Whilst we are now living in unprecedented times with the coronavirus and self isolation my spirits were lifted on 21/3 at Toad Holes Beck with yet another spring sighting of a Kingfisher. In fact there was an earlier (19/3) surprise…
Whoopers are leaving…
A nice surprise this morning as I headed to the watch point at Caldene fields, 13 Whooper swans flew over head on their return journey home. Very few Meadow pipits were observed but a nice flock of 17 Siskin heading…
Meadow pipits on the move…
This morning signs of spring at Caldene fields with 131 Meadow pipits returning N with a further 3 resting in the fields. Also moving N were 13 Alba wagtails, 1 Redwing and a single Skylark. A Parakeet Sp (escapee) with…
A site first and another Pheasant surprise…
This morning I found a bird species which I have never recorded in our area but have been expecting it for a number of year now. I saw a Stonechat Saxicola torquata sat on a house roof! it stayed there…
Pheasant surprise…
A bit of a strange sighting today of an adult male Pheasant in our area. This is my second ever record as I am not aware of any birds in the near vicinity to our recording area. The thought crossed…
Brambling…
A female Brambling fed with Chaffinches at Caldene fields today first sighting of the winter. Please keep a look out in our local area they ‘ maybe ‘ on the move searching for food.
Southern’s in trouble…
Since 2016 in a damp area at Toad Holes Beck there has been a good population of Southern Marsh orchids peaking at 8 during 2017. However, I have noticed over the years that this area has become overgrown with Brambles,…
Storms bring destruction and joy…
It was certainly wellington weather today as I walked the patch. Caldene fields were soaked with water and mud which attracted 2 feeding Pied Wagtails. The path into Raw Nook NR was totally flooded but unfortunately the storm had brought…
Hedge planting…
At Toad Holes Beck there is to be a new wildlife hedge planted on land which is owned by the Woodlands cricket club just off the footpath leading to Dyehouse road. Today I met Stuart Tordoff groundsman at Woodlands on…
Workday surprise…
On Saturday our group cleared over growing vegetation from a footpath at Toad Holes Beck that runs at the back of the pond. It was a lovely but cold morning but we all soon got warm as some tackled the…
