Monday 29 February 2016

February river fly monitoring

Monday 29 February 2016

Beauty of river fly monitoring is that we almost always see something new. Today's was a Stone Loach.

Also various other d of interest.
This Gammarus (freshwater shrimp) has a parasite (polumorphus) attacking it. Seen the signs of them inside the shrimp but never one with its head buried in one.

Mayfly

Caddis

Caseless Caddis



Sunday 28 February 2016

Return of the plastic

Sunday 28 February 2016

After going AWOL for a couple of weeks the male Mandarin put in an appearance again today. Not much else of interest though!

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Dorchester WeBS count for February

Tuesday 23 February 2016

Total of 50 species and over 1500 individuals. Highlights were two Egyptian Geese, 2 Shelduck and a Stonechat, though 345 Wigeon, 243 Tufted Ducks, 340 Coot and 218 Lapwing also of note.

Distant Stonechat

One of a pair of Egyptian geese in a horse paddock.

Tuesday 16 February 2016

All present and correct - almost

Tuesday 16 February 2016

Mandarin, Little Egret and Water Rail all present but, a bit surprisingly considering the overnight freeze, the green Sandpiper not seen. Slight compensation with a pair of Bullfinches.



Monday 15 February 2016

Out of hiding

Monday 15 February 2016

Little Egret and Green Sandpiper at the cress beds but no sign of the Water Rail or Mandarin. On the way back good numbers of Fieldfare, Lapwing and Golden Plover plus double figures of Skylark at Cottesmore.

Friday 12 February 2016

New year ticks for the cress beds

Friday 12 February 2016

Nothing to get too excited about but always good to see Blackcap and Skylark. Trouble is the Little Egret and Mandarin had gone missing - don't expect they have gone far just hiding from me. Water Rail sited very briefly - I estimate approximately half a second!

Tuesday 9 February 2016

still around

Tuesday 9 February 2016

After a couple of weeks gap the Water Rail put in an appearance - I was beginning to think the Sprawk might have had it. Little Egret still about as is the Mandarin. Grey Wagtails seem to be getting very frisky chasing one another about - could be as many as three pairs.