Yesterday due to the lovely autumn sunshine I thought I would survey the dragonflies at Toad holes Beck. As I was walking opposite the middle pond I noticed a blueish dragonfly. I first thought Oh! an Emperor but it looked…
Dark Chestnut…
This morning I had my first ever Dark Chestnut moth in the light box at Caldene fields bringing the total of moth species recorded in our 3 areas to 338. On the vis-mig front the first Song Thrush of the…
Tawny Owl experience…
It was about 20.30 last night and I was driving down Cliff Hollins lane Oakenshaw. I stated to my wife as I was driving slow ‘ Keep a look out for owls ‘ No sooner had I finished the sentence….What’s…
Swallows on the move…
A good Swallow movement at the vis-mig point today despite the strong westerly wind. A final count of 399 was recorded including 53 observed coming in from the E and moving N/W. Over the last couple of days I have…
Breeding confirmed…
At Raw Nook NR today I found a small caterpillar in the heather. Further researched revealed the caterpillar to be of a True Lover’s Knot moth. The moth is a moorland and heathland species. So it’s nice to have it…
House Martins on the move…
At the watch-point today House Martins were again moving through our area with 187 to the west noted. Swallow were also passing but in lower numbers with 29 N/W and 6 S. Other than that it was a fairly quiet…
First Pink-footed geese…
This morning at the watch-point it was very quiet as few birds were observed moving. However, around 08.30 it started to rain and this seemed to have the desired effect of bringing the birds to a lower altitude. The first…
First attempt proves successful…
Until now I have never ventured into the world of leaf miner moths which are numerous species of moths in which the larval stage lives in, and eats, the leaf tissue of plants. However, yesterday I thought I would have a go…
The golds of Autumn…
Well the leaves haven’t changed colour just yet be Goldfinches were certainly getting ready for autumn today at Caldene fields with 102 moving S/W and an additional 50+ feeding in the fields. Also the first movement of Meadow Pipits(south) started…
Those Kingfisher…
Following on from the recent sightings of one and then 2 Kingfishers at gardens in Oakenshaw with one heading towards Toad Holes Beck I spent some time at the site this morning. At first all was quiet on the ponds…
