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.;-)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Madeira....3rd-10th February 2014.

A week's holiday on the Island of Madeira was a great one, my first visit to this Portuguese archipelago. The weather was very good with just one day of rain,  a welcome respite from the downpours of rain and grey days in the UK.
I had pre-booked a days Guided Birdwatching with http://www.madeirawindbirds.com/ and a most enjoyable day it turned out to be with some special bird sightings, magnificent scenery and good company!

The highlight bird species seen were: Berthelot's Pipit ( Breeds in Madeira and the Canary Islands) Trocaz Pigeon and Madeira Firecrest  are both  endemic to the island of Madeira and  Atlantic Canary ( is endemic to the Canary Islands, Azores and Madeira). Atlantic Canaries were to be seen and heard in many areas visited and were delightful to hear singing in the hotel gardens along with Blackcaps.
I was surprised to see Muscovy Ducks in good numbers in two areas visited, I have never come across them on mainland Portugal..

Madeiran Wall Lizards were abundant in rural and urban areas sunning themselves in hotspots! Numerous Monarch and a few Long-tailed Blue butterflies were a sheer delight to see!

 

 

 

 

Mud, Mud, Glorious Mud!

What a month! Rain, rain go away!

Muddy paths and wellies has been the norm this January.

Not many walks partaken due to the inclement weather but those that were taken were enjoyed.

Brake Mill Pools has been visited numerous times and on all but my last visit there on Wednesday (29th) there have been Goosanders on the water and lately Tufted Duck numbers have increased.

The fields alongside Brake Lane have held huge numbers of Fieldfares and Redwings recently and a couple of Common Buzzards were a delight to see perched on fence posts.

It has been a joy to see Blackcaps feeding on the fruit that I spike on to apple trees in my garden the last few weeks, a male and female seem to be alternating their visits.

January has passed by quickly which is not a bad thing considering the weather, hopefully February will be a much drier and sunnier month.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Wychbury Hill and Obelisk

 

 

 

I believe this to be Yellow Brain Tremella mesenterica

 

and this to be Turkey Tail Trametes versicolor