April bits and bobs.


A few images taken at Brake Mill Pools, West Hagley, an area I (try to) frequently visit.

I was very fortunate on the 9th to have lengthy and fairly clear views of 2 Green Woodpeckers as they searched for insects in one of the Dandelion bedecked paddocks.

 I was amazed at the stunning plumage on this female Mallard. I had never really looked as closely as I did today when I spotted the female having 40 winks!

17th April. Pebble Prominent Moth  Notodonta ziczac

18th April....Brandon Marsh.

Blackcaps were in song in many areas around the reserve.

This pair of Coots were a delight to watch. The male (I presume the male) was on his way to the nest with some vegetation, the female left her nest to join him and then helped to carry the stem he was carrying. a lovely sight to see. I hope they successfully raised many chicks!

20th April...Walton Hill

2male and 1 female Ring Ouzel and a male Redstart close by them were a sheer delight to see!

WWT Slimbridge....27/03/2014

I am playing catch up again!

27th March.
I was fortunate to have been present at Slimbridge on the morning of the health check for the Caribbean Flamingos. I was told that it had been 3 (or maybe 4 years ) since the last check that they have to do on the Flamingos. The birds were handled very well which ensured they stayed as calm as could be expected. It was weird seeing them carried, most had to have their beaks held shut for obvious reasons!

These were my first of the year Mallard family. There were 12 cute Ducklings.

The following day (28th) was spent at at Cotswold Water Park. It was mind boggling the size of the Water Park which is why only one area was explored and it was where I saw my first of the year Sand martins and in all honesty not much else after a good walk! At least a couple of days is needed here to do the area justice.

The view from the hotel room was pretty good though!

The Shelducks at Slimbridge were amusing when the females were being territorial!

March is flying by!

Almost the end of March and I have yet to write a  post in this month. I am about to remedy that!

At the start of the month...well the 7th-10th...a weekend visit to Centre Parcs Sherwood Forest was a very welcome break!  I felt shattered by the end of the weekend, nevertheless all the swimming and walking had been good fun and it was great to see plenty of wildlife without really trying.

Species seen over the weekend were:
Robin, Blackbird, Dunnock, Great Tit, Blue Tit, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Siskin, Pied Wagtail, Stock Dove, Mistle Thrush, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Jackdaw, Carrion Crow, Mute Swan, Greylag, Canada and Egyptian Geese, Pheasant, Moorhen, Coot, Grey Squirrel (numerous), Horse, Rabbit (gathering nesting, a first for us all to see), Toad/Frog (not sure as it was dark), Peacock, Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell butterflies

 

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14th March.

 

A nice surprise in my garden today were 3 Siskins on the feeders and a pair of Bullfinches!

The highlight of a walk around Brake Mill Pools was a Grey Wagtail and a sighting of two Green Woodpeckers feeding alongside each other.

 

The Chase!

 

 

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15th March.

 

The Whittington area was my chosen area for a walk today. There were singing Skylarks aplenty and  a treat to see a mixed flock in great numbers of Winter Thrushes feeding and to see them several times in flight as they were disturbed by a farmer on his tractor. No doubt they were gathering to leave us. A Small Tortoiseshell was the only butterfly seen.

 

The long and winding track.

 

A sunny view.

 

I called in at Mary Stevens Park after my walk. A Chaffinch in song was a delight to see and hear though I have to say people who walked by did not seem to be aware of this delightful bird in song.

 

A Greylag Goose looked lonely as it tried to mingle with the Canada Geese.

 

 

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19th March.

 

I had a long overdue walk over Wassell Grove in the hope of seeing or hearing a returning Chiffchaff, I was not to be disappointed. It was lovely to see and hear one again.

 

 

A delightful splash of colour!

 

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22nd March.

I decided to try Brake Mill Pools area this morning in the hope of seeing/hearing a returning Chiffchaff or Wheatear, neither were present. However Song and Mistle Thrush, Jay, Buzzard and a Wren that was in full song mode being the highlights was good enough for me.

 

24th March.

An unexpected first for my garden!!! That will look good on my weekly BTO Garden Birdwatch count.;-)