Flying High!

Tuesday, 3 May 2011

First juvenile in my garden in 2011!

The first juvenile in my garden this year was/is a........... Feral Pigeon! It perched on a bird table for quite a while early this morning, luckily the local Sparrowhawk didn't spot it. It is so like one of it's parents. A poor shot attached of toddler and parent!

Monday, 2 May 2011

Nessie spotted in the East Marsh Pool, WWT Brandon Marsh....01/05/2011

Well it resembled Nessie at first glance! After checking in my Collins Field Guide and several handy Wildlife books that were tucked in my back pocket the only species that resembled the shape/colour was a Cormorant, so Nessie hadn't arrived in Warwickshire, what a disappointment.lol!!

A warm, sunny and very windy day was spent at Brandon Marsh! A Brimstone butterfly was the first good sighting in the carpark whilst a Cuckoo calling was a joy to hear, it's call sounding out several times during the day! Swifts, Sand Martins and Swallows were soon spotted, great to see the Swifts especially! There were easily 15-20+ Swifts flying over the reserve. The Swallows in the afternoon were flying just above headheight along the perimeter walk in their pursuit of insects. I have huge admiration for all of these birds along with all Summer/Winter migrants that make such epic journeys!

Highlight birds of the day were Ruff, Lapwing and chicks, Redshank, L R Plover and a Ringed Plover (my first of the year), Oystercatcher, Gadwall, Common Terns, Greylag and Canada Geese plus and odd looking Goose on the Golf Course, Common Whitethroat, Willow Warbler, Mute Swan and at the end of the day a Cuckoo and Kingfisher rounded the bird sightings off nicely.
Birds heard only were Lesser Whitethroat, Cetti's Warbler, Blackcap, Chiffchaff and Green Woodpecker.
The butterflies seen along the perimeter footpath were Comma, Peacock, Whites (not sure which species as they didn't settle), Holly Blue, Speckled Wood, Brimstone and a delightful Cinnabar Moth. I was very pleased to see Large Red and Blue-tailed Damselflies perching and flying around the vegetation by a small stream. How lovely to see all creatures great and small back with us for the summer!
I love Brandon Marsh, I just wish it were closer to my home. The journey is approximately 45 minutes and I feel a day is essential to make the most of this splendid reserve.

Wash and brush up time!

A territorial Coot chasing away a Mallard!

The Swan

Traveling swiftly across the water
Having no trouble looking attractive
Exploring the shiny silver lake

Sharing its beauty with all trespassers
Wild bird with everlasting grace
Amazingly calm as thousands stare
No animal beats the bewildering swan

Marinela Reka.

Willow Warbler.

Large Red Damselfly.

Comma Butterfly.

Cinnabar Moth.

Pond-dipping Pond.

Saturday, 30 April 2011

Incy Wincy Spider!....29/04/2011

There were some great looking spiders on the vegetation at Upton Warren, well they were great as long as they stayed put in the nettles! Also seen were numerous Hoverfly, an Ichneumon Wasp and several Ladybirds. Highlight bird species were Whimbrel, Wood Sandpiper, Green Sandpiper, Greenshank, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, L R Plover, Avocet and chicks, Canada Geese and goslings, Swift, G C Grebe, Common Tern, Hobby and a Cuckoo!

Nursery Web Spiders. Pisura miribalis

Hoverfly.

Avocet and chicks.

Thursday, 28 April 2011

Through The Bluebell Wood.

I stroll into a twilight shade
With green and amber hung around,
Where dapple-dancing branches rain
Sun-shadows on the ground.

Leaf-banners flutter from each tree
Whose branches like carved ivory
Surround the bluebell way.
Stray half-lights flow from brown to gold,
Weaving, through an April fold
Of colour, the bright tapestry of day.

And there is music in the stream,
And shifting lights of water flow,
And silent water-boatmen row
While dragon-flies in vivid blue
Dart like lightning in a dream.
Sun has alchemised the scene,
And with rich magic made me feel
It is unreal yet more than real.
The soft breeze barely seems to blow,
And all the wheels of time run slow…

Geoffrey - Hoffman

Monday, 25 April 2011

WWT Broadmoor Wood....25/04/2011

Broadmoor Wood is 'A delightful woodland reserve with a stream and pool on the edge of Birmingham' (taken from WWT Website) and delightful it certainly is! My first and certainly not my last visit was taken this afternoon. The warm sun was shining through the trees onto the bluebells that carpeted the woodland floor, the scent from them was divine! The path is narrow and with the Bluebells alongside and also Greater Stitchwort, Yellow Archangel, Celandine and Wood Anemone it was a pleasurable walk. The pool had a large expanse of Marsh Marigold that looked delightful in the bright sunshine. I will certainly be back to look for Dragonflies here soon. Blackcap and Chiffchaff were seen and certainly heard as there singing resounded around the wood. Other bird species seen/heard were Blue and Great Tits, Blackbird, a lone Canada Goose in the pool and a Great Spotted Woodpecker was heard! Green Longhorn (day moths) were swarming around trees and Speckled Wood and White butterflies were seen often, the Whites did not settle long enough to get an ID.
An extremely pleasant hour was spent in this small but delightful wood......it is truly magical!