Yet another stop at the quail, on the way home four off which showed in flight only although they were calling well. The usual corn buntings and skylarks and a couple of grey partridges, hares the only mammal present. A surprise turned up in the kitchen this evening a elephant hawkmoth was flying around, it was safely set free outside after a photoshoot.
28th June
Just a morning NARRS survey but nothing as usual, there must be some reptiles in my village somewhere. But there are butterflies, several small tortoiseshells along with loads of ringlets and meadow browns, a few large whites and a few speckled woods also present, but little else.
27th June
The country mostly birdless so it was time for an insect day, first stop was Thursley, downy emerald was easily found on the moat, but no brilliant. A keeled skimmer and a small red damselfly were located in the bushes and rushes on the shore, while a brown hawker patrolled overhead. The boardwalk was pretty quiet but all the common damselflys were present along with plenty of 4 spot chasers, which a hobby was acrobatically hunting. Black darters were very abundant by the stream but no sign of any golden ringed dragons. I took a walk on the heath where silver studded blue and tree pipit the highlights. Next stop was to visit some family and get a cold drink, but then it was on to Oaken Wood, plenty of butterflies, but all highly mobile in the heat and not very approachable. Marbled white was the first butterfly followed by several meadow browns. My first area was to search the track where I quickly found both comma and silver washed fritillary, but then the prize, a purple emperor flying round the master tree. Off into the woods where I found a white legged damselfly a but out of context but it did allow a photo or two. White admirals were in abundance but only a few silver washed fritillaries were present, skippers were having territorial fights including chasing off the ringlets. A family of nightingales was present but elusive as usual. There was time for one last stop, Esher heath. I arrived as the storm clouds brewed, so quickly headed to the pond and located both downy and brilliant emeralds patrolling the shore. They and I both took shelter as the rain arrived and I headed for home, with 15 butterflies and 17 dragonflies in the bag.
24th June
I stopped at Baldock on the way home and after 2 hours of calling off and on, a quail showed very well on the track, if you want good views of quail a visit here is a must.
23rd June
A quick look at Glapthorn Cow Pasture, where two black hairstreaks showed very poorly, the large skippers, meadow browns and speckled woods performed much better. Nearer home a quick stop at the Devils Dyke for orchids, where several lizard orchids we present amongst the commoner pyramidal and common spotted orchids. Several small tortoiseshells were present. Just before bed some noise in the garden and after investigation a hedgehog appeared. I gave him some cat food and got a couple of pics.
22nd June
A return to Amwell, my old haunt was in order this evening. The old regulars showed better than the marsh warbler which had been showing so well the last few days. It did show on occasion and gave a few bursts of song but was mainly skulky and had to be viewed moving or within bushes, so not quite the trip that was hoped for. Nothing else was really present apart from a stoat checking out the rabbits.
21st June
Heading home the first stop was Meathop Moss, the weather was far from ideal for insects but a black darter was present amongst the chaser sp. The board walk had a few common lizards trying to get some heat, and in amongst the moths a couple of large heaths ssp davus were found, they were quite elusive and not very photogenic. At Gait Barrows it was raining so we headed for a shopping stop at Leighton Moss before heading to Warton Crag. Three Peregrines were present, an adult and two almost fledged chicks. The male chick had left the nest ledge, but the female chick was still on it both and an adult showed well for the camera. Our final stop had to be abandoned again due to rain, so a rather mixed day really.
20th June
The rain held off as I headed to a few sites in Cumbria, a little way from our base in the Lake District. The first stop was Cliburn moss where I was greeted by a family party of great spotted woodpeckers, I easily found a couple of lesser twayblades, well I did have detailed instructions from the warden who also marked their position so it was pretty easy! Having my fill I headed to the traditional site for small white orchid again armed with good gen, it was easy as two of the orchids were caged and easy to spot, I assume to protect them from the very large exotic livestock (see photo). Plenty of northern marsh were here too. My final site also with good gen (thanks to all who helped) had 4 frog orchids and some common twayblades amongst the commoner species. Then it was back to our accomodation for several local ales and a BBQ.
19th June
We arrived at our base in the Lake District, with a few good sightings on the way, several tawny owls and a woodcock feeding by the side of the road at dusk. A couple of bats sp were feasting on the midges.
17th June
A little after work jaunt, back to the orchid place (well prepared with insect repellant, which was not needed as the stiff breeze kept the horseflys away) where with some good directions I found the lone Frog orchid and a few common twaybaldes, among the commoner species. The young kestrels were being fed by the parents in a nest box, and one curious youngster let me get a few pics. Next stop was Rutland water, where I quickly bumped into a lesser whitethroat and loads of teneral emerald damselflys in the sheltered spots. My target of course was osprey two of which were on lagoon IV showing quite nicely. Both ringed and little ringed plovers were present on the islands and a few egyptian geese were also present.
16th June
I had to pop up to Rutland, and afterwards dropped into two sites recommended for orchids, the first a bit of an epic to get to and in my work clothes but well worth the visit, the setting was excellent as was the weather and loads of orchids, mostly common spotted but a dozen or so greater butterfly orchids. A turtle dove purring added to the ambiance, which was shattered by a sparrowhawk which caused chaos in the edge of the woodland. Off to the second site a few miles away where a little owl was seen and allowed close approach in the car (pity that camera is still broken). The second site was excellent but I struggled to find many orchids as I was plagued by horse flies and only made a short visit. It was better on the Leps front Meadow brown, small heath, large white and painted lady along with large numbers of chimney sweeper moths were all present, another visit is a must but will go prepared with bug repellant. My final stop was the Nene washes, a lovely sunset greeted me at the car park and I headed towards it along the bank, a heron was being harassed by a black headed gull and another sparrowhawk passed by, then I heard what I was after a corncrake very close just near the other side of the river from me. It called on and off for 10 mins or so before I headed for home, a barn owl crossing the minor access road as I left to round off a rather pleasant evening.
14th June
While I was on holiday I had an e-mail via Bird pal an American would like a half day birding, and being new to UK birds even some relatively common birds would be OK, which was lucky as in mid June that is pretty much all we would get, our destination the brecks. An early start with only one stop for skylarks on the way to lakenheath beating the masses. We went in the opposite direction to the others and had half of the reserve to ourselves, connecting with most of the expected common species, a bittern booming and three barn owls the highlights. At the far end we connected with bearded tit, cuckoo and distant hobby. The return was better with the golden oriole still in residence, several more bearded tits (pity my camera is still broken) showing very well. Then a bittern flew right over us really great views. We had a good haul of birds here so headed to Weeting heath, to be faced with a bus load of birders unloading, timed very badly. We beat the crowd to the West hide and quickly located the stone curlew made a quick exit as the hide became packed. The east hide was more varied bird wise but nothing to get excited about, a stoat hunting rabbits worth a mention. A quick visit to Lyndford Lakes and arboretum with a few extra species added including a Egyptian goose and goldcrest a roe deer was also seen. Last stop was Lackford Lakes with both blackcap and garden warbler and a kingfisher to finish off early afternoon. 5 Mammals and 75 birds not a bad haul.
13th June
I had to pop down to Kent so after I had finished about midday I headed off to the downs where I quickly found several late spider orchids and very nice they were too. There were loads of butterflies around enjoying the weather. My first meadow browns of the year along with several common blues, small heaths and a small white. With the butterflies in my mind, I popped into East Blean Woods, several speckled woods in the car park, and after a couple of minutes along one of the rides I located a heath fritillary and then a few more, all looking very nice.
11th June
With the weather improving it was time to head to Salcey forest and search for my last butterfly. A stoat dodged traffic on the A45 on my way down. I found a sheltered sunny spot and almost immediately found a wood white moving slowly around the small clearing. I went home via Baldock again for more of those quail. After a short while one was heard as we walked down the track and then we had one long flight view which was excellent. It then called for a little while before I headed home very pleased with the evening's efforts.
10th June
Not today but a little while ago, I visited a site in the south for something else but without sucess but I found a species not native to the area. Given the news that they may be culled in their biggest colony in Scotland I am not going to say where or when but I did see a red necked wallaby here and have seen them on occasion in the past, so I think a small colony is present, they are very wary not at all like recent zoo escapes that are easy to approach that I have also seen in the area.
9th June
An after work visit to Baldock to hear the quail, but they were not heard, a few other birders did flush two quail as the walked up the track but I did not hear them call. The area was full of corn buntings singing their hearts out and good numbers of skylarks and yellow wagtials.
8th June
A stock dove has been visiting the garden regularly but no sign of any turtle doves this year.
A brief stop af Fulbourn Fen reserve, not far from where I live, a nice walk around the reserve, with hundreds of painted ladies on the move. There were quite a few orange tips and large whites, a few common blue and a rather tatty holly blue. There was a good number of orchids, common twayblade predominant as well as good numbers of early marsh orchids and southern marsh orchids.
28th May
Back once again to Summer Leys, to look for the cattle egret, despite an extensive search there was no sign, but the walk was not wasted, my first weasel of the year ran down the track in front of me. The river was alive with mayflys and particularly large numbers of banded demoiselles along with several other species of damselfly, but no dragons surprisingly. The painted lady movement was still in full flow with dozens passing, I counted 15 in 5 mins from a bridge over the river which had some very large fish in which I could not ID. A nice walk in the evening sun.
27th May
After work it was back to Summer Leys, but despite a good search I could not locate the Cattle egret, which has been present probably since Monday. It was relocated after I left the site. I headed up to Barnack Hills and Holes near Peterborough. Here I quickly located a few Man Orchids, several pasque flowers were in flower and loads of mistle thrushes were very vocal. A few common fragrant orchids were also seen before heading home.
26th May
Lunchtime came and I was off to Summer Leys Nature reserve, handily just down the road from work, yes I do work despite all my travels. Anyway two Whiskered terns were showing although at a littel distance on my arrival. I watch them for 40 mins or so, flying about, resting on one of the islands sometimes together sometimes alone. Not a bad lunchtime bird. I stopped off on my way home to see some painted ladies and was not disappointed dozens were buzzing around.
25th May
I took a quick trip to Rex Grahma reserve open day just 30 mins up the A11 from me, where loads of military Orchids and common Twayblades were in flower but perhaps a fraction too early for peak flowering but a great spectacle none the less and well worth the visit. A small copper also of note.
Late evening I was concerned about my smallest cat, it was guardingg the shoe rack and even slept by it, I removed it expecting to find a mouse or vole but nothing, this continued and I eventually looked up where my fusebox and electricity meter are and came face to face with a very large yellow necked mouse, it proved tricky to catch jumping a few feet into the air, but eventually it was caught and kept overnight, it had fed very well before its early morning release.
24th May
A very early start and despite a crash on the M6, someone driving the wrong way up it, I made good time to Lancashire. I had several non wildlife things to do but my first two were Silverdale and Gait Barrows. At Silverdale, it took a short while to find the correct place for the lady's slipper orchid It was in great condition with 5 flowers out and a couple ore to come and well worth seeing. After a visit to refuel the car and get some food it was off to Gait Barrows where I was after some butterflies. But they were hard to come by despite the perfect conditions, I did find a wicked beetle probably potosia aeruginosa but I am no beetle expert. The area was alive with insects and eventually found a hot spot for dingy skippers and loads of Speckled Yellow moths. A small clearing gave up my quarry, several Pearl bordered fritillaries and I eventually found one that would let me get a few photos. A small white and peacock were also seen, I did not enter the restricted area to see the duke of burgandy's unlike some of the other visitors present. That was my last wildlife stop of the day.
23rd May
I was off to North Kent, and an early start had me searching for Orchids, I had some info where to find some (Many Thanks for that James and Sean in particular). I was not long before I had seen several lady orchids, fly orchid and lesser butterfly orchid. Another site produced several birds nest orchids in very nice condition. After battling with the Dartford tunnel traffic, I made it to Rainham RSPB and had a slow wander around avoiding the SAGA contingent, which seemed to be in the majority today. It looked like a CSI lab at the marshside hide area with the kids particularly noisy, so I made a quick retreat, back to the boardwalk.
The marsh frogs were in full voice, displaying well. Several four spot chasers and a selection of damselflies were in the marsh and I eventually located some confiding water voles. Bird wise it was a non event apart from some photogenic little grebes fishing for sticklebacks, and quite a few reed warblers in full song.
I had a more general mooch around but nothing doing so after raiding the gift shop it was off to Walthamstow waterworks reserve, surprisingly enough in Walthamstow. Being a Saturday afternoon it was busy so again it was quiet, the only bird of note was a blackcap. But birds were not my target here, which was a good job as I met a birder who had been there all day and seen as much as I did in 10 mins. He did point me in the direction of my target and several edible frogs were present on my arrival. After an ice cream in the shop, I headed to 70 acres lake, the savi's warbler was not to be seen or heard, a few more birds were present here, kingfisher, cracking singing nightingale, ruddy ducks and a cuckoo. After 3 hours here I had had enough and headed home.
21st May
With the weather better than yesterday I returned to Woodwalton Fen, and was instantly rewarded with a selection of damselflies including large red eyed and a couple of dragons, hairy dragonfly and a couple of scarce chasers, posing nicely for photos. The cuckoo was still present and after a while I eventually located a Chinese water deer. The warblers were a little more co-operative today a sedge warbler particularly so.
20th May
An after work jaunt around Woodwalton Fen, concious of the fact that I have not yet seen a cuckoo apart from the great spotted one in Cornwall earlier in the year, I should really see one. This woul dbe the main target, and hopefully chinese water deer and scarce chaser would oblidge. A scarce chaser was present on my arrival but would not stop for a photo and was the only sighting all night despite the good weather conditions. The cuckoo was more helpful posing for a while during his singing, but no chinese water deer. Some birds were calling but I cannot mention them here! None of the warblers would pose for photos but a common frog did. Another visit is planned to get the scarce chasers.
17th May
Bird Altlas again, not much to apart from a small body of water that held coot, and a few greylag and canada geese.
16th May
The morning was spent Bird Atlassing, but it was disappointing migrant wise three whitethroats and singles of chiff chaff's, blackcap and willow warbler. The usual selection of birds was present, apart from the pair of oystercatchers aerial displaying - very unexpected. I headed to Marsden Meadow in North Kent to see the green winged Orchid spectacle and it was amazing, the orchids were everywhere. I made a few other stops but not much else of note.
14th May
A return visit to Fen Drayton, which was much more productive than last nights visit. The temmincks stint was showing well on the wader scrape which as its name suggests was full of waders, a greenshank, loads of lapwings, redshank, two sanderlings three little ringed plovers and loads of ringed plovers. A hobby and a couple of black terns finished off the visit. But the rain holding off I continued to Livermere Lake, where a barn owl was performing well. The white winged black tern was showing well over the lake with several black tens, a sanderling and 10 common sandpipers were also present.
I relocated the barn owl and it performed for camera although a little distant and in the fading light I got a few pics. Not a bad evening.
13th May
A visit to Grafham water this evening produced well over 35 black terns at the Mander car park, but despite their attempts to land on the boom and let me photograph them, my attempts were scuppered by two prats trying to fish from the nearest bit of land, who insisted in moving about lots and shouting loudly at each other. A tern did land during a moment they simultaneously bent down to re bait their hooks, they obviously could not do this and shout at each other so it was silent and I grabbed a minute finally getting a couple of pics of the terns on the boom. A couple of artic terns were also in the group and a couple of common terns drifted in and out. I dropped in on the Plummer car park where yet more black terns were present. On to Fen Drayton, but no sign of the temmincks stint in a brief search.
11th May
A day working in London, but after I walked the short distance to St James Park, with its array of exotic wildfowl. A ring necked parakeet the highlight. I took the tube to Kew, and investigated under the bridge where I easily found several tube web spiders an introduced species from Southern Europe.
10th May
Watching red kites early morning before heading to Goring a place I spent a lot of time as a kid, but I never knowingly connected with a club tailed dragonfly. The weather was perfect and it was not long before I located one, but it did not stop. Another was spotted with good numbers of banded demoiselles and eventually one that settled and allowed a photo - apart from the fact the only usable bit of kit I had was a camcorder so apologies for the quality. The text began ringing and it was obvious that I would have to change my plans and head to Reculver. A couple of hours later and I was watching the black winged pratincole sitting on the bank of an oyster pool. It stayed for about 40 mins before relocating to another bank allowing a good flight view. But it left shortly after and flew around but distantly.
9th May
Using public transport is rare for me but waiting for a train at Reading in the evening I watched a couple of house mice scavenging amongst the tracks from platform 8.
3rd May
Back in the UK and as we left the airport I checked the text message from fellow Stortford Crew member Stephen, indicating that rather than go home we should divert to Dungness. Being a Sunday and a bank holiday one at that all the muppets were out in force and several car boot sales also caused undue delay but we eventually reached Dungness and joined the crowd, bumping into some familiar faces we searched for the bird. After a short while we spotted it during a short flight, changing out position we located the crested lark briefly on the ground, showing well for 20s or so, it then moved from view. A few other brief views were had and it was seen in flight several times but it was time to head home.
16th April
A quick pop in to Fen Drayton, where finally I could access the site, but the weather was poor and not too much about, little egret a few lingering goldeneyes, a rather co-operative green woodpecker and a much more elusive cetti's warbler.
15th April
Another new site local to work was explored today, as news of a stone curlew at Summer Leys NR broke in the afternoon, I left work and 10 mins later was there but the bird had flown. It was quickly relocated almost at the same time by myself and two birders on the other side of the field. The reserve held a med gull and an artic tern amongst the common terns, not a bad little trip out.
11th April
How about that after the Great Spotted Cuckoo last weekend, white throated sparrow this weekend. After finishing up some stuff I headed down to Hampshire after lunch. A short time after arrival the white throated sparrow showed well perched in a tree but generally it was skulking on the ground showing occasionally but quite well. I had a couple of hours there andF it was well worth the effort, a cracking bird. Small mammal wise just loads of wood mice in the last couple of days.
8th April
A quick visit to Grafham water on my way home, nothing at Mander so I took a walk from Plummer to the dam in the search for yellow wagtails. They were there. Several were present near the tower, I got a few pics of the yellow wagtails that were in the company of a lone grey wagtail. The pied wagtails were scrutinised and I picked out a white wagtail and then another. Not a bad haul, but the best was yet to come, a blue headed wagtail but I could not get very close to it and had to get back to the car, arriving at 6:50pm to find it already locked (closes at 7pm), I was most annoyed as you could imagine, a friendly fisherman let me out - most appreciated. I headed to the Marlow cpark to the centre to remonstrate with someone, here the car park was shut also (shuts at 7:30pm) and the time 7:10pm - Be warned.
6th April
An evening walk to reset the mammal traps closed for the weekend, all reset and some moved to test another area. The hares still present but the highlight was two Pipistrelle Bats which I tried some photography on, some calling tawny owls were not so co-operative.
5th April
Pretty tired I got some sleep at Launceston, before heading in the dawn light to Hayle for a cup of tea and to Tesco for some cash. I arrived at Bartinney Down and joined the few birders on the down for the hunt. I staked out an area of bushes as the rest spread out. After about three hours I was very bored with nothing but a wren, dunnock and meadow pipits for company. I headed further up the down but none of the birders had any luck. After a while a call came to another birder it had been seen in flight coming our way. We fanned out and it was spotted again but not by me, and it was some time before it was pinned down. But the great spotted cuckoo was eventually nailed to a hedge feeding on caterpillars showing quite well for about 10 mins or so. The heat haze made the photos dodgy, but I have put one up anyway. Now very thirsty and hungry I headed for Newlyn and refreshments. I headed to the harbour and quickly found the reported iceland gull and lured by out of date Co-op quiche it was quite photogenic. I located another less confiding bird in the small river leading into the harbour. No sign of the purple sandpipers at jubilee pool so I returned to Sennen and a quick look for the cattle egrets only a brief flight view and it was time to head home for some sleep, salvaged the weekend some after all.
4th April
I was tempted instead to the Isle of Wight, here for the last week a few large tortoiseshell butterflies have been seen. I got the 7am ferry in the drizzle and mist and was at Alvestone Mere reserve just after 8am. Here are a number of confiding red squirrels and they performed very nicely as did a couple of brown rats. Bird wise some migrants were in willow warblers, black caps and chiff chaffs all loudly indicating their presence in the woodland. The weather was picking up and I headed off to my destination in a small woodland arriving at about 11am. Here I spent the next few hours searching for the tortoiseshells. Nothing at all doing but did have several comma, peacocks, large white, orange tip and brimstones, several buzzards, a sparrowhawk and a couple of ravens. The finder of the butterflies helped but to no avail. I headed for Ventnor Botanical gardens where I quickly found several wall lizards. I investigated the report of an eagle on the downs above Ventnor but nothing doing and I was a bit disappointed particularly as the great spotted cuckoo had been showing all day in Cornwall.
After some food I headed for the ferry and the onward journey to Cornwall.
1st - 3rd April
With Spring in full swing, plenty of hares still about on my morning and evening mammal trap checks. Which produced two field voles and three wood mice. Bird wise singing yellowhammers, linnets, mistle thrush, song thrush and tawny owls of note. A couple of muntjac locally and a few stock doves the highlight. The great spotted cuckoo tempted me and I was geared up for the Friday night drive to Cornwall, but no sign on Friday, I changed my plans.
