May the 4th at Brandon Marsh N R.

Well the force certainly seemed to be with me on this day of May the 4th! Brandon Marsh N R came up trumps today with some super species seen and heard. I will be back to finish this post when I have sorted through my 'record' shots! I just wanted to start the post on the 4th as it is a memorable day for me!

"When April steps aside for May,
Like diamonds all the rain-drops glisten;
Fresh violets open every day:
To some new bird each hour we listen."
-  Lucy Larcom

2 Hobbies, 2 Kestrels and 2 Cuckoos were all in view from  the Ted Jury Hide! Not often 3 super species are seen together and  giving lengthy views! It was difficult to know which birds to view at times as the Cuckoos were fairly active and  the Hobbies looked splendid as they hunted low over the reedbeds! The Kestrels looked quite content to watch the coming and going of the Cuckoos as they perched in a tree. One of the Cuckoos flew down to the edge of the water for a drink, a Coot close by gave it the once over and then swam away!

 

There must have been a recent emergence of St. Mark’s flies, they were everywhere in great numbers hovering with their long legs dangling!

 

Highlight species seen today were Dunlin x1. Ringed Plover x2,  Redshank, Shelduck, Oystercatcher, Great crested Grebes, Common Terns, Sedge and Reed Warblers, Whitethroats,  Chiffchaffs,  Reed Bunting, Jay, Great Spotted Woodpecker and not forgetting our 'Stars' Hobbies, Kestrels and Cuckoos!

 

Butterflies on the wing were Brimstone, Small Tortoiseshell and Peacock.

 

 

Sedge Warblers were very vocal and occasionally obligingly coming out of the reeds!

 

 

Whitethroats were also vocal today and more often than not giving great views!

Cuckoo extravaganza...well it was for me!

 Good to compare the size difference with a Coot that completely ignored the Cuckoo as the Cuckoo lingered for quite awhile when it down for a drink.

Now you see me!

Now you don't!

Now you see me...again! Such delightful Grebes!

 

 

 

 Common Terns were viewed several times seeing off Carrion Crows.

 

 

 

Marsh Marigold.

 Exidia glandulosa, . One of the common names of this Fungus is Black Witches Butter. I think I am correct with the ID unless someone knows differently.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Exidia_glandulosa

View from the Carlton Hide.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hammer, tail and cup in the space of an hour....02/05/2015

I am of course referring to a Yellowhammer, Yellow Wagtail and a yellow Buttercup all seen and heard (well not the buttercup) on my walk at Whittington, Stourbridge this morning. A cold and windy morning with a few spots of rain now and again but nonetheless an enjoyable walk with some delightful species seen.

Before I left home for my walk this pair returned for about an hour then took flight! They apparently haven't found suitable accommodation for nesting yet!

This little cutie has been more in than out of my garden for the past few days.

It was a treat to see a female Wheatear as my last sightings here were all males! Today I sighted 3 males and 1 female.

My first of the Summer Buttercup.
Is it really summertime? I think not as it is so cold!

This delightful Corn Bunting was singing away happily despite the wind and overcast sky!

 

The Yellowhammer was not going to be outdone by the Corn Bunting and joined in with a song!

What a treat to see the Yellow Wagtail obligingly posing for me! A little stunner!

May has started off ok we just need the sun to shine now!

April catch up!

A few images taken during April.

5th April: Brake lane and Brake Mill Pools:

 

 

 My first of the Spring Peacock butterfly.

 

 

 

11th April:
No shortage of worms judging by the Blackbirds beakful!

Great to see Swallows and Martins have returned locally, we just need the Swifts to return now and all will be well with the world.

 

 

 

 

7th April:

The return of the magnificent Mallards.

They have visited in previous years in the Spring, they must be on their way to wherever they nest and use my garden as a stopover. The hen made herself comfortable atop of the conifers and the Drake flew around the gardens like a lost soul until eventually deciding to rest in next doors garden when he could see that she was going nowhere!

12th April: Whittington. 

Ring Ouzel x1, Wheatear x2, Corn Bunting and a flyover Yellow Wagtail! Just brill !!!!

9th April: A first for my garden, a Rook no less!

Severn Valley Country Park. Apart from playing in the sandpit, football and tennis this Raven was a welcome highlight along with several Common Buzzards seen throughout the visit.

In tandem!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

26th April:

 

Staffordshire and Worcester Canal walk:

 

The butterflies took the accolade on what was a sunny but 'cool in the shade' day.

 

 

 

 

Orange tip.

 

 

 

 

Small Tortoiseshell

 

 

Green-veined White

How well camouflaged they are on the Wild Garlic.

I wonder what delights May will bring?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tavira...bits and bobs!

Numerous Swallowtail butterflies were on the wing but not many perched long enough for a photo to be taken. This particular Swallowtail was attracted to the aromatic Lantana flowers which gave me the chance of good views of it and a welcome photo opportunity.

 

An Egyptian Grasshopper enjoying the warm sunshine.

A Chiffchaff that was busy seeking insects in the tree.....I like the colours in the image, to be truthful I was on the wrong side of the sun but I am pleased nonetheless with the result.

One of many fields seen of Crown Daisies that seemed to go on and on and on and............

 

There are four insects on this Crown Daisy flower head. Rich pickings for the local Passerines in the fields of Daisies!

A lone Yellow Lupin flower head.
In the Alentejo fields full of these lupins were a delight to see.

This is a flower stalk/spike of an Agave plant. It is commonly called a Swan's Neck Agave or Century Plant. As you can see it is overhanging into the road and thankfully it is not damaged by cars that park underneath it!

  This second plant is further down the road and in the same garden as the plant above. An awesome looking plant, just a pity the plant dies once the flower spike has expired but it does produce new plants from side shoots.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/gardening/plants/plant_finder/plant_pages/12513.shtml

 

Tavira is a lovely old town which stands on either side of the river Gilao. Its two halves are connected by a roman bridge.

 

On the top of an old water tower you can enjoy a rather different view of Tavira courtesy of the 'Camera Obscura'. It is a mirror and two lenses which project a live image of Tavira inside the tower onto a big screen and it revolves around 360° to give a view around the whole town. There is someone giving a 'guided tour' as it revolves so you know what you are seeing. A fascinating experience and a good way of utilising a defunct water tower.

 http://portugal-lol.com/2012/04/camera-obscura-in-the-tower-of-tavira/


 

The end of it's seaworthiness for this boat or could it be renovated? Whatever, I think it makes a lovely photo!

 

 

 

The view from my sun lounger! (I wish I was still lying there)

 

 

The only common crane I found...so I took a pic!

 

As Bugs Bunny would say 'That's all folks'

 

Oh, and many thanks for stopping by my blog.