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).
Saturday, March 26, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire
A first on the garden feeders today – 1 ♂ Reed bunting (Emberiza schoeniclus)!
Sunday, February 06, 2011
Emmington - Oxfordshire
I 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.
The temperature during the walk was a balmy 11°C with 98% cloud and a strong gusty wind from the south west.
The following were of note.
Flora:
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).
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.
Close by the village naturalized patches of Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) were in full flower.
Birds:
23 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack). 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).
Habitat notes:
I wonder what lives here.
I must find out about the fauna and flora that inhabit micro-pools in trees.
The temperature during the walk was a balmy 11°C with 98% cloud and a strong gusty wind from the south west.
The following were of note.
Flora:
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).
Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum)
Lords-and-Ladies (Arum maculatum)
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.
Hazel (Corylus avellana)
Close by the village naturalized patches of Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) were in full flower.
Birds:
23 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack). 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).
Habitat notes:
I wonder what lives here.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Shirburn Hill - Oxfordshire
I took a short break from work at lunchtime last Tuesday to walk over Shirburn Hill (http://tinyurl.com/4l2obp9). 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!
A rather quiet walk to begin with but as the cloud cover decreased and the sun came out; the wildlife sightings seemed to increase.
The following were of note.
Fungi:
Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) growing, as is normal for these parts, on Elder (Sambucus nigra).
Lichen:
I noted some interesting but unidentified species of lichen growing on Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). I will share these photographs with the iSpot (http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage) community to see if others can identify them.
Birds:
Only 21 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack). 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!
Mammals:
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).
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.
Shirburn Hill
Shirburn Hill
The Box Wood (Buxus sempervirens) at Shirburn Hill
The view south down the scarp from Shirburn Hill
The following were of note.
Fungi:
Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) growing, as is normal for these parts, on Elder (Sambucus nigra).
Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)
Jew's Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae)
Lichen:
I noted some interesting but unidentified species of lichen growing on Common Whitebeam (Sorbus aria). I will share these photographs with the iSpot (http://www.ispot.org.uk/frontpage) community to see if others can identify them.
Birds:
Only 21 species were seen and/or heard and then recorded on BirdTrack (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdtrack). 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!
Mammals:
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).
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.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Lea Park, Thame, Oxfordshire
A first in the Coles garden this morning; one ♂ Blackcap (Sylvia atricapilla) feeding on a fat ball. What a great start to the work week!
Sunday, January 09, 2011
Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm - Buckinghamshire
A Sunday lunchtime walk in Rushbeds Wood and Lapland Farm Nature Reserve (http://www.bbowt.org.uk/content.asp?did=23527). 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.
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 (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdatlas).
The following were of note.
Birds:
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 Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) and, a first for me at this location, a Raven (Corvus corax). Add to that some sustained song from Great Tit (Parus major) and Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), the walk proved very enjoyable despite the lack of species numbers.
Mammals:
Some fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity was noted as were 2 high-seats! I guess, from the presence of the latter, BBOWT (http://www.bbowt.org.uk/default.asp) 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!
Rushbeds Wood
'Oxbow' in Rushbeds Wood
Rushbeds Wood
Trackbed of the disused Brill Tramway as it runs through Rushbeds Wood (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brill_Tramway)
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 (http://www.bto.org/volunteer-surveys/birdatlas).
The following were of note.
Birds:
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 Marsh Tit (Poecile palustris) and, a first for me at this location, a Raven (Corvus corax). Add to that some sustained song from Great Tit (Parus major) and Wren (Troglodytes troglodytes), the walk proved very enjoyable despite the lack of species numbers.
Mammals:
Some fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity was noted as were 2 high-seats! I guess, from the presence of the latter, BBOWT (http://www.bbowt.org.uk/default.asp) 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!
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Valley of the River Thame near Chearsley - Buckinghamshire
My first walk of the year took me down into the valley of the River Thame near Chearsley (http://tinyurl.com/29adszv). The temperature throughout the walk was 3°C with about 90% thin cloud cover and some weak winter sun.
The following were of note.
Birds:
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 Teal (Anas crecca). 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.
Mammals:
Some fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity noted where the land appeared just above areas subject to recent flooding.
The following were of note.
Birds:
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 Teal (Anas crecca). 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.
Mammals:
Some fresh Mole (Talpa europaea) activity noted where the land appeared just above areas subject to recent flooding.
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