Tuesday, 28 January 2014

Battle Farm Survey

Monday 27 January 2014

423 birds of 30 species this morning. Numbers boosted by 96 Black-headed Gulls, 75 Woodpigeon and 80 Rooks. Highlights included a Little Grebe and a Chiffchaff. Just 1 winter thrush, a Fieldfare and no Long-tailed Tits anywhere!

Sama as

Tuesday 28 January 2014

Fish eaters - Grey Heron and Kingfisher seem to have gone on holiday but the Water Rail continues to provide interest. Also, some what surprisingly at least for me, mating behaviour by a pair of Kestrels. Perhaps spring is on its way, or they think so anyway.

Wednesday, 22 January 2014

Flies

Wednesday 22 January 2014

Monthly Riverfly monitoring along the Ewelme Brook. Pleased to find the recent conditions have had no significant effect on species or numbers. Here is a Caddis Fly larvae - did you know that some do not make cases?


Monday, 20 January 2014

Dorchester WeBS count for January

Monday 20 January 2014

Lovely day for a change and it coincided with my visit to Dorchester for the monthly WeBS count. Grand total of 43 species, the birthday treat being a female Smew - unfortunately too far away for photography but a couple of Egyption Geese were more friendly! Also good numbers of Lapwing (250) and Golden Plover (100)

Saturday, 18 January 2014

2 new Ewelme year ticks

Saturday 18 January 2014

Nothing to get excited about at Ewelme Watercress Beds but they all count! Long-tailed Tit and Goldfinch new for 2014.  Apart from these only the usual Water Rail was worthy of note.

Sunday, 12 January 2014

Garden stuff

Sunday 12 January 2014

Couple of interesting sightings from the garden today. Although I have frequently seen a male blackcap in the garden this winter and, on one occasion two males, todays version was a female.

Also seen for the first time this winter a cracking male Reed Bunting but gone before I could find the camera. Have a Robin with a mouthful instead.


Thursday, 9 January 2014

Quiet at Ewelme

Thursday 9 January 2014

Usual culprits at the watercress beds including Kingfisher and Water Rail but not a lot else. I carefully spread some dried mealworms on the grass at home for the early bird survey but the hedgehog decided to return after a break of a few days to scoff the lot. First 2 birds in the garden at 0750 were robin and blackcap.

Sunday, 5 January 2014

Visitors 3 Guides 5

Sunday 5 January 2014

Perhaps not too surprisingly only 3 brave souls came along to the Guided Walk round the Ewelme site today. Very appreciative though and three new birds for my patch, 2014 list. Great Spotted Woodpecker, Collared Dove and Kestrel - up to 28 now.

Saturday, 4 January 2014

New year's birds

4 January 2014

Slow start for Ewelme birds but good to see Kingfisher, Water Rail, Grey Heron and Grey Wagtail. Please can we have some cold, dry weather?

Weather

4 January 2014

Well you wouldn't reckon it but 2013 was a drier than average year here in my Benson garden - admitedly only just - 97% of the average. Looked like being very dry at one stage but Oct and Dec put things back on track. Should keep Ewelme Brook running and the cress beds in good fettle. 

Wednesday, 1 January 2014

Warmish, Wet and Windy

Wednesday 1 January 2014

Not the best of weather to be out trying to kick off the local. Ewelme, patch to a good start. In fact just about the worst possible. Managed only 18 species before the rain drove me home but did manage to find Water Rail, Kingfisher and Grey Heron. Hopefully better weather tomorrow.