Sparrowhawk
Common Buzzard
Lesser Black-backed Gull
House Sparrow and Starling
Zebra Spider, Salticus scenicus is a common jumping spider
This afternoons Photos Here
Sunday, 30 March 2014
Garden Bird Watch
An hour watching the wildlife from the back garden was quite rewarding with a Sparrowhawk, Common Buzzard, 3 Herring Gull, 5 Lesser Black-backed Gull, 3 Wood Pigeon, 2 male Blackbirds, 2 Blue Tit, 3 Carrion Crow, 5 Starling and 5 House Sparrow. Also noted were 5 Small Tortoiseshell, 1 Brimstone, a Bumblebee sp. and a 2 Zebra Spiders.
An Early Start
This morning it was up early (even earlier, because the clock's went forward) and down to Stanton Lake for the local Angling Club work party. The gates to Stanton Park were open and it was down to the car park to meet the other anglers for 8:00am. On the way down to the lake a pair of Red-legged Partridges ran across the path and up to the wall around Stanton Country House. The weather was beautiful, blue sky and a sun. You couldn't have asked for more. The morning involved moving lots of old timber from the old fishing platforms and stacking them up neatly at the back of the Power House.
As I did my bit I could see across the lake and was surprised to see 4 Mute Swans. This is exactly what happened last year when the resident Cob, allowed the previous years offspring to stay that little bit longer. This year doesn't look any different and I'm guessing the two remaining cygnets from last years brood will be made to leave when the next generation hatch.
After the work party had finished I walked around the dam and watched 3 Canada Geese take off, no doubt persuaded to leave by the Cob. Also on the water were Mallard, Coot and one or two Moorhens.
On the way back to the Car Park I stopped off at the feeding station and arrived just as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was leaving. Other birds using the feeders were Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch and on the ground Chaffinch and Dunnock.
The woodland was alive with birds in the early morning sun and there were many Chiffchaffs singing as well as a couple of Blackcaps.
Species seen and heard: Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, 2 Red-Legged Partridge, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Wren, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Chaffinch.
As I did my bit I could see across the lake and was surprised to see 4 Mute Swans. This is exactly what happened last year when the resident Cob, allowed the previous years offspring to stay that little bit longer. This year doesn't look any different and I'm guessing the two remaining cygnets from last years brood will be made to leave when the next generation hatch.
The pen Mute Swan on her nest
After the work party had finished I walked around the dam and watched 3 Canada Geese take off, no doubt persuaded to leave by the Cob. Also on the water were Mallard, Coot and one or two Moorhens.
Drake Mallard on one of the feeder streams to the Lake
On the way back to the Car Park I stopped off at the feeding station and arrived just as a Great Spotted Woodpecker was leaving. Other birds using the feeders were Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch and on the ground Chaffinch and Dunnock.
Marsh Tit
Nuthatch
Marsh Tit
A very vocal Wren
Species seen and heard: Grey Heron, 4 Mute Swan, 3 Canada Goose, Mallard, Pheasant, 2 Red-Legged Partridge, Moorhen, Coot, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, Mistle Thrush, 2 Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Marsh Tit, Coal Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Nuthatch, Wren, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw and Chaffinch.
More Photos from Today Here
Thursday, 27 March 2014
A Chiffchaff Ensemble
An hour's walk around Moulden Country Park, was accompanied by 17 Chiffchaffs singing from the hedgerows along my walk. The only other warbler to get a look in, was a male Blackcap singing away from an ivy clad tree by the canal.
Apart from the warblers there were a few male Blackbirds singing and slightly further afield a Song Thrush. There weren't too many Robins around which was strange, but other bird songs appeared to be made up of Dunnocks and Wrens, that were just about everywhere. A Goldcrest put in an appearance along the canal and then disappeared into the undergrowth.
The River Ray which runs very close to Moulden Pool appears to have dropped to its normal levels. But on the banks it was quite obvious that when it was in flood, the water levels reached some 2 metres above this. A Moorhen stood motionless on the bank and seemed unconcerned by my presence on the bank.
On the pool a pair of Great Crested Grebes were asleep and were just drifting about. Other waterfowl included the resident Mute Swans, 3 pairs of Canada Geese and 26 Mallard plus 3 feral birds one of which was nearly as big as the geese.
Along the margins Water Marigolds are in flower and one or two Bumblebees were about despite the cold wind.
In the hedgerows around the pool were Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. Away from the pool a Green Woodpecker called as did a Buzzard, but neither were close enough to see.
Bird Species Recorded: 2 Great Crested Grebe, pair of Mute Swan, 3 pairs Canada Goose, 25 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 1 male Blackcap, 17 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 8 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 5 Starling, Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting
Chiffchaff
The male Blackcap was singing from the ivy-clad tree
The hedgerow just above the canal
Apart from the warblers there were a few male Blackbirds singing and slightly further afield a Song Thrush. There weren't too many Robins around which was strange, but other bird songs appeared to be made up of Dunnocks and Wrens, that were just about everywhere. A Goldcrest put in an appearance along the canal and then disappeared into the undergrowth.
Goldcrest
Goldcrest
The River Ray which runs very close to Moulden Pool appears to have dropped to its normal levels. But on the banks it was quite obvious that when it was in flood, the water levels reached some 2 metres above this. A Moorhen stood motionless on the bank and seemed unconcerned by my presence on the bank.
The bridge over the River Ray
The levels are back to normal but the fence tells another story
A few twists and turns around the Lake
A Moorhen
The lake on the left and the River Ray on the right
On the pool a pair of Great Crested Grebes were asleep and were just drifting about. Other waterfowl included the resident Mute Swans, 3 pairs of Canada Geese and 26 Mallard plus 3 feral birds one of which was nearly as big as the geese.
A pair of Great Crested Grebes
Dozing.......
With one eye on me......
More wildfowl
Along the margins Water Marigolds are in flower and one or two Bumblebees were about despite the cold wind.
Marsh Marigold
In the hedgerows around the pool were Reed Bunting, Bullfinch, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Chaffinch. Away from the pool a Green Woodpecker called as did a Buzzard, but neither were close enough to see.
Bird Species Recorded: 2 Great Crested Grebe, pair of Mute Swan, 3 pairs Canada Goose, 25 Mallard, 1 Buzzard, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, 3 Lesser Black-backed Gull, Wood Pigeon, Green Woodpecker, 1 Skylark, 3 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, Song Thrush, 1 male Blackcap, 17 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 8 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 5 Starling, Chaffinch, 4 Linnet, Goldfinch, Greenfinch and Reed Bunting
Today's Photos Here
Tuesday, 25 March 2014
A Break in the Weather
Well the weatherman got it right this morning and the brief break in the wet weather that he forecast, meant I got a good hour in at Liden Lagoon, before the drizzle set in. The Lagoon was like a mill pool when I arrived without a ripple to be seen. Mind you that was probably due to the low numbers of geese and other wildfowl on the water. All the Canada Geese that I recorded were all paired up and many when sitting on nests on the islands. Normally there are about 22 Canada Geese, but today I only counted 10. In the distance I could see the female Great Crested Grebe was still on the nest and the male in close attendance.
As I walked around the Lagoon I could see that a drake Tufted Duck had gone and left a pair. It was only when I walked around the bottom island that I could see that he hadn't left at all, and that he had found a mate. So there are two pairs of "Tufties" on the Lagoon. While I was looking along the banks, a pair of ducks came out from under an overhanging branch and as they turned broadside I could see that they were indeed a pair of Gadwalls, which was a pleasant surprise. It was certainly an adult female, but the drake appeared to be going through a moult. I shall have to read up on this, but could this be a first summer drake. Not sure!
It was good to hear a few Chiffchaffs singing and in the end there were 3 individual birds. A single note from one of the trees behind the observation post revealed a single Redpoll feeding on catkins.
As I walked down the slope 11 large gulls came in to bath made up of 5 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 5 Herring Gulls (3 adults, 2nd winter, 3rd winter). As I watched them, so the drizzle became really intense so it was back to the car before I got soaked.
Bird species recorded: 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 pair Mute Swan, 10 Canada Goose, Mallard, 1 pair Gadwall, 2 pairs Tufted Duck, 9 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 5 Herring Gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, lots of Wrens, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 1 Redpoll and 3 Goldfinch.
Insects: 1 Bumblebee
As I walked around the Lagoon I could see that a drake Tufted Duck had gone and left a pair. It was only when I walked around the bottom island that I could see that he hadn't left at all, and that he had found a mate. So there are two pairs of "Tufties" on the Lagoon. While I was looking along the banks, a pair of ducks came out from under an overhanging branch and as they turned broadside I could see that they were indeed a pair of Gadwalls, which was a pleasant surprise. It was certainly an adult female, but the drake appeared to be going through a moult. I shall have to read up on this, but could this be a first summer drake. Not sure!
A pair of Gadwall
Gadwall - drake
It was good to hear a few Chiffchaffs singing and in the end there were 3 individual birds. A single note from one of the trees behind the observation post revealed a single Redpoll feeding on catkins.
Chiffchaff
Redpoll
Redpoll
As I walked down the slope 11 large gulls came in to bath made up of 5 adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls and 5 Herring Gulls (3 adults, 2nd winter, 3rd winter). As I watched them, so the drizzle became really intense so it was back to the car before I got soaked.
Adult Herring Gull with the Gadwalls in the background
A Coot takes off behind a pair of adult Lesser Black-backed Gulls
Blackbird - male
One of many Wrens around the Lagoon this morning
A Bumblebee
Bird species recorded: 1 pair Great Crested Grebe, 1 pair Mute Swan, 10 Canada Goose, Mallard, 1 pair Gadwall, 2 pairs Tufted Duck, 9 Moorhen, 7 Coot, 5 Herring Gulls, 6 Lesser Black-backed Gulls, Wood Pigeon, 1 Great Spotted Woodpecker, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 3 Chiffchaff, 2 Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, lots of Wrens, Carrion Crow, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, 1 Redpoll and 3 Goldfinch.
Insects: 1 Bumblebee
Today's Photos Here
Monday, 24 March 2014
Breezy Day
The weather forecast was looking good for this morning. So the plan was to have a walk around Nightingale Wood and then drive up to Foxhill, to see if there were any Wheatears about. I thought I would do a slightly different route around Nightingale Wood and decided to walk alongside Marston Brook and the River Cole. This trail takes you through meadow land, scrapes and then back towards the main wood. It wasn't a bad route though it was very windy and pretty cold.
Before I parked up though, I passed a Muntjac by the entrance to Nightingale Wood. Unfortunately my camera was in the boot, so I carried onto the car park, got the camera out and drove back to see if I could find it. Sure enough it hadn't ventured far and had actually crossed the track, and was just a few metres inside the wood. It didn't seem to be to bothered about the car and I did wonder whether it was recovering from a a bit of a battle, as there appeared to be chunks of fur missing around his rump.
After a few photos I parked up and headed off into the wood. Following the same path I took a few days ago I ended up at the pool where the Toads had been. I say been because there wasn't a single one to be seen. Either the heavy frost from last night had driven them to the bottom of the pond or they had simply finished mating. Either way the pool was silent. The Sallow / Willow overhanging the pool was once again alive with insects and around the banks there were Bumblebees, Hoverflies, a Pterostichus cupreus beetle, several Bee-flies, 2 Drone Flies, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma butterflies.
Leaving the pond I followed Marston Brook down to the River Cole and then turned left into the meadow. All along the banks of the brook and river were lots more Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. The trail takes you past the scrapes where there were a few Chiffchaff singing and as I head back into the wood I could also hear Moorhen and Reed Buntings calling. A Grey Heron flew over but didn't stop.
A Buzzard appeared overhead and a Redwing vanished into the trees to my right and a Fieldfare uttered a few warning notes from the top of the Oak Tree next to me. A few minutes later he flew off and I carried on around a couple of bends on the woodland trail and as I did so a pair of Muntjacs crossed the path in front of me.
The track I was on eventually took me past the large aerial and up to the barn. But just before I got there another Buzzard soared over my head with something in its talons and landed on the roots of a fallen tree at the back of the scrape. It fed there for a few minutes before taking off, when he was disturbed by a tractor. As he left so I did to, heading back through the main wood, past the Cottage and up to the Car Park.
Leaving Nightingale Wood I headed off to Foxhill via Bourton and came across a Kestrel and Red Kite. At Foxhill apart from a dozen or so large gulls, two Blackbirds and a Meadow Pipit, there wasn't much else about, so I headed off home.
Bird Species Recorded at Nightingale Wood were: Grey Heron, 4 Buzzards, 5 Pheasants, Moorhen, Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 4 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, and Reed Bunting.
Mammals: 3 Muntjac and 2 Rabbits
Insects: 2 Commas, 13 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies, Pterostichus cupreus beetle, several Bee-fly, 2 Drone Flies and at least 3 different species of Bumblebee and Hoverfly
Before I parked up though, I passed a Muntjac by the entrance to Nightingale Wood. Unfortunately my camera was in the boot, so I carried onto the car park, got the camera out and drove back to see if I could find it. Sure enough it hadn't ventured far and had actually crossed the track, and was just a few metres inside the wood. It didn't seem to be to bothered about the car and I did wonder whether it was recovering from a a bit of a battle, as there appeared to be chunks of fur missing around his rump.
Muntjac
Muntjac with a few chunks of fur missing
After a few photos I parked up and headed off into the wood. Following the same path I took a few days ago I ended up at the pool where the Toads had been. I say been because there wasn't a single one to be seen. Either the heavy frost from last night had driven them to the bottom of the pond or they had simply finished mating. Either way the pool was silent. The Sallow / Willow overhanging the pool was once again alive with insects and around the banks there were Bumblebees, Hoverflies, a Pterostichus cupreus beetle, several Bee-flies, 2 Drone Flies, 4 Small Tortoiseshell and 2 Comma butterflies.
Drone Fly
Pterostichus cupreus
Bee-fly
Comma
Leaving the pond I followed Marston Brook down to the River Cole and then turned left into the meadow. All along the banks of the brook and river were lots more Small Tortoiseshell butterflies. The trail takes you past the scrapes where there were a few Chiffchaff singing and as I head back into the wood I could also hear Moorhen and Reed Buntings calling. A Grey Heron flew over but didn't stop.
Chiffchaff singing
A Buzzard appeared overhead and a Redwing vanished into the trees to my right and a Fieldfare uttered a few warning notes from the top of the Oak Tree next to me. A few minutes later he flew off and I carried on around a couple of bends on the woodland trail and as I did so a pair of Muntjacs crossed the path in front of me.
River Cole
The view of Nightingale Wood from the meadow
Small Tortoiseshell
Hen Pheasant
Another Muntjac
And with his other half
Fieldfare
Fieldfare
The track I was on eventually took me past the large aerial and up to the barn. But just before I got there another Buzzard soared over my head with something in its talons and landed on the roots of a fallen tree at the back of the scrape. It fed there for a few minutes before taking off, when he was disturbed by a tractor. As he left so I did to, heading back through the main wood, past the Cottage and up to the Car Park.
Buzzard
Buzzard feeding
A good old tug
Leaving Nightingale Wood I headed off to Foxhill via Bourton and came across a Kestrel and Red Kite. At Foxhill apart from a dozen or so large gulls, two Blackbirds and a Meadow Pipit, there wasn't much else about, so I headed off home.
Bird Species Recorded at Nightingale Wood were: Grey Heron, 4 Buzzards, 5 Pheasants, Moorhen, Wood Pigeon, 1 Skylark, 5 Meadow Pipit, Dunnock, Robin, Blackbird, 1 Fieldfare, 1 Redwing, 1 Song Thrush, 10 Chiffchaff, Goldcrest, Long-tailed Tit, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Wren, 4 Magpie, Rook, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, 1 Starling, House Sparrow, Chaffinch, Linnet, Siskin, Goldfinch, Greenfinch, Bullfinch, and Reed Bunting.
Mammals: 3 Muntjac and 2 Rabbits
Insects: 2 Commas, 13 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies, Pterostichus cupreus beetle, several Bee-fly, 2 Drone Flies and at least 3 different species of Bumblebee and Hoverfly
Today's Photos Here
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