Robin's nesting!

I have Robin's nesting in a box that is on an Ivy covered wall in my driveway! I can see the nest clearly from one of my kitchen windows! It has been about 5 years since this box was used so it will be interesting watching the comings and goings of the Robin's! I actually watched the chicks fledge the last time the box was used so I am hoping to see the same again in a few weeks time. Photo's are taken from behind the window so may not be too clear at times!

Daffodil Time!

Daffodil Time

"It is daffodil time, so the robins all cry,
For the sun’s a big daffodil up in the sky,
And when down the midnight the owl calls “to-whoo”!
Why, then the round moon is a daffodil too;
Now sheer to the bough-tops the sap starts to climb,
So, merry my masters, it’s daffodil time."

Clinton Scollard

Weekend wanderings 27/03/2011

A walk along Caunsall canal was to be a real treat today despite the cloud cover, such a pity the sun did not shine! Chiffchaffs were heard on arrival and several heard and seen throughout the afternoon. A flock of c40 Redwings were in Ivy covered trees no doubt eating the juicy berries, a Brambling was spotted whilst viewing the Redwings and a small flock of Fieldfare flew over. Mistle Thrush were seen several times at least 6 individuals. 3 Buzzards were mewing and soaring and 2 of these an obvious pair. Long-tailed Tits were as numerous as Blue and Great tits and a pair of Nuthatch were seen gathering mud from an embankment for their nest making, a delightful sight! At the sewage treatment works were my target bird for the day Grey Wagtail, a pair! Just the two surprisingly and a single Pied Wagtail. The remaining species seen today were Blackbird, Wren, Robin, Coal Tit, Song Thrush, Chaffinch, Jay, Green Woodpecker, Woodpigeon, Carrion Crow, Jackdaw, Magpie, Moorhen, Mallard, a Kestrel on the way home and Greenfinch heard. A Peacock strutted it's stuff in one of the paddocks, a nice surprise and a great sight to see!

Not a very picturesque perch but the Grey Wagtail was at a sewerage works!
The strutter!

I haven't an ID for this plant yet, there were several along the towpath.
Edit: The plant is Butterbur Petasites hybridus

Weekend wanderings!....26/03/2011

A bleak foggy/misty Saturday morning was not at all inspiring for an early morning walk after the warm sunny days during the week, however I am not faint hearted and set off for Wassell Grove Pools! On the way to the pools the usual Corvids were seen and a House Sparrow which was good to see! I heard a Skylark singing as I drove down the track to the Pools but no way was I going to see it this morning! I wished I had brought my hat and gloves once out of my car as the cold air hit me! I scanned the paddocks for Wheatear as Craig (Lutley Birder) had seen a female here the day before, no luck today but I did have a good chat with Craig who was enjoying a hot drink before heading home to warm up! A flock of Fieldfare passed over as we chatted, they were heading North, I might add it was Craig who told me the direction they were heading, I have never been any good at N, S, E & W unless I am in my garden looking at the weather vane. I really must carry a compass.lol!! Good to see you again Craig!

On my walk a couple of Chiffchaffs were almost constantly singing, good to hear them here again. Blue Tits were seemingly everywhere, flying from tree to tree making me feel giddy! I walked along the path through the wooded area and happened upon a pair of Long-tailed Tits flying into a patch of brambles with beaks full of feathers, they were nest building! I watched for a minute or two and then quietly walked away to let them get on with their nest. A great sight was a Kestrel hovering and then perching in a tree before flying off to the fields beyond the Fisheries. A female Bullfinch was good to see if only fleetingly!

I later stopped off at Hagley Church & Hall as it had been a few weeks since my last visit. Nothing really of note other than a flock of Fieldfare in the Deer Park and a Raven gronking as it flew over the park.

My first Chiffchaff pic of 2011..well I tried in the dismal light.lol!!
A sunny day...not!

Bunkers Hill Wood, Stourbridge....23/03/2011

A walk around the perimeter of Bunkers Hill Wood in the hope of seeing a Stonechat and/or Wheatear in the fields and paddocks was fruitless as far as these 2 species were concerned but it was still an eventful walk as it turned out. Two Buzzards soared above the fields as I parked my car, always a treat to see. Blue and Great Tits were seen and heard on almost the entire length of the walk and Long-tailed Tits were almost as abundant. Robins singing around every corner and Blackbirds made a dash for cover once they had spotted me as I made my way to the top end of the wood. A flock of Yellowhammers in their usual chosen field looked stunning as the sun shone on them! Chiffchaffs were heard in several areas and a G S W was drumming. A flock of Chaffinches suddenly alighted as I walked past a large tree, making me jump in all honesty.lol! Mistle Thrush and Goldfinch were also seen in the top fields. I saw several Peacock Butterflies enroute, lovely to see them flitting about again! There are many mature Rhododendrons at Bunkers Hill Wood. They are budding up now and will look a treat in a few weeks time. I will return and take a few pics of them in flower. The Wood was once privately owned but is now owned by the Woodland Trust.

On the way down the path I came across a clearing of scrub/grass and witnessed what I now know is called a Dust devil! Dried leaves fluttered, fell and rose again in a vortex of air, raising the leaves appproximately 2-3 feet into the air, this spectacle lasted for 10 - 15 seconds! The same thing happened again three more times with a space of a few feet between each fountain of leaves. I have never seen such a sight, it was truly amazing! It was a warm, sunny afternoon with not a hint of a breeze, so to see such an event was a surprise and quite surreal!
I had been in two minds whether to walk the whole perimeter of the wood as I was on my own and felt a little apprehensive but I am so glad I did not cut the walk short as I would have missed the Dust devil! Funny how things turn out sometimes as I now feel I was destined to do the whole walk!

View overlooking fields with the Clent Hills in the distance.

A small flock of Helmeted Guineafowl are in a garden by the entrance to the woods, they are soooo noisy but cute!

How many Yellowhammers are there?


Common Buzzard soaring in the sunshine!

Upton Warren....20/03/2011

After a relaxing morning after the night before a stroll around Upton Warren was partaken in the afternoon. Highlights were Avocet, Green Sandpiper, Redshank, Oystercatcher, Common Snipe, Shoveler, Shelduck, Reed Bunting, G S Woodpecker, Chiffchaff, at least 4 with great views of one though it didn't hang around for a photoshoot, Lesser-black Backed Gull and a Med Gull. A pair of Great Crested Grebes held my attention as they gracefully added plant debris to their nest, a delight to see.

Birds, Butterflies, Mini's and Flower Power!....19/03/2011

My Saturday solitude walk was taken at Brake Lane this morning! What a beautiful morning it was too, an early frost and sunshine all the way! A Skylark was heard as I readied myself for the walk and two Yellowhammers flew overhead, Rooks were feeding in a field as they followed a ploughing tractor. The usual Tits were seen and heard along the lane and when at the end of the lane I could hear Siskins that were atop of the Alders! On checking I was delighted to see a Brambling amongst them..brill...my first Brambling in this area! A Great Spotted Woodpecker was drumming in the large garden alongside the bridleway where I lingered to look for Goldcrests but no joy today with them. A pair of Mistle Thrush were in a paddock along with Woodpigeons, Crows and Magpies. As I reached the few houses by the Lake I could hear a Robin singing so took the opportunity to take another video and hey presto no background noise on this video all but birds singing! A surprise pair of Goosander were on the Lake, another first on this walk, also a pair of Stock Doves were spotted in the trees, so another first for the walk. I walked further today, the walk taking me alongside the stream beyond the few houses. In a field alighted a Comma Butterfly, my first of the year and a delight to see. Great to see the trees and shrubs starting to bud now and Blackthorn in flower. I enjoyed this walk immensely today and after nearly four hours I returned home, refreshed and ready for a cuppa!

Early afternoon I had a Comma and Peacock Butterfly bathing in the warm sunshine in my garden. A lovely sight and uplifting!

Now the Mini's and Flower Power were to be seen on the evening! A 60's themed Birthday party! As ancient as I am the evening brought back fond memories of the 60's, as Hary Mopkin's sang 'Those were the days'. Oh yes, those certainly were the days! It was a 'fab' evening!