Leeds Castle

Can't believe I forgot to include Leeds Castle in my last update. Again, not a birdwatching trip as such, but plenty of wonderful birds there, and in one of the most beautiful settings you can imagine.

The lake, moat and gardens have swans, geese, ducks and other birds aplenty :

Peacocks roam the grounds, and for the first time ever, I saw peachicks :

There were wagtails all around the castle walls, but one of the most striking birds was the jackdaw. They were everywhere, competing with the geese for the food some of the visitors were providing. But one of the best sights was a jackdaw that kept flying in and out of a gap in one of the walls - to a nest by the sound of it. It certainly didn't like it if you came anywhere near the wall (I kept my distance) :

 

 There are raptor displays at Leeds Castle too :

I feel uneasy about these (captivity and performing), here and at Eagle Heights - but it is amazing to see these birds which I might not otherwise see, or at least not so close.

Caught a few shots of dragonflies too :

All right, the same dragonflies but from different angles.

Leeds Castle is one of my favourite places - so much to see. I still can't believe I forgot to include it!