Easter week 2012

The weeks leading up to Easter this year were unusually warm but suddenly the temperature dropped dramatically and got as low as minus 9 C during the night. During daytime, the sun made it reach as high as plus 5 - 8 C and when it was not too windy it was just fantastic!

I was really happy to see Bruno one evening! He has grown a lot since last year and is now almost the size of a small fox. When he heard the sound of the camera clicking he took off with an impressive speed and I do not think many of his enemies can catch him now, if any.

Other dear guests, the Cranes (Grus Grus) have also started dancing on "the field" but got scared when I approached them and took off just above my head. Truly impressive birds when you are close to them.

The woodpeckers' nest has been taken over by a Nuthatch (Sitta Europaea) couple. It is an interesting bird since it narrows down the opening of old nests with clay to make them more appropriate for them.

The nuthatch is also the only bird in Sweden that can walk down a tree with its head first when looking for insects / food.

As always, click on the picture to enlarge it!

The Long-tailed Tit (Aegithalos Caudatus) is not a bird I remember seeing very often in Svångemåla. It is a really cute little bird with a tail that is longer than its body. Its head is white as a snowball and it has an unusual yellow line above its eyes.

Much more common is our almost resident Wagtail (Motacilla alba)!  The same couple has now been living under our roof for several years and it always makes me very happy when I see the couple flying and walking around my plot.