May 2011 part 11

19th While watching the starlings on the feeders making lots of noise and mess I noticed a beautiful metallic blue banded demoiselle flutter in from next door and land on a bush. Grabbing my camera and sending the starlings flying off I rush out to take its picture only for it to fly away. I was then shown a lesson in controlled flight -a sparrow flew down and captured the demoiselle.
Later we visited the nature reserve the lake is surrounded by yellow iris flowers and there is lots more vegetation on the islands in the lake but I do manage to spot 2 lapwing chicks still alive.

Yellow Iris (Iris pseudacorus) Grows upto 150cm high in rivers or ditch margins or lakes floewers May -July.
 We also see a pair of Reed Warblers by the car park pond.

Reed Warbler ( Acrocephalus scirpaceus) Very hard to spot in the dense reed stems. We watched as they climbed with ease up the stems. Summer migrants to Britain for breeding. Nests in reeds in deep cups of grass. Laying 3-5 eggs. Feeds on spiders, insects and small snails.

May 2011 part 10

The may blossom has all disappeared but has been replaced by white Elder Flowers and Guelder Rose.

Guelder Rose (Viburnum opulus) Native in most parts of Europe Growing in woodlands, hedgerows and thickets.

Elder flower (Sambucus nigra) The Elder grows throughout Europe in woods and hedges. The flowers can be used to make a beverage.
While walking we disturb a Cinnabar Moth.

Cinnabar Moth (Tyna jacobaeae) Flies from May-July in grassy places. Although nocturnal can be easily disturbed. Caterpillar is 25mm long- black and yellow banded. feeds on ragwort.

May 2011 part 9

Back at the reserve we see a Kingfisher in the reeds at the car park pond.
 In the car park hide we watch as the lapwings put on an impressive display defending their chicks from a Black-backed gull. Sadly although they bombarded him relentlessly a chick lost his life.

Black-backed Gull (Larus marinus) Mostly found on rocky coasts but also on freshwater lakes (as here) and moreland. usually lays 2-3 eggs. Feeds on fish, carrion, shellfish and small birds.

May 2011 part 8

While putting food out for the hedgehog I heard a commotion at the back of the garden. Crashing through the undergrowth and hissing loudly the first hedgehog appeared followed by a second. Whenever the second hedgehog got too close the first would hiss loudly and the second would run for cover. This went on for over an hour. Both hogs managed to feed at different times and when both had ran for cover I left them to it. I didnt see my female again for over a week but I'm glad to report she is back.

During a walk by Packington Ford surrounded by birdsong I spotted a bird singing from a perch with his whitethroat fanning out with song. ( a clue to his name)

Whitethroat (Sylvia communis) Males often perch on top of a bush to sing. One of our common warblers. Found in country lanes, hedges and woodland borders. Visiting us from April - Sept. feeds on insects and their larvae, spiders and fruit. Lays 4-5 eggs.
We watched swallows flying acrobatically around the buildings, a heron flew past a and a buzzard's soared above. While in the trees and bushes bluetits, chaffinch and goldfinch sang.

May 2011 part 7

Walking by local river we spot a mallard with ducklings.

The 3 ducklings follow mum along the river but have a lot of trouble in the faster flowing parts of the stream, bobbing about at the whim of the water.
The yellow of all the dandelions has now turned to the white of the clocks of seed waiting for the wind to spread their seed.

                                          Pale little Dandelion
                                           In her white shroud
                                           Heareth the angel-breeze
                                          Call from the cloud
                                          Tiny plumes fluttering
                                           Make no delay;
                                          Little winged dandelion soareth away
                                                                                              Helen. B. Bostwick

May 2011 part 6

.Nature reserve
Another sunny day and as we arrive we spot a bird in the reeds by the car par k and later from a hide we get this picture of a Reed Bunting.

Reed Bunting ( Emberiza schoeniclus). Traditionally found on wetlands and marshes it can now also be found on farmland. Feeding on seeds from grasses, saltwort, Shepard's purse and other wild flower seeds. In summer will also feed on insects. Nesting begins in April with 4-5 eggs. Normally 2 broods.
The starlings were comical to watch bathing at the side of the lake fluffing up their feathers then shaking off the water.

May 2011 part 5

2nd week
Marsh Lane reserve. Walking between hides we spot a small tortioshell butterfly flitting along the sides of the pathway.

Small Toroiseshell (aglais urticae) 44-52mm. One of our abundant butterflies. Over winters as an adult. Can be seen as an early as March - October. Likes Iceplant (sedum) and buddleia. The caterpillar lives on nettles. It is black above and greenish below with several rows of spines.
The yellow flowers on the gorse are in full bloom it is said that "If the gorse is in flower then kissing is in season". As gorse is in flower somewhere nearly all the time then this is good news.

Gorse (Ulex Europaeus) A spiny evergreen found on heath and rough grassland.

May 2011 part 4

Marsh Lane: Two Greylag Geese come into land.

Greylag geese (Anser anser) Britians only native breeding goose. It is believed they breed for life, nesting on moorland or near lakes or reservoirs. They lay up to 7 eggs and feed on grass, crops and water weed.
My first sighting of a Little Grebe as it swam by.

 Little Grebe (Trachybatus ruficollis) A very secretive bird it lives on lakes or slow flowing rivers and canals that provide shelter. Feeds on insects and their larvae, water snails and small fish. Lays 4-6 eggs

May 2011 part 3

Still at Marsh Lane.

Common Tern (Sterna hirundo) An intensely aggressive bird when breeding. Nesting on shingle beaches and salt marshes. Lays 2-3 eggs. feeds on small fish, sand-eels and insects.

May 2011 part 2

Still at the reserve we see a flock of starlings, red shank, a pair of cormorants and swallows giving us their special display. We also see my first Yellow Wagtail.

Yellow Wagtail (Motacilla flava) A summer visitor arriving in April, leaving in September. They breed in both river valley's and water meadows or on dry healths, moreland and often on arable land. Often feeding among cattle on insects, beetles and larvae. The female is duller than the male. Laying 5-6 eggs.
We also see a Ringed Plover

Ringed Plover ( Chardrius hiaticula) Ringed Plovers breed all around our coast and on arable land. They will distract an enemy by feigning a broken wing. Nesting in scrapes in the ground which is lined with pebbles. Laying 4 eggs. Feeds on molluscs, crustacea, insects, worms and some vegetable matter.

May 2011 part 1

1st is sunny with a slight breeze. We visit the reserve at Marsh Lane and see a Lapwing with 3 chicks. They are hard to spot as they rely on camouflage to stay safe.
A heron flies over and a shelduck swims by.

Shelduck (Tadorna tadorna) Our largest duck. Both sexes are alike.Can nest in rabbit burrows or in the shelter of a bush or trees. Lays 8-14 eggs. Feeds on mollusc's, small crabs, shrimps, insects and vegetable matter.