August part 3

Minsmere - A smaller wader feeds on the shore line along with the larger birds already mentioned. We are told by another bird watcher that it is a Greenshank.

Greenshank (tringa nebularia)
A medium- large wader with a slightly upturned bill.Grey above and white below. Feeds by probing into wet mud, pecking at the surface or sweeps bill from side to side. Breeds in sub Arctic but can be found in none breeding season on lakes, estuaries and coastal marshes. Feeds on beetles, worms, snail, small fish, amphibians, shrimps, crabs and ragworms.
Back at the camp sight I took this picture and have called it "beauty and the beast".

I hope you can see why.
Flowers at Minsmere.

Poppies (papaver rhoeas)

One of my favourite flowers. A tall upright plant with solitary flowers that only last a day.However each plant may produce 400 flowers in a summer. Another name is the corn rose due to its appearance in corn fields. the Roman goddess Ceres was depicted wearing  a wreath of poppies. And of course the common poppy grew on Flanders Field after the battles of the First World war and so became the symbol of Remembrance Day.

Corncockle (agrostemma githago)

Rare to find in farmland due to new farming practises. The five broadly overlapping petals are deep pink. the leaves are hairy and very long.

Foxglove (digitalis purpurea)

Foxglove may have got its name from a series of corruptions of old words. The Anglo-Saxon 'gliew' a small bell, and fox could be a corruption of folk's meaning little folk or fairies. In some parts of the British Isles it is called  'fairy bells'. They are a statuesque plant that can bear up to 80 flowers on a single stem. They are very poisonous as it yields the drug digitalis which in small doses is used in the treatment of heart complaints.

August part 2

Still at Minsmere.
At the same hide we saw the Avocet another group of striking birds circles round and eventually lands to feed. Spoonbills.

Spoonbill (platalea leucorodia)

Just a little smaller than the Grey Heron it is still a majestic bird. usually seen on the ground but it will perch in trees. Breeds in coastal marshes and river valleys where there are reeds. Mainly eats insects and their larvae, dragonflies, caddis flies, small fish, amphibians, snails and some vegetation. they do not breed regularly in Britain arriving in April - May, while juveniles arrive July - August. most leave by the end of September.

Still at the same pool another group of white birds were feeding. The Great White Egret.

Egret ( ardea alba)

Another large stately bird almost as big as a Heron. Thousands were killed in the 1800 for the fashion trade. The R.S.P.B. was established to end this mass slaughter. By 2006 over 300 Great White Egret were seen in Britain and figures have continued to rise. It is hoped they will breed in Britain soon. They feed with a harpoon action, standing silently before they strike.

Dragonflies are all over Minsmere zooming past as you walk to the hides. If you are lucky they land for a photo.

Sorry I haven't been able to identify them at the moment but I hope you like the pictures.

August part 1

More sun and heavy showers starting this month. A squirrel is visiting the garden - I thought the peanuts were going down fast.
3rd Young blackbird in the garden today. for the next few days mainly blackbirds and sparrows in the garden at the moment.
8th 3 young blackbirds in the garden with 2 collared doves. Do you like the picture it made me laugh.

Friday 10th -Sat18th Suffork. Spent the week at a campsite near Minsmere so daily trips there for the wildlife.
We watch a marsh harrier hunting just above the line of the reeds - under the tree line.

Marsh Harrier ( curcus aeruginosus)

similar to a buzzard in size the male is paler than the female who is chocolate brown. Often seen hunting low over a reed bed as in the picture. They feed by dropping onto its food from the air, feeds on small birds, ducklings, mammals especially rabbits.

He  posses for us on the marker posts before flying off and out of view.

In the island hide we eventually get a good view of a bittern who flies right across the windows to the other side of the hide. He is beautifully golden brown in the sun.

Bittern  (botaurus stellaris)

This is a small golden brown heron. It is very secretive and hard to spot until it flies - as I can testify .They live in fresh water, swamps and marshes feeding on fish, eels, amphibians mammals and small birds.

At another hide I get my first sight of an Avocet ,the emblem of the R.S.P.B.  A striking black and white bird with an upturned beak sifting to and fro in the water for food.

Avocet (recurvirostra avosetta)

A medium sized black and white wader with a long upturned bill. they are a social species breeding in loose colonies. In England most nest near shallow brackish coastal lagoons. They feed on insects, worms and crustaceans. In 1947 four pairs were found nesting at Minsmere and the R.S.P.B then leased the area.

July part 1

The first week has been awful record breaking rainfall.
7th-9th  Dorchester Rain! Rain! and more Rain!. Lots of flooding made it hard to get around. Saw my first live badger trundling along the roadside and a stoat like animal trying to escape the flooding. I have taken some pictures of hedgerow flowers I need to identify later.

Honeysuckle (lonicera periclymenum)

The trumpet flower whose bugles blow scent instead of sound.

Samuel Pepys

Also called woodbine it climbs by coiling around other plants. Herbalists used its flowers for headache potions , lung disease and asthma. Folklore said if honeysuckle was brought into a house , a wedding would follow. The flowers can be added to salads or to decorate desserts. The scent is stronger in the evening and moths can smell it from quarter of a mile away.

Common Mallow (malva sylvestris)

Found on dusty roadsides and waste ground. As early as the 8th century B.C. young mallow shoots were eaten as a vegetable. The Roman Pliny said mallow sap mixed with water gave him day long protection against ache sand pains. In medieval days mallow had a reputation as an anti-aphrodisiac because it promotes clam, sober behaviour. the leaves were also used to relive wasp stings and the sap was used in poultices. The fruit has also been called "billy buttons " and "cheese flower".

Wild Angelica (angelica sylvestris)

a froth of white flowers often tinged with pink, growing in woods or beside streams. Angelica received its name as it was seen as heavenly due to its herbal properties to aid digestion. In the 17th century Nicholas Culpepper recommended it used against "all epidermal disease".  He also stated it could be eaten as candy . It is still eaten like this today crystallised for cake decoration.

When we stopped at a lay by for what was a delicious bacon sandwich I spotted this beautiful orchid.

 Pyramidal orchid (Anacamptis pyramidalis)

Seen on chalk downland in mid July at their best. The flower has an abundant supply of nectar for both butterflies and moths. The scent has musky overtones.

On another outing in the caravan we see lots of the usuals -pigeons, rooks and 11 thrushes in the field - the most I've ever seen in one go.

The weather all month has been either sun or heavy rain. All the usuals in the garden, great tits, blue tits, goldfinch, sparrows, blackbirds.

 I took this picture of a water-lily on a trip to a local park they were being overflown by dragonflies and damselflies.

White water-Lily (nymphaea alba)

For poets the flower of the white water-lily was a symbol of purity of the heart. It is the largest flower in British flora. In Cheshire it is called the "lady of the lake". In Whiltshire and Dorset "swan amongst the flowers". The flowers are on stems up to 9ft long.

June part 3

4th We went to the live feed to see the Osprey on the nest and saw the chick. Later that day we go for a walk along the banks of the lake and WOW the male osprey flew around fishing. It was breathtakingly beautiful and just what we had come to see. He dived a couple of times before being successful and taking his catch back to the nest.

Osprey (pandion haliaetus)
Generally seen alone except at the nest sight. Often perches on dead trees in the feeding area. In flight its body and wings are larger than a buzzard and its wings appear kinked at the joint. The body has white underparts with a brown breast band. The vast majority of food is fish but will also eat small mammals, reptiles and amphibians. They leave their breeding grounds in mid August and head south, arriving in Africa in late September.

5th It was so wet today a couple of oystercatchers  and mallards are feeding on the field the caravan is in.
 6th More osprey action as we returned to the lake. The female flew passed us carrying a fish away from the nest sight with the male screeching above her and following. They both returned later still carrying the fish.
A great week bird spotting.
10th 2 young great tits in the garden, young blue tit, goldfinch and young starlings. The hedgehog came around 7pm.
15th Several young birds in the garden today- blackbird, collard dove,  bluetit, great tit , goldfinch- it is still very wet!
19th Poem

8 starlings come in fighting ,crashing.

while 4 blue and great tits arrive on silent wings.

3 goldfinch twitter their arrival,

while 3 blackbirds call a single note as they feed.

A robin comes and tuts while bobbing.

The sparrows cheep and chirp in the tree.

The dunnock is as quiet as a mouse,

 while the pigeon blunders about.

The hedgehog visits around 8

And a jay flies in much to my surprise.

This is the story of this sunrise.

.P. Beach

21st Jay again but too fast for a photo.  A greenfinch visits as does a pair of chaffinch sing beautifully in the tree. Both rare in my garden. The weather is still yuk!
27th Weather - beautiful at last. Glad to see the greenfinch and chaffinch again. The Jay came again and after an absence the cole tit has returned. No sign of the hedgehog for 3 nights.
28th Thunderstorm and torrential rain. I 've never seen the river so high.
30th It's been the wettest April - June since records began,

June part 2

3rd Another overcast day. Set out to see the Osprey. After a major trek up the side of a hill we came to the first viewing point. Sadly disappointing all we could see was a white blob on the nest (the female). Also saw 4 herons , a greater spotted woodpecker, jay, cole tits and a wren.
The higher view point was another major trek away but the views were better. The male had come to join the female- sitting on top of the dead tree the nest was in. Both were still small through the scope.

Osprey

On a gaunt and shattered tree.

By the black cliffs of obsidian

I saw the nest of the Osprey.

Nothing remained of the tree.

For this lonely Eyre

Save the undaunted bole

That cycles of the wind has assaulted

And clinging still to the bole,

Tenacious the top most branches.

Here to scan the heavens,

Nested the Osprey.

Jessie B. Rittenhouse

The female has been here since 2000, the male is new this year and is her son from 3 years ago. 3 eggs were laid but only one has hatched. The nest is the size of a double bed and lined with moss. The first they built was blown down so a new platform was put up for them.

That night the mountains turned from black to red in the setting sun, only to turn black again when the sun had set.

June part 1

Sat 2nd Diamond Jubilee weekend. Herdwick Croft, Caravan Park, Bassenthwaite, Cumbria.
Beautiful views of some of Cumbria's mountains from the camp site. We took a walk down by the lake in the evening and were entertained by a flock of swallows feeding over the water. A "V" of geese flies high over the hills which are shrouded in clouds, wild garlic and ragged robin grow on the shore under the canopy of trees whose trunks are all covered in moss.

Ragged Robin ( lychnis flos-cuculi) . Bringing a splash of colour to marshes. wet meadows and damp woodland throughout Britain . Although the flowers are usually pink, white flowers can also be found. The plant has tall, slender flowering stems. Flowers from May - June.  Like buttercups and marsh marigold they are also known as bachelor's buttons as country girls believed if they picked several flowers at the same time, giving each a name and put them in their apron, the first to flower would be that of their future husbands. Children called them thunder flowers as they believed picking them would make it thunder and lightening.

May part 2

18th Young starlings in the garden - the first young of the year.
19th On a trip to a friends I see my first flock of swallows of the year and a fox trotting along by the river on the way home.
20th 5 fledgling starlings in the garden. The male robin is feeding the female, part of a mating ritual. A chaffinch feeds on the ground, a rare visitor to the garden so this is a special treat.
26th The swallows were right the summer seems to have arrived the last few days have been beautiful.
The hedgehog has been coming to visit around 6pm going into the undergrowth and reappearing about 9pm.
28th  A visit up to Bedford and a beautiful silvery, white and black pheasants tail disappears into a hedgerow. We stop the car and the female shows up. It is new to me a Lady Amherst's Pheasant

Lady Amherst's Pheasant ( chrysolophus amherstiae)
Native to South Western China and Myanmar but have been introduced elsewhere. They have established a self-supporting but now declining feral population in Bedford England. The male is 100-12 cm in  length, his tail 80cm in length is unmistakable with its black and silver pattern that matches the cape around his head. It has red, blue,white and yellow body plumage. The cape can be raised in display. They feed on grain, le3aves and invertebrate's. At night they roost in trees.

Later the same day we see a Green Woodpecker feeding on the ground by the side of the road. Another first its been quite a day.

Laugh, woodpecker, down in the wood.

A. C. Brown

 Green Woodpecker ( picus viridis) Mainly found in open deciduous woodland, parkland, orchards, farmlands, healths and conifer woods. Often feeds on grassy pasture where it finds ants nests. Feeds on insects with its sticky tongue. Also eats eggs, larvae,  beetles, flies and caterpillars. Its used to be called "Yaffle" due to its laugh. Also known as "Rainbird" due to his song being heard in April the rain month.

May 2012 part 1

May is starting sunshine and showers. Dandelions are in full bloom. Dandelions are part of nature's medicine cabinet. The vitamin A and iron rich leaves are at their best in spring and can be added to salads along with the flower buds. The roots can be used in stir-fries. traditionally used to treat liver problems as the plant has a diuretic effect so will help the body expel excess fluid.
On a wildlife note Twits rely heavily on their seeds to eat.

5th arrived home and tried to open the gate only to find the hedgehog was behind it! I left her some food and after time she ate it all up.
6th This morning the hedgehog is asleep between our bins.

Sunny today 4 starlings making lots of noise in the garden, 4 goldfinch on sunflower seed and niger seed, great tits and blue tits visit, dunnocks, sparrows and robins also here.
12th /13th Beautiful weekend watching all my usuals visiting the garden. A pair of sparrows are mating in the blossom tree and stay most of the afternoon. At 9:40 2 Bats fly overhead the bat detector was on 43khz. the hedgehog appeared at 10pm.

April 2012 part 5

Still at the caravan park. Saturday afternoon the rain subsided a little so we went for a walk in the wood. Our first spot was a tree creeper flying to the bottom of the tree and moving upwards while spiralling round the trunk probing the bark for food. It uses its tail to steady itself.

Tree Creeper (Certhia familiaris)  Generally it is a solitary but will flock together with other small birds. It breeds in coniferous and deciduous woods  throughout Britain and Ireland. Living on a diet of insects and seeds.

Tree Creeper

Mouse up a tree,

White belly

Close to the bark,

Curved bill

And tail support.

       Robin  Ivy

April 2012 part 4

27th -28th  At a caravan park in Northhampton. Rabbits are feeding as we arrive and are surprisingly tolerant as we set up the van. We have beautiful views of the countryside with tree bordering fields of green and yellow rapeseed , a splash of sunshine on a rainy day. Another caravan has a bird feeder up attracting blue tits, great tits, chaffinch, blackbirds and pigeons.
The next day begins with heavy rain. Rabbits of all sizes feed in the field and two do what rabbits do best.

Rabbits (Oryctolagus cuniculus) Introduced from the continent as a valuable source of meat and skin in the 2th century. Rabbits are sociable animals living in colonies in burrow systems known as warrens. They live in a higher archy with dominant males and females and subordinates. Most activity takes place at night. They stay close to the warren to graze on grasses and flowers. They have a good sense of smell and hearing to help them evade predators. Rabbits keep their fur clean with regular grooming with teeth, tongue and claws.
A rabbit may sometimes be seen rubbing the ground with its chin sent marking territory - called "chinning".
When danger threatens rabbits thump the ground  with a hind leg to warn others.
In one year a rabbit can produce 20 offspring which can breed themselves in 4 months. However only a quarter of all rabbits grow to adult hood. The breeding season runs from January to August, 3-7 young are born in each brood . They leave the nest after 3 weeks and are weaned by 4 weeks.

April 2012 part 3

17th 4 goldfinch, 2male, 1 female blackbirds, pigeons, 2 collared doves, 2 blue tits, great tit, 3 starlings 1 magpie, 2 robins, 3 house sparrows -1male 2 females and a dunnock.

A hedgehog visits later that night. It has been a day of mixed weather, every season, rain , sun and  hail.
18th A short trip to Peterborough I saw 6 red kites and 4 kestrels hunting at the side.
20th Back home to a day of aggression ; the robin is attacking the dunnock, the starlings are fighting each other, and 3 blackbirds are also fighting.
23rd  My first walk by the river for a long time  a blackbird is singing and a moorhen swims on the river itself, a white butterfly flits about in the distance, a magpie flies across from one bank to the other and at last the kingfisher flies on through. It was nice to see him after so long.
25th Rain all day but the plants and soil need it. The birds are still visiting; 2 blue tits, 2 great tits, 4 goldfinch, pigeon, magpies, 2 robins, and 4 house sparrows.

April 2012 part 2

1st sunny but colder than of late. Two hedgehogs in the garden. They breed in April not long after coming out of hibernation.
3rd Only one hedgehog tonight.
4th After some beautiful sunny days snow has returned today mixed with rain. I watched a heron by the river standing on the grass trying to catch the frogs I think.
5th Two hedgehogs again .

12th Four goldfinch in the garden regularly now. It hailed today. A small bird of prey flies quickly through.

April part 1

I blogged theses pictures last year but have since read that during the bluetits mating display the male will make a simple flight of a few metre's from one perch to another as in the pictures. Courtship is a long process and is repeated each spring even by birds that have been paired for a long time.I hpe you dont mind the repeat.

March 2012 part 4

24th In the afternoon we went back to the kite feeding station we visited in the summer. They tell us that they feed different birds on different days and there is a pecking order with different birds arriving at different times, a 'blond' kite arribed in a later batch of feeders. They feed them in the afternoon so they still hunt in the mornings.
 A crowd of crows and rooks linned upon the fence to wait their turn.

25th We walk along the river to the bridge we see chaffinch chasing around, blue tuts, a wren, a robin, blackbirds,, rooks gathering mud from the river banks and 2 cole tits collecting moss and grass then dissapearing into a crevise  onbetween two stones at the top of the bank. A pellet lies under  a tree the locals tell us it belongs to a tawny owl.

As we pack up 3 buzzards soar overhead causing a panic in the rookery.
26th Back home and the first sighting this year of a hedgehog.
29th 4 goldfinch and 2 longtailed tits in the garden.
31st After a week of record highs March ends with a frost.

March 2012 part2

20th Visitors in the garden. blue tits, great tits, cole tits, sparrows,starlings, blackbirds. pigeons, collered doves, robins,2 dunnocks and 2 goldfinch. They are already talking about a drought.
21st A beautiful sunny day and a greenfinch is in the garden.
23rd Riverbend Caravan Park nr Welshpool.
After setting up camp we revisited the RSPB hide at lake Vyrnwy to get beautiful close up views of male and female chaffinch,

blue tits,

great  tits, greenfinch, cole tits,

dunnocks, greater spotted woodpecker,

siskin,

female and male pheasants,

nuthatch,

and a squirrel,

If your ever in this area I recommend comong here.

March 2012 part 1

1st A beautiful day daffodils are in flower.
3rd Driving back home from friends we see a meteor:  A piece of rock that travels through space until it falls within the gravitation field of a star or planet.
Blackthorn is in blossom , the first of the blossoms to appear.
13th Dads bush is covered in ladybirds. I think they shelter through the winter inside it. 2 ravens fight in the garden and sparrows are carrying nesting material.
15th Robin feeding mate in the garden.

 19th Trip to the wood on the nature reserve. We heard 2 woodpeckers, saw several blue tits, great tits, lesser celendine in flower and a tiny white flower carpeting the ground.

Common Chickweed ( Stellaria media) A world wide annual weed that has tiny white flowers. The seeds can be eaten by birds.
We also see 3 buzzards, a group of greylag geese, a small group of canada geeses, a wren, 4 blackbirds and this hole dug by a tree . What animal did this ?