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Coronavirus…

Following government advice on social distancing all our groups work days have rightly been cancelled.

However, whilst fully supporting this advice I will be walking ( maximum once a day) in our area, alone, recording wildlife and updating this website unless government advice changes. So if I see you and I walk the other way..it’s not personal…ha

On a positive note I have noticed an influx of extra people using our area for walks…which is great and beneficial both for exercise and mental wellbeing. So keep walking and social distancing and I won’t be offended if you walk away from me…ha

So when out walking in our area (at a safe distance) listen for the wonderful spring call of the Chiffchaff…….Chiff…chaff…Chiff…chaff which has come all the way from southern Europe and north Africa to breed on OUR doorstep.

A total of 12 moths were in the light box this morning, 9 Common Quaker moths (excellent count) , 1 Common Plume and 2 Hebrew Characters moths

Common Quaker

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Kingfisher lifts the spirits…

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 at Caldene fields with another passage Stonchat resting on a wire fence. The first Chiffchaffs have arrived and both are calling with one at TH Beck and the other at Raw Nook NR. The pair of Grey Wagtails are still about which is good news for possible breeding.

Female Grey Wagtail

A further bit of positive news is the spring bulbs my grandchildren planted in the autumn at Raw Nook Nr are now bustling into life…

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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 S was interesting.

The a distant call caught my attention a splendid male Reed Bunting was calling from the top of a Hawthorn bush at Raw Nook NR which nicely finished the morning off.

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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 resting for a good couple of minutes before flying off to the west…an excellent start to the day.

I have not seen my friend the male Pheasant (with the damage tail) since the 1st of March. However, on Sunday 8/3 I was driving just outside our recording area when I saw another male Pheasant…with an undamaged tail…All very strange!

Noticed all so on Sunday at least 6 Meadow Pipits returning north to their breeding grounds over Caldene fields.

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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 my mind, is the bird wild as it has parts of it’s tail feathers missing however, it was very wary suggesting it may well be wild and has come in from somewhere!

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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, Nettles and Himalayan balsam and in 2019 none of these beautiful orchids could be found.

So on Saturday it was our group’s work day and we teamed up with Peter Gurney and Tia from YWT to tackle the problem. The first phase carried out by Peter was to strim the area of Bramble etc and then we all got to work raking away all the cuttings.

First phase clearing the vegetation to help the orchids

Naturally wildlife was never far away with Tia observing a possible Field Vole, then a Queen bee ( possible Buff -tailed ) was found, observed and put back quickly followed by a calling Great Spotted Woodpecker.

A special thank you to our friends from the YWT for their help and equipment and the tea and biscuits!!!

So in spring we will monitor the area and cut if required and fingers crossed the southern’s will return.

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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 down a Goat Willow tree.

However, there was good news and bad news as the pond is back to it’s fullest….just like the old days. But sadly I know that because of the leak in the pond it will soon dry out. This will be devastating news for spawning frog this spring if that happens….

Old faithful returns…
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