The cress beds supplied Water Rail and Kingfisher and the garden a couple of male Blackcaps - oh for a Linnet on the nature reserve! OK - I know the pics leave something to be desired but I think I'm improving.
Saturday, 28 December 2013
Bright and sunny both weather and birds
Saturday 28 December 2013
The cress beds supplied Water Rail and Kingfisher and the garden a couple of male Blackcaps - oh for a Linnet on the nature reserve! OK - I know the pics leave something to be desired but I think I'm improving.
The cress beds supplied Water Rail and Kingfisher and the garden a couple of male Blackcaps - oh for a Linnet on the nature reserve! OK - I know the pics leave something to be desired but I think I'm improving.
Thursday, 26 December 2013
Boxing day Battle farm survey
Thursday 26 december 2013
303 birds of 31 species counted. Highlights included Grey Partridge (10), Moorhen (3) - first of the year, Stock Dove (9), Meadow Pipit (12), Pied Wagtail (32) - these and the Pipits around puddles in the various fields, Redwing and Fieldfare (a few of each), Linnet (26), Chiffchaff (1). Surprisingly NO Long-tailed Tits or Goldfinches.
Blackcap in the garden.
303 birds of 31 species counted. Highlights included Grey Partridge (10), Moorhen (3) - first of the year, Stock Dove (9), Meadow Pipit (12), Pied Wagtail (32) - these and the Pipits around puddles in the various fields, Redwing and Fieldfare (a few of each), Linnet (26), Chiffchaff (1). Surprisingly NO Long-tailed Tits or Goldfinches.
Blackcap in the garden.
Tuesday, 24 December 2013
More of the same but one addition.
Tuesday 24 December 2013
Kingfisher, Water Rail mand Grey Wagtails at Ewelme and a male Blackcap in the garden at lunch time feeding on a fatball.
Kingfisher, Water Rail mand Grey Wagtails at Ewelme and a male Blackcap in the garden at lunch time feeding on a fatball.
Sunday, 22 December 2013
Headless bather
Sunday 22 December 2013
Still searching for that elusive Linnet for my Ewelme Cress Beds list for this year. Water rail, Kingfisher and a couple of grey Wagtails were about the best on offer today.
Still searching for that elusive Linnet for my Ewelme Cress Beds list for this year. Water rail, Kingfisher and a couple of grey Wagtails were about the best on offer today.
Thursday, 19 December 2013
Noisy and quiet
Thursday 19 december 2013
The choppers and flying lawnmowers supplied the noise and the birds the quiet. All the usual culprits including Water Rail and Grey Wagtail/s. Little to point camera at so resorted to a bunny and a Kite.
The choppers and flying lawnmowers supplied the noise and the birds the quiet. All the usual culprits including Water Rail and Grey Wagtail/s. Little to point camera at so resorted to a bunny and a Kite.
Tuesday, 17 December 2013
Dorchester
Tuesday 17 December 2013
Monthly WeBS count at Dorchester. 1552 birds of 22 species. Best was a pair of Pintail and 8 Egyptian Geese, the latter in pairs and very noisy. Probably would have been more birds but hardly anything on the Sailing Club Pit where a dredger was busy deepening the water round the islands. Not sure what that will do for the wildlife but doubt it will help.
Monthly WeBS count at Dorchester. 1552 birds of 22 species. Best was a pair of Pintail and 8 Egyptian Geese, the latter in pairs and very noisy. Probably would have been more birds but hardly anything on the Sailing Club Pit where a dredger was busy deepening the water round the islands. Not sure what that will do for the wildlife but doubt it will help.
Monday, 16 December 2013
Hogs still
Monday 16 December 2013
Still entertaining two Hedgehogs in the garden at night plus the usual cat but they don't appear interested in one another. Sorry film is rubbish - it was raining but much better before uploading.
Tuesday, 10 December 2013
Bitten of more than he/she could chew
Tuesday 10 December 2013
Watched his Water Rail for about 10 minutes struggling to eat the bullhead (millars thumb,codger - whatever). At one stage it dropped it and proceded to stab it repeatably.
Watched his Water Rail for about 10 minutes struggling to eat the bullhead (millars thumb,codger - whatever). At one stage it dropped it and proceded to stab it repeatably.
Monday, 9 December 2013
How fast?
Monday 9 December 2014
Chased a Kingfisher back from Ewelme towards Benson. I was doing just under 30mph (honest officer) and it seemed to be leaving me! Female Blackcap on the beds after a couple of weeks absence. Fieldfare glowing in the sunshine.
Chased a Kingfisher back from Ewelme towards Benson. I was doing just under 30mph (honest officer) and it seemed to be leaving me! Female Blackcap on the beds after a couple of weeks absence. Fieldfare glowing in the sunshine.
Sunday, 8 December 2013
Sparrows
Sunday 8 December 2014
Water Rail, Grey Heron, Lots of Fieldfares decimating the Hawthorn berries and double figure House Sparrows decimating the seeds in the feeders.
Water Rail, Grey Heron, Lots of Fieldfares decimating the Hawthorn berries and double figure House Sparrows decimating the seeds in the feeders.
Friday, 6 December 2013
Still the search goes on
Friday 6 December 2013
Just can't find a Linnet anywhere at the Ewelme site and there's not many days left this year. A few "iffy" pics just because I can.
Just can't find a Linnet anywhere at the Ewelme site and there's not many days left this year. A few "iffy" pics just because I can.
Thursday, 5 December 2013
Two ---- probably
Thursday 5 December 2013
There were either:
2 Water Rails at Ewelme this morning
or
1 extremely secretive and fast running individual.
There were either:
2 Water Rails at Ewelme this morning
or
1 extremely secretive and fast running individual.
Wednesday, 4 December 2013
What month is it?
Wednesday 4 December 2013
Even though you would know by the temperature there is still a hedgehog visiting my garden each night and, at Ewelme today, a pair of Mallards mating.
Even though you would know by the temperature there is still a hedgehog visiting my garden each night and, at Ewelme today, a pair of Mallards mating.
Thursday, 28 November 2013
Fish
Thursday 28 November 2013
Caught this beautiful Brown Trout whilst riverfly surveying on Ewelme Brook today. Also 3 Miller's Thumbs (codgers).
Caught this beautiful Brown Trout whilst riverfly surveying on Ewelme Brook today. Also 3 Miller's Thumbs (codgers).
Tuesday, 26 November 2013
1st Snipe of the winter
Tuesday 26 November 2013
On the beds hidden amongst the watercress until disturbed. Also Kingfisher and Water Rail calling.
On the beds hidden amongst the watercress until disturbed. Also Kingfisher and Water Rail calling.
Monday, 25 November 2013
Eating me out of house & home
Monday 25 November 2013
What with trying to feed up a couple of smallish hedghogs at home and this greedy thing pinching my home made fat balls at Ewelme I might need a second morgage! Three hogs still visiting each night. Trouble is a cat is as well and I think that is eating the bulk of the cat food I am supplying for the hogs. Ideas anyone?
What with trying to feed up a couple of smallish hedghogs at home and this greedy thing pinching my home made fat balls at Ewelme I might need a second morgage! Three hogs still visiting each night. Trouble is a cat is as well and I think that is eating the bulk of the cat food I am supplying for the hogs. Ideas anyone?
Saturday, 23 November 2013
Friday, 22 November 2013
All quiet at Ewelme
Friday 22 November 2013
Not a great deal to report and I am still searching for a Linnet to add to my anual list. A few photos to fill the page.
Always amuses me to see Mallards waiting for the next seed to drop. They favour Greenfinches as they seem to be the "messiest" eaters but they are in very short supply at Ewelme at the moment.
Not a great deal to report and I am still searching for a Linnet to add to my anual list. A few photos to fill the page.
Thursday, 7 November 2013
Insects but no birds
Thursday 7 November 2013
Perhaps the lack of birds was down to a large female Sparrowhawk patrolling the reserve. Plenty of unidentified insects over the warm spring water and a Red Admiral apparently searching buildings for somewhere to spend the winter.
Perhaps the lack of birds was down to a large female Sparrowhawk patrolling the reserve. Plenty of unidentified insects over the warm spring water and a Red Admiral apparently searching buildings for somewhere to spend the winter.
Wednesday, 6 November 2013
Pigs and Blackcap still
Wednesday 6 November 2014
The night camera revealed 2 Hedgehogs still visiting the Garden - I have stitched to bits together to show the size difference.
A bird count round the Watercress Beds was most noteworthy by a male Blackcap a a small group, at least 3, of Grey Partridges.
The night camera revealed 2 Hedgehogs still visiting the Garden - I have stitched to bits together to show the size difference.
A bird count round the Watercress Beds was most noteworthy by a male Blackcap a a small group, at least 3, of Grey Partridges.
Wednesday, 30 October 2013
Quiet at Ewelme
Wednesday 30 October 2013
Not a great deal to report from the cress beds. Red Admiral and Peacock still about and a party of 7 distant Grey Partridge on the way back is about as good as it got.
Not a great deal to report from the cress beds. Red Admiral and Peacock still about and a party of 7 distant Grey Partridge on the way back is about as good as it got.
Sunday, 27 October 2013
No Tits!
Sunday 27 October 2013
Wonder if that title will get past the censors? My monthly Battle Farm survey - 217 individuals of 25 species. Most noteworthy was the total lack of any Tits whatsoever - guess they were keeping their heads down in the strong wind. Just one new year bird for the site - a Redwing, though how I missed them at the start of the year I have no idea.
Wonder if that title will get past the censors? My monthly Battle Farm survey - 217 individuals of 25 species. Most noteworthy was the total lack of any Tits whatsoever - guess they were keeping their heads down in the strong wind. Just one new year bird for the site - a Redwing, though how I missed them at the start of the year I have no idea.
Saturday, 26 October 2013
S Devon Day 6
Thursday 24 October 2013
Last day and it failed to go out with a bang. Spent several hours searching the lane up from Pig's Nose valley for either the recently seen Yellow Browed Warbler or the Red-breasted Flycatcher. I think I was fairly close to the RB Fly at one time as it had been watched until disturbed by a tractor chasing about a million sheep! These delayed my arrival!
Last day and it failed to go out with a bang. Spent several hours searching the lane up from Pig's Nose valley for either the recently seen Yellow Browed Warbler or the Red-breasted Flycatcher. I think I was fairly close to the RB Fly at one time as it had been watched until disturbed by a tractor chasing about a million sheep! These delayed my arrival!
Wednesday, 23 October 2013
S Devon Day 5
Wednesday 23 October 2013
Strong SW wind and showers, some heavy. Searched Pig's Nose valley in the vain hope of finding the YBW last seen on 19th but if it was there I couln't find it - several Chiffchaffs was about as good as it got. Sea had calmed down so not much chance of seeing anything there. Nice meal at the Church Inn, Stokenham compensated somewhat as did a Clouded Yellow on the way back. Other butterflies - Red Admirals everywhere, single Small White and Painted Lady.
Strong SW wind and showers, some heavy. Searched Pig's Nose valley in the vain hope of finding the YBW last seen on 19th but if it was there I couln't find it - several Chiffchaffs was about as good as it got. Sea had calmed down so not much chance of seeing anything there. Nice meal at the Church Inn, Stokenham compensated somewhat as did a Clouded Yellow on the way back. Other butterflies - Red Admirals everywhere, single Small White and Painted Lady.
Tuesday, 22 October 2013
S Devon Day 4
Tuesday 22 October 2014
Wind still strong and lots of showers, some heavy in the morning though mostly sunshine in afternoon. Best birds of the day a Garganey at Charleton Marsh, Peregrine and Black Redstart at Torcross - unfortunately none of the above photographable. Instead the best i could manage:-
Gadwall
Herring Gull
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Wind still strong and lots of showers, some heavy in the morning though mostly sunshine in afternoon. Best birds of the day a Garganey at Charleton Marsh, Peregrine and Black Redstart at Torcross - unfortunately none of the above photographable. Instead the best i could manage:-
Gadwall
Herring Gull
and Black-headed Gull
Monday, 21 October 2013
S Devon Day 3
Monday 21 October 2013
Bit of a non day with strong wind and very frequent rain showers. Didn't even take the camera out. Only half decent dird was a Common Sandpiper on the R Dart.
Bit of a non day with strong wind and very frequent rain showers. Didn't even take the camera out. Only half decent dird was a Common Sandpiper on the R Dart.
Sunday, 20 October 2013
S Devon Day 2
Sunday 20 October 2013
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Strong wind but good sunny afternoon. I think the birds were sheltering out of the wind as there wasn't much on show. Spent an hour admiring the flying skills of a couple of Ravens who appeared to be playing in the updraft in front of the cliff.
This Grey Heron seems to have strayed into the territory of a couple of Herring Gulls who soon saw it off.
Late afternoon at least 3 Swallows who seemed in no hurry to migrate and were happily hunting insects outside the window.
Strong wind but good sunny afternoon. I think the birds were sheltering out of the wind as there wasn't much on show. Spent an hour admiring the flying skills of a couple of Ravens who appeared to be playing in the updraft in front of the cliff.
Late afternoon at least 3 Swallows who seemed in no hurry to migrate and were happily hunting insects outside the window.
Saturday, 19 October 2013
S Devon day 1
Saturday 19 October 2013
Birds not special but amazing weather for the time of year - could there be some connection? Highlight probably the Cirl Bunting, but hardly even noteworthy down here!
In the same bush a female Reed Bunting
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Also of note - a couple of Swallows fighting their way south against the wind and Red Admirals a plenty and a few Commas and Speckled Woods with a single Painted Lady.
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Birds not special but amazing weather for the time of year - could there be some connection? Highlight probably the Cirl Bunting, but hardly even noteworthy down here!
In the same bush a female Reed Bunting
Also of note - a couple of Swallows fighting their way south against the wind and Red Admirals a plenty and a few Commas and Speckled Woods with a single Painted Lady.
Thursday, 17 October 2013
New Ewelme tick
Thursday 17 October 2013
Highlight of todays visit - come to think of it probably highlight of 2013 was this Wigeon. In 11 years of recording birds on the Watercress beds this is the firs Wigeon I have seen.
Supporting cast was a showey Water Rail, until it spotted me.
And also on show a Comma, a Small White butterfly and a pair of Common Darters busy egg laying in the pond.
Highlight of todays visit - come to think of it probably highlight of 2013 was this Wigeon. In 11 years of recording birds on the Watercress beds this is the firs Wigeon I have seen.
Supporting cast was a showey Water Rail, until it spotted me.
And also on show a Comma, a Small White butterfly and a pair of Common Darters busy egg laying in the pond.
Tuesday, 15 October 2013
Lions Roar
Tuesday 15 October 2013
The title refers to the quarterly publication of RAF Benson where Ewelme Watercress Beds and the efforts of some of the young airmen from the camp helping the volunteers is featured. This dates back to 10 July.
Wallingford Green Gym on hand today to clear the cut material from the Millbrook Mead site and, in addition chicken wire was fixed to entrance bridge to improve grip.
The title refers to the quarterly publication of RAF Benson where Ewelme Watercress Beds and the efforts of some of the young airmen from the camp helping the volunteers is featured. This dates back to 10 July.
Sunday, 6 October 2013
Ewelme guided walk
Sunday 6 October 2013
Only 5 visitors for todays guided walk at Ewelme but some late summer sightings including those pictured below as well as still some warblers (Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs).
Only 5 visitors for todays guided walk at Ewelme but some late summer sightings including those pictured below as well as still some warblers (Blackcaps and Chiffchaffs).
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