August 2011 part 7

Lake Vyrnwy
Another bird and a first spot for me is the beautiful Siskin.

Siskin (Cardaelis spinus) Found in coniferous forests, mixed woodland and plantations. Outside the breeding season it visits birch and alder trees, often near water. Mostly feeds at the tops of trees on seeds from tree tops and wildflowers. Will eat small insects in winter.

The female is duller in colour a is the juvenile.

Nesting season depends on the food supply. The small nest is is a neat cup shape built by the female from conifer twigs, grass, heather, moss, and spiders webs. The female incubates the 3-5 eggs . Both adults feed the young, which fly at 15 days. They usually have 2 broods.
"And the small mad Siskins flit by
Flying upward in little skips and erractic leaps...
...and I seem to lean forward,
As my eyes follow after
Their sunlight leaping.                  Theodore Roethlee
7th August a sunny day is suddenly interrupted by THUNDER, LIGHTENING AND HAIL!!

August 2011 part 6

Lake Vyrnwy.
The R.S.P.B. provide a free hides around the lake but we only had luck with seeing birds at one where they have feeders right next to the window which attract some lovely birds. Great tits, cole tits, nuthatch, greenfinch, woodpeckers, pheasants and chaffinch.

Juvenile Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) Pairs form in late winter. The female builds a cup shape nest with an outer layer of lichen. The 4-5 eggs are incubated for 12 days. Both parents feed the young for 13 days and when they fledge for a further 3 weeks.

August 2011 part 5

Day 5 It's raining but there is a lot of activity in the garden: Male and female greater spotted wood peckers, 3 juvenile robins, 2 thrushes, male blackbird, blue tit, great tit, pied wagtails, juvenile chaffinch and a juvenile nuthatch.

Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) Nests in natural holes in trees, the hole is reduced in size by the female adding mud while the nest is filled with bark and leaves. The 6-8 eggs are laid in April- May and are incubated by the female for 17 days. The young are fed for 23 days before fledgling . They sometimes have 2 broods.
Later we go on a trip to Lake Vyrnwy and see an adult Nuthatch.

Adult Nuthatch. An elusive bird that can be very vocal with a 'tuit, tuit' call. Its action on trees is distinctive as it is the only bird that moves head down on the trunk. In winter the resident pair will defend their territory. Found in deciduous woodland, mature woods , established parkland with old trees. Feeds mainly on insects like small beetles and spiders. In autumn and winter will eat berries and seeds. It's name comes from wedging nuts into  the bark of a tree and hammering it open.

August 2011 part 4

Day 4 A smart looking frog sits under my chair as I sit down for breakfast. A Buzzard does a low level fly past with such effortless power. The Pied Wagtail gives us a lesson in catching flies as he walks and runs around the garden.

Pied Wagtail ( Motacilla alba) Found in a variety of locations, often near water. Breeds in open countryside, farmland and towns. Their main food are insects, especially flies and midges but also caterpillars. Most food is taken on the ground but can be caught in the air.

The female (here is looking at a fly) is greyer in colour. Nesting begins in April and most are built in clefts or holes or in ledges in banks or buildings. Both sexes build the nest lined with hair, wool and feathers. Incubation of 5-6 eggs is by both adults and lasts for 13 days. young are fed for 14 days before they fledge and are feed for a further 4-7 days. They may have 2 broods.

Here 2 fledglings are being fed.
"Little Trotty Wagtail he went in the rain,
And tittering, tottering sideways he ne'er got straight again."       John Clare

August 2011 part 3

Holiday day 3
Buzzards circling above, too high for a photo. A mouse scampered under the window and the squirrel revisits the tree. A fledgling robin, his red breast just starting to develop joins us.

Robin ( Erithacus rubecula ) Breeds in woods and copes with plenty of undergrowth. Found in hedges, mature gardens, parks and open country. Starts to nest in late March. Nests are built by the female and is made from leaves, moss and grass. The 4-5 eggs are incubated by the female for 15 days. Both parents feed the young for another 13 days. Unless the female starts another brood. Young become independent 16-24 days. There are 2-3 broods.
A blue tit hangs on the outside of the cottage while swallows show off their flying skills until dusk when bats take over. A Tawny Owl flies overhead. We can hear at least 3 in the surrounding forest.

Swallows ( Hirundo rustica) Most of their time is spent on the wing but they do land on wires or the ground.Nests in small groups in open country. Lives some of the year in Africa. Feeds on flying insects. A brood of swallows need 6000 flies in one day to survive.

August 2011 part 2

Holiday day 2
Open the curtains to 2 Buzzards flying across the line of trees down the valley. Good Morning!
A Pied wagtail is in the car park as we drive to the Red Kite centre. AMAZING!!
100 -200 Kites flying around, hanging in the air and swooping down to collect the food off the floor with their talon's. A white Kite appeared amongst them and joined in the frenzy. I took time to put the camera down to enjoy the hole experience.

Red Kite (Milrus milrus) Breeds in mature but open deciduous woodland. Hunts in farmland and moorland and will scavenge. Eats mainly carrion including dead sheep, earthworms, mammals, rats ,mice, voles,small rabbits, birds and reptiles.

August 2011 part 1

Holidays in Shropshire day 1
Greeted by a mass of juvenile pheasants on the roads and in the fields as we get closer to our cottage. Sadly it's nearly the "glorious 12th" so I hope they are enjoying themselves.

Pheasants ( Phasianus colchicus) Prefer to live on the ground but will roost in trees or bushes. A cock Pheasant often as a harem of 2 or more females. Nesting on the ground amongst vegetation lays 10-14 eggs between March - June and are incubated by the female. Young hatch after 23-28 days and brooded by the female  they can feed themselves. By 12 days they can lift off the ground if danger threatens and are fully independent at 80 days.
A squirrel sits in the tree and rabbits feed in the field. An adult male Pheasant visits the garden briefly and above a Buzzard flies over harrying a crow.

July 2011 part 8

25th Fledgling Goldfinch on feeder fluttering for food.

Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) The nest is buit towards the end of the branch looking precariuos. It is a neat cup made of moss, grasses, small roots and lichen lined with down , hair and feathers. The 4-6 eggs are incubated for 13-15 dyas. The young leave the nest after 11 days and are fed for a further week. 2 broods sometimes 3.
26th Spent a happy hour this morning watching the acrobatic display of 5 bluetits as they feed. They are joined by 2 great tits, young goldfinch,  a coletit, a male and female blackbird and a starling. Later a young collared dove comes to the garden.

Collared Dove (Steptopelia decaoto). They lay 2 eggs from Feb-Oct but mainly in May. They are incubated by both parents for 14-18 days. The young remain in the nest for 19 days becoming independent after another week. Can be 5 broods.
29th Another day watching all the young feeding . The adults seem to be scarce as they often are at this time of year. They are around but resting after all their hard work and molting old feathers.
Its been the coldest July since 1998.

July 2011 part 7

19th Visit to the reserve and we are pleased to see 3 young herons all fluffed up against the colder day.

Young heron ( Ardea cinerea) Grey Heron's breed in colonies in a  large nest of sticks built at the top of a tree by both adults. 3-4 eggs are incubated for 25- 27 days . The young are brooded for about 18 days when they leave the nest and clamber in the branches. From 70 days they will start to disperse from the colony.
We also see a tufted duck on the pond.
"As for the duck. I think God must have smiled a bit seeing those bright eyes blink on the day He fashioned it. And He's probably laughing still at the sound that came out of its bill!

 Tufted Duck (Aythya fuligula ) Smaller than the Mallard . A diving duck, diving with a distinctive jump. Forms flocks outside the breeding season. Breeds on inland lakes, flooded gravel pits and reservoirs. Eats food from the bottom of lakes or rivers like, mussels, shrimps, crustaceans,  insect and vegetation.
We also see greenfinch, great tits, and a beautiful blue dragonfly with damaged wings.