Fungus in the Wild

Local Wetlands

2012-02-12T13:24:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY 11th FEBRUARY 2012

The forecast was for good weather, so I set off in the morning to Kempton , where I hadn't been for some time. When I arrived, a Buzzard was prowling nearby, which could be considered a good or a bad omen, depending on point of view.

Buzzard

The lakes were all frozen over, so other than a few moorhens and a swan, there were no water birds to be seen. In the reed beds however, the Reed Buntings were having a field day.

Reed Bunting (female)

Reed Bunting (juvenile male)

Reed Bunting (male)

I stopped off in Addlestone for some purchases, and noticed a parade of shops with traditional roofs and lots of House Sparrows.

House Sparrow (male)

Mid afternoon, to Woking to see the Owls. I wasn't disappointed!

Kestrel

Short Eared Owl

Short Eared Owls

The WWT London Wetland Centre, Barnes.

2012-02-05T05:25:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY, 4th FEBRUARY 2012

Page under construction

Water Rail

Redpoll

Moorhen

Green Woodpecker

Teal

Heron

Lapwing

Snipe

A pair of Snipe

A Late Afternoon Walk

2012-02-05T04:32:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY, 3rd FEBRUARY, 2012.

Page under construction.

Mistle Thrush

Assorted Gulls on the ice.

Some of the hundreds of gulls heading north.

How many different species can you count?

A Swan at sunset.

Canada Goose

The setting sun.

A deer in the Wey Manor paddock.

Fox

Staines Moor

2012-02-04T07:56:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY, 1st FEBRUARY 2012

It was a bright, sunny morning, an ideal day for a visit to Staines Moor, so I thought. How wrong could I be! I set off in an icy wind which cut right through me, making it unpleasant just to keep my head up and my eyes open. The wind also seemed to be keeping most of the wildlife under shelter. The only ones unaffected were the Dabchicks, which spend most of their time under water, but as usual they dived as soon as they saw me, and I was too cold to stand waiting for them to reappear.

Eventually I got close enough to some wagtails for a picture, and also found several pairs of Mallards sheltering together in a clump of water plants. And that was about it, apart from a Robin, a Green Woodpecker, and a passing flock of Fieldfare.

A Pied Wagtail foraging on the river margin.

A Grey Wagtail.

Mrs. Mallard

Then a herd of cows came towards me, bellowing loudly, so I beat a prudent retreat.

A sunny day in Cobham

2012-01-27T15:48:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY, 27th JANUARY 2012.

It was a beautiful morning, so I was up and out early. I started out waiting for a Kingfisher on the Mole, but it didn't materialise and I couldn't resist checking if the Little Owl was in its tree. It was.

A Little Owl rests in its favourite tree, with half an eye on the nearby footpath.

Then on to Painshill Park, where a couple of days earlier I had counted ten Goosanders, including three females. They were all still there.

The female Goosanders are very proud of their hair-styles.

"What was that you said?"

A male and female Goosander.

Seven of the group of ten Goosanders present today.

All the regulars were there. I was particularly pleased to see Mr Dodgy Duck, who together with his sister Daffy, has what appears to be a split lower beak mandible through which his tongue permanently hangs. I first saw them three years ago, so I presume it doesn't inhibit them too much. The fact that there are two of them suggests that it is a genetic defect.

One of the many Swans on duty today at Painshill.

... and a Greylag Goose rests on one leg.

Mr. Dodgy Duck, with his tongue hanging through a split lower beak.

A fox speeds away.

A pair of Greater Spotted Woodpeckers "posturing".

Itinerant Cormorants often rest in the tree providing the highest point of the lake area of Painshill Park. This was the first time however that I had seen as many as five there at the same time.

Cormorants relaxing and exchanging gossip as a break from their various journeys,

The highest Cormorant decides it's time for him to go.

A Tree Creeper doing what Tree Creepers do.

"We can see you!" A family of Squirrels.

I could see (and hear) two Goldcrests working their way through a conifer, searching for insects and spiders for lunch. They ignored my presence, but they are so fast-moving that getting a good portrait while they are feeding is not an easy task. So I have about thirty pictures of brown blurs or tail-end views, and I have posted below the one shot in which an eye and a beak are visible, if somewhat obliquely.

A Goldcrest flits through the foliage looking for insects.

This looks intersting. Now, can I eat it?

... and yet More Owls!

2012-01-16T10:32:00.000-08:00

Monday 16th January 2012

Again, a beautiful sunny day, so I decided to take another stroll across Papercourt Meadows, this time restricting it to the late afternoon. When I arrived there just before 3pm, two Short-Eared Owls were already searching and swooping at the far end of the field, and it wasn't long before they were joined by a Barn Owl.

A Barn Owl searches the meadows.

He sees something on the ground, and stoops!

False alarm! Continue the search.

At one point, a Short-eared Owl and the Barn Owl were both so intent on watching the ground that they came very close to colliding. They both took evasive action at the last moment, then had a little mid-air scrap before resuming their searches. During the incident, the Barn Owl nicked an electricity cable with his wing and started falling, but fortunately he quickly recovered.

A Short-Eared Owl and a Barn Owl come close to an accidental collision ...

... and there is a bit of a mid-air scrap before they resume their search patterns.

The Short-Eared Owls seem to keep low when searching.

There was a bit of a diversion when a Kestrel appeared, being chased by two Crows. The Kestrel is pretty agile in flight, and this one was making plenty of quick evasive turns, but the Crows are surprisingly agile too, and kept right on his tail. Eventually however, the Crows gave up and let the Kestrel be on his way.

The Kestrel swerves into a sudden dive, but the Crow stays right on his tail!

And finally, a couple of shots taken yesterday and sent to me by Dom (http://www.flickr.com/photos/domgreves/), in which he was unfortunate enough to get me almost in line with the owl. I appear to be photographing something further to the left.

Owls

2012-01-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

Sunday, 15th January 2012

After yesterday's good luck finding a Little Owl, I decided this morning to follow up a report of Short Eared Owls on Papercourt Meadows, between Old Woking and Ripley. I parked at Old Woking, and headed across the water meadows towards Papercourt Lock on the Wey Navigation. What I didn't know at the time was that the Owls don't normally appear until after 3pm. But it was a pleasant sunny day, attractive countryside, plenty of other wildlife to see, and I continued beyond the lock to the Seven Stars at Ripley for lunch.

A pair of Stonechats on their favourite vantage point, a grass stalk.

A Kestrel sizes up a potential meal.

A male Stonechat

A female Stonechat.

A Deer, north of the river

A Cormorant passes by.

Just after 3.30pm, the Short Eared Owls arrived. Of course, they were at the opposite end of the meadow, so we made our way down to get a better view of their flying display.

One of the Short Eared Owls flies past during the display ...

... and turns his face towards us and smiles (?).

One of the Owls gives a harrying Crow a taste of its own medicine.

After a while the Owls moved back to where we had been originally, and as I could also see a Barn Owl there, I followed them. I got some good views but no more pictures.

Painshill and Thereabouts

2012-01-14T08:19:00.000-08:00

Saturday, 14th January, 2012

I can't believe that my last post to this blog was over a year ago. I must have seen some wildlife since then! Anyway, here I am again with a report of a couple of visits to Painshill and the surrounding area.

Firstly, the Goosanders. In the past two winters at least, flocks of usually 8 to 10 Goosanders have visited Painshill Park in Surrey. Yesterday I saw some for the first time this year, but only three males. Today I was there again, and saw only one male. Better luck next time, perhaps.

Three male Goosander at Painahill, 13th Jan.

A male Goosander at Painshill, 14th Jan.

There were three Great Crested Grebes on the lake yesterday and today; a lone juvenile and a pair. Twice I saw the pair engaging in their little lovey-dovey greeting ritual. None of the serious stand-up-on-the-hind-legs dancing yet though.

Mr & Mrs G.C. Grebe exchange pleasantries after a short spell apart.

As always at Painshill, there were plenty of Herons in evidence.

A Heron waits by the Chinese bridge.

A Heron waits for his lunch to arrive.

After our circuit of Painshill, we went for a short walk down by the cemetary, where we spotted a Little Owl roosting in an Oak tree. I've not seen one of those before. (The owl that is, not the tree.)

A Little Owl dozes in an Oak tree.

The Little Owl watches intently as I edge a little closer.

Staines Moor

2010-10-17T14:37:00.000-07:00

OCTOBER 2010

I needed to visit Staines market to buy a few items for use in the production of wine from my garden grapes. An ideal opportunity to kill two birds with one stone (inapproptiate metaphor) and visit Staines Moor. The first bird I saw was something of a surprise, as I had only previously seen them in the uplands of Scotland and Cumbria; a Wheatear.

The Crow is quite an attractive bird, in its own way.

A Sparrow-Hawk circled over me for a while. Just look at that big yellow eye!

Who can resist stopping to hear a Robin singing?

The next one can only be regarded as a record shot as it's not a very clear picture. It was only when I examined it at home that I realised the flock of small birds in the bushes were Redpolls.

The Cormorant is common enough, but they look so superior flying past that I can never resist a picture!

Cider Making

2010-10-17T14:06:00.000-07:00

10th OCTOBER 2010

I was invited by Linda & Alan to join them in crushing and pressing apples for cider. There was also some mention of sampling last year's product, so off the Medstead I went!

The first stage of the process after collecting the apples was to chop them into manageable pieces for the crusher. This was a manual process involving large kitchen knives and a significant risk to the fingers.

The result was a crusher full of apples but not (we hope) fingers.

Next came some hard work for Alan, turning the crusher handle to crush the apples into a pulp. It was backbreaking work - and I was only watching!

The apple pulp was then transferred to the press, where every last drop of juice was squeezed out. The whole process was then repeated until we were worn out or there were no apples left.

Then came the best bit! Samples were imbibed of last year's wine and cider, and the apple juice we had just produced.

It had not escaped my notice that Linda & Alan's home in Medstead was close to the Mid-Hants Railway, which is operated with steam locomotives. So on my way to Medstead, in return for ten minutes spent by the lineside I was rewarded with the sight of a train in each direction, each hauled by a big black engine.

For the technically-minded, the first engine (two pictures) is a LMS 5MT 4-6-0, which was colloquially known to railwaymen as a "Black Five". The other engine is a British Railways 9F 2-10-0 heavy freight locomotive.

Hobby & Painshill

2010-10-17T13:33:00.000-07:00

20th & 21st SEPTEMBER 2010

I mentioned earlier that I had regularly seen a family of Hobbies over our garden. Well, my luck got even better when the juvenile landed on the pine tree in full view of my camera, which was indoors but ready for use. It was dusk so the exposures were quite long, but the camera's shake reduction worked and gave me a couple of usable images.

I hadn't been to Painshill for a while, and was delighted to find that the three Great Crested Grebe chicks were still there, two with one parent and one with the other. My visit was rewarded with this beautiful sequence of a fish being fed to a chick.

And there were two Buzzards there, soaring above the lake.

Southwold

2010-09-23T15:19:00.000-07:00

15th to 19th SEPTEMBER 2010

We had booked a cottage in Southwold for four nights, and on our way north we visited Orford Ness. It's a bleak but interesting location, accessible only by ferry from Orford village. The lighthouse is unmanned but still in use. However it is now only a few metres from the sea and getting closer every year, so one day it will disappear. There is no intention to replace it, and it seems that the light output from Southwold lighthouse is being increased to compensate.

There are a few manages reedbeds and scrapes on Orford Ness, and this one was home to the usual selection of waders.

The pier car park at Southwold is next to water-meadows and pools, which supported a variety of bird species. This Meadow Pipit was heading for the grass by the model boat pool, before 9am when there was no-one around.

There were also plenty of Barnacle Geese, heading south along the coast.

Captions to be added

Hobbies and Other Raptors

2010-09-23T15:00:00.000-07:00

1st to 14th SEPTEMBER 2010

Before we start on the raptors, here is a rather startled-looking Jay standing beside our pond. He is there at least once a day for a bath, usually followed by other members of his family. After the bath, the favourite place is the apple-tree, for a shake and thorough preen.

After a hospital appointment, Penny & I drove south to Thursley Common, where I took a walk while Penny enjoyed the sun. I saw a bird of prey soaring over the common, later identified as a Hobby (Falco subbuteo). When first seen it was eating something in flight, possibly a dragonfly, from its claw.

Soon afterwards, I disturbed a Kestrel sitting in a tree.

I went down to Painshill to see how the Grebes were gettng on. The family had split, with each parent looking after two chicks in a different area of the lake. I was fascinated to watch this adult catch a fish and bring it to the chicks. He shook the fish a few times, then released it close to one of the chicks, immediately ducking his head under the water to watch what was going on. The youngster missed the fish, so the adult recaught it (presumably it was a bit stunned by the shaking) and repeated the procedure until the youngster was successful.

I've been doing a lot of work in the garden, and from time to time a flock of Green Parakeets passes overhead, making their continuously repetitive screeching as they go. One day I noticed a slightly different screeching, and looked up to see three birds of prey flying with the Parakeets, one making a lot of noise. The noisy one stopped for a while in the pine tree. During the week I saw them most days, and on several occasions managed to get a picture, from which I was able to identify the birds as Hobbies. It appears likely that it is an adult pair and a juvenile.

On Saturday we visited the remains of Woking Palace, where there was an open day and falconry demonstration. This Kestrel was part of the demonstration, and is sitting on the roof of a tent.

The Kestrel flew around as it pleased, and landed on the shoulder of a spectator, much to her surprise.

A Peregrine Falcon also demonstrated its skills.

Next day, the Hobbies flew over our garden again.

The Goldfinches have been making good use of the niger feeder and seed-bearing plants in our garden. And why, you ask, is a juvenile Goldfinch included in a page of raptors? Only because our lawn was one morning liberally sprinkled with down and feathers, including several in black and yellow. I don't think it was the result of a preening session!

Painshill, New Haw & Dunsfold

2010-09-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

26th to 31st AUGUST 2010

On my first visit for some time to Painshill, I was pleased to find that a pair of Great Crested grebes had produced four chicks.

And I was even more pleased when a Buzzard appeared over the lake.

By the River Wey near Brooklands, a Kingfisher landed right in front of me.

Then on to the New Haw gravel pit, where a Kestrel was doing a circuit.

And the Linnets were still about.

A juvenile Linnet and Goldfinch take a bath together.

And another Linnet.

On bank holiday Sunday we spent the day at the Brooklands Wings & Wheels event at Dunsfold Park. as always, the red Arrows display was spectacular.

A Hawker Hunter flying in formation with a Hurricane is not a common sight.

And a star of the show was the Vulcan bomber.

The Seahawk reminded me of the days i lived near Yeovilton in the 1960s.

A Spitfire and a Mustang, both with R R Merlin engines, provide an interesting comparison.

Gymnastics on top of an airoplane? Hmmm. Not for the faint-hearted, I think.

And finally, the Typhoon (aka Eurofighter).

to be continued...

New Haw, Crawley & our garden

2010-09-21T17:45:00.000-07:00

28th JULY to 22nd AUGUST 2010

I cycled down to Cox's Mill footbridge to see Gresley A4 no. 60019 "Bittern" pass by on an excursion to the seaside.

The logical place to move on to was then the gravel pits at New Haw. The first thing I noticed there was a small flock of Linnets.

As always, the Pied Wagtails were in evidence.

And I stood very still while a group of deer passed through.

A Whitethroat, I believe.

The next day, I was in Crawley for a retirement party, and visited Buchan Country Park. There, I was fortunate enough to see this Lesser Spotted Woodpecker busily clearing out a hole in a tree. I'm not sure why, at this end of the nesting season.

Back at home, I noticed a Blackbird in the garden with something unusual. On closer examination it proved to be a dead frog. I went outside for a closer look, and the bird stayed with it. He wasn't going to lose his prize!

A few days later, I was sitting in the summerhouse when our local juvenile Green Woodpecker landed in the garden and started foraging. I watched and photographed as he searched the garden, and it was only when he got very close that he suddenly realised I was there!

Meet our new junior Robin, still without a red breast but acting in every way like a Robin.

One morning, I noticed from our bedroom window that a Dunnock was sitting on Gwendoline's head, busily preening.

Then one of our Jay family arrived for his morning bath.

And after a bath, the apple tree makes a good place to dry off and preen.

Scottish Sea Birds & Cumbrian Ospreys

2010-07-27T08:28:00.000-07:00

BETWEEN 22nd & 24th JULY 2010

This was a trip to Scotland with my brother to attend a family funeral. While we were there we filled in some spare time with walks in the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens and Aberlady Bay, and a visit to the Scottish Sea Bird Centre at North Berwick

On our way home we broke the journey at the RSPB Leighton Moss reserve, where we were lucky enough to observe (from a great distance and through misty rain) an Osprey hunting and consuming a fish.

On Friday morning we parked on the roof of the Ocean Terminal car park at Leith Docks, to have some lunch, change into our "guid claes", and watch the world go by.

Three Cormorants dry their wings.

A Great Black-Backed Gull soars past the car park.

One of four female Eider seen in the dock

On Saturdy morning we headed for North Berwick and the Scottish Sea Bird Centre, hoping for a boat trip round Bass Rock. On the way we stopped for a walk along the beach at Aberlady Bay.

Oystercatcher & Kittiwake

Bar-Tailed Godwits

Dunlins

Next we stopped at Scottish Sea Life Centre, North Berwick.

Bass Rock

A Gull with a damaged foot.

On our way home, we broke the journey at Leighton Moss, Cumbria.

Swallows & Coots on the lake

Here we watched an Osprey hovering and diving over the lake, from a great distance and through mist and drizzle. We moved to a hide slightly closer to the action, and found him in a tree with a large fish.

Distant Osprey, with fish

Osprey and Egrets

A male Marsh Harrier, near to the Osprey

Bedfont Lakes

2010-07-27T08:18:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY 21st JULY 2010

Three trips to Ashford hospital today; taking in, visitig after operation, and bringing home. After the middle visit I called in at Bedfont Lakes.

An adult Great Crested Grebe shakes himself...

... and settles back in the water.

His offspring looks suspiciously at me...

... and they both swim away as fast as possible.

A little later, the Grebes somehow got involved in a Coot fight. The adult flew/ran away along the surface of the lake. The juvenile watched until the adult was back on the surface, wondering what to do. Then after a couple of half-hearted attempts, he stood up, flapped his wings, and imitated his mentor.

The juvenile G C Grebe tries out his wings.

The Common Terns were in good form. The warden told me later that they have counted 42 Tern chicks this year.

A Commin Tern in flight

A Tern picks up a piece of bread at speed.

The Far North : Tromso Botanic Garden

2010-07-27T08:08:00.000-07:00

MONDAY 12th JULY 2010

Under construction - come back later.

The Far North : Life on Land

2010-07-27T08:00:00.000-07:00

BETWEEN 3rd & 17th JULY 2010

Under construction - come back later.

The Far North : Gjesværstappan Nature Reserve

2010-07-27T07:50:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY 7th JULY 2010

From the fishing port of Gjesvær, we went round the islands of Gjesværstappan. The first rocks we passed provided a roost for hundreds of Cormorants, and a few Black-Backed Gulls.

The surface of the water near the island was covered with various members of the Auk family, the most recognisable being the Puffin.

... and Razorbills were very much in evidence.

The plentiful supply of food (i.e. small sea-birds) supports a sizeable population of White-Tailed Sea Eagles.

One end of the island was home for thousands of Gannets. This one seems to have become entangled in seaweed.

As the boat approached, the Puffins either dived or flew. Sometimes they were so full of fish that when they tried to fly, all they could do was run along the serface flapping their wings.

We saw many Sea Eagles sitting on rocks. At one point we could see six at the same time.

MORE TO COME!

The Far North : Sea Life

2010-07-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

BETWEEN 3rd & 17th JULY 2010

Under construction - come back later.

More Life in the Garden

2010-05-21T15:05:00.000-07:00

21st - 23rd MAY 2010

I've spent a lot of time in the garden over the past few weeks, mainly finishing the pond and adding a bog, and clearing some of the ivy-covered wilderness further from the house. This has brought me closer than usual to the garden wildlife.

The nest box nearest the house has been taken over by a pair of Blue Tits. Their venture came close to disaster last Friday. I was alerted by their alarm calls, and went out to find the nest box on the ground with one of the neighbourhood cats standing over it. The cat must have climbed onto the box, and his weight broke the rather flimsy fixing. I lodged the box in the bush close to the original location, but the adult Tits wouldn't accept it because it was in the wrong place, so after half an our I tried another approach. The top half of the box front is removable, so I unscrewed it to allow me to drill a new fixing hole and hang the box back in its original location. It also allowed me to see the five or six tiny, bald chicks. With the box refitted, the adults immediately started bringing food again. To protect against further interest from the cat, a barricade of holly branches was provided!

Until last week, a pair of Great Tits had a nest in the fence between our garden and the neighbours'. The approximate location was evident from the noise of the chicks. Then one day all went quiet, suggesting the chicks had fledged. However we saw no sign of them on the feeder as we have in the past, and about the same time a pair of great Tits started bonding displays and checking out nest boxes. Was this the same pair, recovering from the loss of their brood to a predator?

The Wrens, having been evicted from a nest box by the Magpies, are now interested in another nest box. This Wren has seen me, and is wondering if I have seen him!

A family of Long Tailed Tits appeared in our garden yesterday, and has been here ever since, roosting overnight in the Rhododendron, and investivating the bushes, the pond, the trees, the vine, and anything else that takes their interest. Being newly fledged, they are quite tame (and not very good at keeping their feathers tidy!).

The Damsels were busy finding mates and laying eggs.

While clearing ivy and rubble from the ground, I disturbed frogs and toads of varying sizes and colours. I think I counted seven over two days. In most cases, they were caught and put safely among the rocks by the pond.

On Sunday morning I was in the garden and heard a flapping of wings followed by quacking. No sign of any ducks though. Eventually I located the source of the noise: on our neighbours' roof! It was a male Mallard, and stayed there for about ten minutes, quacking in short bursts.

My theory is that this is the Mallard that regularly came to our garden until recently, and he has lost his mate and was checking old haunts in an attempt to find her. A good story, anyway.

Another find under the ivy was what appeared to be a Bumble-Bee nest. I moved the nest material (mainly leaves) to a new location, and they seemed quite happy to go too.

In the Garden

2010-05-05T03:27:00.000-07:00

5th MAY 2010

There's quite a bit of bird activity in our garden at the moment. The pair of Mallards visit our pond most days for a couple of hours. A Blackcap comes across from the other side of the railway to get a drink of water from an old washing-up bowl. The Tits, Robins, Dunnocks, Pigeons, Magpies, Jays, Goldfinches, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers and others regularly come to feed. The Great Tits are nesting in the neighbour's fence. But best of all is a pair of Wrens who are currently filling a nest box with moss and feathers.

Wren update 9.5.2010: Returned from weekend away to find Magpie had harassed the Wrens enough to frighten them away. Moss and feathers from the box were spread over the lawn. I had seen the Magpie doing it before we went, and tied some holly over the box to make Magpie access mre difficult.

I noticed that one of the Great Tits on the feeder had non-standard markings around the back of his head.

April out, May in.

2010-05-03T14:01:00.000-07:00

Today's report covers several of my regular haunts visited at the end of April and the beginning of May.

PAINSHILL, 27th APRIL 2010

The visit started well photographically with this spot-on framing of a Mallard in flight.

Mr Grebe returned from an expedition to the other end of the lake, and was welcomed back with a little display.

They then started trying to build a nest by gathering branches and reeds and dropping them in the middle of the lake. It didn't work, needless to say.

But they did take time off from their labours to exchange gifts of weed.

Several pairs of Canada Geese now have goslings.

In the north lake, a single Grebe was foraging, preening and stretching his beak. Possibly he is the survivor of the original pair.

And by the car park, a couple of Jackdaws were prodding the field for titbits. I got a rather dirty look from this one when I took his picture.

CRAWLEY, THURSDAY 29th APRIL 2010

One of my favourite lunchtime spots when I worked at Crawley was Buchan Country Park. I called in while visiting Crawley for a leaving party, and found the Grebes incubating at their usual nesting place.

PAINSHILL, FRIDAY 30th APRIL 2010

By now there are goslings everywhere. When I lined up for this picture, the furthest left of the goslings was still on mum's back under her wing, and he struggled out and got into position with his siblings. The third gosling took fright and hid his face.

This Mrs Mallard seems to have a rather mixed parentage, and this shows in the varied colour patterns of her ducklings.

A Grey Wagtail was still busy collecting insects around the Grotto. There only seems to be one adult at any time just now, suggesting that the eggs are still being incubated.

The pair of Grebes seemed to have given up ideas of nest-building for the moment, and were taking a grand tour around both lakes. There was no sign of the single Grebe.

Not to be outdone by the Canada Geese, this Greylag family gave a prefect display of precision formation swimming.

As I returned past the Abbey Ruin, I was pleased to have the opportunity to offer my best wishes to Mahinda & Mariyam, who were in Indian dress being photographed following their Tamil Indian marriage ceremony at Painshill.

IN OUR GARDEN, SATURDAY 1st MAY 2010

We are still getting regular visits from Mr and Mrs Mallard. They call in most days, and usually stay for an hour or two.

Painshill

2010-04-24T15:33:00.000-07:00

Saturday 24th APRIL 2010

The Painshill grieving Grebe has left the lake and the nest has been taken over by a Coot. The other pair of Grebes have made a nest by the long thin island near the vineyard, and have at least one egg.

Update 27/4/10: The GC Grebes' vineyard nest (see above) was abandoned and the eggs gone. The Grebes were vainly trying to build a new nest by piling up weeds in the middle of the lake, needless to say without success. A single GC Grebe was foraging in the north lake; possibly the survivor of the original pair has returned.

Around the Grotto, a Wren was searching the rock crevices for insects.

Similarly employed was a Grey Wagtail, collecting insects presumably for a nest full of chicks.

While I was in the Grotto, a Swan flapped noisily into the confined space of the tunnel, frightening everyone there.

Painshill Park is at Cobham, Surrey. For further details, see http://www.painshill.co.uk/.

Weymouth

2010-04-24T15:21:00.000-07:00

Thursday 22nd APRIL 2010

I decided to try out my new Brompton bits with a train trip, and Weymouth seemed a good idea. As I set off for the station, a pair of Blackbirds were fighting on the roof. I didn't capture the fight, but this is the male saying "I won!".

While I was watching the Blackbirds, I noticed that a Pigeon was bringing sticks into the thick coniferous tree, via our roof. Presumably she's building a nest.

When I arrived at Weymouth, I went straight to Radipole Lake. The first thing I saw was a group of Tufted Ducks accompanied by this stranger, a Hooded Merganser. The Tufties seemed to treat him as one of them. In fact he felt so at home that he was playing fast and loose with the ladies in the group.

The Hooded Merganser is normally found in North America. I was told that this one has been in the area for a couple of months, so he must have either got blown off course somewhere, or has escaped from captivity.

All the usual suspects were there, including Cormorants and Herring Gulls.

....and Shelducks.

There was excitement among the local birders because this pair of Garganey were making a rare appearance.

There were plenty of House Sparrows.

And under the road bridge was a nest of Pigeon squabs. Not the prettiest of babies.

Ham Moor

2010-04-24T15:20:00.001-07:00

Tuesday 20th APRIL 2010

Another visit to the gravel pit at Ham Moor. I was entertained for a while by a display of aerobatics from the Crows and Lapwings.

Several Shelduck were present on the lake.

The Little Ringed Plovers were dividing their time between flying circuits and foraging for food.

The prize for the loudest and least harmonious singing went to the Marsh Frogs.

The Little Grebes tried to keep well away from me, but I caught a picture of this one!

The brown-headed Black-Headed Gulls look very smart at this time of year, especially matching pairs.

Kew

2010-04-24T15:19:00.002-07:00

Monday 19th APRIL 2010

A walk along the Thames from Barnes to Kew Gardens and back. Most of the day's activities were social or horticultural, but this Jay posed nicely for me among the Magnolia droppings.

Barnes & Staines Moor

2010-04-24T15:19:00.000-07:00

Saturday 17th APRIL 2010

A quick trip to WWT Barnes as I hadn't been there for a while.

A Great Crested Grebe was busy preening his feathers, which involved some rather convoluted positions with his feet in the air!

He then did some diving, and came up with a large fish held very carefully in his beak.

He stuggled for some time trying to swallow the fish, but it was too big and eventually he let it go.

I saw my first ducklings of the year.

... and my first cootlings!

As ever, the Little Grebes were hard at work foraging ...

... as were the Little Ringed Plovers.

On my way home I went via Staines Moor. The Reed Buntings were out in force ...

... as were the insects. These were rather too large to be called midges!

Finally, the Robin gave me a farewell serenade.

Esher & Weybridge

2010-04-24T15:18:00.000-07:00

Friday 16th APRIL 2010

Robina was staying with us for a few days before flying home to Australia. This grew by a further ten days thanks to the Icelandic volcano. So she came along with me on a day of walks; Ham Moor, Claremont and Painshill.

At Coxes Mill, the Grebes have nade a nest on the millpond and are incubating.

At Claremont, a pair of Green Woodpeckers were working the amphitheatre for food.

Langstone, Pagham & Sidlesham

2010-04-18T20:19:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY, 15th APRIL 2010

Pagham Harbour is a place I can't resist visiting at least once a year, and today was the day. On the way I called in at Langstone on Hayling Island, but it was such a cold wind I didn't stay long. My first sighting at Pagham was a Redshank, searching the mud in the rising water.

Near the sea entrance, I saw a group of birds swimming against the current. As I pointed my camera, they took fright and flew away. Examination of the picture afterwards shows this to be a female Red-Breasted Merganser.

In the shelter of an isolated pool, a flock of Turnstones were busy doing what Turnstones do.

... and as the wind was strong and cold, the Skylarks were feeding on the ground in preference to singing in the air.

As always, the Crows were stroppy.

A lone Oystercatcher looks for his dinner.

I walked north along the east side of Pagham Harbour past Church Farm. This Buzzard was in a conflict with a Crow, and flew off towards Sidlesham.

For a long time, I sat watching a pairof Swans apparently tacking up and down a pool, using their wings as sails. (Pictures to de added.)

And back at the coast, a Kestrel doid his rounds.

First Swallow

2010-04-14T15:37:00.000-07:00

WEDNESDAY 14th APRIL 2010

It was a grey afternoon with a promise of sun later. I needed a walk and Staines Moor is still one of my favourites.

I was slightly perturbed when I arrived to find about 20 horses and 40 bullocks in my path. I suppose it is common land.... When I had passed the livestock and crossed the river, a pair of Shelduck arrived.

Then I realised that significant numbers of Sand Martins were flitting up and down the river catching insects.

And further along the river, there were Swallows too.

As always, the Pipits were working the river bank, ably assisted by Pied Wagtails, Reed Buntings, ....

... and a Heron.

Weybridge and New Haw

2010-04-10T13:04:00.000-07:00

9th & 10th APRIL 2010

I took Penny's car to Byfleet for an MOT test this morning, and cycled back home via a newly-discovered (by me anyway) gravel pit. It provides something of a wildlife haven, and it was great to hear the sound of Lapwings and Skylarks in the area.

As I arrived, several little birds were flying from one lake to the other. It was only when I examined the photograph afterwards that I realised they were Little Ringed Plovers.

In this view, you can see a Shelduck, Shovellers, Canada Goose, Lapwings, and Black-Headed Gulls.

The Lapwings were doing their usual aerobatics, wheeling, diving and calling.

Across the lake, a fox trotted by.

And further on, near the railway crossing, I heard the unmistakeable sound of Blackcaps.

At the River Wey footbridge, I optimistically hoped for a Kingfisher. I was rewarded instead with a pair of Grey Wagtails.

A sad note to end on. The sight of a Swan struggling to swim up the River Wey near Weybridge, dragging a long fishing line fouled with debris. The line can be seen coming out of his beak then cutting into his neck.

I tried to attract the swan over to at least cut the line but he was (understandably) not interested. I contacted the RSPCA when I got home, but by then it was probably too late to find the Swan again.

When a wild animal is killed or injured by another animal, it's sad but it's the way of nature. However this swan is suffering because of someone's lazy and irresponsible behaviour in leaving broken or discarded equipment where it can cause harm.

I believe most of the fishing rights around here are owned by the gravel-extraction company Cemex and administered on their behalf by the Weybridge Angling Club. However there is no evidence that the offending tackle was discarded by a member of this club, and I'm sure they would be as horrified as anyone else at this unnecessary suffering.

Staines Moor and others

2010-04-08T13:41:00.000-07:00

THURSDAY 8th APRIL 2010

It was a beautiful warm sunny morning so I went for a walk across Staines Moor. The birds were certainly there in force!

A Heron landed in front of me, but didn't like the look of me and stalked off.

I had a similar effect on the Little Egret foraging further up the river.

In the scrub at the north end I could hear Blackcaps, and this one allowed me to take a picture.

There were as usual plenty of Green Woodpeckers, but always flying away when I was almost close enough for a photograph.

The sound of the Skylarks was beautiful, and there were plenty of them!

Even a circling Sparrowhawk didn't stop the Skylarks.

As I returned to the north bridge, a Kingfisher was sitting on the rail. Suddenly he flew a few metres, hovered for a second, and dived into the water then went up onto a reed. Unfortunately the bridge rail was in the way of a photograph of the action.

This Skylark was putting on a good show for me, hovering and circling quite low above my head ......

..... when suddenly I realised I was being watched! Fortunately for the Skylark, the Kestrel was below him and seemed to be more interested in me.

There were plenty of Meadow Pipits, and some were happy to pose for a picture.

In places, the groups of male Reed Buntings could almost be regarded as flocks, and there were also a good number of pairs foraging together.

A Whitethroat was catching insects in a bramble bush.

And finally, more Skylarks ...

... including a demonstration of the raised crest!

London

2010-04-08T13:33:00.000-07:00

TUESDAY 6th APRIL 2010

Some text still to be added

I had an early-afternoon appointment in Chelsea, so took a morning train to Waterloo and walked there via Westminster Bridge, St James' Park, Green Park, and Hyde Park. The return was via St Luke's gardens, Hyde Park, Kensington Gardens, a number 9 bus and Waterloo Bridge.

The Squirrels and Parakeets were enjoying nibbling the blossom on the trees. To get these pictures I had to fight my way through hordes of girls saying "aw, cute!" in many different languages.

A pretty young Red-Crested Pochard is the centre of attention for at least six of her male counterparts.

A Moorhen is not easy to photograph when it's moving because of its fast jerky action, so I took the opportunity to get this one while it was resting.

As I went in to Hyde Park from the Wellington monument, these guys came past on their way back to the barracks from some ceremony.

On the Serpentine, I found all the usual suspects including a Great Black-Backed Gull, ...

... and a Coot. (Awww, coot!)

In the churchyard of St Luke's, Chelsea, a Dunnock was collecting nesting material.

The full-size working replica of Stevenson's "Rocket" was in action in Hyde Park, giving rides to advertise the Science Museum.

In the Round Pond, Kensington Gardens, the Starlings were bathing.

And back at the Serpentine, a Great Tit and a Robin were taking food from the hand of a local character.

A pair of Great Crested Grebes had made a nest right next the the Serpentine Lido restaurant. No eggs yet though.

My transport back from Hyde Park Corner to Waterloo Bridge was a 1950's-built Routemaster bus, running on route 9 from the Albert Hall to Aldwych.

While I was enjoying the view from Waterloo Bridge, two tugs passed under, each towing a pair of lighters filled with yellow containers. Later research with Google showed this to be a regular route for rubble infill to the 2012 Olympic site, and rubbish away from the site. This improves the envionmental credentials of the 2012 Olympics.

Ducks in the Garden

2010-04-08T13:31:00.000-07:00

5th APRIL 2010

We have a small pond in our garden and I was rather surprised on Monday to find a pair of Mallards swimming on it. They were enjoying the blanket weed, and the tadpoles seem to have survived the experience.

They've been back twice since then (in three days), and get braver every time. They've explored the patio, and they've discovered the spilt seed under the bird feeder but have to keep waddling back to the pond to wash it down.

Old Haunts

2010-04-02T23:26:00.000-07:00

31st MARCH - 4th APRIL 2010

While I was in Rome, I received an email from work asking for anecdotes from the past for an ex-colleague who was retiring at the end of the month. Never one to miss a party, my first day home saw me in Crawley, and in the afternoon I visited Buchan Country Park and Warnham Mill.

There was a pair of Great Crested Grebes at Buchan, but no sign yet of a nest. It started raining and I didn't stay long.

I spent an hour or so at Warnham Mill, Horsham, where I was the only visitor. There was very little on the lake (no sign of Grebes), and I spent most of my time in the newly-enclosed woodland hide. All the usual suspects were there, including Blackbirds, ...

... Chaffinches (this one with signs that he is suffering from the leg-warts common among chaffinches), ...

... several Reed Buntings, both male and female, ...

... as well as Tree-Creepers, Redpolls, Robins, Chiffchaff, various Tits, and probably others I've forgotten.

Back at the café, a smart young Magpie was making a lot of noise about something.

The following day was spent with a group of friends including Mike & Trish from Cape Town, who we hadn't seen for some time. The day included a walk in Bushey Park, where the Ring-Necked Parakeets were busy devouring the blossom.

My favourite local haunt was looking seasonal on Good Friday, with the Greylag Geese among the daffodills.

The Great Crested Grebes had moved in to their nest, and were obviously incubating. I watched them change places on the nest, and I could see two eggs, though there may be more. Mr Grebe is seen standing up to leave while Mrs Grebe patiently awaits her turn, ....

... and she then climbs carefully up on to the nest.

Mr Grebe headed straight off to find some food, and it didn't take him long to come up with a good-sized fish. He found it quite a struggle to swallow it!

On my way home, I spent an hour on a bridleway bridge over the River Mole. The Chiffchaffs were making their presence known and singing well.

I was also hoping for a Kingfisher, as it seemed like an ideal spot. One did fly down the river, but it didn't stop for a photograph.

Rome

2010-04-02T02:07:00.000-07:00

25th - 30th MARCH 2010

Penny & I had six days in Rome, enjoying the company of Brenton & Robina from Australia, and celebrating a "significant" wedding anniversary. This account covers the wildlife we encountered along the way!

Near the top of one of Rome's seven hills, the Quirinal, is a small public garden called unsurprisingly the Giardini Quirinale. We passed through this on several occasions on the way to other places. On the first vist, several green Parakeets were noisily laying in to the fruit on one of the trees. It's good to know it's not just the Surrey-London borders that suffer from these annoyingly raucus, attractive to watch, somewhat anthropomorphic immigrants!

We saw our first Roman Blackbirds in the Quirinal Gardens, and they were not a pretty sight. This was one of the worst examples, with diseased eyes and her feathers in poor condition. Most of the Blackbirds we saw during the week seemed to be suffering from one thing or another.

From out first arrival in Rome, every tree seemed to contain a bird with a strident warble rather like a hovering skylark's. Each warble lasted about two seconds, immediately followed by another until the bird flew off to another tree. After patient watching, I eventually concluded that it was a "little brown job" and its was always either singing directly at a nearby potential mate, or singing in competition with a singer in another tree. They didn't let me get close enough for a decent photograph, but by magnifying some of the distant shots I found that they were ..... yellow! Yellowhammers, I think. A bit of a surprise! This picture provided my first tentative identification, but there were more to come.

Also in the Quirinal Gardens were several Firecrests flitting through the trees. In England this would have been relatively uncommon, but in Rome they are on home ground!

In one of our walks, we crossed the Riber Tiber (Fiume Tevere) by the Ponte Cestio, Isola Tiberina, and Ponte Fabricio. Tiber Island had riverside walks attracting large numbers of people on the warm, sunny afternoon we were there. The large building on the island turned out to be the maternity hospital, with its own ancient legend explaining why it was originally located there.

Under the second bridge, Ponte Fabricio, a large Gull was standing on a rock by the fast-flowing water.

Suddenly he leapt into the water....

...and struggled out carrying a large live fish!

As the fish lay thrashing on the ground, the Gull seemed to be wondering what to do next, and pecked at it half-heartedly. Perhaps he'd never caught one before.

We didn't wait to see the final outcome for the fish, but his prospects were not good and presumably he was slowly pecked apart by the Gull.

In the main Forum (Foro Romano), the Blackbirds were busy foraging in the areas not accessible to the public.

The Yellowhammers were also very much in evidence, both through their song and occasionally by sight. This is a female....

...and the two pictured below are male.

While we were on the southern ramparts of the Palatine Hill, overlooking the Circo Massimo, a Kestrel flew past, was joined by another, and they circled a few times and headed for the city.

On one of the Palatine buildings, a Crow was busy showing off to one of his peers, with a lot of noise, posturing, and erection of head feathers. All Crows seen in Rome were of the grey Hooded variety.

The Colosseum provides a safe resting place for a good number of Feral Pigeons. This one seems to be waking up from a doze.

The roof and domes of St Peter's basilica were remarkably clear of birds of any description. This Gull was the exception.

During a walk in the Villa Borghese gardens (Giardini Borghese) in Rome, we came across a family of Gulls on a boating lake. The first-year Gulls (those with most brown feathers) were playing a game of diving for sunken leaves. They would fly vertically up to between five and twenty feet, then dive into the water and come back to the surface with an old waterlogged leaf, showing it off for a while, then discarding it. None of the more mature Gulls got involved. (Perhaps they considered themselves already expert divers and children's games were beneath their dignity?) Presumably as well as a game it was practice for catching food in the future.

These were Yellow-Legged Gulls Larus cachinnans michahellis, the south European equivalent of the Herring Gull. Like the Herring Gull, it takes up to four years for them to attain their full adult plumage.

Note that although the above pictures have been arranged as if they show a single dive, they were taken over a period of about five minutes of separate dives by various birds.

The humble House Sparrow was notable for its absence in much of the city of Rome. I heard a few, but they kept well away from humans, in the gutters and on the high ledges of the buildings. However the Villa Borghese gardens are used by the Romans for walks and picnics, so the Sparrows have learnt that there is food to be had.

No collection of Roman birds would be complete without a street-pigeon (piccione). This one is showing his provenance by posing over the letters SPQR: Senatus Populusque Romanus (The senate and the Roman people), an abbreviation dating back to ancient Rome and still used today to mark anything municipal from drain-covers to buildings.

More Signs of Spring

2010-04-02T02:05:00.000-07:00

15th - 23rd MARCH 2010

This series starts and finishes where many of my pictures are recorded just now - at Painshill.

I arrived one day to find a pair of Swans just starting their courtship dance, and was treated to a full demonstration!

It was also clear that the pair of Great Crested Grebes were more than just good friends.

THe following day, I took my car to the garage in Byfleet for a service and walked back home along the canal, taking several hours over the journey. My first pleasure was to hear a Dunnock in full song.

This was closely followed by a Song Thrush, which was sharing a branch with a quieter and less tuneful Blue Tit.

Not to be outdone, the Chaffinches were adding their melody.

And lurking in a waterlogged orchard with the Shetland ponies was a flock of Redwing, tricked by the cool spring into staying with us for longer than they usually do.

No walk in north Surrey is complete without a few squawking Ring-Necked Parakeets.

And when it comes to squawking, the usually secretive Jay is well able to hold his own.

In the millpond at Cox's mill, a pair of Great Crested Grebes were foraging together. No sign of a nest yet though.

And under the railway bridge, the Pigeons were working on their mass-production line of squabs, which has continued through the winter.

At the weekend, we met James at the RHS gardens at Wisley where he was offering a time-shifted Mother's Day coffee. Inevitably I managed to find a few birds there!

Back in our garden, the Song Thrush was as always busy.

And the Magpies were slowly removing all of the small branches from the weeping willow, to build the perfect nest!

While the Goldfinches just posed and ate.

As promised, I'm back at Painshill, it's a grey morning, and this chance shot of a pair of rising Greylag against a background of bare trees makes a pleasing composition.

After stalking a Heron for a while, he rewarded me by leaping into the water, grabbing a fish, and leaping out again before he swallowed it safely on the shore.

And the Grebes were busy working on their nest.

In the tree, Mr Nuthatch was making a lot of noise and very little tune ...

... while Mr Song Thrush was projecting his varied and beautiful song over much of the park.

Buzzards and Grebes

2010-03-14T10:15:00.000-07:00

SUNDAY 14th MARCH 2010

A walk and lunch with Penny at Painshill Park. There is now a mature and committed pair of Great Crested Grebes there, clearly seen to be hunting for a suitable nesting place. This was the closest we saw to a bonding display.

We were also treated to a fine display from four Buzzards high above the park. This was my best shot with more than one of them close together.

...this is probably the clearest shot of any of the Buzzards...

...and these two were in the same picture as one another, but I have moved them closer together for clarity.

Les Arcs

2010-03-14T09:40:00.000-07:00

6th to 13th MARCH 2010

This week we were away at Les Arcs in the French Alps, principally for the skiing. Our accommodation was in Arc 2000 (altitude 2000m), and our first sign of wildlife was a small flock of finch-like birds flitting from balcony to balcony looking for scraps.

Diverting for a moment on to the serious business of skiing. We had a great week, sunny most of the time but unseasonably cold, and excellent snow conditions. One morning we ski'ed from the highest point (3225m) to the lowest (about 1200m).

On Wednesday evening we had a Savoiard dinner in a mountain restaurant, followed by music and dancing, then skiing back down the mountain with flaming torches. The picture shows James & Colin with their fire tins.

Back to the birds. Some of the mountain restaurants supported a population of these attractive birds, which we tentatively declared to be Skifinches. (Later reference to the book identified them as Snowfinches, a member of the Sparrow family.)

There were plenty of Alpine Choughs around, feeding and also displaying to potential mates.

The highest point of the Les Arcs ski area is the Aiguille Rouge, at 3225m. The picture shows our group on the top, with Mont Blanc in the background. (l to r Mick, Neil, James, Ian, Colin, Geoff.)

There were Choughs and Snowfinches even up at 3225m.

At the foot of the Aiguille Rouge cable car were more birds, mainly the ubiquitous Snowfinch.

I also saw one Alpine Accentor, which is a close cousin of our own Dunnock.

And finally, another Snowfinch.

Bushey Park

2010-03-14T09:04:00.000-07:00

FRIDAY 5th MARCH 2010

Having heard from Tricia that the Grebes were displaying in Bushey Park, I thought it was worth a visit before I disappeared to France for a week. Grebes there certainly were, but today, no displays. I did however get sworn at by a very grumpy Crow with nasty-looking growths on his foot.

I also heard that Firecrests had been seen in the Woodland Garden. Ever hopeful, I wandered through, and was rewarded by among other things the sight of this Long-Tailed Tit, but no Firecrest.

I was also serenaded with an impressive display of percussion skills from at least four Greater Spotted Woodpeckers high in the trees.

Back at the car park, a pair of Ring-Necked Parakeets were doing what comes naturally in a dead tree.

Job done, he climbed down off her back and gave her a gentle kiss.

She then set too exploring potential nest holes for the expected brood.

Back in the lake, this Coot has had one fight too many. "I s'ppose you think it's funny" he says with his eyes.

They may not have been displaying today, but Mr and Mrs Grebe have been busy going round the lake together looking for a nest site.

...while Mr Tufty-Pochard shows off the unusual mixure of characteristics inherited from his species-diverse mum and dad.

The First Skylark

2010-03-04T06:39:00.000-08:00

THURSDAY 4th MARCH 2010

Today I saw (and heard) my first hovering Skylark of the year, singing its "squeaky bicycle" song. After an unsuccessful visit to a shop in Staines I needed a walk, so called in to Staines Moor, where I had to find my way around the floods to get to the river bank. I was rewarded by the sight and sound of many Skylarks, chasing lady Skylarks around the meadows, and taking turns to climb high into the sky to project their evocative song.

There were also several Pipits foraging the river edge, and behaving like Water Pipits, though whether they were I'm not sure.

Bosham Harbour and Langstone Harbour

2010-03-03T12:18:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY 3rd MARCH 2010

Penny and I had decided to combine a necessary errand with a visit to the Sussex coastal village of Bosham, near Chichester. When we arrived, the tide was about half-way up, and the Swans and Mallards were waiting hopefully for tit-bits. Among the Mallards was a lone male Red-Breasted Merganser, who also approached us expectantly, not behaviour I would expect from a fish-eater, but good for the photographs!

We walked around the harbour as the tide rose, until we were opposite Bosham village. Here, a Curlew was wading near the flooded road.

When two rather noisy French boys appeared, the Curlew decided it was time to beat a retreat.

There was one solitary Redshank, and it didn't stay long in the rising water.

Brent Geese were there in moderately large numbers, and were coming and going all the time.

After a lunch in the Blue Anchor, we moved on to Langstone Harbour, taking advantage of a car park about half a mile on to Hayling Island from the bridge. There were plenty of birds here, including Brent Geese, Curlew, Black-Headed Gulls, and a group of about ten Little Grebes. On a tiny spit of freshly-exposed shingle were large numbers of small waders. There were so many that they looked like stones until they moved, which they usually did in unison as a flock.

Closer examination showed them to be Dunlins....

... and among them were a few larger birds, probably Little Stint.

In one of the sheltered ponds were about a dozen Merganser, not as friendly as the one we had seen at Bosham. Here, three males and two females are putting a safe distance between themselves and the camera.

Painshill and Wisley

2010-03-03T12:16:00.001-08:00

TUESDAY 2nd MARCH 2010

After the morning's chores, I had an hour or so to spare before a working lunch with friends (where "working" = "planning a holiday"). It was sunny and Painshill was close, so Painshill it was!

When I arrived, there was a lot of Goosander activity, some arriving and others departing, but very soon they were all gone.

Incidentally, I have noticed when editing pictures of Goosanders that when in flight their eyes seem to come out almost on stalks so that they have forward binocular vision instead of the all-round vision they need when on the water. Very clever!

I was pleased to see that a second Great Crested Grebe had arrived, resplendent in his summer colours and calling for a mate. Unfortunately, the other Grebe appears very dowdy and juvenile, and was looking embarrassed in an insignificant corner of the lake, hoping not to be seen.

I met Tricia while I was there, and we had a pleasant walk and chat. She had come to photograph the Goosanders, but sadly arrived just too late.

On my way out, by the bridge, I saw a Crow on a branch, apparently dozing and unusually unconcerned by the camera. I presume he was either very young or very old.

To be continued

London

2010-03-03T12:15:00.001-08:00

MONDAY 1st MARCH 2010

After a hospital appointment, I walked back across Hyde Park. Close to the Diana Memorial cafe, at least eight Great Crested Grebes were patrolling, making perfect subjects for the camera.

All the other usual suspects were there too; Mallards, Moorhens, Black-headed Gulls, and these Greylag Geese.

And of course the Coots, including this one having a thorough bath.

Wildlife & Wetland Trust, Barnes

2010-03-03T12:11:00.000-08:00

SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2010

Another fine afternoon, and I haven't been to Barnes for a while.

This pair of Mallards ran out of the reeds, almost under the feet of the person ahead of me. They obviously couldn't wait any longer, and got into position in the middle of the path. When they'd finished, they just shook themselves and wandered off. Technical note: This act is normally performed in the water. I don't know which would be worse for the lady underneath, a crushing or a dunking!

It was good to see so many Lapwings around. This flock seems to have got mixed up with a flock of Starlings.

As usual, there were plenty of different species of duck, including this pair of Teal in their smart new suits.

And of course the Herons were there en masse, giving a little dignity to the proceedings.

Devil's Dyke

2010-03-02T15:42:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY 20th FEBRUARY 2010

Penny & I went down to Devil's Dyke and took a short walk along the South Downs path.

We walked as far as Trouleigh Hill, about 2.5 miles. A few Chaffinches were foraging around the barns there.

There were plenty of walkers, cyclists and riders sharing the path with us.

Three Days at Sea

2010-03-02T15:28:00.000-08:00

15th - 17th FEBRUARY 2010

I was offered a three-day trip on HMS Daring, and jumped at the chance. On the 17th, a memorial service was held for a previous HMS Daring, sunk on that day 70 years earlier with the loss of all but 5 of the crew. After the service, the attendees (including the ship's captain and chaplain) lined up and I took their photograph for the ship's web site. You'll find it here.

We passed Daring's sister ship HMS Dauntless a couple of times.

The crew were always busy, training for the day they hope will never come when they have to fight for real.

It was an enjoyable and instructive three days, and I came away happy that we have such a competent, professional and enthusiastic group of men and women guarding our shores.

More Local Bits

2010-03-02T15:02:00.000-08:00

14th FEBRUARY 2010

As a special treat for St Valentine's day, I took Penny to Painshill Park to see the Goosanders.

In the afternoon, the Heron was in our garden. He found a frog in the pond that had been dead for at least a week, but still ate it. All the time, the Magpies were trying to chase him off, but he ignored them!

Home and About

2010-02-07T09:47:00.000-08:00

SUNDAY 7th FEBRUARY 2010

We've had a number of interesting and colourful visitors to our garden recently, and here are some of them.

Last week we had a visit from a pair of Redpoll. They used the niger feeder for a while, and this one is waiting his turn. I haven't seen them here before or since.

I've also briefly seen a Siskin, but it didn't wait for a picture. The Goldfinches come every day now, usually to the niger feeder, but this week they discovered the lavender in the front garden, and have been clearing that of seeds.

I looked out of the front window this morning, to see a Green Woodpecker down by Anne's car, digging the soft earth by a rotting tree stump. I presume it had found a nest of ants or some other insect, and it was so intent on what it was doing that it didn't notice me opening the window for a better picture.

I won't try to pretend we have a lake in our garden with Goosander on it, but Painshill is quite close to home, and I do seem to have spent rather a lot of time there this week. This picture of a Goosander leaving was taken just as I arrived there yesterday.

Yet again Painshill

2010-02-05T14:27:00.000-08:00

FRIDAY 5th FEBRUARY 2010

I finished work at 1pm, the sun was out, so I decided to visit Painshill Park again. My first two visits had both been brief, but I was sure that a couple of hours there on a sunny afternoon would be time well spent.

As I left the visitor centre past the restaurant, I heard the familiar sound of a Goldcrest nearby. Sure enough, there he was, right by the picnic tables, flitting through some newly-planted hedging looking for insects. I followed him with the camera but wasn't quick enough to get a picture. I'll get you next time!

Two things were clear as I walked around the lake; there were no Goosanders, and there were an awful lot of Swans! I did think I might see a Swans' mating display, as one pair was fondling and rubbing necks. But then a third Swan swam towards them with his wings in galleon formation and his head down, and went right between them! Presumably it was his way of saying "Get away from my daughter!".

I went over the bridge to the island, and there on the hidden part of the lake was a small group of Goosanders; six male and two female. I set up camp to watch them for a while. They were quite contented doing what Goosanders do; catching fish, preening their feathers, .......

A female Goosander surreptitiously eating a fish.

A male Goosander stands up to direct the Gadwall traffic?

The Goosanders hold a conference.

Then over the hill came a cohort of mums with buggies, power-marching towards the lake.

This was all to much for the Goosanders, and they made their escape while they could!

I had also seen a lot of Egyptian Goose activity by the lake, and their favourite roost seemed to be high up in a large, mature Pine tree. At one time there were at least five up there.

All the time I had been watching the Goosanders, a Heron had been standing patiently beside the lake. Now he decided it was time for him to fly away.

Everywhere I went around the park I encountered small flocks of Long-Tailed Tits, flitting through the trees looking for food. This was my best LTT picture of the day.

I heard the beautiful song of a Mistle Thrush on the island, and walked over to try to see it. Suddenly all the birds went quiet, except for the distinctive cry of a Buzzard as it flew over.

On my way out I encountered the two ducks with their tongues hanging out (see Monday's blog), but I'll spare you another picture of them. They seemed ok, mixing happily with the other Mallards.

Painshill again

2010-02-03T07:40:00.000-08:00

WEDNESDAY 3rd FEBRUARY 2010

I was in need of a walk at lunchtime and headed to Painshill again. Today was a "free entry" day and I was pleased to have the company of numerous groups of young mums with pushchairs. As I arrived it started drizzling, and by the time I got to the lake it was raining quite hard. My perseverence was rewarded however, by the presence of a flock of between ten and fifteen Goosander, males and females.

I stayed just long enough to take a few pictures before hurrying back to the car to dry out my coat and camera!

Painshill Park

2010-02-01T09:31:00.000-08:00

MONDAY Ist FEBRUARY 2010

A brief lunchtime visit to Painshill. I had seen on Phil's blog that there had been Goosander at Painshill, so as it is only 5 minutes from home and it was a sunny day, I though I'd pop down there at lunch time. The Goosander had gone, but I wasn't disappointed as there was plenty of other bird activity. I hadn't even reached the entrance when I saw a small flock of Redwing down by the River Mole, foraging among the fallen leaves and twigs.

Also from the Mole footbridge, I could see a mixed flock of finches in the trees; Goldfinches and probably Siskin and Redpoll too.

Once inside the park, I found the lake largely frozen, and watched Swans and ducks on the ice and in the water. There was also a lot of activity from Long Tailed Tits, which I never tire of watching, and Nuthatches.

Coming back through the woods, a Buzzard was calling, but didn't show himself. Then I saw a Greater Spotted Woodpecker in the trees, and spent a few minutes trying to get a decent picture.

Another enjoyable five minutes was spent with this friendly Robin, who was difficult to photograph because he kept coming so close!

Then several Mallards came waddling up, presumably hoping to be fed. I thought they must have been very hungry, as two of them, a male and a female, had their tongues hanging out. On closer observation, it appeared that they both had a hole in the lower half of their beak, through which the tongue had fallen. Perhaps a genetic defect? They seemed to be feeding successfully.

It was an enjoyable, if short, visit, and I shall be back. I was also pleased to bump into Tricia while I was there (I had met her before at WWT Barnes), and she gave me a useful summary of Painshill's birdlife throughout the year. So tempting was it, in fact, that it was just the extra incentive I needed to sign up for a year's membership of Painshill, which I had been contemplating doing for some time. Thanks Tricia!

Staines with Penny

2010-01-31T14:20:00.000-08:00

31st JANUARY 2010

Another sunny day and as I was only going for a "short" walk, Penny said she'd come with me. First we went to Staines Moor, and enjoyed a stroll along the river. On the way back I saw three unusual birds on the water, and took some pictures despite the adverse lighting. They were three Goosander, a male and two female.....

....but they were very jumpy and soon flew off to the west.

On our way back to the car, I saw a Quantas airliner and took its picture. It was only when I got home that I realised it was one of the new Airbus A380 super-jumbos.

Next we called in very briefly at Staines reservoir. The most interesting thing within range of my camera was a pair of Great Crested Grebes, still in winter plumage, doing some early rehearsals for the mating ritual. One dived down and came back with some weed.....

....while the other responded by approaching in this strange pose, which is new to me. But I'm sure they know what they're doing!

Penny didn't like the reservoir; the fences are rather like a prison!

Pagham Harbour

2010-01-31T12:53:00.000-08:00

30th JANUARY 2010

I woke early, good weather was forecast and the tides were favourable, so I made a spot decision to visit Pagham Harbour. I parked in the nature reserve car park by the sea, and walked along towards the harbour entrance. It was high tide, and a large flock of little brown birds was foraging the water's edge inside the harbour. I got close enough for some pictures, and saw that at least some of them were Skylarks.

Further round, near the lagoon, a small group of Pipits was also foraging, along with a Robin, a pair of Blackbirds, and a Dunnock. Later comparison of the pictures with the Collins Guide suggested that this was a Tree Pipit (strongish eye-line, back toenail not very long), but I'm open to further suggestions.

I wandered down a little dead-end path and found two Reed Buntings on a small dead tree. One flew away, but the other obligingly sat still for a photograph.

The main path headed north, and I was attracted by the sight and sound of hundreds of Brent Geese arriving to graze on a waterlogged golf course.

In the hedge alongside the golf course I spotted a Yellowhammer sitting in the sun.

...and I wasn't the only one attracted by the Geese!!

I stopped to chat to a local dog-walker, and was advised to drive round to Church Lane and walk along the sea wall. It was certainly worthwhile, and one if the pleasures was the sight and sound of a group of half-a-dozen Curlews flying noisily back from a waterlogged field.

I watched the sun setting over the harbour before heading for home, and a rather apropriate supper of roast Quail. I enjoyed them with only the mildest feeling of guilt!

WWT Barnes

2010-01-24T12:49:00.000-08:00

24th JANUARY 2010

A little unforecast sunshine in the morning was enough to convince me that a trip to Barnes was worthwhile, and this was cemented by a phone call from Phil (Birdmad). Unfortunately it was not sunny at Barnes.

A crowd of people at one of the favoured spots for Bitterns told its own story, but by the time I arrived the Bittern was deeper in the reeds and no photos resulted. I arrived at the Wildside hide to be told that I had just missed seeing a Water Rail eating a fish, right in front of the hide. Not a good start.

Things improved a bit when I looked out of the hide to see two Cormorants on the island, both with the attractive bushy white headdress indicative of the sub-species "P.c.sinensis".

Cormorants P.c.sinensis

When I left the hide, I found another Cormorant diving close to the bridge, and got some quick close-up pictures before he moved further away.

Cormorant

I got a few more pictures before I had to leave, my favourites being a bored-looking Heron, and a Pintal who has just finished his preening.

Grey Heron

Pintail

Technical notes: All pictures taken with Sigma 150-500mm lens, using a bean bag for support (http://www.camerabeanbags.co.uk/).

Staines & Wisley

2010-01-17T09:51:00.000-08:00

17th JANUARY 2010.

At last, another sunny day. First stop was Staines Reservoir, where I wandered across the causeway and back. I was told there were Scaup and Black-Necked Grebes there, but they were well out of range of my camera and binoculars. I enjoyed watching the Goldeneye, Great Crested Grebes, Cormorants, Tufty Ducks, Wigeon, Goldfinches, a Pied Wagtail (in flight), and Boeing 747s.

Goldeneye, Staines Reservoir.

A Pied Wagtail flew past, and had a yellow face, possibly showing it to be a juvenile. It was flying in the "flap-flap-flap - g l i d e - flap-flap-flap - g l i d e -" pattern characteristic of wagtails, and in the picture it is in the - g l i d e - phase, with its wings completely folded away.

Pied Wagtail (with yellow face) flying across Staines reservoir.

Two goldfinches sat on the fence and watched me distainfully, while they took a rest from whatever journey they were on.

Goldfinch, Staines reservoir.

I then moved on to Staines Moor. The river was quite high, but not in flood. I watched Dabchicks, Skylarks, a Little Egret, Pipits (Meadow and Water), and a Kestrel (on the lookout for a Brown Shrike, highly regarded among gourmet Kestrels).

Dabchick (Little Grebe), foraging on the Colne

Kestrel, watching for his lunch on Staines Moor.

Skylark, showing his crest, Staines Moor.

Finally, I called in at the RHS Gardens at Wisley where, I had been told, there was fallen fruit in the orchards, attracting a wide variety of birds. Unfortunately, I found that the trees had been pruned and the fallen fruit removed. I did get some good views of a Jay though.

A Jay in the orchards at Wisley

The River Wey runs past the gardens, and was very high and fast-flowing. I was surprised to see a Little Grebe out in the middle of the rapids, swimming frantically upstream but moving rapidly downstream. He eventually made it to the bank.

Little Grebe against the current!

Technical notes: All pictures taken with Sigma 150-500mm lens. Reservoir shots used bean bag for support (http://www.camerabeanbags.co.uk/). All others used a tripod except for the fast-flowing Grebe, where a wobbly fence was quickly pressed into service, and in-flight shots which were hand-held and panned.

Pleased to See the Snow Go

2010-01-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

15th JANUARY 2010

While I was making lunch today I noticed a lot of activity out of the front window. The birds were pleased that the snow had gone, for a variety of reasons. A Song Thrush was on the garden busily throwing soggy dead leaves around in search of the insects and grubs he hoped to find underneath, an that's a lot easier to do without the snow.

A Blackbird was taking advantage of a pool of meltwater in the slush at the top of the drive to have a thorough bath, probably his first since the snow arrived.

For the Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Robins, Dunnocks, the feeders had provided supplies despite the snow. We also had some unusual visitors to the feeder; Greenfinches and Long-Tailed Tits, and - very unusual - a Redpoll, which came and sat on the feeder for a while looking round and wondering what to do next, then flew away while I was getting the camera.

The picture below was taken a couple of days earlier, and shows how the ground-feeders still manage to find food despite the snow. This Blackbird dug through several inches of snow to get to the lawn beneath.

Mr. Fox

2010-01-12T01:31:00.000-08:00

12th JANUARY 2010

This morning we watched Mr Fox do his morning tour of the garden. He visited every corner, went away, then came back again for another round. He's looking a little startled in the picture because the builders have just started drilling a hole in the neighbours' wall.

Technical note: It was early and there wasn't much light, so I cranked the camera up to 3200ASA, and got one or two worthwhile (if a little grainy) portraits.