Back at last

Wednesday 27 June 2012

Not sure if it's me (probably is) but I have been struggling to log in for the last week. So what have you missed - a new Ewelme bird for the year but not too exciting, a Red-legged Partridge but good to see this Chiffchaff on the upper site.

The Battle Farm survey on 23rd produced Collared Dove and Grey Partridge, both new for the year. The WeBS count round Dorchester lakes on 25th June produced a total of 5 new "year birds" - more an indication of how infrequently I get over there than anything else. For the record they were Corn Bunting, Jay, Linnet, Reed Warbler and Yellowhammer.
Preparations for the BioBlitz at Ewelme on 13/14 July are coming on apace though we could still use some "experts" for ID ing some of the more difficult groups - think we can cope with Birds, Butterflies, Moths and have promises of a Bee and wasp man together with his other half on liverworts.

Blue Tits fledged

Friday 8 June 2012
At last the Blue Tit/s left the garden nest box. Probably the worst June day for many a year but I guess when you've got to go...... I think there were at least two young that fledged as the adult appeared to be taking food, mostly from a fat ball, into two locations in the adjoining hedge.  Although it seems a poor return on the number of eggs laid I am convinced that there has only been one adult in the last week or so. A very good effort I reckon!

Mad Mallard

Tuesday 5 June 2012
An interesting experience during one of my regular Ewelme visits!  Whilst crossing the wooden bridge a female mallard with three young decided it didn't like the look of me and proceded to fly towards my legs squaking as it came.  It veered off when about a foot away and circled round me several times at about that distance. Normally they just run away so I'm not too sure what came over this one?

Usual birds but good to see a Hobby flypast. Strange that the Grey Wagtails left with the drought and have not re-appeared as yet.