is brown, but with a lovely golden head. I doubt that we’ll ever see such a display again.
In a river near Windermere, there was a bird swimming. It was sometimes on the water, and then under it. What was it? A rather pale duck, but sporting a red-brown punk hairstyle! I identified it as being a female 
goosander. The lady goosander is not as handsome as the man, which is a beautiful black and white. With most birds, the male is the more striking in colour, but there are a few exceptions to the rule.
Back at home, the weather has been very wet, which tends to make birds lie low—can you blame them? Nevertheless, we’ve got the usual blue and great tits, chaffinches, jackdaws and of course our goldfinches to cheer us up. Roll on Spring!
