April part 14

My last entry for April and I've saved you something special. A video of Great Crested Grebes mating.!!

Great Created Grebe ( Podiceps cristatus) Only 42 pairs remained in England in 1860 due to the fashion of wearing feathers in hats. In 1891 the Society for the protection of Birds was formed and their numbers increased. The courtship display has been studied intensively and is famous for its elaborate postures and gestures. They nest in weeds by or in water. Laying 3-5 eggs. Feeds on small fish, mollusc's and vegetable matter.
 The month ends with sunshine but the wind makes it colder than it looks.

April 2011 part 13 gosh

|Bluebell wood part 2
Sitiing down to rest I spotted 2 flies mating so I took a picture as you do !

I think they are crane flies (Nephrotoma quaarifaria) 30 -40 mm Abundant May- September. The larva attacks roots of plants.
A red beetle walked passed.

Cardinal Beetle (Pyrochroa coccinea) 13-18mm A predatory beetle seen May- July. They feed on small animals under loose bark.

April 2011 part 12

Bluebell wood . The good weather has brought the bluebells out early this year. There is nothing more beautiful than the sights, smells and sounds of an English Bluebell Wood --in my opinion.

Bluebells (Endymion non-sciptus) This species is native to western Europe. It grows 20-50cm high and carpets woods with its purple/blue flowers.
Amongst the bluebells were dotted red campion.

Red Campion (Silene dioica) Grows in woods and hedgerows. Flowers May-June. Can be red or pink.
Campions are associated with snakes, the pounded seed being used to  treat snake bite. (I don't know how successfully. )

April part 11

nature reserve 17th
Pictures of Redshank mating.

Redshank ( Fringa Eotanus) Nests amongst grass in meadows nad inland coastal marshes. Lays 4 eggs Buff with dark brown spots. feeds on insects, small shellfish, worms, lugworms and some vegetable matter.
The male chases the female with his tail fanned out and head stretched forward, when she stops he raises his wings above his back and advances fluttering his wings.

April part 10

Nature reserve part 2
Ostercatchers gave us a flying display with three flying together in unison over the water before one lands close enough for a photo.

Ostercatcher ( Haematopus ostralegus)

63cm Black and white plumage with long orange beak which enables it to prize open shell fish and probes the mud for food. Seen at the shore and on lakes and rivers. lays 2-3 pale buff eggs with blotches. Feeds on mussels and other mollusc's , crustacea, worms and insects.

Canada Goose (Branta canaderisis) Present all year they are sociable birds nesting togrther close to marshes and pasture. Laying 5-6 dirty white eggs. Feeding on vegetation- chiefly grass and some insects.

Hawthorn or may(crataegus monogyna) a small spiny tree growing in hedgerows and at the edge of woods. white flowers grow in dense fragrant clusters and have purple stamens when leaves are out. The wood makes good charcoal.
                                      "Hedgerows all alive,
                                       With birds and gnats and large white butterflies.
                                      Which look as if the Mayflower had caught life
                                      and palpitated forth upon the wind....E.B. Browning

April part 9

Marsh Lane Nature Reserve 17th
From the first hide we managed to see a Lapwing and Wheatear.

Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) Or peewit. Named after the sound of its song or lapping song of his wings during the aerial display of the courting male. They feed over farmland on insects and may join other waders on the coast. Lays 4 olive/buff eggs heavily marked with black.

                                          "Whizz goes the pewit o'er the ploughman's team.
                                            With many a whew and whirl and sudden scream...John Clare

Wheatear (oenenthe oenanthe ) A visitor here from March - October. Lives in open country, from high moors to the coast. Nests in holes in the ground or in walls and rocks. Lays 6 pale blue eggs. Feeds on insects an larvae, spiders, centipedes and snails.

April part 8

Kingsbury water park 15th
Black headed gulls skim across the water feeding on beetles.

Black-headed gull (larus ridibundus) His head is actually a chocolate brown colour in summer and white in winter, Very common both at the coast and inland. nesting in colonies. Lays 3 eggs April - July. It is a scavenger feeding on scraps, crabs, snails, worms and insects.