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.







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.

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!


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.

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

 
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.

Sunday 20 October 2013

S Devon Day 2

Sunday 20 October 2013


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.


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



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.

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.


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).