Wow!

Friday (good!) 29 March 2013

Just ocassionally, but in my case very rarely, local patch surveying comes up with something special.  Today it was a Black Redstart on my monthly Battle Farm survey. Also several Chiffchaffs, though not singing, and a few Goldcrests. Not bad pics with my point and shoot!

Chiffy

Wednesday 27 March 2013

At last a Chiffchaff on the beds but was it an overwintering bird or a summer visitor?  I would like to think it was a recent arrival as it is the first I have seen this winter. I have never seen one feeding in this way - hopping arouind on the watercress picking up insects. Quite sensible really as the water temperature was nearly 10°C, about 8°C above the air temperature.

Nest

Wednesday 13 March 2013

Discovered this Moorhen's nest at Ewelme cress beds today. At first I thought that with current temperatures and in such an exposed place the chance of survival was remote. However seeing the adult leave the nest, swim underwater for about 10m before surfacing and creating a distraction by shouting, flapping and splashing perhaps there is hope!

March WeBS count at Dorchester

Monday 11 March 2013

One of the worst counts, from a weather perspective, that I can remember with wind strong enough to blow the telescope over and freezing temperatures. 1143 individuals of 20 species. Wigeon and Teal numbers fallen significantly since February (243 and 119 respectively). Highest Lapwing count of the winter at Dorchester and 29 Golden Plovers amongst them. Probably the most surprising was a complete lack of Gadwall.

Frogs

Sunday 11 March 2013

1st frogspawn of the year at Ewelme.

Mainly insects

Tuesday 5 March 2013

Several butterflies on show today. Brimstone and Small Tortoiseshell down allotment in benson then 3 Brimstones, a Small Tortoiseshell and a Peacock on the Watercress Beds nature reserve. A lovely patch of Coltsfoot (feet?) with several Hoverflies and a Small Tort enjoying the nectar. Also a chaffinch enjoying a bathe in floodwater in the meadow.