tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43850473962789342272024-03-04T23:41:33.047-08:00Phil Coles - Natural History BlogA journal of wildlife seen during walks in areas of Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire close to the Buckinghamshire village of Worminghall. The blog will also include wildlife notes from other areas visited.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-26858218594035422332012-01-24T04:01:00.000-08:002012-01-24T04:01:20.600-08:00The view from the Worminghall home office window – January 24th 2012!<br />
This is a first for me but certainly not for others; Siskin ( Carduelis spinus - <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/siskin/index.aspx">http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/s/siskin/index.aspx</a> ) – pair at the garden feeders <br />
<br />Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-45682534000111451682011-12-31T09:20:00.001-08:002012-01-01T01:37:42.535-08:00Rushbeds Wood & Lapland FarmWith the blessing of the family I enjoyed an end of year walk around Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm (<a href="http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23527">http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23527</a>).
Given the time of year and the fact that it was late afternoon by the time I arrived, neither the Wood nor the fields were packed with wildlife. However, 18 bird species were seen and identified, and 20+ gulls (Larus sp.) we're seen overflying the reserve but not identified. I am useless with gulls so need to get some lessons!! Of particular note were 2 Raven (Corvus corax). All the birds (excluding the gulls) were recorded in BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack">http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack</a>).
Other wildlife sightings were limited to Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and evidence of European Mole (Talpa europaea) activity.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-50095039948302575152011-06-17T22:55:00.001-07:002011-06-17T22:55:38.336-07:00The view from the Worminghall home office window - June 17th 2011!This is a first for me but certainly not for others; Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) – pair feeding juvenile with peanuts from the neighbor’s garden feeder. I will get my feeders up today!Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-13908094872269086682011-06-15T23:08:00.000-07:002011-06-15T23:32:35.363-07:00The view from the Worminghall home office window - June 15th 2011!Blackbird (Turdus merula) – a pair feeding young and one juvenile.<br />
Blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) – 1<br />
Great tit (Parus major) – 1<br />
Song thrush (Turdus philomelos) – 1 in full song<br />
Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) – at least 2<br />
Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) – 1 briefly in the neighbor’s garden<br />
Red kite (Milvus milvus) – 1<br />
House sparrow (Passer domesticus) – at least 4<br />
Jackdaw (Corvus monedula) – 2 or 3 calling and flying through<br />
<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">Woodpigeon (Columba palumbus) - 2</span>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-24652497579603222011-05-14T13:36:00.000-07:002011-05-14T13:43:54.850-07:00Rushbeds Wood - BuckinghamshireI enjoyed a short walk in Rushbeds Wood today. The weather was not so good with about 95% cloud cover, a moderate wind and, when compared with recent weeks, a ‘cool’ temperature of 17°C.<br />
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Birds:<br />
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19 bird species were seen and records of them were loaded to BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack">http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack</a>). There were no species of great note seen during this visit; though, I did get some close views of a ♀ Chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) collecting nest lining material. I also recorded on my Blackberry a ♂ Blackbird (Turdus merula) in full song with a Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) providing the backing track!<br />
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Butterflies:<br />
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Just 2 Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria) were noted. I did obtain this nice photograph of the first of them. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUtHyK-FnfJ_deDU_4xRn7AVCh43v95PxDxgRzTdofydW59sxL-sYFGpBhmZEO4u6kDCHoVA0C806R64cBXz8qNVqt65tpwk9PXaJG2ywVFlJ4RS3c2nN-iP_C7ylrtDMqgGUqTQJKtdA/s1600/April+23rd+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="273" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGUtHyK-FnfJ_deDU_4xRn7AVCh43v95PxDxgRzTdofydW59sxL-sYFGpBhmZEO4u6kDCHoVA0C806R64cBXz8qNVqt65tpwk9PXaJG2ywVFlJ4RS3c2nN-iP_C7ylrtDMqgGUqTQJKtdA/s320/April+23rd+2011+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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Other insects:<br />
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A single Hornet (Vespa crabro) was on the wing, plus I photographed the following moth species.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdo5o_9yz-3JWa3ozcawjUJJakhtLYtMeBWn0ED_Gz2J8NM_aO2SBPhXRbWC658pYw8bMM_w11UYlDDAiXdRZMQfKTA6RiSA8mI5aoA39O-x9HTI6x4MwaRMmvKOlgnqvwtEpH3ev0p-R/s1600/April+23rd+2011+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="255" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTdo5o_9yz-3JWa3ozcawjUJJakhtLYtMeBWn0ED_Gz2J8NM_aO2SBPhXRbWC658pYw8bMM_w11UYlDDAiXdRZMQfKTA6RiSA8mI5aoA39O-x9HTI6x4MwaRMmvKOlgnqvwtEpH3ev0p-R/s320/April+23rd+2011+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I think this is a Cream Wave (Scopula floslactata); however, I will ask the iSpot (<a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage">http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage</a>) community to confirm that.<br />
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Flora:<br />
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I took the following pictures:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOKuwGNsZN6CUykJ3uys0tX2Cg8IB4xSCrZvI2T150AOKEPUTGBTf6poP0FQHvi6ihrEDVpF8lz1LXDEKG6nJoJEP_v-3S3BR-gbk4v77Vrq_CUH2bYz-5nO_IeXtP_ixE5O02DfkDRWd/s1600/April+23rd+2011+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdOKuwGNsZN6CUykJ3uys0tX2Cg8IB4xSCrZvI2T150AOKEPUTGBTf6poP0FQHvi6ihrEDVpF8lz1LXDEKG6nJoJEP_v-3S3BR-gbk4v77Vrq_CUH2bYz-5nO_IeXtP_ixE5O02DfkDRWd/s320/April+23rd+2011+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">One of the Brambles (Rubus fruticosus agg.)</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmMjJfgOSLJqV15c9O0bqq7IgNRhI_AltCJvI4OjpRrHhpxoDWn024YRSx8EaSggS-mq82_3Aeh4yCIN4Ztp3Sb2sGkhn44VWpOUeIFRBtrL2IqgzCWxn7ZbP50XhCQMyeB5ucn3i7LPG/s1600/April+23rd+2011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="277" j8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmMjJfgOSLJqV15c9O0bqq7IgNRhI_AltCJvI4OjpRrHhpxoDWn024YRSx8EaSggS-mq82_3Aeh4yCIN4Ztp3Sb2sGkhn44VWpOUeIFRBtrL2IqgzCWxn7ZbP50XhCQMyeB5ucn3i7LPG/s320/April+23rd+2011+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Spindle (Euonymus europaeus)</div><br />
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See <a href="http://philcoles-naturalhistoryblog.blogspot.com/">http://philcoles-naturalhistoryblog.blogspot.com/</a> for photographs and notes.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-61564757641261811172011-04-23T04:38:00.000-07:002011-04-23T04:46:31.564-07:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">I went back to our pond this morning to check the exuviae of the Coenagrionidae damselflies that I noted yesterday. This time I found and photographed a couple in immature adults. Though these were immature insects I think, from checking out my field guide, that they are Large Red Damselflies (Pyrrhosoma nymphula). However, I am by no means sure so will check with the folks on iSpot to see what they think!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nB90DQdXOI9PixIkTr1MjCBsl0nq1qBRObWtw1dH7OOZkpnuD1coX9NR7AiwEOxJUIhxqkSJUk6koR8iSnyaeduKeMdW4jRzbvgQ_x_GhNtvEs5EGMlGml6OVfFPuR4h-lNXMB9GwlBr/s1600/April+23rd+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="232" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4nB90DQdXOI9PixIkTr1MjCBsl0nq1qBRObWtw1dH7OOZkpnuD1coX9NR7AiwEOxJUIhxqkSJUk6koR8iSnyaeduKeMdW4jRzbvgQ_x_GhNtvEs5EGMlGml6OVfFPuR4h-lNXMB9GwlBr/s320/April+23rd+2011+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkohAKtPEOYZOXAPVBE5Oy_mdngt5GCMlvwVZoivOWMo3SbIlvxetrVQsoIomQKNbIntK_fsYSknUVVVBYzZXFKr7KhtRogmHH6Yzg0bx1W-HR6vX42Fbg7h1M6nUrCMI9b3zSCkUfB_1j/s1600/April+23rd+2011+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkohAKtPEOYZOXAPVBE5Oy_mdngt5GCMlvwVZoivOWMo3SbIlvxetrVQsoIomQKNbIntK_fsYSknUVVVBYzZXFKr7KhtRogmHH6Yzg0bx1W-HR6vX42Fbg7h1M6nUrCMI9b3zSCkUfB_1j/s320/April+23rd+2011+007.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-themecolor: text1;">Also noted that the tadpoles of the Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) are maturing rapidly in our wonderful spring sunshine!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fsGtAxO8PyQyQFDsDQ3q6hG4dxf7uZT7dE0v6DsLN9FtOkF_3htTi9byPP2hWOJXuPsbtkqEb56P6Obio7shGwa5Mk-t_1lS5v5iWyRXkxbG9se0ppOFloJlJOk5ZyoRYaF6LVfOuKTz/s1600/April+23rd+2011+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-fsGtAxO8PyQyQFDsDQ3q6hG4dxf7uZT7dE0v6DsLN9FtOkF_3htTi9byPP2hWOJXuPsbtkqEb56P6Obio7shGwa5Mk-t_1lS5v5iWyRXkxbG9se0ppOFloJlJOk5ZyoRYaF6LVfOuKTz/s320/April+23rd+2011+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-84707466623087023242011-04-22T11:56:00.000-07:002011-04-22T11:56:50.680-07:00Lea Park, Thame, OxfordshireThe pond at home is very popular with the local Honey Bees (Apis mellifera). I am not sure where their nest is located (certainly not in our garden); however, there is a constant stream of the bees coming to the pond to drink.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO816NGsy-swfet28Dl02Ha1wN0MIf0htfJ6jPzwfrvDe3b7nDHIwupiCxiqDJTvaS0vIa1hjxP5jJD48qgbIIK1Bo_IVhVB2Xik5gmpZzaWdY7YG-9gWu1bCvBDUFssMKLdhsrNl-ITvY/s1600/April+22nd+2011+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO816NGsy-swfet28Dl02Ha1wN0MIf0htfJ6jPzwfrvDe3b7nDHIwupiCxiqDJTvaS0vIa1hjxP5jJD48qgbIIK1Bo_IVhVB2Xik5gmpZzaWdY7YG-9gWu1bCvBDUFssMKLdhsrNl-ITvY/s320/April+22nd+2011+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Honey Bees (Apis mellifera)</div><br />
While watching the bees I noticed many exuviae of Coenagrionidae damselflies. I am not sure to what species they belonged to as only one adult was seen and then only for a very short time. However, that brief view convinced me that the exuviae were from one of the blue/black Coenagrionidae.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6QgM_CS2kElyXImAZarwHziV6GdZilcnZzIMBtcYUCAkhteRDdQMyAMfiuvF4fEOnRSudbpncJBZBwR_k9lllPshyxOvwdSbv3TJYO91ZBiAZH_sndfFrlOJ9B4q7cemXVyON5OFr5DS/s1600/April+22nd+2011+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX6QgM_CS2kElyXImAZarwHziV6GdZilcnZzIMBtcYUCAkhteRDdQMyAMfiuvF4fEOnRSudbpncJBZBwR_k9lllPshyxOvwdSbv3TJYO91ZBiAZH_sndfFrlOJ9B4q7cemXVyON5OFr5DS/s320/April+22nd+2011+002.jpg" width="287" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWsyOHwwCR4eQQjLXM30Dc2VHv_bIhxWa9A59rvnlQoJCS7UFUevnk21D4EJ16nBomKJTn1-_a2dmieinL6gkkv1RyxMHBKihhLLuWROgZffLDzTfRfvHdPUBnPQAOGa7IasymbOBLZz2/s1600/April+22nd+2011+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" i8="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuWsyOHwwCR4eQQjLXM30Dc2VHv_bIhxWa9A59rvnlQoJCS7UFUevnk21D4EJ16nBomKJTn1-_a2dmieinL6gkkv1RyxMHBKihhLLuWROgZffLDzTfRfvHdPUBnPQAOGa7IasymbOBLZz2/s320/April+22nd+2011+003.jpg" width="314" /></a></div><div align="center">Exuviae of Coenagrionidae damselflies</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-83812733181541386302011-03-26T01:21:00.000-07:002011-03-26T01:21:12.817-07:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">Garden watch – a bit disappointed with yesterday as I was indoors working when I should have been out in the wonderful weather in woods or on the hills watching spring wildlife! However, I did spot a few things around the garden; lots of bees (Bombus sp.), some new frog spawn in the pond and my first butterfly of the year. It was one of the Nymphalidae; however, I only had a brief view so could not be sure of the species identification. I guess it was either a Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae) or a Peacock (Inachis io).</span></div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-3953561625183280762011-02-25T08:24:00.001-08:002011-02-25T08:24:55.133-08:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<span lang="EN-US" style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">A first on the garden feeders today – 1 </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-GB; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-themecolor: text1;">♂ Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)!</span>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-64835576789625531712011-02-06T08:25:00.000-08:002011-02-06T08:25:53.713-08:00Emmington - OxfordshireI am always surprised by what you can discover just walking around your local patch; never anything rare but, at anytime of the year, something that sparks your interest and provides enjoyment. Take for example one of my local sites – Emmington. This site is typical lowland framing country in Southern England; a bit of arable land, a diary farm with sheep, hedges and fence lines, plus areas managed for game birds such as the coverts and crop strips, all of those with feeding stations. However, even this site has interest at most times of year as was evident from my walk there today.<br />
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The temperature during the walk was a balmy 11°C with 98% cloud and a strong gusty wind from the south west.<br />
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The following were of note.<br />
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Flora:<br />
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Best described as a ‘green shoot’ day! The young green shoots of many plants were breaking through the dead foliage of last year. I was quite excited to see those of one of my favorite plants; Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyqQMIYm8L2BPiG_yGPURNXwF10MQgTg0xAyW9hHHlv1tDDoHdgW1D8hbGwgydQ9guok1vYoG18YTA777HQCW1UtdYnjGRKZzSwSVm-EGL-QJNKPxqFyBZu6WUlixBcQyZ6BFOgbZfDVy/s1600/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="311" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHyqQMIYm8L2BPiG_yGPURNXwF10MQgTg0xAyW9hHHlv1tDDoHdgW1D8hbGwgydQ9guok1vYoG18YTA777HQCW1UtdYnjGRKZzSwSVm-EGL-QJNKPxqFyBZu6WUlixBcQyZ6BFOgbZfDVy/s320/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyQvEHgngQB_15PJ71dagYWG4JRhmQWH_-W99uHEFQVkU_E8xDHjYYulogWG1AGQ7gbj5LynptbBRdugL1_Eh-K4bp6mkst0fktfiqy3hbsXzsOvVQzWnzIll-7_M9W9Nx8qwMA2uoxUz/s1600/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLyQvEHgngQB_15PJ71dagYWG4JRhmQWH_-W99uHEFQVkU_E8xDHjYYulogWG1AGQ7gbj5LynptbBRdugL1_Eh-K4bp6mkst0fktfiqy3hbsXzsOvVQzWnzIll-7_M9W9Nx8qwMA2uoxUz/s320/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum)</div><br />
Some of the hedge lines and covert edges were enlivened by Hazel (Corylus avellana) catkins just opening; though, they did not appear to be dropping pollen yet. Perhaps this was because I could not find any ♀ flowers displaying their red styles.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sXutJZr4d6CmHrKX-5zsM9LBNZvXjPq7gZOA7Tz0O-8EycJWshVHjrKbFsHJEjE22HM6mZrF-uAJ9eNBN5OEuSKiGSgDE7r_oa606TOSvp0j1wdVNWkQJlXrL6H2kdEC3pvbRX-B8VUR/s1600/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sXutJZr4d6CmHrKX-5zsM9LBNZvXjPq7gZOA7Tz0O-8EycJWshVHjrKbFsHJEjE22HM6mZrF-uAJ9eNBN5OEuSKiGSgDE7r_oa606TOSvp0j1wdVNWkQJlXrL6H2kdEC3pvbRX-B8VUR/s320/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Hazel (Corylus avellana)</div><br />
Close by the village naturalized patches of Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) were in full flower.<br />
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Birds:<br />
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<br />
<br />
23 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack">http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack</a>). Naturally, nothing scarce for these parts was observed; however, it was good to see my first 2 Yellowhammers (Emberiza citronella) of the year. Also of note, was a flock of Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris), at least 100, plus a flock of c.50 Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus).<br />
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Habitat notes: <br />
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I wonder what lives here.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxkl3LS9lyWXP-0FK6WGAfi91iAYKpooA6-o20erqeKpF3ecBwhm0bDvLoBEJ8rp5yntcCCU77mPfDNATsuJzxRmdVSWGQrLPrcQE0Np_eGDBwmw47QOtWRQH8WVtcz9Te4cWvm9iJJ9r/s1600/November+14th+2010+009.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIxkl3LS9lyWXP-0FK6WGAfi91iAYKpooA6-o20erqeKpF3ecBwhm0bDvLoBEJ8rp5yntcCCU77mPfDNATsuJzxRmdVSWGQrLPrcQE0Np_eGDBwmw47QOtWRQH8WVtcz9Te4cWvm9iJJ9r/s320/November+14th+2010+009.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rVEoFBVIwaWxWxw_qHlchNlDbMXr-X85WEAxFNPaELhic0tOc5eW-gxXqyLGPKnHilOHtZOzuzfMySniKHXZazqyTu2x9vAzvfwD_4Y-cdbF720J-Xgzqp6n70UK3zTRUBGtgXJi1jcq/s1600/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" h5="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-rVEoFBVIwaWxWxw_qHlchNlDbMXr-X85WEAxFNPaELhic0tOc5eW-gxXqyLGPKnHilOHtZOzuzfMySniKHXZazqyTu2x9vAzvfwD_4Y-cdbF720J-Xgzqp6n70UK3zTRUBGtgXJi1jcq/s320/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>I must find out about the fauna and flora that inhabit micro-pools in trees.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-60828675740418120122011-01-20T13:02:00.000-08:002011-01-20T13:02:48.752-08:00Shirburn Hill - OxfordshireI took a short break from work at lunchtime last Tuesday to walk over Shirburn Hill (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/4l2obp9">http://tinyurl.com/4l2obp9</a>). The temperature during the walk varied between 3 & 5°C, with 100% cloud at the start of the walk reducing to 25% cloud cover at the end. I enjoyed the sunny periods with only a light wind!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoYu-bGZM8MWPRypnyea3EgYZtIhLhWV5KjvH9Xsse_MCaXvsC1x8ebXdvXJIVK9HBbtQeIE6-gvB7vMaGIWlXbOxs0O5BFoK6dKBVVMfZtQBNQYD8GokYpIq_8h6mFXh8pxuf8MOCQ1P/s1600/November+14th+2010+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKoYu-bGZM8MWPRypnyea3EgYZtIhLhWV5KjvH9Xsse_MCaXvsC1x8ebXdvXJIVK9HBbtQeIE6-gvB7vMaGIWlXbOxs0O5BFoK6dKBVVMfZtQBNQYD8GokYpIq_8h6mFXh8pxuf8MOCQ1P/s320/November+14th+2010+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Shirburn Hill</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8J2OnvlqKEsPvVopRG5HVKBmFdT8UC47IZ-NYNeWUm14ieMBxrOtiSjD4jE5h2WouyhHrclXK9ZSB2sFv1cpcjlRZb-bAop_0VFQCqEHDZcjiwm_Smr_SVGRIlqPhdEuvNU7xW0gd6b8/s1600/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju8J2OnvlqKEsPvVopRG5HVKBmFdT8UC47IZ-NYNeWUm14ieMBxrOtiSjD4jE5h2WouyhHrclXK9ZSB2sFv1cpcjlRZb-bAop_0VFQCqEHDZcjiwm_Smr_SVGRIlqPhdEuvNU7xW0gd6b8/s320/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Shirburn Hill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYnpieTP9q56yJj8SI510OtERl4BLbPmKQ0d9iJsHv2CKY1iQ999F7u0eGIZbh2b4q-weCdziTEkqHs8ZEUX0rxNmQOGT8rmgycrU4hJ7sBpQamjmoI9JvUI0SKM1FSrpHTlNa6TYmVAf/s1600/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmYnpieTP9q56yJj8SI510OtERl4BLbPmKQ0d9iJsHv2CKY1iQ999F7u0eGIZbh2b4q-weCdziTEkqHs8ZEUX0rxNmQOGT8rmgycrU4hJ7sBpQamjmoI9JvUI0SKM1FSrpHTlNa6TYmVAf/s320/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> The Box Wood (Buxus sempervirens) at Shirburn Hill</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMVxOPROB-47eCB8x1TPCXK5FzQr3nAENcahSwPoZvBiDGSN3t5AXib7pm7Txn_HCnbTMZXr9q1I8uhU1_YRoH-PidJ0TnNDBelm31SguCIQaLQHUnvhNeuFRsA5tM02Yr49lExIdEC5b/s1600/November+14th+2010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrMVxOPROB-47eCB8x1TPCXK5FzQr3nAENcahSwPoZvBiDGSN3t5AXib7pm7Txn_HCnbTMZXr9q1I8uhU1_YRoH-PidJ0TnNDBelm31SguCIQaLQHUnvhNeuFRsA5tM02Yr49lExIdEC5b/s320/November+14th+2010+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The view south down the scarp from Shirburn Hill</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>A rather quiet walk to begin with but as the cloud cover decreased and the sun came out; the wildlife sightings seemed to increase.<br />
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The following were of note.<br />
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Fungi:<br />
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Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) growing, as is normal for these parts, on Elder (Sambucus nigra).<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin13Xhyphenhyphendcj-SKEKJuzh6v_zLnggRAq9_AaSptYriMPfE8HJJGKSfSTjQIwmY8HI1tmxTx5Q5hZDRPdQJZo4tQubUR29pZjUZ9kvgrlfuBgYiSjqDYZr1w0VyarNkRgfSa2GF21ye_DCta4/s1600/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="230" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin13Xhyphenhyphendcj-SKEKJuzh6v_zLnggRAq9_AaSptYriMPfE8HJJGKSfSTjQIwmY8HI1tmxTx5Q5hZDRPdQJZo4tQubUR29pZjUZ9kvgrlfuBgYiSjqDYZr1w0VyarNkRgfSa2GF21ye_DCta4/s320/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1GFdzqKvT99-u3U003dMyFy2UD26mug69SfJNAk5suZdukf3_I8UWDP_AxC2xwggu9IB0bcJ1MsGypEBn6mcXh0tFOjvzxuVqGMeyC4D3Nyd-lHrV9-7HHIh32qVXvVmEHa9WrhrNTFy/s1600/November+14th+2010+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgH1GFdzqKvT99-u3U003dMyFy2UD26mug69SfJNAk5suZdukf3_I8UWDP_AxC2xwggu9IB0bcJ1MsGypEBn6mcXh0tFOjvzxuVqGMeyC4D3Nyd-lHrV9-7HHIh32qVXvVmEHa9WrhrNTFy/s320/November+14th+2010+012.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Lichen:<br />
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I noted some interesting but unidentified species of lichen growing on Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). I will share these photographs with the iSpot (<a href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage">http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage</a>) community to see if others can identify them.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilizVk0f0LoHu1IVg6otSsS-Flsdn-liDXrjKMiOJuYpPRiaNY8JwH59mQS1FhXo35foJV5rhXTFGTs66OdtZwtYqjnRrHd7UIV3kaSwoy2aYFOm8MIVuVxhzbikxqSPlnVzINXtO8wluY/s1600/November+14th+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="290" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilizVk0f0LoHu1IVg6otSsS-Flsdn-liDXrjKMiOJuYpPRiaNY8JwH59mQS1FhXo35foJV5rhXTFGTs66OdtZwtYqjnRrHd7UIV3kaSwoy2aYFOm8MIVuVxhzbikxqSPlnVzINXtO8wluY/s320/November+14th+2010+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwjpDSwO4A-qPK1sWfnOc5E3TCgkKJ_51RtKQ_PhakNKYbh7KjCaJaMfdlm7-sGy2XOBQj-NHbRhxBkoCaJHRz1LixAE-mLBAUAVfqppel48PIRUqr1VDF5BDIJCtMWLjz_SBMlM-jAve/s1600/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUwjpDSwO4A-qPK1sWfnOc5E3TCgkKJ_51RtKQ_PhakNKYbh7KjCaJaMfdlm7-sGy2XOBQj-NHbRhxBkoCaJHRz1LixAE-mLBAUAVfqppel48PIRUqr1VDF5BDIJCtMWLjz_SBMlM-jAve/s320/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" width="215" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a4L24PCglkD7xu8JlK33SOXwpsstkYu6O9W97abXqkki0u8ST_Th7o4hhoWB2xqlYrm5DfY1ZilNCYPv_u2OL0rZt_yqul1Ja-Ath9R99k27sDjaljy_8z-0ZEF29uXHyqYJKOmCVH2Z/s1600/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" s5="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9a4L24PCglkD7xu8JlK33SOXwpsstkYu6O9W97abXqkki0u8ST_Th7o4hhoWB2xqlYrm5DfY1ZilNCYPv_u2OL0rZt_yqul1Ja-Ath9R99k27sDjaljy_8z-0ZEF29uXHyqYJKOmCVH2Z/s320/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Birds:<br />
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Only 21 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack">http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack</a>). Not a great total; however, I did make two key sightings; 2 Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris), a first for me at this location, and a Raven (Corvus corax). Another first for this site were a couple of Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris). I have seen many over the years next door at Aston Rowant NNR, but none here before!<br />
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Mammals:<br />
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Some fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity was noted on the hill top and at its base; areas of deep soil when compared with the slopes. Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus) were a common sight on this walk as were Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis).<br />
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Two species of deer were on the hill; 1 ♀ Fallow deer (Dama dama) was seen and 1 Muntjac (Muntiacus reevesi) was heard barking. However, it was disturbing to see the Fallow deer as this animal had an injured right hind leg as seen from the front. It could not put any weight on that leg and, on a closer view; it appeared to have lost its foot! I could not be sure but that was certainly how it appeared.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-69696061861464287172011-01-10T03:00:00.000-08:002011-01-10T03:00:29.201-08:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A <strong><u>first</u></strong> in the Coles garden this morning; one ♂ <strong>Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla)</strong> feeding on a fat ball. What a great start to the work week!</span></div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-6880077361648537122011-01-09T09:04:00.000-08:002011-01-09T09:04:27.059-08:00Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm - BuckinghamshireA Sunday lunchtime walk in Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm Nature Reserve (<a href="http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23527">http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23527</a>). The temperature throughout the walk was between 3 & 4°C with 100% sun. In the shadows frost still lingered and a cold wind slightly moved the tops of the trees.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmTjHoDo4IyXRM3JLU7iltg88n-fFwn2LZcBIfSrgj9dinNMhhfkRwkhH1XAOS9LZdqqy-F5GHnl4xVdkCLyzLtJuuaLJYWtzCXVmSeGYZ0utSnB52NMQPss954voHUBh98vcSk86BkOY/s1600/November+14th+2010+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWmTjHoDo4IyXRM3JLU7iltg88n-fFwn2LZcBIfSrgj9dinNMhhfkRwkhH1XAOS9LZdqqy-F5GHnl4xVdkCLyzLtJuuaLJYWtzCXVmSeGYZ0utSnB52NMQPss954voHUBh98vcSk86BkOY/s320/November+14th+2010+001.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rushbeds Wood</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v5ea6zxLJewKPvS_YgpRtFDEDPXZ9fa1K58Hi9nA3zJy4ACpK7tAnH0Mq2YVBxnn22z22BiDeyEsP5GKxghgTBKpzcAQblWDE4QwIlTuqtAWCtcET29dm2wJxOFXZjMooh3fIPR08Kr2/s1600/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7v5ea6zxLJewKPvS_YgpRtFDEDPXZ9fa1K58Hi9nA3zJy4ACpK7tAnH0Mq2YVBxnn22z22BiDeyEsP5GKxghgTBKpzcAQblWDE4QwIlTuqtAWCtcET29dm2wJxOFXZjMooh3fIPR08Kr2/s320/November+14th+2010+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">'Oxbow' in Rushbeds Wood</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8giE5JKYq38ZzBkNDik_p8Mf6CFAyXGrjw6IvSQzn4fJ3qLQHMPES75TsW6Wh3RkLIQqSJS_e2OwgaZY_V9N-32UOuNIv_HTmqTg4YpaKi4HlXfVdaz1mxM84CGVzDu5Ik4q6r_vQTFE/s1600/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic8giE5JKYq38ZzBkNDik_p8Mf6CFAyXGrjw6IvSQzn4fJ3qLQHMPES75TsW6Wh3RkLIQqSJS_e2OwgaZY_V9N-32UOuNIv_HTmqTg4YpaKi4HlXfVdaz1mxM84CGVzDu5Ik4q6r_vQTFE/s320/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Rushbeds Wood</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxwLwZLpbWfI7PqQulE6Iljbec4Pk7GtETEh7v34VdpfYgL7ampoziXUok4mJPxJSH0TW5MEXiqUMlzSmp9a5vB6tLb0wH39lpVGMNIPCSKkOElRYvL1c7PzDrZzdHtjKFp0DQZOL5AOA/s1600/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" n4="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqxwLwZLpbWfI7PqQulE6Iljbec4Pk7GtETEh7v34VdpfYgL7ampoziXUok4mJPxJSH0TW5MEXiqUMlzSmp9a5vB6tLb0wH39lpVGMNIPCSKkOElRYvL1c7PzDrZzdHtjKFp0DQZOL5AOA/s320/November+14th+2010+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Trackbed of the disused Brill Tramway as it runs through Rushbeds Wood (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Tramway">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Tramway</a>)</div><br />
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The Wood and its environs are located in UK National Grid Tetrad SP61S and this visit was focused on completing my late winter visit to that Tetrad for the BTO Bird Atlas 2007-2011 (<a href="http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdatlas">http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdatlas</a>).<br />
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The following were of note.<br />
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Birds:<br />
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Only 21 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on the BirdAtlas site. Not a great total but I was not expecting a great watching session from the numbers view of point! There were two key sightings; 2 <strong>Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris)</strong> and, a first for me at this location, a <strong>Raven (Corvus corax)</strong>. Add to that some sustained song from <strong>Great Tit (Parus major)</strong> and <strong>Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes)</strong>, the walk proved very enjoyable despite the lack of species numbers.<br />
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<br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Some fresh <strong>Mole (Talpa europaea)</strong> activity was noted as were 2 high-seats! I guess, from the presence of the latter, BBOWT (<a href="http://www.bbowt.org.uk/default.asp">http://www.bbowt.org.uk/default.asp</a>) must be culling deer in the Wood. Certainly the deer severely restrict coppice re-growth which does not benefit woodland fauna and flora which flourish in coppiced areas. It does seem odd to see rifle shooting going on in a nature reserve; however, that is, I guess, what has to be done in regions where deer have no natural predators!Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-58945975606543856372011-01-02T10:58:00.000-08:002011-01-02T11:09:42.529-08:00Valley of the River Thame near Chearsley - BuckinghamshireMy first walk of the year took me down into the valley of the River Thame near Chearsley (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/29adszv">http://tinyurl.com/29adszv</a>). The temperature throughout the walk was 3°C with about 90% thin cloud cover and some weak winter sun.<br />
<br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Birds:<br />
<br />
27 species were seen and/or heard and recorded in BirdTrack (http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/). The key sighting was a small but dispersed flock of <strong>Teal (Anas crecca). </strong>There were at least 4 individuals but, possibly, 2 or 3 additional birds. Teal have yet to be noted by me on the Thame during the breeding season; so, my assumption is that these were winter visitors to the valley.<br />
<br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
Some fresh <strong>Mole (Talpa europaea)</strong> activity noted where the land appeared just above areas subject to recent flooding.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-7918976778243050542010-11-28T07:21:00.000-08:002010-11-28T07:24:17.699-08:00Valley of the River Thame near Starveall Farm - BuckinghamshireI enjoyed a short walk before lunch down into the valley of the River Thame near Starveall Farm (<a href="http://cwr.naturalengland.org.uk/Default.aspx?Module=CountryWalkDetails&Site=3570">http://cwr.naturalengland.org.uk/Default.aspx?Module=CountryWalkDetails&Site=3570</a>). The temperature at the start was -5°C rising to about 0°C by the time I returned to the car. However, the cloud was thin and the sun was out! It seemed to be much colder in the bottom of the valley. <br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Birds:<br />
<br />
24 species were seen and/or heard and recorded in BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/">http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/</a>). Of main interest were the large numbers of Thrushes; particularly the abundant Fieldfare (Turdus pilaris) and, to a much lesser extent, Blackbird (Turdus merula). Added to those were small numbers of Redwing (Turdus iliacus), Song thrush (Turdus philomelos) and Mistle thrush (Turdus viscivorus). All these birds were primarily foraging under the hedges and tree lines.<br />
<br />
Also notable were Snipe (Gallinago gallinago). One was disturbed, typically, from the river; however, 6 more were found feeding in one of the riverside meadows. This is the largest number of Snipe seen by me at this site.<br />
<br />
Finally, a couple of Woodpigeon kills were found; only feathers seen with no carcass evident. See the following photograph.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXw-GB9PV8UCLuc1QY1GJrkOtd1uf9qoOHWzyTGfiA6gKmHUPcQApzGNifjWX-m3bShqJSo-7-rT6z70a66YRM1xSWv3tbSU8xsXv6ePPp5IQbcXlRLfQ1WEc4Gwh5TtMEqN0FDVzOsBs/s1600/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="268" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUXw-GB9PV8UCLuc1QY1GJrkOtd1uf9qoOHWzyTGfiA6gKmHUPcQApzGNifjWX-m3bShqJSo-7-rT6z70a66YRM1xSWv3tbSU8xsXv6ePPp5IQbcXlRLfQ1WEc4Gwh5TtMEqN0FDVzOsBs/s320/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Mammals:<br />
<br />
Some Fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity noted, plus 2 Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) and a sickly Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-44055663803533107002010-11-26T11:14:00.000-08:002010-11-27T02:45:55.820-08:00Murcott Meadows SSSIToday I had a short break from work for an afternoon walk over Murcott Meadows SSSI (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/32muucx">http://tinyurl.com/32muucx</a>). The temperature was about 2°C; however, the cloud was thin and the sun was out! All ground was still frozen in the areas of shade. <br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Flora:<br />
<br />
Nothing of great interest; however, I did take the following photographs of lichen encrusted Blackthorn (Prunus spinosa). This was a very common sight on the north side of the spinney.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoCb-ptBmgaiaewlhDt1GERoWHoreiVwx8kn-Snu2b0Uigja2j8jrcjg7MILyQyMWGkUIDBiEnsHNayLOvFKmraczXDNojURZYy_Jf4H-3UEzRtvn7fAGucTK2n2dg_FuBGk4DGS-xg_c/s1600/November+14th+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaoCb-ptBmgaiaewlhDt1GERoWHoreiVwx8kn-Snu2b0Uigja2j8jrcjg7MILyQyMWGkUIDBiEnsHNayLOvFKmraczXDNojURZYy_Jf4H-3UEzRtvn7fAGucTK2n2dg_FuBGk4DGS-xg_c/s320/November+14th+2010+003.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xhIf1kBHBQIh3xmRSRis91E1UJruoodkcBKbxX_gevgV6KOws4YEAJYQ_4Akyx_KCdZnteYew-fCS4VYjF3uJrQplvO5vKGZP9jhTRxAvi_Etq4ILHCxXs1jfL03eQNDeBZb-I1uSWH3/s1600/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0xhIf1kBHBQIh3xmRSRis91E1UJruoodkcBKbxX_gevgV6KOws4YEAJYQ_4Akyx_KCdZnteYew-fCS4VYjF3uJrQplvO5vKGZP9jhTRxAvi_Etq4ILHCxXs1jfL03eQNDeBZb-I1uSWH3/s320/November+14th+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Birds:<br />
<br />
17 species were seen and/or heard and recorded in BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/">http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/</a>). Of main interest were good views of Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) and Redwings (Turdus iliacus), plus small groups of Starling (Sturnus vulgaris) heading towards the Otmoor roost (<a href="http://tinyurl.com/39lsnys">http://tinyurl.com/39lsnys</a>).<br />
<br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
Fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity in evidence around the meadow boundaries, plus one Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) seen.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-61843217485466254182010-11-14T09:40:00.000-08:002010-11-14T09:43:27.635-08:00Aston Rowant NNR (South)Up in the hills today! A late Autumn (early Winter) walk over Aston Rowant NNR (South). The temperature varied between 6°C and 7°C; it was damp underfoot with mist patches.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76S69ijCo2sUSybYSvObkQVOaII31vJqfbL62bQlVL559M46pARlVX5L_-q39gmL_EZ1y3nboFM_d8OgOmUAOEFcEXNseR8VzzAT69vb8adsluE_8Hj6b2MvyTIStXRty1GT4r1apM-rf/s1600/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi76S69ijCo2sUSybYSvObkQVOaII31vJqfbL62bQlVL559M46pARlVX5L_-q39gmL_EZ1y3nboFM_d8OgOmUAOEFcEXNseR8VzzAT69vb8adsluE_8Hj6b2MvyTIStXRty1GT4r1apM-rf/s320/November+14th+2010+006.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7_J9ptChJ_KBKOGYpfdjugzBsFLWtE9PSaI2NHMA2AaU-yzePob-tFXSiG4WkZOGV72H5fYeUFqgUiGgWuyRYOyMWCxGJpFD9OiFA_0ueHooH83eRR4nLegu4-8I823mbNhfyPUUN6yj/s1600/November+14th+2010+007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy7_J9ptChJ_KBKOGYpfdjugzBsFLWtE9PSaI2NHMA2AaU-yzePob-tFXSiG4WkZOGV72H5fYeUFqgUiGgWuyRYOyMWCxGJpFD9OiFA_0ueHooH83eRR4nLegu4-8I823mbNhfyPUUN6yj/s320/November+14th+2010+007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgairtYUQ1UgULoCcpunM1KhOAXPg0zAnlkHfAkc2r76Qq38cZF6_uwh1gwlxp1hpccXo6ca3YcdUe7ARNdqbjDG0OlvRs4vZjmEtl4ZfOkwI0Tz13HhSsgzmg6P3XpPrmpRc4tVN1Q_ax_/s1600/November+14th+2010+013.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgairtYUQ1UgULoCcpunM1KhOAXPg0zAnlkHfAkc2r76Qq38cZF6_uwh1gwlxp1hpccXo6ca3YcdUe7ARNdqbjDG0OlvRs4vZjmEtl4ZfOkwI0Tz13HhSsgzmg6P3XpPrmpRc4tVN1Q_ax_/s320/November+14th+2010+013.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPm2h51nOrTx8X6qcALGh8CtVbfiojCEwjxvphHZmtw96Jt2Xba3ZixLNaAzdsIMSphZL4zmfSZBvzPycZlKHb2nWL74U-60wUnI7PgF8x46RXgakIYKaxvP56ISifFwH4encuUiVqPs2/s1600/November+14th+2010+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNPm2h51nOrTx8X6qcALGh8CtVbfiojCEwjxvphHZmtw96Jt2Xba3ZixLNaAzdsIMSphZL4zmfSZBvzPycZlKHb2nWL74U-60wUnI7PgF8x46RXgakIYKaxvP56ISifFwH4encuUiVqPs2/s320/November+14th+2010+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDYUEgnBYmPyMIEQV-ZHqB8-2roxF-xbnkduSwmIPn4Q66GZjzCLksYk2aTYjt-bS6HiBMGsscw6I0uOlCD54xcMGuQbpgC-Y11WuZPFIkfOgljCNBbAn8Y0x7r5A2v25CQwaiBn8xhW-/s1600/November+14th+2010+015.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXDYUEgnBYmPyMIEQV-ZHqB8-2roxF-xbnkduSwmIPn4Q66GZjzCLksYk2aTYjt-bS6HiBMGsscw6I0uOlCD54xcMGuQbpgC-Y11WuZPFIkfOgljCNBbAn8Y0x7r5A2v25CQwaiBn8xhW-/s320/November+14th+2010+015.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C-xN5Sx4qn1cTpKsDYNQ1BgTgVGHSikchMN8vX_VVM2NRNMqBGEDJxBhTg2ZMgiqEMKYkNtdO_lS4JR_dS2YK4EYVXDZKErmLw4zfzHW-NENUzQOtT7ESdUrOy-XfKNF6oA3sHi4LZqy/s1600/November+14th+2010+016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9C-xN5Sx4qn1cTpKsDYNQ1BgTgVGHSikchMN8vX_VVM2NRNMqBGEDJxBhTg2ZMgiqEMKYkNtdO_lS4JR_dS2YK4EYVXDZKErmLw4zfzHW-NENUzQOtT7ESdUrOy-XfKNF6oA3sHi4LZqy/s320/November+14th+2010+016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Flora:<br />
<br />
I noted that at least 2 spikes of Yellow-wort (Blackstonia perfoliata) were in bud and suspect the flowers would open should the sun ever come out. The stands of Juniper (Juniperus communis) were impressive with some re-generation noted. Finally, the Hazel (Corylus avellana) catkins made a great show and gave a hint that Spring will come after we have lived through the depths of Winter!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXxALxF7T3vCdW_TmhuUWG8_Pq0GJjQTpUgmSZdcrdSIuH7nvNpwNav1xOVc_-bLQqR3VESvNUHfMRJd_pERaRjAj00DFRIWzrStLBv62UhJzVBlCTe1UEUWK-AAzXCoTWNj-12Ds3Kpk/s1600/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibXxALxF7T3vCdW_TmhuUWG8_Pq0GJjQTpUgmSZdcrdSIuH7nvNpwNav1xOVc_-bLQqR3VESvNUHfMRJd_pERaRjAj00DFRIWzrStLBv62UhJzVBlCTe1UEUWK-AAzXCoTWNj-12Ds3Kpk/s320/November+14th+2010+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Juniper (Juniperus communis)</div><br />
Birds:<br />
<br />
17 species were seen and/or heard and recorded in BirdTrack (<a href="http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/">http://www.bto.org/birdtrack/</a>). Not that great but my sightings did include some choice views of three Winter visitors.<br />
<br />
• Finch flocks were much in evidence but the best sight was 10+ Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) feeding around the top of an Ash (Fraxinus excelsior) and a Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). Not a particularly rare species but one not often observed by me.<br />
<br />
• Fieldfares (Turdus pilaris) heard plus good views of Redwing (Turdus iliacus) obtained.<br />
<br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
5+ Fallow deer (Dama dama) noted and 2 Roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) seen.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-13081017718610291012010-10-10T09:37:00.000-07:002010-10-11T01:37:18.289-07:00Thame Valley Shabbington - Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire borderA lunchtime walk along the River Thame on the Buckinghamshire bank downstream of Shabbington. I started the walk at 11:45 and finished around 14:00. 15°C and 90% cloud at the start but rapidly changing to 100% sun and 19°C.<br />
<br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Insects:<br />
<br />
Butterflies – one large unidentified insect flying at a distance and one White seen; the latter possibly a Small or Green-veined White (Pieris rapae or Pieris napi). However, I did get firm ids on two other butterflies – 1 ♂ Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni) and 1 Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta).<br />
<br />
Dragonflies – I think I had a Migrant Hawker (Aeshna mixta) though too distant to id with certainty and could not obtain a record shot. However, I did see some Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum) with at least one pair in tandem and ovipositing.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4_6Mn5rkUCPpwHpzaN0-CQk7fzYTi8VxQgh9a6KDD47y78ncmWop7vkKc6kI_8LgDYCZZmMob_90FQZJS16oMCIByCT9U08z5S6vauhMZVum-6aziT2WVDLJuHMklS1LCIRwjZql8ngj/s1600/October+10th+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM4_6Mn5rkUCPpwHpzaN0-CQk7fzYTi8VxQgh9a6KDD47y78ncmWop7vkKc6kI_8LgDYCZZmMob_90FQZJS16oMCIByCT9U08z5S6vauhMZVum-6aziT2WVDLJuHMklS1LCIRwjZql8ngj/s320/October+10th+2010+005.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">♂ Common Darter (Sympetrum striolatum)</div><br />
Flora:<br />
The following were in flower:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-Gng8cqjiDPFksKk9VrsHW4ErVSz2kdGjXu61O9Irti8QQROVY8ccUiT50jRNj51e3Fg1HDAbXqU2pNINLwbdqrQKVxYFegJby7HgI6LYQlQA29yOxw30IfMgr456Nq8kQx8Bg9mD5T1/s1600/October+10th+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3-Gng8cqjiDPFksKk9VrsHW4ErVSz2kdGjXu61O9Irti8QQROVY8ccUiT50jRNj51e3Fg1HDAbXqU2pNINLwbdqrQKVxYFegJby7HgI6LYQlQA29yOxw30IfMgr456Nq8kQx8Bg9mD5T1/s320/October+10th+2010+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Water Forget-me-not (Myosotis scorpioides)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXLpPYf69ZYsYCuvRs4gJwiUr4TBkj8w0sDsdJ_kSNq2iqyUS2hq5nhSK0BNo2Rz8iRF9NXm6kObjY0Rlk92rciQWWWwis6FXRIRiSMvBbI2wUfNkn1weeRtoCCeoINmMm15NTMBVwP0/s1600/October+10th+2010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ex="true" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1fXLpPYf69ZYsYCuvRs4gJwiUr4TBkj8w0sDsdJ_kSNq2iqyUS2hq5nhSK0BNo2Rz8iRF9NXm6kObjY0Rlk92rciQWWWwis6FXRIRiSMvBbI2wUfNkn1weeRtoCCeoINmMm15NTMBVwP0/s320/October+10th+2010+010.jpg" width="318" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Not sure about this one! I am checking with the community on iSpot.<br />
<span style="color: red;">Input from the iSpot community suggests:</span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">Great Yellow-cress (Rorippa amphibia)</span></div><span style="color: red;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;"><br />
<span style="color: red;">Comment from </span><a class="username" href="http://www.ispot.org.uk/user/3893" jquery1286785366796="91" title="View user profile."><span style="color: red;">allrounder</span></a><span style="color: red;">: This looks from the picture like Great Yellow-cress and as the scientific name suggests is found in and by fresh water. Your picture shows a plant with a stout stem, lanceolate, toothed leaves and the fruits are oval with a style. All indicators of Great Yellow-cress. This plant is described as only locally common so a good find.</span></div></div><br />
Birds:<br />
<br />
Good views of the following were obtained:<br />
<br />
• Mute swan (Cygnus olor) – the winter flock had 4 individuals in it. <br />
<br />
• Redshank (Tringa tetanus) – 1 disturbed from the river; white pointed rump and broad edge to trailing wing edges very diagnostic. This is a first for me at any of my River Thame sites!<br />
<br />
• Buzzard (Buteo buteo) – 2;<br />
<br />
• Red kite (Milvus milvus) – 5+;<br />
<br />
• Grey heron (Ardea cinerea) – 1;<br />
<br />
• Lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) – flock of 25 to 30 flying over.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-16454305188555469132010-10-07T09:35:00.001-07:002010-10-07T09:35:30.747-07:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif"; font-size: 10pt;">A first for my garden in Thame! 2 Raven (Corvus corax) flying over and heading south.</span></div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-61746732089560771242010-10-03T08:57:00.000-07:002010-10-06T07:37:05.117-07:00Emmington - OxfordshireToday was not the best of days for a wildlife walk; however, as I had not been on one since August it was a must to get out into the field! I spent about 2 hours from 10:50 walking the footpaths around Emmington. The weather was pleasant to begin with at 15°C with light rain; however, the rain became heavier and the wind stronger by the time I got back to the car.<br />
<br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Insects:<br />
<br />
Hornet (Vespa crabro) – At least three where flying close to Great Covert, with one amongst the sunflowers in a strip planted as game cover.<br />
<br />
Fungi:<br />
<br />
Three interesting species of fungi were seen during the walk; 2 in Down Covert on tree trunks and one on Ash (Fraxinus excelsior). I am no expert at identifying fungi so I have loaded the following photographs to iSpot (http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage) to seek id support from the community. I will update the blog if ids provided.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><u>The iSpot community did not let me down. Two ids provided plus a possible id. See the captions under the relevant photographs for the species identifications.</u> </span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3HP4lckddKAJB3dSrNRhlsfC3H8-u4FYw_W49tgyk3BmDU8JTKOYsKJIKQbD9BTuFFeHXsB_aYrUW3B5H0Pmlx-HJBwIDj6LYkKhIcaB-yD4dC0GoCh3RoUGT8JJ3mi9AGX2fHDkBlu/s1600/October+10th+2010+011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBB3HP4lckddKAJB3dSrNRhlsfC3H8-u4FYw_W49tgyk3BmDU8JTKOYsKJIKQbD9BTuFFeHXsB_aYrUW3B5H0Pmlx-HJBwIDj6LYkKhIcaB-yD4dC0GoCh3RoUGT8JJ3mi9AGX2fHDkBlu/s320/October+10th+2010+011.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pleurotus sp. poss. either P. ostreatus or P. cornucopiae. Need to revisit site to get improved images and images of the stipe. In P. cornucopiae the lamellae run down the stipe and criss-cross over each other to form a distinctive diamond pattern.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxSdYExdwXA89_8B7ISGh1E39ZaI3CUGqz1pHETpT6FgY8O-FKx301qoTT6fsLhGt5y1tOqGLN0aa8xb2ThiwV_cNcTdVIirbCyBXwTCc5ng0cCWzVoMoJ2xAcSosfnhx4duQspES4Yl3/s1600/October+10th+2010+012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkxSdYExdwXA89_8B7ISGh1E39ZaI3CUGqz1pHETpT6FgY8O-FKx301qoTT6fsLhGt5y1tOqGLN0aa8xb2ThiwV_cNcTdVIirbCyBXwTCc5ng0cCWzVoMoJ2xAcSosfnhx4duQspES4Yl3/s320/October+10th+2010+012.jpg" width="268" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pleurotus sp. poss. either P. ostreatus or P. cornucopiae. Need to revisit site to get improved images and images of the stipe. In P. cornucopiae the lamellae run down the stipe and criss-cross over each other to form a distinctive diamond pattern.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKZnHyYEcRgejVncanHijlz8b7SyaOu33stN5xwnsmuaN8G0DuxE-go9Xa6tSOC1DewfLd1rn7p_fGIrI5FtOp5FC-1zeIAay9QzbhyOZYYQAYeenDLtQbhjEDDcOI6pGwfyrO4FCOp5Y/s1600/October+10th+2010+014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRKZnHyYEcRgejVncanHijlz8b7SyaOu33stN5xwnsmuaN8G0DuxE-go9Xa6tSOC1DewfLd1rn7p_fGIrI5FtOp5FC-1zeIAay9QzbhyOZYYQAYeenDLtQbhjEDDcOI6pGwfyrO4FCOp5Y/s320/October+10th+2010+014.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pholiota adiposa</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcZPdYQN6Ps2Y7PDkzBPB93g3LjG0UQsy74-TUPHyuDxGMxe0AKYvSY-32fe0aqXIqEBTrfR0S6R6pHyO_MxydpmBjEi5RTL-Anad2Oee6az2zeSX2o0gsCCRrCAEg66xjqdSitgoi5RB/s1600/October+10th+2010+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcZPdYQN6Ps2Y7PDkzBPB93g3LjG0UQsy74-TUPHyuDxGMxe0AKYvSY-32fe0aqXIqEBTrfR0S6R6pHyO_MxydpmBjEi5RTL-Anad2Oee6az2zeSX2o0gsCCRrCAEg66xjqdSitgoi5RB/s320/October+10th+2010+020.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Pholiota adiposa</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlVQycMAoYVW1YWw7CScqynM33A2N7TJxtZpJb-OC24XrCFpLbs_uQfKjX4jMkNigN_PCGd39edQc1uT9jvFF6GtmITkCaS2HwsZHqu7JvPS1mchpxfpKQP7YZQVJacEaZR4Pr-EpD24T/s1600/October+10th+2010+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="272" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBlVQycMAoYVW1YWw7CScqynM33A2N7TJxtZpJb-OC24XrCFpLbs_uQfKjX4jMkNigN_PCGd39edQc1uT9jvFF6GtmITkCaS2HwsZHqu7JvPS1mchpxfpKQP7YZQVJacEaZR4Pr-EpD24T/s320/October+10th+2010+022.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Silverleaf Fungus (Chondrostereum purpureum)<strong> </strong>on Ash (Fraxinus excelsior)</div><br />
Flora:<br />
<br />
The following were in flower:<br />
<br />
• White Dead-nettle (Lamium album);<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="313" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5mpZAUZiEZgEWGpROm4SEvxiQ9ueib04rXS99PyDFZ1dV_LbiEwGitCpNCmtswTUBx26cr73NmzIkRx7suEL6kIl_KYQT1ve0f96vRfBWdeOzMMERNBirHecgsPJ8OFw25Zv5maKObD_X/s320/October+10th+2010+002.jpg" width="320" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
• Red Clover (Trifolium pretense);<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwxwbCzTnSSs21yt0BYUJIxbtFOnwuyF8xDV6kFBytDnWLHWl5ry3uri2qZCmm3sr5tLiuffI0Kd3JbDIwTNzIvPu57_9TOmJX1eP9007YLRpT4jT3Yt3KdMWs_QIBHolpbT6Ski6u75U/s1600/October+10th+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="270" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjwxwbCzTnSSs21yt0BYUJIxbtFOnwuyF8xDV6kFBytDnWLHWl5ry3uri2qZCmm3sr5tLiuffI0Kd3JbDIwTNzIvPu57_9TOmJX1eP9007YLRpT4jT3Yt3KdMWs_QIBHolpbT6Ski6u75U/s320/October+10th+2010+004.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
• Common Field Speedwell (Veronica persica);<br />
<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9xBemDaLlqQPqR1ldadZh_Q929twNzjOrBK2Yxinok7KuFC7hDCNRCXJyAjifex2LnjeFFc_ZsjfPuGgjxO6MyEpjpFJjT4d1r40qaPzb3g49AAtvMWYMSOfp-7jT4oe4XImFoS60N5P/s1600/October+10th+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY9xBemDaLlqQPqR1ldadZh_Q929twNzjOrBK2Yxinok7KuFC7hDCNRCXJyAjifex2LnjeFFc_ZsjfPuGgjxO6MyEpjpFJjT4d1r40qaPzb3g49AAtvMWYMSOfp-7jT4oe4XImFoS60N5P/s320/October+10th+2010+005.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
• 2 species of Umbelliferae.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_BnfAsOyzUJQdfLzSUFqIIHKrO8qD0sCssJ691vVy5EmmRRIg1R7Wg9bsnKPwW8sbDrSG7La-GGpeBvvFKVGZPm7zi8wh6hUt0zhHGwzqgy28hnMiu-sqj8egy87Df9B_HAOq0ynoyvp/s1600/October+10th+2010+008.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM_BnfAsOyzUJQdfLzSUFqIIHKrO8qD0sCssJ691vVy5EmmRRIg1R7Wg9bsnKPwW8sbDrSG7La-GGpeBvvFKVGZPm7zi8wh6hUt0zhHGwzqgy28hnMiu-sqj8egy87Df9B_HAOq0ynoyvp/s320/October+10th+2010+008.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtLjESPOHHoWSxwFH1XtZPLcM5YrOxmkAypTg91BPNrmkZGXgeooNXhZPWEC6CNNUBNRyCo3uzGnRgrIRDorJiw_Odh-Q5bmz4-lLxggVsIuFCedKC-cAtT05vUupkJuMnyHaFy-zIzT_/s1600/October+10th+2010+010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="308" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKtLjESPOHHoWSxwFH1XtZPLcM5YrOxmkAypTg91BPNrmkZGXgeooNXhZPWEC6CNNUBNRyCo3uzGnRgrIRDorJiw_Odh-Q5bmz4-lLxggVsIuFCedKC-cAtT05vUupkJuMnyHaFy-zIzT_/s320/October+10th+2010+010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>Birds:<br />
<br />
• House martin (Delichon urbica) – small flocks;<br />
<br />
• Swallow (Hirundo rustica) - small flocks;<br />
<br />
• Buzzard (Buteo buteo) – at least 3 with one harassed by corvids;<br />
<br />
• Red kite (Milvus milvus) – 6+;<br />
<br />
• Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) – 2;<br />
<br />
• Skylark (Alauda arvensis) – calling from recently drilled fields;<br />
<br />
• Chiffchaff (Phylloscopus collybita) – 2 calling;<br />
<br />
• Stock dove (Columba oenas) – possible the largest flock I have ever seen; 30+ individuals.<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif;"><span lang="EN-US" style="font-family: "Arial", "sans-serif";"><span style="font-size: x-small;"></span></span></span><br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
• 1 Brown hare (Lepus europaeus);<br />
<br />
• Grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) – evidence that they are feeding on maze hobs picked from the strips sown as game cover. Feeding stations found in Down Covert.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzX3aCVhNw1zrkwLQ7sA_UCFADGGcqeLVOGGNvwGB9l0b9bOeInIhd0BCLrLXVdjE0tFx-vgIY4-YZ6aH94-0Bthr9roSlIR-p-eLIfsrWrwH0Fm694g9GVcjHY0En9jxbYlpcL6ebF7i/s1600/October+10th+2010+021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" px="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKzX3aCVhNw1zrkwLQ7sA_UCFADGGcqeLVOGGNvwGB9l0b9bOeInIhd0BCLrLXVdjE0tFx-vgIY4-YZ6aH94-0Bthr9roSlIR-p-eLIfsrWrwH0Fm694g9GVcjHY0En9jxbYlpcL6ebF7i/s320/October+10th+2010+021.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div align="center"></div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-54666058780376633412010-08-15T09:52:00.000-07:002010-08-16T03:25:18.329-07:00Aston Rowant NNR (South)A warm August Sunday encouraged Peter and me to take a walk in the Chilterns at Aston Rowant NNR (South). I was hoping to see some choice late summer butterflies while Peter wanted to experiment with his new zoom lens. Specifically, he wanted to get some flight shots of Red Kite (Milvus milvus). The butterflies did not disappoint; however, the Red Kite did. In fact, I think we saw more around home in Thame!<br />
<br />
<br />
This was the last walk Peter and I will take for a while. He goes to Leiden tomorrow to study for his Masters Degree; so the walk was a great way to spend time together before he leaves. Also, I have not been in the field for some weeks so it was good to get ‘out there’ again!<br />
<br />
The following were of note.<br />
<br />
Butterflies:<br />
<br />
• Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina);<br />
<br />
• Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus) - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4893499625/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4893499625/</a>;<br />
<br />
• Large White (Pieris brassicae);<br />
<br />
• Small White (Pieris rapae);<br />
<br />
• Green-veined White (Pieris napi);<br />
<br />
• Brown Argus (Plebeius agestis);<br />
<br />
• Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus);<br />
<br />
• Gatekeeper (Pyronia tithonus) - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4893772449/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4893772449/</a>;<br />
<br />
• Silver-spotted Skipper (Hesperia comma) - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894855106/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894855106/</a>;<br />
<br />
• Brimstone (Gonepteryx rhamni);<br />
<br />
• Chalkhill Blue (Polyommatus coridon) - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894826572/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894826572/</a> & <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894214261/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894214261/</a>;<br />
<br />
• Silver-washed Fritillary (Argynnis paphia) – possible sighting only. Large Fritillary seen flying in a glade in the small copse at the foot of Bald Hill. I have almost zero experience with this species but just did not think the insect I saw was a Dark Green Fritillary (Argynnis aglaja)!<br />
<br />
<br />
Other Insects:<br />
<br />
<br />
• Roesel’s Bush-Cricket (Metrioptera roeselii) – most parts of the reserve; particularly, the areas of longer grass and brambles, resounded to the sound of this cricket. And both Peter and I managed one view of an adult which showed the broad cream-coloured margin on its pronotum very well.<br />
<br />
Flora:<br />
<br />
• Chiltern Gentian (Gentianella germanica) – flower spikes very common on Bald Hill with a few inflorescences open.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQQdlBUd2EOJyyi4x0-OH9TwEUrSCFXxw8lkz_VOlHzaSWYkKxUI08YzwUrSGQUUQKVU-1MdH2QuXKClfL18CnNGdm3dnseEOlkK64OzQ_p81exlUlf_-NzYLCnf8A3MUcSjt7MbmDZFz/s1600/Aston+Rowant+NNR+(South)+-+August+15th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNQQdlBUd2EOJyyi4x0-OH9TwEUrSCFXxw8lkz_VOlHzaSWYkKxUI08YzwUrSGQUUQKVU-1MdH2QuXKClfL18CnNGdm3dnseEOlkK64OzQ_p81exlUlf_-NzYLCnf8A3MUcSjt7MbmDZFz/s320/Aston+Rowant+NNR+(South)+-+August+15th+2010+002.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chiltern Gentian (Gentianella germanica)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ciPryAj6BksZwBhsHlK5_J9fGKis3sN_o3e4ZPFRvhU5oDaH2YEcsrKO-SIt8egBvjvjprrj9pdYZwOuNWAOA9WCbtZFercqseNLATsXnSsAQMulq1kf8cQGUjKbdeO5L59-7faMYGS/s1600/Aston+Rowant+NNR+(South)+-+August+15th+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA-ciPryAj6BksZwBhsHlK5_J9fGKis3sN_o3e4ZPFRvhU5oDaH2YEcsrKO-SIt8egBvjvjprrj9pdYZwOuNWAOA9WCbtZFercqseNLATsXnSsAQMulq1kf8cQGUjKbdeO5L59-7faMYGS/s320/Aston+Rowant+NNR+(South)+-+August+15th+2010+003.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Chiltern Gentian (Gentianella germanica)</div>Birds:<br />
<br />
Not sure why but I was surprised to see some Hirundinidae during the walk: House martin (Delichon urbica) and Swallow (Hirundo rustica). I should know that though they are ‘on the move’ I should expect to migrating parties of these birds for some weeks yet.<br />
<br />
Mammals:<br />
<br />
Two species of deer were seen on the Reserve today:<br />
<br />
• Fallow Deer (Dama dama) – a group of 4 ♀ and 1 young ♂. I do not see this species on the reserve that frequently.<br />
<br />
• Roe deer – (Capreolus capreolus) – 1 ♀ plus one juvenile. This gave Peter and me, and this is rather unfair, our Kate Humble moment! The ♀ was one side of a fence while the youngster was on the other side and could not jump the fence. Not nice to see the poor little guy bashing himself against that fence! However, we decided leave as our presence was causing stress and we knew that the ♀ would easily jump the fence to take charge of her offspring again - <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894291579/">http://www.flickr.com/photos/peterjcoles/4894291579/</a> .Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-10973162981712274002010-06-28T11:33:00.000-07:002010-10-03T08:22:37.909-07:00Emmington - OxfordshireTwo surveys down for June and one to go! Over lunchtime today I completed a Wider Countryside Butterfly Survey on my BTO BBS 1km square SP7402 at Emmington in Oxfordshire. During the survey the following butterflies were seen and recorded on the WCBS website - <a href="http://www.ukbms.org/wcbs.htm">http://www.ukbms.org/wcbs.htm</a>:<br />
<br />
• Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 83<br />
<br />
• Red Admiral (Vanessa atalanta); 1<br />
<br />
• Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 28<br />
<br />
• Peacock (Inachis io); 1<br />
<br />
• Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 32<br />
<br />
• Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 2<br />
<br />
• Marbled White (Melanargia galathea); 1<br />
<br />
• Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 13<br />
<br />
Only one additional adult butterfly was observed outside of the survey:<br />
<br />
• Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1<br />
<br />
However, I did find some caterpillars of the Peacock (Inachis io) butterfly in one of the many Stinging Nettle (Urtica dioica) patches on the survey route.<br />
<br />
And, finally for today, a good confirmed breeding record for Whitethroat (Sylvia communis); one bird carrying food (insect) in its beak.Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-59673817962773228492010-06-27T13:55:00.000-07:002010-06-27T14:56:55.421-07:00Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm - BuckinghamshireSunday 27th and I completed my last summer TTV survey on Tetrad SP61S for the BTO Bird Atlas 2007-11. Not sure it was the best day to carry out the survey given that the temperature ranged from 20° to 27°C with 100% sun. However, I had no choice.<br />
<br />
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During the timed survey I counted 23 bird species and the numbers of each species have now been loaded to the BTO website. I was pleased to be able to obtain confirmed breeding records for Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) and Blue Tit (Cyanistes caeruleus).<br />
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On the botanical side it was great to see the fields of Lapland Farm looking so good and floristically rich. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQlW4AMO04o-CRNW5Bw2WVxuGv9Xspm8h3mSC1YQdJbAjV2UWKmg37gwHue-L3c2CUdClj8xG1hV0RMlBr3GPgw77tnahZfiNbGZUOKIVDl-qAskvgDIdsdJA8ZIhsgstKz3o61GJqoi/s1600/June+27th+2010+004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3UQlW4AMO04o-CRNW5Bw2WVxuGv9Xspm8h3mSC1YQdJbAjV2UWKmg37gwHue-L3c2CUdClj8xG1hV0RMlBr3GPgw77tnahZfiNbGZUOKIVDl-qAskvgDIdsdJA8ZIhsgstKz3o61GJqoi/s320/June+27th+2010+004.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lapland Farm</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBzZb3SGKfC0NTD_x3ClDsROlcWJPXEyJA30r9v2cVB2wuyjsPF3OmwoOlfaHR2eBmjwi5RcTU1TPpeD7sYddhh-yWQN1jMcMQg09-Q6vj5mmIrAxIodbBk1l10UlPXJIkgZ86I6B6e7N/s1600/June+27th+2010+005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBzZb3SGKfC0NTD_x3ClDsROlcWJPXEyJA30r9v2cVB2wuyjsPF3OmwoOlfaHR2eBmjwi5RcTU1TPpeD7sYddhh-yWQN1jMcMQg09-Q6vj5mmIrAxIodbBk1l10UlPXJIkgZ86I6B6e7N/s320/June+27th+2010+005.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Lapland Farm</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Of note for me were the numbers of Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia) in flower. Significant numbers seen over Lapland Farm with smaller numbers scattered throughout the Wood. <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc7mvgC44pNJC3iOPlnjQhoOoPni1C1uDiCpr6K4EgF2BwdS9jaSg8tKEXUKGuNJp2-RSNM-Ms8VcGbzon2Gp5Q4FIc_qLfLfg2peLmMwKutuam9LSNTEgAkDUhTHwpv0ENflq0_YkAod/s1600/June+27th+2010+002.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRc7mvgC44pNJC3iOPlnjQhoOoPni1C1uDiCpr6K4EgF2BwdS9jaSg8tKEXUKGuNJp2-RSNM-Ms8VcGbzon2Gp5Q4FIc_qLfLfg2peLmMwKutuam9LSNTEgAkDUhTHwpv0ENflq0_YkAod/s320/June+27th+2010+002.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAALXmm4Jf6CKO3FLoIrjfdK6z-yypEajLCEoFH6UfnXcEjiLfTQYQ8s4ihNV5v64FxyC2dCekEfBO10wByVDT4837JaLhOdm4JwpMhWqGRs9fXu2XFTG8pNti9nnzeNFm1Qtq0jvvfUO/s1600/June+27th+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrAALXmm4Jf6CKO3FLoIrjfdK6z-yypEajLCEoFH6UfnXcEjiLfTQYQ8s4ihNV5v64FxyC2dCekEfBO10wByVDT4837JaLhOdm4JwpMhWqGRs9fXu2XFTG8pNti9nnzeNFm1Qtq0jvvfUO/s320/June+27th+2010+003.jpg" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Common Spotted-orchid (Dactylorhiza fuchsia)</div><br />
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Given the conditions the butterflies put on a good show with the following species on the wing:<br />
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• Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 10+<br />
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• Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 1 <br />
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• Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 1<br />
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• Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 1<br />
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• Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 10+<br />
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• Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 10+<br />
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• Marbled White (Melanargia galathea); 20+ all at Lapland Farm<br />
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• Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 20+<br />
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• Green-veined White (Pieris napi); 1Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-37956650369008993282010-06-27T11:44:00.000-07:002010-06-27T14:58:06.594-07:00Shirburn Hill - OxfordshireYesterday was a day for father and son bonding (June 26th 2010) with Peter and I going for a walk over Shirburn Hill. The weather was hot at 26°C in the shade and with 70% sun during the trek.<br />
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On this trip Peter was the photographer and some of his shots are included below.<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI569bRWhyphenhyphenj3zvI9sLdQgWsOrCpperv9eYD3LZ93WAnWB7hQcXlnrGQBBXIbCy2Ztg45hQTKaJfMW0uDq8wFFo8eRG_oafa_0PJOe-TgZD5QT0WX8HC3wLjejp2xU-1cbiUaYnYG9x-ONX/s1600/4735050981_f5ea49fd21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI569bRWhyphenhyphenj3zvI9sLdQgWsOrCpperv9eYD3LZ93WAnWB7hQcXlnrGQBBXIbCy2Ztg45hQTKaJfMW0uDq8wFFo8eRG_oafa_0PJOe-TgZD5QT0WX8HC3wLjejp2xU-1cbiUaYnYG9x-ONX/s320/4735050981_f5ea49fd21.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Craneflies mating (Tipulidae) - id not known</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: red;">SteveT from iSpot suggests these are Spotted Crane-fly (Nephrotoma appendiculata)</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4-4KlhNCoCn2qU5GWkUWTOlbtbF-8wFqG336eiguc2w8Yd_9j500WjvXqwFZlSoDLoiFUl8yneR8WSkdczR6Z3D0An2WLUCMRMzB7q6dBlvK5m9OyeU9TbmcMvNDgATMM8gMJZ6cAUMZ/s1600/Box+Wood+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4-4KlhNCoCn2qU5GWkUWTOlbtbF-8wFqG336eiguc2w8Yd_9j500WjvXqwFZlSoDLoiFUl8yneR8WSkdczR6Z3D0An2WLUCMRMzB7q6dBlvK5m9OyeU9TbmcMvNDgATMM8gMJZ6cAUMZ/s320/Box+Wood+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Box 'Wood' (Buxus sempervirens) 'flowing' down the hill</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsb7R4Jx741haEumXNlc0uGTWPzA1QhFt5n__e7T4RO-gdzXhZWkXGzcLb266wTWPKNtnYHgo7_lc6MMClpqT_l-17eshXrLQb8ghOAPO5EjlO3fcMo3vKn1o1QXzClUQQXffRo2LQkSH/s1600/Stonecrop+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjsb7R4Jx741haEumXNlc0uGTWPzA1QhFt5n__e7T4RO-gdzXhZWkXGzcLb266wTWPKNtnYHgo7_lc6MMClpqT_l-17eshXrLQb8ghOAPO5EjlO3fcMo3vKn1o1QXzClUQQXffRo2LQkSH/s320/Stonecrop+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Biting Stonecrop (Sedum acre)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nc7ZPaMHfp-D4QaOfdS8_jf7Fb8itCb0yM674Zrhi53BixFhf_QvWpj6urkP_zLL4p0d1ksZjjjKWW7M8QIo7w5xBWTaxRqpcSWQ62rrTiQCfZ__MvcCYjCamZSSsaCNlB59776xeG2X/s1600/Thyme+%26+Rockrose-+June+26th+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_nc7ZPaMHfp-D4QaOfdS8_jf7Fb8itCb0yM674Zrhi53BixFhf_QvWpj6urkP_zLL4p0d1ksZjjjKWW7M8QIo7w5xBWTaxRqpcSWQ62rrTiQCfZ__MvcCYjCamZSSsaCNlB59776xeG2X/s320/Thyme+%26+Rockrose-+June+26th+2010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wild Thyme (Thymus polytrichus) and Common Rock-rose (Helianthemum nummularium)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kNERM_w-1Gbf1MZtkEm6WGD9U_iMf8CBWlxTZhi3OjDQKHvl4L25NioynvwLJNydQHSgJqk0HKCSE1N1oRRmchbykuki_IiPsPe0SXR1stBi4_-BCbn0ITeRbazlJH__jCXEjy8qWDG9/s1600/Wild+Candytuft+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kNERM_w-1Gbf1MZtkEm6WGD9U_iMf8CBWlxTZhi3OjDQKHvl4L25NioynvwLJNydQHSgJqk0HKCSE1N1oRRmchbykuki_IiPsPe0SXR1stBi4_-BCbn0ITeRbazlJH__jCXEjy8qWDG9/s320/Wild+Candytuft+-+June+26th+2010.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Wild Candytuft (Iberis amara)</div><br />
Given the conditions the butterflies put on a good show with the following species on the wing:<br />
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• Meadow Brown (Maniola jurtina); 20+<br />
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• Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus); 20+ <br />
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• Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae); 3<br />
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• Common Blue (Polyommatus icarus); 2<br />
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• Large Skipper (Ochlodes sylvanus); 2<br />
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• Small Skipper (Thymelicus sylvestris); 1<br />
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• Speckled Wood (Pararge aegeria); 3<br />
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• Marbled White (Melanargia galathea); 6<br />
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• Ringlet (Aphantopus hyperantus); 2Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4385047396278934227.post-78170531232635264942010-06-26T13:18:00.000-07:002010-06-26T13:18:33.896-07:00Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">A sweltering week in the garden; however, the juvenile Common Frogs (Rana temporaria) seem to be enjoying life in the pond and a further 3 Small Tortoiseshell butterflies (Aglais urticae) were seen. It was also great to watch the activity around the bee nesting tubes. I think all the bees seen were Leaf-Cutter Bees (probably a species of Megachile) with at least 2 seen flying with cut leaf fragments. Attempted to take some photographs but failed! The only half decent shot is included below. I like the little face peering out of one of the tubes. Hopefully an illusion!!!</div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8MULQnHsJyc0OYqhyphenhyphenPYOi8omkQAsrVsLU6LAIJcs5K6DjQeP6vLIE1NOeD6TueXaFItCKKTIC4nYQ56H27dk-Qp47s9M2yYMnThvQlv-3HLNlqVUgwrgeV0L3d96zfWZCACMr8Vt6sSu/s1600/Lea+Park+Thame+June+26th+2010+003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ru="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8MULQnHsJyc0OYqhyphenhyphenPYOi8omkQAsrVsLU6LAIJcs5K6DjQeP6vLIE1NOeD6TueXaFItCKKTIC4nYQ56H27dk-Qp47s9M2yYMnThvQlv-3HLNlqVUgwrgeV0L3d96zfWZCACMr8Vt6sSu/s320/Lea+Park+Thame+June+26th+2010+003.jpg" /></a></div>Phil Coleshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07537941371448752268noreply@blogger.com0