Archive for the Category » birds «

the slime
Friday, April 20th, 2007 | Author:

A new visitor . . . .brown slime,
across the Mere.
Some sort of algae.
Have not been to site for while,
so don’t know how long it’s been here.
Looks nasty.

meanwhile, some more pleasant sights

The last two pics show our woodpecker at the feeders, but as you can see, he was being a bit secretive!
Look closely, in the upper pic. -he’s there.

From the far side of the bridge, across the Mere, I saw him arrive at the feeder. As I approached him, (very slowly and quietly across the bridge) he sidled around to the back of the feeder. You would never have realised he was there…. Luckily, we both held our nerve, the next frame captured him beautifully.

top: wren
middle: robin
bottom: gt. spotted woodpecker

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a few regulars
Friday, April 13th, 2007 | Author:

at the Mere, last Saturday, 07.04.2007

they may seem a little dull, but they all please the eye.
look closely, look at the subtle colours and patterns in the plumage.



top to bottom: Wren, Long Tailed Tit, Dunnock.

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I don’t believe it!
Wednesday, April 11th, 2007 | Author:
Someone has stolen the fritillaries! Ah, a short but beautiful life…….
Luckily Steve managed to capture them on camera before their rapid demise. Pictured here are photos taken recently by Keith: Wren, Blue Tit and Canada Goose.

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Tuesday, March 13th, 2007 | Author:

Today – had first sighting of a Brimstone butterfly.

There are also three Grey Wagtails on the Reserve.

Violets, Primroses, Marsh Marigolds, Daffodils and Forsythia are all in flower

Category: birds, first sightings, insects, plants  | Leave a Comment
Entertaining birdwatching book
Sunday, February 11th, 2007 | Author:

Although strictly this is not a sighting, it is sightings related. Simon Barnes’ book is entertaining and informative. Here is a bit I like:
He talks about jizz recognition (this is something I can do with herons) – ‘But looking and absorbing the shapes and sizes and movements of a bird is how you begin to get the hang of them. From the chaos of biodiversity comes a pattern and from the pattern comes the beginning of an understanding. You acquire the skill of jizz recognition simply by looking at birds you have already identified; because you see, identification is the beginning not the end of the process, and that is why birdwatching, good and bad, is the exact opposite of trainspotting’
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Redwing
Thursday, February 08th, 2007 | Author:

sighted again yesterday, more birds than the half dozen
or so spotted last week.
This time, perhaps 20, near the bridge/ railway embankment area and on the allotment adjoining The Mere,
They seemed to be everywhere!
Photo taken Nunnery Allotments side of the Ver.
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Britain’s smallest bird
Sunday, February 04th, 2007 | Author:

a Goldcrest, in the oak tree, behind the toolshed.

 

Not a great shot, but nice to see nonetheless.
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a few more sightings
Monday, January 29th, 2007 | Author:

saw this fellow again
(Gt. Spotted Woodpecker)
on the almost-dead tree by the hide.
lone Grey Wagtail, near the Shady Place.
some six Redwing in the tall trees,
other side of the Ver,
on opposite bank to The Mere.
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Spring?
Saturday, January 27th, 2007 | Author:

Spring thinks it has sprung I reckon.
Yesterday two Grey Wagtail were chasing
each other all over the site.
Today I saw only one.
Hope this does not mean none tomorrow!


Also, Snowdrops on the banks of the Ver

and a Wren near the Shady Place.

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What the wind blew in
Friday, January 19th, 2007 | Author:

Whilst walking around the Reserve and nearby areas to check for wind damage, two Mute swans and a Cormorant flew over the Reserve, all within seconds of each other. One Elder tree has been blown over at the Reserve, and two very large Ash trees and an Elder are down, close to the Nunnery allotments.

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