Species number 53 for the Ewelme Cress beds

Wednesday 23 March 2016

Although first seen in a TREE and then bathing in WATER I can't see anything to persuade me that it is not a MEADOW Pipit.

Flowers and flies

Tuesday 22 March 2016

Flowers on Yew trees and first butterfly on the watercress beds.

Spring - sort of

Thursday 17 March 2016

First few clumps of frogspawn appeared in the pond at Ewelme.

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

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!

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.

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.