tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6578775957965834712024-03-05T07:10:13.180-08:00Shenstone BirderJason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.comBlogger730125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-58681878736979674642021-05-23T13:50:00.001-07:002021-05-23T13:50:19.439-07:00Friday 2nd April to Monday 5th April 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 2nd April 2021 - Back Garden, Kidderminster</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span>Today the sun was shinning and I decided to spend a little time looking at the wildlife in my back garden. Although we live in a terraced house near the centre of Kidderminster the wife and I have always treated our back garden as a wildlife garden and actively encouraged a diverse range of species. When I spend some time out there it feels like our own little nature reserve and there is usually something interesting to see.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today's time spent in the garden proved very worthwhile and I was pleased to see that the <b>Red Mason Bees </b>had emerged from the bee hotels.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Red Mason Bee (Osmia bicornis) male - 2nd April 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYXG1GcGSHj7MmbyRwXgy__fNKf4CjEOrTTrZdyLtADT2JRo5eAkg2aJgNw_jdgfRzmFTL2_yVMINzfKtAumN6MiAIyLb1pVpnEN8e8ZVA8caoyhYhfX-EYfrug3VxM7x_eDUpAw393PE/s1200/IMG_5788.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKYXG1GcGSHj7MmbyRwXgy__fNKf4CjEOrTTrZdyLtADT2JRo5eAkg2aJgNw_jdgfRzmFTL2_yVMINzfKtAumN6MiAIyLb1pVpnEN8e8ZVA8caoyhYhfX-EYfrug3VxM7x_eDUpAw393PE/w640-h480/IMG_5788.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Another solitary bee observed today in the garden was a <b>Gwynne's Mining Bee</b> that was busily feeding on the <b>Grape Hyacinth</b> flowers.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Gwynne's Mining Bee (Andrena bicolor) - 2nd April 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZXal154f_aFaE_W19ZYi4riF7ngE2XpQaQ8rF8qg5cBfPLgogcuaUMdEEdSfUwWUGHteiuV46sfyh_o699ER-ZquWenyD_nEJTtJiNBbKIn4e1k3qc0p3lXWLO2X27WyR6Abubx-VT8g/s1600/IMG_5808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbZXal154f_aFaE_W19ZYi4riF7ngE2XpQaQ8rF8qg5cBfPLgogcuaUMdEEdSfUwWUGHteiuV46sfyh_o699ER-ZquWenyD_nEJTtJiNBbKIn4e1k3qc0p3lXWLO2X27WyR6Abubx-VT8g/w640-h480/IMG_5808.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvAW8A9ecd59FXX_ww3qBb2RW3N6-rqpYe3FKff4dLck68QNXG8Bc7eswnxlhVoFqJP5CfJ9CAGDzXZhytRrFC9xu79mnYFItJMlTYqEVCYzO9yCjWtPEEkb8pYucYSguEhPSxziS0C3C/s1600/IMG_5813.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEvAW8A9ecd59FXX_ww3qBb2RW3N6-rqpYe3FKff4dLck68QNXG8Bc7eswnxlhVoFqJP5CfJ9CAGDzXZhytRrFC9xu79mnYFItJMlTYqEVCYzO9yCjWtPEEkb8pYucYSguEhPSxziS0C3C/w640-h480/IMG_5813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">It was also great to see <b>Dark-edged Bee Fly</b> feeding on the <b>Wild Primrose</b> flowers. These strange looking bumblebee mimics have a long proboscis that they use to reach the nectar of their favoured foodplants as they hover.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Dark-edged Bee Fly (Bombylius major) - 2nd April 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHGOUGGebRblBio5rQYdfbz9hbuSymPOB104xSnXQnLEWrmJ03yEVZDBtS8r5HosglPC5OM5WGW5T09rnDyqUDjXT_QMFl3h0m7RKm4nR6yfkNI00jamJx_hxE0Ex2MGotoYQX8yVdZuY/s1200/IMG_5823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkHGOUGGebRblBio5rQYdfbz9hbuSymPOB104xSnXQnLEWrmJ03yEVZDBtS8r5HosglPC5OM5WGW5T09rnDyqUDjXT_QMFl3h0m7RKm4nR6yfkNI00jamJx_hxE0Ex2MGotoYQX8yVdZuY/w640-h480/IMG_5823.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">But the best species I saw today was a <b>Dotted Bee Fly</b>. This species was formerly scarce but has expanded it's range considerably through Worcestershire over recent years. This is the first time I have recorded one in my garden and it is a more than welcome visitor.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Dotted Bee Fly (Bombylius discolour) - 2nd April 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcpIu6nearpfMQG4R-k2jHJFFmmGVKutfvyjYfDdo9pcAe1WP_TW1Q6S8Eebo8Au5D8oMTdFGM9FjQ6I2Tr8l8JT25aNP9pyHJ0i7qTHeF-ZI_QdBR1xd711X9b4XI_vWH3NjrwZ-kv0H/s1200/IMG_5822.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcpIu6nearpfMQG4R-k2jHJFFmmGVKutfvyjYfDdo9pcAe1WP_TW1Q6S8Eebo8Au5D8oMTdFGM9FjQ6I2Tr8l8JT25aNP9pyHJ0i7qTHeF-ZI_QdBR1xd711X9b4XI_vWH3NjrwZ-kv0H/w640-h480/IMG_5822.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Saturday 3rd April 2021 - Private Farmland, Stone/Summerfield</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I returned to the farm for a wander around and whilst walking through the paddocks I was greeted by the 'kronking' sound of a <b>Raven</b>. I looked up and there were 2 present overhead, so I quickly took a record shot.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Raven (Corvus corax) - 3rd April 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JArOiYjDv9eCHKhG-oB0GMuGd1fAiqkrnXW-T7U4ykWk1g3YR5f9t9t_dQf11A9Wo7vqBJng507r9b7-Cxs0o7h2leknGIDhGqf6sLOjv_h-FEhQonxU_16QBcWf4ZG9dLDPGIRKxD4P/s1200/IMG_5832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8JArOiYjDv9eCHKhG-oB0GMuGd1fAiqkrnXW-T7U4ykWk1g3YR5f9t9t_dQf11A9Wo7vqBJng507r9b7-Cxs0o7h2leknGIDhGqf6sLOjv_h-FEhQonxU_16QBcWf4ZG9dLDPGIRKxD4P/w640-h480/IMG_5832.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also of note today were 2 <b>Common Buzzards</b>, a <b>Stock Dove</b> that was sat on the edge of one of the barns and a <b>Robin</b> that was singing his heart out in the dappled sunlight at the edge of the pine tree paddock.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Robin (Erithacus rubecula) - 3rd April 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81FXuKjXERyhGBcJWtdLvZTN87V47qJzhALeHigIwwtcP7cksjeK6fdS-81BAQ4wYu0ERk98ZN4xX6mTT_AMr98J6nSEreEw1DWUyTkNbOKxodgGKO84GkGr8QyhPht5NFGI_Tiy4_Kg3/s1600/IMG_5846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81FXuKjXERyhGBcJWtdLvZTN87V47qJzhALeHigIwwtcP7cksjeK6fdS-81BAQ4wYu0ERk98ZN4xX6mTT_AMr98J6nSEreEw1DWUyTkNbOKxodgGKO84GkGr8QyhPht5NFGI_Tiy4_Kg3/w640-h480/IMG_5846.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Monday 5th April 2021 - Podmore</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">3 <b>White Wagtails</b> were present alongside 7 <b>Pied Wagtails</b> in a field off Ryland Lane this afternoon. White Wagtails are the nominate race of what we know as Pied Wagtail and breeds across much of mainland Europe. Our Pied Wagtails are one of a number of subspecies of White Wagtail and is mostly limited to Britain and Ireland. Where as White Wagtails are genuine passage migrants to the UK and pass through on Spring migration between early March and May. White wagtails look much more silver-grey on their mantle which contrasts distinctly with the head and wings. They really are good looking and often over-looked birds.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>White Wagtail (Motacilla alba alba) - 5th April 2021 </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RYBJ9mWIoI4E63atkp_KU5QObai8acdAcrOlFjqKpJ07BesdG5sXVBO6nM13VcmpDfE-c4Wyqc931F8YSS_72n4EuQ7U-ZeNDSkSm4lqsg2cmPG1E1tbad5BKlioN_oaO89IMbf7A8UC/s1200/IMG_5883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6RYBJ9mWIoI4E63atkp_KU5QObai8acdAcrOlFjqKpJ07BesdG5sXVBO6nM13VcmpDfE-c4Wyqc931F8YSS_72n4EuQ7U-ZeNDSkSm4lqsg2cmPG1E1tbad5BKlioN_oaO89IMbf7A8UC/w640-h480/IMG_5883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-54038845859705897582021-05-21T12:51:00.000-07:002021-05-21T12:51:43.557-07:00Thursday 25th to Tuesday 30th March 2021<p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Thursday 25th March 2021 - Private Farmland, Stone/Summerfield</b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;">What initially seemed to be a quiet visit to the farm actually turned out to be very productive. Raptor movement was the order of the day. On walking the track I was treated to views of a male <b>Merlin</b> as he went low through the field heading NNE flushing 12 <b>Meadow Pipits</b>. Sadly it was all over too quick for photos. The raptor magic didn't stop there though, as 10 minutes later whilst walking between the barns a <b>Red Kite</b> drifted over heading north. Luckily this time I was able to capture some record shots.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Red Kite (Milvus milvus) - 25th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZs20vCv2Sgcax-sfUSNkW42sd_DVuFCjD7D_w4fjMerOniAd4eELDZQrGP9FqO7wPEhrB6pbssxEd7WgkVpeEAFmWV_Bexvl-sJ_xazHBRtQl5eA4U0WrWDN7JyKCJvLp9dRQ0cd_Q2I/s1200/RK1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigZs20vCv2Sgcax-sfUSNkW42sd_DVuFCjD7D_w4fjMerOniAd4eELDZQrGP9FqO7wPEhrB6pbssxEd7WgkVpeEAFmWV_Bexvl-sJ_xazHBRtQl5eA4U0WrWDN7JyKCJvLp9dRQ0cd_Q2I/w640-h480/RK1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 30th March 2021 - Pound Green Common</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">With today's sunny/mild weather I decided to pay a visit to Pound Green Common in the Wyre to look for reptiles. Sadly I had no joy on that front but the trip wasn't a waste as I was treated to seeing a female <b>Goshawk</b> up over the Forest. The warm weather had also bought out a few invertebrates with <b>Pine Ladybird</b>,<b> Dark-edged Bee Fly</b>, <b>Tawny Mining Bee</b> and <b>Peacock</b> butterfly all of note.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSptJhx6OOw3NzIUt5ZnEGJ8uoZQynpopJS_2eW8UvZ5xmLTc0GaqP_hhM7VhGnX2BJk9CUV8HAQZdKZwlqfBm6osnw5wE-daxq06k7WDKO8fMwgKUxoZK-Q-fvy5cc5nybILuhswIQ6v/s1080/IMG_5725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiSptJhx6OOw3NzIUt5ZnEGJ8uoZQynpopJS_2eW8UvZ5xmLTc0GaqP_hhM7VhGnX2BJk9CUV8HAQZdKZwlqfBm6osnw5wE-daxq06k7WDKO8fMwgKUxoZK-Q-fvy5cc5nybILuhswIQ6v/w640-h480/IMG_5725.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Dark-edged Bee Fly (Bombylius major)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjwbccUUwEjriB6j0ad-jlhw65DLEse218UOkX4P7Uo-8ioguID8UjoqGDKnSgI8P_QO_bnyPQmFtoElikX123nYTe1v-MsbI69rE-1ATIszZXGA_wCt1R5qvTiWi_HRZiK3VE_KJ9vhU/s1080/IMG_5731.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvjwbccUUwEjriB6j0ad-jlhw65DLEse218UOkX4P7Uo-8ioguID8UjoqGDKnSgI8P_QO_bnyPQmFtoElikX123nYTe1v-MsbI69rE-1ATIszZXGA_wCt1R5qvTiWi_HRZiK3VE_KJ9vhU/w640-h480/IMG_5731.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2UOwoNCIfsLYd8P5EsOWNcPqknIFyZmFxlcdOgALdpG918-ntkQ_cs7Iy5C-5nLdAHLtM6JsIks0XUWvTcMDnC_LXjHM0jBNrEm3a8bGVLQtP4BlJ0sLHxeP_pEsNCHdnav2-j9BvMpg/s1080/IMG_5745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD2UOwoNCIfsLYd8P5EsOWNcPqknIFyZmFxlcdOgALdpG918-ntkQ_cs7Iy5C-5nLdAHLtM6JsIks0XUWvTcMDnC_LXjHM0jBNrEm3a8bGVLQtP4BlJ0sLHxeP_pEsNCHdnav2-j9BvMpg/w640-h480/IMG_5745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Walking back from Pound Green Common I also observed 2 <b>Fallow Deer</b> in a field at the woodland edge. Always a pleasure to see in the wild.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Fallow Deer (Dama dama)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjaoBsKOX0e28yLpUjO_J4WC7Ohc504tdvaYMWty2oBSF09uQU9NaJaXBmoUEMkbLRcQsLVn5bui0ul-oNPvYCaB3fw2LTpLNtZ_mIS9LAWBOVyq5vLOCdBblAp0_9vEs1wbDyc47cLRD/s1080/IMG_5747.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitjaoBsKOX0e28yLpUjO_J4WC7Ohc504tdvaYMWty2oBSF09uQU9NaJaXBmoUEMkbLRcQsLVn5bui0ul-oNPvYCaB3fw2LTpLNtZ_mIS9LAWBOVyq5vLOCdBblAp0_9vEs1wbDyc47cLRD/w640-h480/IMG_5747.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 30th March 2021 (late afternoon) - Hartlebury Common</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As the weather was so good I decided to drive over to Hartlebury Common late afternoon to see if any male Emperors were on the wing. I popped out my pheromone lure and within 10 minutes I had 2 <b>Emperors Moths</b> flitting around it. I was lucky enough to get one to settle and get a few photos before it continued it's patrols of the heath. For those of you that are unaware the pheromone lure recreates the scent of a female and attract in the dayflying males that a patrolling a site. Using this method through the season allows for recording if the species is present and also builds up a picture of the abundance of the species at the site</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Emperor Moth (Saturnia pavonia)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimM7tD0pcSrl4FkO7UF_ViGxBkoOOoYdOVeYcj_HD0aSpLts7eIamhtgZU8QztbKTeY2e8vbJ6k9u6loOoTr6bXa-NdVq7Zv2upZFc7e0KKp0Jj0TYFqkiCEgW_gOT4vrfJOAAPIviCrPR/s1200/IMG_5769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimM7tD0pcSrl4FkO7UF_ViGxBkoOOoYdOVeYcj_HD0aSpLts7eIamhtgZU8QztbKTeY2e8vbJ6k9u6loOoTr6bXa-NdVq7Zv2upZFc7e0KKp0Jj0TYFqkiCEgW_gOT4vrfJOAAPIviCrPR/w640-h480/IMG_5769.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also of note at the Common this afternoon was the number of <b>Green Tiger Beetles</b> now active across the heath.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Green Tiger Beetle (Cicindela campestris)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip257BDOGiwPPj42fz11zk9-xJfln7OwhIfLGh4QOjcx68bWuySHsagerNCtCLxkLDpilu9IGMwBF6ti6uyxfA2qrbB6qoaTq-eSblPOVzO5klvw2FPgTQl4FAzXL1DSqlhWA-TH3-VOSw/s1080/IMG_5756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip257BDOGiwPPj42fz11zk9-xJfln7OwhIfLGh4QOjcx68bWuySHsagerNCtCLxkLDpilu9IGMwBF6ti6uyxfA2qrbB6qoaTq-eSblPOVzO5klvw2FPgTQl4FAzXL1DSqlhWA-TH3-VOSw/w640-h480/IMG_5756.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-20934630599644401082021-04-25T14:33:00.003-07:002021-04-25T14:33:27.629-07:00Wednesday 10th to Tuesday 16th March 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday 10th March 2021 - Spennells Valley NR and Stone</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">On my way out today I decided to pay a quick visit to Spennells Valley NR to see if there was any activity at a Nuthatch nest site I have watched for the past 3 years. On arrival at the site I was greeted by the sound of a <b>Nuthatch</b> calling and shortly after one approached the nest hole and started tidying up the mud around the wholes entrance. Nuthatches use holes in large, mature deciduous trees to build there nest in and will often plaster mud around the entrance hole until it meets their opening size requirement.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Nuthatch (Sitta europaea) - 10th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqN8HOqStPAHPl1PSZg2y4lvx344AtFncSucQMo7Xeet3EhYtilhIj4vTbYQNh20TXQGMX6gO9nFIBBLkGVGdtYkxNV95XQ0nF1stGa5LrSSVzh1SlgxqUdy9hoc6YX7FXvq5E79MYAQ0/s1080/IMG_5518.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVqN8HOqStPAHPl1PSZg2y4lvx344AtFncSucQMo7Xeet3EhYtilhIj4vTbYQNh20TXQGMX6gO9nFIBBLkGVGdtYkxNV95XQ0nF1stGa5LrSSVzh1SlgxqUdy9hoc6YX7FXvq5E79MYAQ0/w640-h480/IMG_5518.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From Spennells I then headed over to Heath Lane (Stone) to see if much was happening on the bird front. It was very quiet compared to usual but a female <b>Kestrel</b> was showing fairly well at the model aircraft field.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) - 10th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUn9oftPmeBOPVxTmXYkNDA6oCXRKvxh4XrOlAulAMrE8qYQmKFcN2zxfpxIvWkB1N5HG439clOzKqU4WtHynGyFdO0vARR_xwsy-qj4Kus4DMq3UvhO0j2nYJTgWMxJ5q5-p-gPvn0gP/s1080/IMG_5526.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUn9oftPmeBOPVxTmXYkNDA6oCXRKvxh4XrOlAulAMrE8qYQmKFcN2zxfpxIvWkB1N5HG439clOzKqU4WtHynGyFdO0vARR_xwsy-qj4Kus4DMq3UvhO0j2nYJTgWMxJ5q5-p-gPvn0gP/w640-h480/IMG_5526.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Monday 15th March 2021 - Hartlebury Common</b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, the wife and I decided to take a walk around Hartlebury Common. As always I was on the look out for invertebrates and even though the weather was mild and sunny but sadly the butterflies were somewhat lacking. That said along the embankment we did encounter a number of <b>Ophion scutellaris Ichneumon Wasps</b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Ichneumon Wasp (Ophion scutellaris) - 15th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafv0Ix0F4dOj6zeE1BL-hRIDgdBQMQ3FEHpb1_3Q-zosuraX3yJ0pcTRx-rvskHZfriiQBIUIjzwC0cQd_27f2L4z4l24WAD2WWMNlqryQDe8WGRUKmSBPOf-FnKG4k2GgawzwDX3hgn/s1080/IMG_5532.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlafv0Ix0F4dOj6zeE1BL-hRIDgdBQMQ3FEHpb1_3Q-zosuraX3yJ0pcTRx-rvskHZfriiQBIUIjzwC0cQd_27f2L4z4l24WAD2WWMNlqryQDe8WGRUKmSBPOf-FnKG4k2GgawzwDX3hgn/w640-h480/IMG_5532.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAl9zR3Q_ApQZUGJ72BVw0VCf0OPMqBDnMgpm48Gr3OiTuv6pH8TvNW6HPSvMIh69_VBGS8T1UWXHARCaaiVNHCpBfERf9avwaITMfxf7ME9c3MNEaGTOks6_m3g6XRC8GQRvbVMpcDd8/s1080/IMG_5536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKAl9zR3Q_ApQZUGJ72BVw0VCf0OPMqBDnMgpm48Gr3OiTuv6pH8TvNW6HPSvMIh69_VBGS8T1UWXHARCaaiVNHCpBfERf9avwaITMfxf7ME9c3MNEaGTOks6_m3g6XRC8GQRvbVMpcDd8/w640-h480/IMG_5536.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the SE side of the Common we heard our first <b>Chiffchaff </b>of the year singing from the Oak wood. For me hearing my first Chiffchaff of the year is the herald of Spring. Also in the Oak wood was an unusually obliging <b>Jay</b> who stayed put long enough for me to take a quick photograph.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Jay (Garrulus glandarius) - 15th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoLI0QnXI-554o8A3ipJFeYaulD_JRYI1xQcy6JRhn37rsEH1xDdd58GkAgpfasz1Bf-7eB7D5MY2xRt7ZP4PObq_kfg2HAyidF2LNYVYHJf125bUs_mWhBYCiNzSx4V45HzIYQrjxxSl/s1200/IMG_5539.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCoLI0QnXI-554o8A3ipJFeYaulD_JRYI1xQcy6JRhn37rsEH1xDdd58GkAgpfasz1Bf-7eB7D5MY2xRt7ZP4PObq_kfg2HAyidF2LNYVYHJf125bUs_mWhBYCiNzSx4V45HzIYQrjxxSl/w640-h480/IMG_5539.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 16th March 2021 - Stone/Summerfield</b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">This afternoon I paid another visit to the farm that I've been invited to record at. During my amble around I could hear good numbers of <b>Skylark</b> singing and was pleased to see a single <b>Corn Bunting</b> perched up on the fence at the rear of the farm.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the Pine tree paddock there were 2 <b>Lesser Redpolls</b> perched up in the trees and incredibly a male <b>Common Crossbill</b> that was perched up near one of the Larches. This was a patch first, the first time I have seen one of these at the Stanklyn/Stone area in 14 years of birdwatching and wildlife recording around here! They do occur in the Wyre Forest and a few over winter at Eymore Wood near Trimpley most years but to see one in an arable area was incredible!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Crossbill (Loxia curvirostra) male - Tuesday 16th March 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwrWezz5BbfsGEseORCli1SBUG06bhVpe7azcJDdMkI-jfLiWyZqjgL-o0iLpJIiTwEyg-fr94m0HRASdr8RSz9yejROoPSXgjj7BfDzTGIbkymRQTR_GN804VNuaqUewraBhaWNQ6xTG/s1200/IMG_5552.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYwrWezz5BbfsGEseORCli1SBUG06bhVpe7azcJDdMkI-jfLiWyZqjgL-o0iLpJIiTwEyg-fr94m0HRASdr8RSz9yejROoPSXgjj7BfDzTGIbkymRQTR_GN804VNuaqUewraBhaWNQ6xTG/w640-h480/IMG_5552.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-17439445928467609662021-04-08T13:24:00.002-07:002021-04-08T13:25:03.089-07:00Tuesday 2nd to Sunday 7th March 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 2nd March 2021 - Stone</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">There were 6 <b>Lesser Redpolls</b> still present along Heath Lane this afternoon showing reasonably well in the sunshine and periodically feeding on the weedy vegetation at the edge of the model aircraft field. Also showing well in the sunshine was a humble <b>Dunnock</b>. An often overlooked species but I like them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-GHsE8jimhKzD6_k9V83pB-ov5cPt5g-MJbA-o8EyP2MLb70DkCRBREmNFnf72pocHCG0Tk57-hOwMGrldDQkz3PJfoCeZEYanvQgiLzmKb0euvdQ930FfLaDxnSBJNDb85LxUX4jfvx/s1200/IMG_5426.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjn-GHsE8jimhKzD6_k9V83pB-ov5cPt5g-MJbA-o8EyP2MLb70DkCRBREmNFnf72pocHCG0Tk57-hOwMGrldDQkz3PJfoCeZEYanvQgiLzmKb0euvdQ930FfLaDxnSBJNDb85LxUX4jfvx/w640-h480/IMG_5426.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOz2hyphenhyphenVR6FfSu3T4cWAt3Mxv-HseMUCE1I3rUBVXVGZI6Ii2h85B6_OSjaLfhMFOqyHIE_YxpstXGOilgnwR2ono6V9kgD_tk9DA9tiQzEV4lOHX8eQ1DOcnVVUdM-YLcKkkB23RJP-m7/s1080/IMG_5439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUOz2hyphenhyphenVR6FfSu3T4cWAt3Mxv-HseMUCE1I3rUBVXVGZI6Ii2h85B6_OSjaLfhMFOqyHIE_YxpstXGOilgnwR2ono6V9kgD_tk9DA9tiQzEV4lOHX8eQ1DOcnVVUdM-YLcKkkB23RJP-m7/w640-h480/IMG_5439.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Dunnock (Prunella modularis)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdrAdApGU9smU1QhTNDLoGV8JIF7A-ShHkkJJoW83g7kOuA8-Ph5q05dx3WXoTbzrZoKRJhb9yS5yBeD2VVhdHeyLU4iDMvaDO2cTE5v8EP-JQpZrFumsFzULZAHINm9lh_BJmuG9NWdW/s1080/IMG_5448.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifdrAdApGU9smU1QhTNDLoGV8JIF7A-ShHkkJJoW83g7kOuA8-Ph5q05dx3WXoTbzrZoKRJhb9yS5yBeD2VVhdHeyLU4iDMvaDO2cTE5v8EP-JQpZrFumsFzULZAHINm9lh_BJmuG9NWdW/w640-h480/IMG_5448.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 5th March 2021 - Stone/Summerfield</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I visited an area of private farmland which falls within my local patch that I have been very kindly given permission to record the birds and wildlife on. I won't elaborate as to where this is or name the farm as I respect the farmer's privacy but I will share with you some off the wildlife I see there in this blog. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Notable arable birds recorded included 9<b> Skylarks </b>and 5<b> Meadow Pipits</b>. Also of note were 14 <b>Redwings </b>and surprisingly a <b>Grey Wagtail</b> that was flitting about near the manure piles.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Grey Wagtail (Motacilla cinerea)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JevxzBPDYe7c9trVg1qYWeLpBaD789e5a2PI8jrca9QDDxOGuow_7ssodvJEMgrxwq_LmOttGuTGJixh4go-U50XHyIqt7aPrQE_k62gpqRr0RB_GYMUJkATjXR-CtyxnrmKp1rKBNst/s1200/IMG_5466.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7JevxzBPDYe7c9trVg1qYWeLpBaD789e5a2PI8jrca9QDDxOGuow_7ssodvJEMgrxwq_LmOttGuTGJixh4go-U50XHyIqt7aPrQE_k62gpqRr0RB_GYMUJkATjXR-CtyxnrmKp1rKBNst/w640-h480/IMG_5466.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday 7th March 2021 - Hartlebury Common</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, I thought I would take advantage of the continuing fine weather and visit Hartlebury Common to look for some early Spring invertebrates. It was actually a lot quieter on that front than I had hoped for although, on the Lower Poolands area, I did record quite a few <b>Pine Ladybirds</b>, a <b>7-spot Ladybird</b> & a <b>Gorse Shieldbug </b>amongst the Gorse.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW1wZ0Y-FTKkf5uHrKGGpdBt8Wxopz3s80AmEm7C8n7_9UARtUGt_iVpeeRi3IWa8-THrG8f-xLbfKzSi_0LLGYhbYojPU3bCdA6iUMabUWqKQPmNqS374oTWjJQUmY6RiiOM7m5DT4QJ/s1200/IMG_5482.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="944" data-original-width="1200" height="504" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkW1wZ0Y-FTKkf5uHrKGGpdBt8Wxopz3s80AmEm7C8n7_9UARtUGt_iVpeeRi3IWa8-THrG8f-xLbfKzSi_0LLGYhbYojPU3bCdA6iUMabUWqKQPmNqS374oTWjJQUmY6RiiOM7m5DT4QJ/w640-h504/IMG_5482.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWMpgszghlNDwDSJws7v3RInEvmTBWi9Coar_GTWwmlhgEcaQhyphenhyphenUNesx0HUzMqcQOJyxWSk1w60ZVFn2XRlDJwReDWL-A9cYhQg2WbSgjWMgsaY8696hKOZPk0YUF3uGtiwzrpEpKC4Kf/s1200/IMG_5483.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="865" data-original-width="1200" height="462" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZWMpgszghlNDwDSJws7v3RInEvmTBWi9Coar_GTWwmlhgEcaQhyphenhyphenUNesx0HUzMqcQOJyxWSk1w60ZVFn2XRlDJwReDWL-A9cYhQg2WbSgjWMgsaY8696hKOZPk0YUF3uGtiwzrpEpKC4Kf/w640-h462/IMG_5483.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Gorse Shieldbug (Piezodorus lituratus) & 7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gKQMI3kATkApN8bPEl9pujoNFGMj9ta_9toouGFblgHl4Cgd95EyWU7dfxv_XhcKSuadtJMTo_xjRZNOEgzcq6RrM1pKHXpxK-ohr8VkO60TKm3DM2APKmn73ARSQB46iQa0DY7-2t4_/s1200/IMG_5487.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gKQMI3kATkApN8bPEl9pujoNFGMj9ta_9toouGFblgHl4Cgd95EyWU7dfxv_XhcKSuadtJMTo_xjRZNOEgzcq6RrM1pKHXpxK-ohr8VkO60TKm3DM2APKmn73ARSQB46iQa0DY7-2t4_/w640-h480/IMG_5487.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-58464755738887706022021-03-28T13:43:00.000-07:002021-03-28T13:43:18.918-07:00Friday 26th to Sunday 28th February 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 26th February 2021 - Pound Green Common</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today's weather conditions were sunny and mild so I headed over to Pound Green Common to look for reptiles. Adder was my target species but sadly I had no joy on this occasion. That said I did see my first basking <b>Common Lizard</b> of the year which made the walk worthwhile. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Lizard (Zootoca vivipara)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0__AETT25ul7tnCA9mASX4WFDOyoQ4svVY0TwuaBfWhyphenhypheneI5dWQdH9VKe9l70UTCYlq42ZX6_MsYXKcfTjuC3JPICsm1Zd_LYzkeUEb0fqexFMQDdKO-2yLx_anbXPWH96xmJZI7YDmap/s1200/IMG_5366.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0__AETT25ul7tnCA9mASX4WFDOyoQ4svVY0TwuaBfWhyphenhypheneI5dWQdH9VKe9l70UTCYlq42ZX6_MsYXKcfTjuC3JPICsm1Zd_LYzkeUEb0fqexFMQDdKO-2yLx_anbXPWH96xmJZI7YDmap/w640-h480/IMG_5366.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also of note at Pound Green was a male <b>Linnet</b> back on territory busily singing away. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Linnet (Linaria cannabina)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoRAICiTztPQSEncaTvSXWWHmpWVVlRb-Kyab7D93MYHhh0e1sXugkzcBJvcHh2KRyFxohkRn9ve24LybVGweNZZJWoix6LDcjRPTLI5LYfAMi0-hOVTwl9sk0be0T2IHpEM-o8XsuGhD/s1080/IMG_5368.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPoRAICiTztPQSEncaTvSXWWHmpWVVlRb-Kyab7D93MYHhh0e1sXugkzcBJvcHh2KRyFxohkRn9ve24LybVGweNZZJWoix6LDcjRPTLI5LYfAMi0-hOVTwl9sk0be0T2IHpEM-o8XsuGhD/w640-h480/IMG_5368.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A feature I like at Pound Green Common is the old moss covered ant hills of the <b>Yellow Meadow Ant</b>. They make for a really interesting feature at the site.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Yellow Meadow Ant (Lasius flavus) ant hills</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROTkL4VldtazFHGHOPLkgg3CMz6LPDkXOrJ507VdthiARQ2TGgUwYkN4-vrAgx4wsVRhufjok_TOfHiDlTCYVNM9LyZFklAvuHXHfGptIdvEu3pf5BTD8KKF3jn6l8obNhX2o6rLbgLzk/s1200/IMG_5346.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgROTkL4VldtazFHGHOPLkgg3CMz6LPDkXOrJ507VdthiARQ2TGgUwYkN4-vrAgx4wsVRhufjok_TOfHiDlTCYVNM9LyZFklAvuHXHfGptIdvEu3pf5BTD8KKF3jn6l8obNhX2o6rLbgLzk/w640-h480/IMG_5346.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Saturday 27th February 2021 - Stone</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>The nice mild weather continued and on visiting the Heath Lane area of Stone I saw my first butterfly species of the year, a <b>Small Tortoiseshell</b>. That said there was very little else of note during my able around.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Small Tortoiseshell (Aglais urticae)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBP6FphYGQ3oxtcNHbOUVXm96VAJpu5nSi6go1ckn9g8EOyZc-xusJDLIDgZokyPmHYRXiLLPu1Yrw-49zSQphUgIiee6Dk8XpaOjan09bTgORkvJFNIlDZq__pK-e4UWZ1rRz3d7fybG/s1080/IMG_5369.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBP6FphYGQ3oxtcNHbOUVXm96VAJpu5nSi6go1ckn9g8EOyZc-xusJDLIDgZokyPmHYRXiLLPu1Yrw-49zSQphUgIiee6Dk8XpaOjan09bTgORkvJFNIlDZq__pK-e4UWZ1rRz3d7fybG/w640-h480/IMG_5369.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEl3hAaSjugl8gVtSFOGFezoTmQIXtpTK5GQwPKo3mvMRusiKgKyacQbAVov70lzUz8szFqr3jk1WSA1wL7RrFeA_ZrEAhl7yaO4fmjreS-JPf8CRPvsrFHzn0zWtaV8P61KrJIM_5MFv/s1080/IMG_5370.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEl3hAaSjugl8gVtSFOGFezoTmQIXtpTK5GQwPKo3mvMRusiKgKyacQbAVov70lzUz8szFqr3jk1WSA1wL7RrFeA_ZrEAhl7yaO4fmjreS-JPf8CRPvsrFHzn0zWtaV8P61KrJIM_5MFv/w640-h480/IMG_5370.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday 28th February 2021 - Hartlebury Common</span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>For a third consecutive day the nice weather continued and for today's walk I visited Hartlebury Common. It was great to see that the water levels were back up at The Bog and both a <b>Moorhen</b> and a pair of <b>Mallards</b> were present. On the nearby Rush Pool a second pair of <b>Mallards</b> were present. </div><div><br /></div><div><i>The Bog at Hartlebury Common</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJSflGL1m13lbt-bKqsZ51YyBKyela2AWjHad8YRRH7KgpCKVlYDJ7r-wkwYOPHjNblDPTY7yjfTY7fvwjYZ9Z6U2S_gUulKmE9nrPkbqd65HSBlCfOgZTotFYa4wO5EIGhFamisttyEO/s1200/IMG_5393.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJSflGL1m13lbt-bKqsZ51YyBKyela2AWjHad8YRRH7KgpCKVlYDJ7r-wkwYOPHjNblDPTY7yjfTY7fvwjYZ9Z6U2S_gUulKmE9nrPkbqd65HSBlCfOgZTotFYa4wO5EIGhFamisttyEO/w640-h480/IMG_5393.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div>Whilst walking the Common I decided to check on a few of the reptile mats to see if they were still in situ and was surprised to find an early instar <b>Oak Eggar</b> moth caterpillar basking on one. Result! and the undoubted species of the visit.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Oak Eggar (Lasiocampa quercus) larva</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WiHGmCRsjby2_KAmhU7-0HgDuSA2TdMcCCmUzbMZjp7Jr1x_c5v6JlONM28rtMVIP43Ezk6DjTnTcHILq5OoVYaZi9NN__V6u1RfGW2bOZuoZO6zv9ezu9JLCm86WKHPbESXAN_mu9Qh/s1080/IMG_5382.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2WiHGmCRsjby2_KAmhU7-0HgDuSA2TdMcCCmUzbMZjp7Jr1x_c5v6JlONM28rtMVIP43Ezk6DjTnTcHILq5OoVYaZi9NN__V6u1RfGW2bOZuoZO6zv9ezu9JLCm86WKHPbESXAN_mu9Qh/w640-h480/IMG_5382.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-53784768115960501652021-03-22T13:50:00.001-07:002021-03-22T13:55:14.796-07:00Monday 22nd to Thursday 25th February 2021<div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;"> Monday 22nd February 2021 - Spennells Valley Nature Reserve</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">After hearing from a mate who works for the Rangers Service that the <b>Common Frogs</b> were showing en masse at the ponds on the reserve, I decided to pay Spennells Valley a visit.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">As I approached the ponds the noise was incredible with the air full of the sound of the Frogs purring croaks. Visually the sight was just as impressive with 100+ <b>Common Frogs</b> on the big pond surrounded by masses of spawn. The middle pond held a further 11 <b>Frogs</b> and the small pond 26 <b>Frogs</b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Frog (Rana temporaria)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqK8Rdsrk02WcYHCZO-oH10veG-n2oJjFs99qxO16RaF75h96BTiQXHkmhXf1lHUGU02LRSahKCOv46jaGGYdJ_rcs9XaR85eM9bd_6aLNklYGLMeFJGL8yYorhXT7yZc5BhBcIMahqw3/s1200/IMG_5273.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeqK8Rdsrk02WcYHCZO-oH10veG-n2oJjFs99qxO16RaF75h96BTiQXHkmhXf1lHUGU02LRSahKCOv46jaGGYdJ_rcs9XaR85eM9bd_6aLNklYGLMeFJGL8yYorhXT7yZc5BhBcIMahqw3/w640-h480/IMG_5273.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b6KA8Lu4pOWFlgp6yBvSc4e03nd31RxBnvXN8nQGpgJhZMSWsE5l_ZYM35ksd77d3ihM3CWdkOM8ISHrQASSrFftYIYAPxcX02M1u-uAuFaShHzenPYyVSS84W-8O3Io7wUyIASRAdlK/s1200/IMG_5258.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8b6KA8Lu4pOWFlgp6yBvSc4e03nd31RxBnvXN8nQGpgJhZMSWsE5l_ZYM35ksd77d3ihM3CWdkOM8ISHrQASSrFftYIYAPxcX02M1u-uAuFaShHzenPYyVSS84W-8O3Io7wUyIASRAdlK/w640-h480/IMG_5258.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rHCRkR8oO1pYZAOHzwr5eZTJWtNhzOarP5-6y7NnzO3TcDNV8-QL51QHgLqaUEylkEFUHYqP-nQpncYd64fqEUwB8i6xhTH1POzprQnohhMRgPFbiZWWlVy0m33ehHYGi_rFiYiB2DM2/s1200/IMG_5255.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-rHCRkR8oO1pYZAOHzwr5eZTJWtNhzOarP5-6y7NnzO3TcDNV8-QL51QHgLqaUEylkEFUHYqP-nQpncYd64fqEUwB8i6xhTH1POzprQnohhMRgPFbiZWWlVy0m33ehHYGi_rFiYiB2DM2/w640-h480/IMG_5255.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 23rd February 2021 - Captains Pool</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I paid a quick visit to Captains Pool and was greeted with seeing my first returning <b>Great Crested Grebe</b> of the year. Sadly it spent most of its time at the rear of the pool near the island which didn't make for good photo opportunities. So, as they are such a beautiful bird when they are in breeding plumage I have added a photo from my archives.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Great Crested Grebe (Podiceps cristatus)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJ9xCymiUtTe37D_zofAeFLPBSm3SjQkaC6r1MJC28nSsFp5VkDUux1Bh2wUrn6s8Lg60vsLE7WXqQN4g9RCbRNiuQWBc7hnP3R0YA0C7GEGrXNze3wIqv8bmaCeE8HpW3dxqc8wCdFN3/s1024/Great+Crested+Grebe+resize+-+Rutland+Water%252C+15th+May+2013.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFJ9xCymiUtTe37D_zofAeFLPBSm3SjQkaC6r1MJC28nSsFp5VkDUux1Bh2wUrn6s8Lg60vsLE7WXqQN4g9RCbRNiuQWBc7hnP3R0YA0C7GEGrXNze3wIqv8bmaCeE8HpW3dxqc8wCdFN3/w640-h480/Great+Crested+Grebe+resize+-+Rutland+Water%252C+15th+May+2013.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 25th February 2021 - Burlish Meadows</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">The weather was fairly mild today with bright sunny spells so I decided to have a walk around Burlish Meadows for a change of scene. Initially the walk was fairly quiet although I was treated to nice views of a male <b>Kestrel</b> hovering over the former landfill area. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z9658lCgJHjkF2diuCB6FQgGwcciMzA6UHnjRrNVVYQnYIEtxmp1xuLgWoVbX9RYl_1qxIXJP_nH25MVO06gi96c_15rYmKKp87s4Kzs6850lUv94xX6gNdWkkEIq9V-2RvWEcVj-abh/s2048/48397530_1090057694489726_7621299250617384960_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1533" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5Z9658lCgJHjkF2diuCB6FQgGwcciMzA6UHnjRrNVVYQnYIEtxmp1xuLgWoVbX9RYl_1qxIXJP_nH25MVO06gi96c_15rYmKKp87s4Kzs6850lUv94xX6gNdWkkEIq9V-2RvWEcVj-abh/w640-h480/48397530_1090057694489726_7621299250617384960_o.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">On arriving at the pond I was pleased to see my first <b>Coltsfoot</b> of the year in bloom with around 30 flowers dotted around the ponds edge. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Coltsfoot (Tussilago farfara)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rzzjFz8MT6AgWvbA1JQZI_2uBoiPjDNq-1Q1LxZwXY7KkLfVPys4UcPOqPP3EbgNJzVZz_WtDZMm6f3yzXCdAXqNHsPJ3rZxbRMFrgs6LDpEJqbr2Zn7JsKuzI9jOyeR5k1NU8BR6Zpe/s1080/IMG_5321.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rzzjFz8MT6AgWvbA1JQZI_2uBoiPjDNq-1Q1LxZwXY7KkLfVPys4UcPOqPP3EbgNJzVZz_WtDZMm6f3yzXCdAXqNHsPJ3rZxbRMFrgs6LDpEJqbr2Zn7JsKuzI9jOyeR5k1NU8BR6Zpe/w640-h480/IMG_5321.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whilst there I decided to sit by the pond for a while to chill out. As I sat there I noticed some movement in the water and a huge <b>Common Toad</b> popped up right by me and just hung there in the water facing me. He looked like he was about to mug me for my lunch money! Needless to say I did the sensible thing and took some photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Toad (Bufo bufo) </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSetlmdj2C56vaDcfBo690i2dBZbsRQXEuGV1Go20HWBtrYIvHpELAkjdToJ2Frts2gCSTfLCSUBR_yaKZHLwGjyN0lZLDfUA1S2vnKpfq9AbT0b7f7YEsFL61r8QDs3t5HluYqT5R9Cuj/s1200/IMG_5324.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSetlmdj2C56vaDcfBo690i2dBZbsRQXEuGV1Go20HWBtrYIvHpELAkjdToJ2Frts2gCSTfLCSUBR_yaKZHLwGjyN0lZLDfUA1S2vnKpfq9AbT0b7f7YEsFL61r8QDs3t5HluYqT5R9Cuj/w640-h480/IMG_5324.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br />Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-67299550065198614102021-03-14T11:10:00.002-07:002021-03-21T14:21:45.345-07:00Tuesday 16th to Saturday 20th February 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 16th February 2021 - Stanklyn & Stone</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">I started my walk around Stanklyn today by checking out the paddocks. I was greeted with the sight of two <b>Common Buzzards</b> sat on nearby posts there that were turned away from each other, looking very much like an old married couple that had just had a tiff.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0asSTHUNbRa8pyqOdDsIa8yzlNAdzH6v2PZiuHoLqlpsQJNVgSBlJv1_WZQgaYVuvJ4ibF1ZXwpHiqD9BR5o86OEYWGR0Qk6Ow5yNX5kPkJBbahFL7N9nS2NfSOfUIFOGe7BLzvITKkT/s1200/IMG_5206.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt0asSTHUNbRa8pyqOdDsIa8yzlNAdzH6v2PZiuHoLqlpsQJNVgSBlJv1_WZQgaYVuvJ4ibF1ZXwpHiqD9BR5o86OEYWGR0Qk6Ow5yNX5kPkJBbahFL7N9nS2NfSOfUIFOGe7BLzvITKkT/w640-h480/IMG_5206.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Further along the lane at the sheep field there were now 3 <b>Stonechats</b> present. This increase wasn't surprising as we were now into the prime Stonechat migration period with a number of birds passing through these lowland arable areas as they return to their upland breeding sites.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JpJhM2ymb3wPGj_wlOAdWQfpS7_wfnITDR2ewnTx3GNb3LK4ZZ8QWppqhsC3aIgErm6rS50lxXtkMDtqxVoVQoA0XSCC9KLenKezPzP101NNrqVlpOicytzH1zF-OenGQNul_qQB45lv/s1200/IMG_5217.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7JpJhM2ymb3wPGj_wlOAdWQfpS7_wfnITDR2ewnTx3GNb3LK4ZZ8QWppqhsC3aIgErm6rS50lxXtkMDtqxVoVQoA0XSCC9KLenKezPzP101NNrqVlpOicytzH1zF-OenGQNul_qQB45lv/w640-h480/IMG_5217.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;">I then headed to Butts Lane (Stone). All was pretty quiet there although I was treated to views of a female <b>Sparrowhawk</b> that flew in and perched on a fence post for a while.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Sparrowhawk (Accipiter nisus)</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBvGwy6109TV1yzaqM3fgOCs5_qXCeRVzb7fQzcHF2QvaCt-NJjvOoPmajEHcy7_uj15UfSiLpoqLDEzBrU6PRNYygZZd1Y-Qdg3tM9V4CNA3dZJQ3BtWF40YILmCgij4Bxfo_v1EscIC/s1080/IMG_5221.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCBvGwy6109TV1yzaqM3fgOCs5_qXCeRVzb7fQzcHF2QvaCt-NJjvOoPmajEHcy7_uj15UfSiLpoqLDEzBrU6PRNYygZZd1Y-Qdg3tM9V4CNA3dZJQ3BtWF40YILmCgij4Bxfo_v1EscIC/w640-h480/IMG_5221.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 18th February 2021 - Stanklyn</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div>I only had chance for a whistle-stop visit to the patch today so I stopped off at Stanklyn Lane to see how many Stonechat were present. Only 2 <b>Stonechat</b> (a male & a female) remained today and interestingly this was the last date that I recorded any present there this winter.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) ♀</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5X0Z1sTzaQJikUu48Sqea76Nk9D0IICVLq5inKs3SHnjHSc5-_xrCadmv3QxIh5wGPwT5HSdpmnNMhSGc8WilRGDK-587HYSh9qvNQGUDW4L5MhDkMBCAQzbl8_V3zhfF-xjgA9hUEyK/s1200/IMG_5223.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiz5X0Z1sTzaQJikUu48Sqea76Nk9D0IICVLq5inKs3SHnjHSc5-_xrCadmv3QxIh5wGPwT5HSdpmnNMhSGc8WilRGDK-587HYSh9qvNQGUDW4L5MhDkMBCAQzbl8_V3zhfF-xjgA9hUEyK/w640-h480/IMG_5223.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Stonechat (Saxicola rubicola) ♂</i></div></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvl8VfrWQVxBAbmR4rFy8Dfkrz4Ee6tojLJGnuchY6LgTcThA6yz_WKN7i99phLjKQk9rwVovDqvbHQEvdmZu2IWxBJEwrFyEwvvlyvfXJvvm9d4nluBUpGFpUknXxKDkEGSUovrWNQvr/s1200/IMG_5228.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOvl8VfrWQVxBAbmR4rFy8Dfkrz4Ee6tojLJGnuchY6LgTcThA6yz_WKN7i99phLjKQk9rwVovDqvbHQEvdmZu2IWxBJEwrFyEwvvlyvfXJvvm9d4nluBUpGFpUknXxKDkEGSUovrWNQvr/w640-h480/IMG_5228.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 20th February 2021 - Elmley Lovett</span></b></p><div>Today I decided to have a walk around Elmley Lovett. What took me by surprise was the sheer numbers of Stock Doves that had dropped off in one of the large field there. I estimated that there were c.300 <b>Stock Doves</b> present. The photo below shows just a fraction of the birds present there. Nearby the flock of c.1000<b> Linnets</b> were still present feeding within the weedy field margins.</div></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Part of the large Stock Dove (Columba oenas) flock</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn6tCtDJxgCSPy3G43eSSvddawY2CXi9zBSlhPbbr2DKw2IY4niTOLZo0INfFZysIrXArr-YPXl7n7vjKnlVav57R4y5j-uyKHa3ngq7sUM3Z1KWDaOHWZizL6OKIrTpMDVaFMuN-UusB/s1200/IMG_5244.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMn6tCtDJxgCSPy3G43eSSvddawY2CXi9zBSlhPbbr2DKw2IY4niTOLZo0INfFZysIrXArr-YPXl7n7vjKnlVav57R4y5j-uyKHa3ngq7sUM3Z1KWDaOHWZizL6OKIrTpMDVaFMuN-UusB/w640-h480/IMG_5244.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-79323896848458419802021-03-12T05:11:00.002-08:002021-03-21T14:14:41.137-07:00Tuesday 9th to Friday 12th February 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Tuesday 9th February 2021 - Stone</span></b></p><p>3 <b>Corn Buntings </b>(1 singing) and 12 <b>Lesser Redpoll </b>were of note up at Heath Lane today. Large numbers of <b>Redwings </b>and <b>Fieldfares </b>were feeding in the sheep fields.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC07PW3rYzRHNyGWT5PTenkIlZzjQ7rgy2FVyAEXGJN_lwIaT3blosx3dg8gjKwFZIjpmfmLQWybGhqy3ofdIVUjeXgH2nm-IbpCCXeNjWL9eTth3DzvjZlU3-PTK-e276ZRZK1knxuRt/s1080/IMG_4994.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglC07PW3rYzRHNyGWT5PTenkIlZzjQ7rgy2FVyAEXGJN_lwIaT3blosx3dg8gjKwFZIjpmfmLQWybGhqy3ofdIVUjeXgH2nm-IbpCCXeNjWL9eTth3DzvjZlU3-PTK-e276ZRZK1knxuRt/w640-h480/IMG_4994.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><i>Corn Buntings (Emberiza calandra)</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoA-xn51sJhHeYvr7tRMgyrUxrXN3iZYZ1nme2IXt0e9ozZuV-k3pA3WAm55yvWgSsfJnU8dvS3Sk-3TkLkEpupQ-yO9zcE5FDdBUvf6-uSublSY_2KTjBASp8yZjJl-rvNn6wtQZ57Tn/s1080/IMG_4985.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVoA-xn51sJhHeYvr7tRMgyrUxrXN3iZYZ1nme2IXt0e9ozZuV-k3pA3WAm55yvWgSsfJnU8dvS3Sk-3TkLkEpupQ-yO9zcE5FDdBUvf6-uSublSY_2KTjBASp8yZjJl-rvNn6wtQZ57Tn/w640-h480/IMG_4985.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 11th February 2021 - Garden (Kidderminster)</b></div><div><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><br /></b></span><div style="text-align: left;">I spent a little time just watching the birds visiting my garden feeding stations today and was very pleased to record my first garden <b>Siskin</b> of the winter feeding on the sunflower hearts. Also of interest was the ever-present one-legged <b>Pied Wagtail</b> that was visiting throughout the day to feed on the dried mealworms. This bird first started visiting in late December and has been coming to the feeders daily ever since.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Siskin (Spinus spinus)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wSQdN7vuWkcF0eLbbLyabXeArJz8pdnF5zxBIf4Z1itqYy3qgVEDJbvAxJ2ZXo74XIJE5iRJR3cNZpZg8yKEea7xwlXrjeBL61-GI4m-LGFeMkKTN4DXs7-04OjSK44__QYd_I3Eelpc/s1080/IMG_5037.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9wSQdN7vuWkcF0eLbbLyabXeArJz8pdnF5zxBIf4Z1itqYy3qgVEDJbvAxJ2ZXo74XIJE5iRJR3cNZpZg8yKEea7xwlXrjeBL61-GI4m-LGFeMkKTN4DXs7-04OjSK44__QYd_I3Eelpc/w640-h480/IMG_5037.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Pied Wagtail (Motacilla alba)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E-uJ3HYo8ffLTen6GOo0pu0DAqz5bUGzUZM-txRzFhcogH8y0Q9cISAjxK2Zib5t1HDrxeFHxaFElGih8KhH3D8tO7vb-HBRk4TxxY-SYVvz5hyphenhyphen7XZCBwtGs2w3URS15hkngmJ2Ud5Dh/s1080/IMG_5022.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0E-uJ3HYo8ffLTen6GOo0pu0DAqz5bUGzUZM-txRzFhcogH8y0Q9cISAjxK2Zib5t1HDrxeFHxaFElGih8KhH3D8tO7vb-HBRk4TxxY-SYVvz5hyphenhyphen7XZCBwtGs2w3URS15hkngmJ2Ud5Dh/w640-h480/IMG_5022.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 12th February 2021 - Stanklyn & Stone</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the sheep field along Stanklyn Lane a pair of <b>Stonechats</b> was again present. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At Heath Lane 8 <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> were very showy with one individual perching out in the sunshine and singing away.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFfzPeqUhSceVt6H4LEBUGEA8mRRLVbMa5IStbtgaSktrTjPCe2KlOu_9UI_BLX9iAb4gjSJgB9jXt8XTjFSRFrGoqhTipNk0PWOQUs0-offAj9baAH0asH_RGerGLtn6xNdOzeZPrUMa/s1200/IMG_5097.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFfzPeqUhSceVt6H4LEBUGEA8mRRLVbMa5IStbtgaSktrTjPCe2KlOu_9UI_BLX9iAb4gjSJgB9jXt8XTjFSRFrGoqhTipNk0PWOQUs0-offAj9baAH0asH_RGerGLtn6xNdOzeZPrUMa/w640-h480/IMG_5097.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ2J_rgYKk7bZgn3HkLu8PHG3b9ZkclzQMYYtYSm8y4ZKONrhhGMbLtq8C1ZKggzyDdAQn7jBx5kn1vqqs0WWjXrzUgFe0UTbgth1BgbWVJGKAY2kTmZwYWhPW0Wl4AWJ2g4cwMUBfcVm/s1200/IMG_5105.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDJ2J_rgYKk7bZgn3HkLu8PHG3b9ZkclzQMYYtYSm8y4ZKONrhhGMbLtq8C1ZKggzyDdAQn7jBx5kn1vqqs0WWjXrzUgFe0UTbgth1BgbWVJGKAY2kTmZwYWhPW0Wl4AWJ2g4cwMUBfcVm/w640-h480/IMG_5105.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezUbNpp_v18Vxj_2Y_DCMGIcuc7ulpocOJS1CrzycxyX1wZWfznC9zARujqTwyAMNhyWnE21BfP7HtQ89oPF1bOrrcjG0akS6cgpfG-LT0XfVKF8eUWI2Q6SZSwdq3_zfL7HXvGQ3YdfE/s1200/IMG_5108.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhezUbNpp_v18Vxj_2Y_DCMGIcuc7ulpocOJS1CrzycxyX1wZWfznC9zARujqTwyAMNhyWnE21BfP7HtQ89oPF1bOrrcjG0akS6cgpfG-LT0XfVKF8eUWI2Q6SZSwdq3_zfL7HXvGQ3YdfE/w640-h480/IMG_5108.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-63089962229406677052021-03-04T13:00:00.005-08:002021-03-12T05:14:55.943-08:00Monday 1st to Sunday 7th February 2021<p style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Monday 1st February 2021 - Stanklyn & Stone</span></b></p><p style="text-align: left;"><span>I started today's visit with a walk along Stanklyn Lane and was pleased to come across a pair of <b>Stonechats</b>. They were a bit of a distance up the fence line but I still managed to get off a couple of record shots.</span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>Stonechats (Saxicola rubicola)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyER7ZTI_1TQ7P8vY2URdQdYt50FaqGwweu9IzGQfOzfRxwjUI3qDk5XYN5yvS2VVcwDeDkY2iuSyL9iAa6NC_7c0dD7p8ebA6VPjmaGWY7tZxShobWFwm8xMsv9S1AxqauFQeb45AVCW/s1080/IMG_4963.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOyER7ZTI_1TQ7P8vY2URdQdYt50FaqGwweu9IzGQfOzfRxwjUI3qDk5XYN5yvS2VVcwDeDkY2iuSyL9iAa6NC_7c0dD7p8ebA6VPjmaGWY7tZxShobWFwm8xMsv9S1AxqauFQeb45AVCW/w640-h480/IMG_4963.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCeRH_7tptnUCH4ZTxbeSL9wtgeik4fApKrfdbfji_bV6JUNX0KSMwn2ZPIm0MMnOFm7n3RmVT1KtD7eNfEsjiXc7cp5AFqb1c8E2fEh6GK3stQ8f0lVWq0UlTiD7WFqNTau6WTG9TFgA/s1080/IMG_4962.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTCeRH_7tptnUCH4ZTxbeSL9wtgeik4fApKrfdbfji_bV6JUNX0KSMwn2ZPIm0MMnOFm7n3RmVT1KtD7eNfEsjiXc7cp5AFqb1c8E2fEh6GK3stQ8f0lVWq0UlTiD7WFqNTau6WTG9TFgA/w640-h480/IMG_4962.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span>From Stanklyn I headed up to Heath Lane where a flock of 9 <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> were observed and the ever present <b>Common Buzzard</b> was perched up in one of its usual spots along the model aircraft field hedgerow.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><i>Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)</i></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWbTmeRUVqvqkeB1EI8d3m5qyYeiAZp_KyQRL9V1YDOq6_0SvGKu-FKpYlW7w7W4mhof_Ndf9BkKr9nxXNaPq2R5FR6hVEwQ9beoo7udFclPdo2P_SLDzmev3OdWuhRDc61x1nFlgwIW/s1080/IMG_4948.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXgWbTmeRUVqvqkeB1EI8d3m5qyYeiAZp_KyQRL9V1YDOq6_0SvGKu-FKpYlW7w7W4mhof_Ndf9BkKr9nxXNaPq2R5FR6hVEwQ9beoo7udFclPdo2P_SLDzmev3OdWuhRDc61x1nFlgwIW/w640-h480/IMG_4948.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;"><br /></span></b></p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday 3rd February 2021 - Stanklyn</span></b></p><p>I only had a quick visit to the patch today and took a quick walk along Stanklyn Lane. I couldn't see any sign of Stonechats in the sheep field but in the near field of fodder radish opposite the junction with Heath Lane there were 2 <b>Brambling</b> present feeding alongside c.300 <b>Chaffinch</b>.</p></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgecqUIUhx-kz8IaqffXORJuz3Ajute0-sSvUPI0ro0HKEqOdepaDxPRNNU37zx6s7AbTRKhKDgCjKPX92SG_lYPbD3mUKW2ceDhEE9uLbUiut3NCoFFf6RMUt-46AQxWWl7ZC7ebEHjo/s1080/IMG_4975.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFgecqUIUhx-kz8IaqffXORJuz3Ajute0-sSvUPI0ro0HKEqOdepaDxPRNNU37zx6s7AbTRKhKDgCjKPX92SG_lYPbD3mUKW2ceDhEE9uLbUiut3NCoFFf6RMUt-46AQxWWl7ZC7ebEHjo/w640-h480/IMG_4975.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>At Stanklyn Paddock there was little of note but for a single <b>Rook</b> that was posing very obligingly for photos.<div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Rook (Corvus frugilegus)</i></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz6HbxFLjvYBaXXjHuwQNA3Tkx6cMhud56ToV0jwgO6jAf33YPdzQ1NsNeCJRVnFESLBXLgODo6VRjaCBkyraxOKkY9-doptc8nf_x2QWokUPChY8tp5VdYc2h3LaBFTGbR4smVQOQlYe/s1200/IMG_4967.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaz6HbxFLjvYBaXXjHuwQNA3Tkx6cMhud56ToV0jwgO6jAf33YPdzQ1NsNeCJRVnFESLBXLgODo6VRjaCBkyraxOKkY9-doptc8nf_x2QWokUPChY8tp5VdYc2h3LaBFTGbR4smVQOQlYe/w640-h480/IMG_4967.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6bwTItmZyFXgKJE0Afo6YuzzjgZeihxeyogjtAgIBGS4BqYWt-WtVnXfQTjfeVshx8J1fzZq_JRhEGEDfjsCxpGAKWo-ss1VjRGtdeYNv_AVIIrGWqy8zNWRpyKo9zLRhkaJdYJFj8ij/s1200/IMG_4970.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy6bwTItmZyFXgKJE0Afo6YuzzjgZeihxeyogjtAgIBGS4BqYWt-WtVnXfQTjfeVshx8J1fzZq_JRhEGEDfjsCxpGAKWo-ss1VjRGtdeYNv_AVIIrGWqy8zNWRpyKo9zLRhkaJdYJFj8ij/w640-h480/IMG_4970.jpg" width="640" /></a></div></div><br /><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 5th February 2021 - Spenells Valley NR</span></b></p><p>Today I popped to Spennells Valley Nature Reserve in Kidderminster to see if there was any frog action in the ponds there. In February 2020 I counted 40+ Common Frogs there but today I had no joy. Perhaps a little too early for that site. Just as I was heading back I heard and the saw a flock of 38 <b>Siskin</b> that flew over heading NNE. So the visit wasn't a complete bust after all.</p><p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Sunday 7th February 2021 - Stanklyn and Podmore</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">Today I undertook a walk around the fields between Stanklyn and Spennells. There was still a huge flock of 1500+ <b>Linnet</b> present whirling around in a Starling-like murmuration and feeding on the fodder radish. From Stanklyn I headed over to Podmore a couple of miles up the road only to be greeted by another flock of c.1000 <b>Linnet</b>. That's an incredible 2500+ <b>Linnet </b>present in the local area. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also present at Podmore in a field further up the way was a covey of 9 <b>Red-legged Partridge</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Red-legged Partridge (Alectoris rufa)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU8FzrdJkfDUbQpJzM1IrNUybgxHAxevJBPC_5UeXfThy1_VBPwR99dnVDIrMhd97Sk6LYopcEmWxthqKQV38ckEdcg1vwTKHhyphenhyphenaWVmFKobiUgm1FtFnjXipMxA1BnO8-levoGN5f1W3q/s1080/IMG_4981.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPU8FzrdJkfDUbQpJzM1IrNUybgxHAxevJBPC_5UeXfThy1_VBPwR99dnVDIrMhd97Sk6LYopcEmWxthqKQV38ckEdcg1vwTKHhyphenhyphenaWVmFKobiUgm1FtFnjXipMxA1BnO8-levoGN5f1W3q/w640-h480/IMG_4981.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-77614564177730251922021-02-23T14:02:00.000-08:002021-02-23T14:02:00.918-08:00Saturday 30th January 2021<p>I started today's visit by checking out the model aircraft field which is currently being used for grazing sheep. It was absolutely alive with birds both on the ground and along the hedgerow with large numbers of <b>Redwings</b>, <b>Fieldfares </b>and <b>Starlings</b> present as well as 2 <b>Corn Buntings</b> and c.100 <b>Linnets</b>. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Corn Buntings, Linnets & Redwings at Heath Lane - 30th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLdfZJpZlqf0XeJOQxrDM1oFbMxye7lJnKThlRGezdnLHkMsq8dIy_F5IfYn06IDikV0xy3UKaQ1wd-oMopdDABX30Hn_Nn0mpUaIqX0JRoC802lCHOaK0leOZR2tEKReGFZhAjRLJwof/s1080/IMG_4917.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMLdfZJpZlqf0XeJOQxrDM1oFbMxye7lJnKThlRGezdnLHkMsq8dIy_F5IfYn06IDikV0xy3UKaQ1wd-oMopdDABX30Hn_Nn0mpUaIqX0JRoC802lCHOaK0leOZR2tEKReGFZhAjRLJwof/w640-h480/IMG_4917.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p>After a while everything went up in the air and quickly cleared out as a female <b>Merlin</b> went through low heading towards Stanklyn Lane. I quickly headed down to Stanklyn where a picked up the <b>Merlin </b>again briefly before it flew over the lane and headed towards Spennells. </p><p>Still present at Stanklyn was the huge Linnet flock that today numbered around c.1200 <b>Linnets</b>. This number is varying from day to day with the flock splitting at times into smaller flocks and can number anywhere between 500 to 2500<b> Linnets</b>. This could perhaps corelate with why there is sometimes a flock of c.1000 <b>Linnets</b> a couple of miles up the road at Podmore/Elmley Lovett and similar at Woodrow.</p><div style="text-align: left;">(Partial) Linnet Flock at Stanklyn Fields - 30th January 2021</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpPvbglKbjnaVJujujkaPtwAgqL6RkflH8tRqYddiuy_hTP9Ic6zm3AqijZm5VfmC3F0sUwSeOYhpJ-lvzGIZoq0s9Dakk-CIwAR_wJuQKbqYKGPpYl7ZScpRGvxAoFrVBNDQK8eEwPip/s1080/IMG_4928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpPvbglKbjnaVJujujkaPtwAgqL6RkflH8tRqYddiuy_hTP9Ic6zm3AqijZm5VfmC3F0sUwSeOYhpJ-lvzGIZoq0s9Dakk-CIwAR_wJuQKbqYKGPpYl7ZScpRGvxAoFrVBNDQK8eEwPip/w640-h480/IMG_4928.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCimaKN83TXxVsOTB4y4_otcTNQAk3l3HIr_S_mvK7W72ltVS5qvnBLxKZQyuqBcsWxh3vNPLeWEAbOuCk0zU2qAxlYqClj60QcHrHvQZPCcNRvloi6iHXMEfQ9EDpi5e7XAGMJPk1IzQF/s1080/IMG_4931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCimaKN83TXxVsOTB4y4_otcTNQAk3l3HIr_S_mvK7W72ltVS5qvnBLxKZQyuqBcsWxh3vNPLeWEAbOuCk0zU2qAxlYqClj60QcHrHvQZPCcNRvloi6iHXMEfQ9EDpi5e7XAGMJPk1IzQF/w640-h480/IMG_4931.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Across the lane at Stanklyn Paddocks a single <b>Mistle Thrush </b>was of note.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Mistle Thrush at Stanklyn Paddocks - 30th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuUZlMMMy5F1JvYBUG7W03R1t7VDbHqXnisR9QtEPmQziiJQ8KgP3kJ-1ucLyP5ddBIarbr990dUERHSUE-fH09lEB-tyhLwWC12dqpv3nX5kyPfRosqHgBXmisPFo2oAsgWwai9nztdn/s1080/IMG_4938.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWuUZlMMMy5F1JvYBUG7W03R1t7VDbHqXnisR9QtEPmQziiJQ8KgP3kJ-1ucLyP5ddBIarbr990dUERHSUE-fH09lEB-tyhLwWC12dqpv3nX5kyPfRosqHgBXmisPFo2oAsgWwai9nztdn/w640-h480/IMG_4938.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-62571097319472101612021-02-20T13:41:00.001-08:002021-03-12T05:16:49.941-08:00Wednesday 27th and Thursday 28th January 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday 27th January 2021 - Spennells Valley NR</span></b></p><div style="text-align: left;">I started my ramblings today at Spennells Valley Nature Reserve in Kidderminster. It was actually pretty quiet on the wildlife front although I did pick up on a <b>Nuthatch</b> singing away from a tree top along Hoo Brook. By the looks of him, all wet and bedraggled, I think he had not long took a dip to have a wash. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Nuthatch (Sitta europaea)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE33cV6ZePZjv_Kz2FgbgcXpXo2g9A6Rcq3p_Wgu2p-hAP1JvVRETru7h0qcGFgkOS6l1SWL-4Iscl_ByGQCHby_g0TM1GKbBa45sNIvbU0I8hkW56u77B9gG6zqPalCj9UGT-am__LfaM/s1080/IMG_4858.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE33cV6ZePZjv_Kz2FgbgcXpXo2g9A6Rcq3p_Wgu2p-hAP1JvVRETru7h0qcGFgkOS6l1SWL-4Iscl_ByGQCHby_g0TM1GKbBa45sNIvbU0I8hkW56u77B9gG6zqPalCj9UGT-am__LfaM/w640-h480/IMG_4858.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also of interest along the brook was a rather nice clump of <b>Snowdrops</b> that I hadn't noticed previously.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKG4DuqWQAYU3jHw5QxOio9BW4rEuZuHH7GFY2OnO7KYnvQPSODs5ER1baKH57Y864jPoApTwSkWsTAShuQ7v8vyQPe6tm5auy_4E7sH1tCIWQBYkOVPCz7Cx9iMDfrBS0RHjvatub-I1/s1080/IMG_4859.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSKG4DuqWQAYU3jHw5QxOio9BW4rEuZuHH7GFY2OnO7KYnvQPSODs5ER1baKH57Y864jPoApTwSkWsTAShuQ7v8vyQPe6tm5auy_4E7sH1tCIWQBYkOVPCz7Cx9iMDfrBS0RHjvatub-I1/w640-h480/IMG_4859.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday 27th January 2021 - Stone</span></b></div><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;">From the reserve I headed over to check the fields at Stone. At Heath Lane I observed a good mix of birds with highlights being: 6 <b>Lesser Redpoll</b>, 2<b> Meadow Pipits</b>, 19 <b>Pied Wagtail</b>, 1 <b>Skylark</b> and around 100 <b>Linnets</b>. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Lesser Redpoll (Acanthis cabaret)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7V_Qlwp7O5I3hCBpjB-qZGnqbZr78ZGmDOyJNIMgcr-w7b7Ml__b6LxIjCvGEv9jIoLrOFCCtzuKcGlZgM5pQu23CLeDUh3n_p-A1HCnUsjPYm4JrOI2xDEGZlOQvkN3YsuKUW4zjK0J/s1080/IMG_4893.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX7V_Qlwp7O5I3hCBpjB-qZGnqbZr78ZGmDOyJNIMgcr-w7b7Ml__b6LxIjCvGEv9jIoLrOFCCtzuKcGlZgM5pQu23CLeDUh3n_p-A1HCnUsjPYm4JrOI2xDEGZlOQvkN3YsuKUW4zjK0J/w640-h480/IMG_4893.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Meadow Pipit (Anthus pratensis)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8X0WXfxZuRZE4s1Bh326Sh0vNKytke4MEVsMfs9Jg3c6I1oAgH0JbOyyRrVozt7RJFk61RkfA-lmY3fKaoz-jJnQHB81n5eWgkCxqLOQQQlG_du74DhT6yvVRbt5mlmQuszwncDs0t4u/s1080/IMG_4883.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb8X0WXfxZuRZE4s1Bh326Sh0vNKytke4MEVsMfs9Jg3c6I1oAgH0JbOyyRrVozt7RJFk61RkfA-lmY3fKaoz-jJnQHB81n5eWgkCxqLOQQQlG_du74DhT6yvVRbt5mlmQuszwncDs0t4u/w640-h480/IMG_4883.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">A <b>Common Buzzard</b> was also present perched up along the hedgerow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Common Buzzard (Buteo buteo)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J1PCDkmjpZY8lH_WjMXOBpR9susBLkqoBufTA1HxiNnGaQTpbb-78pz0DgC5bMuh0z2Qewk1qWIqe4R24FCPkfyhn5NncGRXa5rTs9wbyULEg5xT8fb_d1Po2lF3eddvOW2qiw93D7Uw/s1080/IMG_4867.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8J1PCDkmjpZY8lH_WjMXOBpR9susBLkqoBufTA1HxiNnGaQTpbb-78pz0DgC5bMuh0z2Qewk1qWIqe4R24FCPkfyhn5NncGRXa5rTs9wbyULEg5xT8fb_d1Po2lF3eddvOW2qiw93D7Uw/w640-h480/IMG_4867.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 28th January 2021 - Greatfield Road Allotments</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Whilst working at my allotment today I saw my first <b>Pine Ladybird</b> of the year. This diminutive beetle was warming up in the sunshine. Better still it was a site first for me taking my total ladybird species for the plot up to 9 alongside Adonis, 2-spot, 7-spot, 14-spot, 16-spot, 22-spot, 24-spot & Harlequin. The more ladybirds I have on the plot the better as they really are are nature's pest control as they are voracious predators of aphids.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Pine Ladybird (Exochomus quadripustulatus)</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TSGZZeK-y55phR2xBzutoZFNbTsRmzKNfqJv5xXBO-V0c7fHnXGNi9Z3Jd6zwfpeEEZjFwzrGf4kPSnkBnaA8N1-8auzqFpUN8j3chENIipY2XFJE8g4BkRuFBTOzWVBNomFooiHR0ml/s1080/IMG_4896.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8TSGZZeK-y55phR2xBzutoZFNbTsRmzKNfqJv5xXBO-V0c7fHnXGNi9Z3Jd6zwfpeEEZjFwzrGf4kPSnkBnaA8N1-8auzqFpUN8j3chENIipY2XFJE8g4BkRuFBTOzWVBNomFooiHR0ml/w640-h480/IMG_4896.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoZOImsywLy4IJdL03r0gK-i4yzp8GTL-1b07j1xnwLIc0m3U6cRsiO6EQ_SqJWYyRBZt-FpNPcDLKza7_lx50Y5T3v4YpU7fQ3alJTLmlzeLnhWkhUwDFCOHTtGkOTzBP3TbBLhlJ7r2/s1080/IMG_4899.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijoZOImsywLy4IJdL03r0gK-i4yzp8GTL-1b07j1xnwLIc0m3U6cRsiO6EQ_SqJWYyRBZt-FpNPcDLKza7_lx50Y5T3v4YpU7fQ3alJTLmlzeLnhWkhUwDFCOHTtGkOTzBP3TbBLhlJ7r2/w640-h480/IMG_4899.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span face="-apple-system, BlinkMacSystemFont, "Segoe UI", Roboto, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif" style="background-color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.03); color: #0f1419; font-size: 15px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-69579709306738425842021-02-10T13:22:00.004-08:002021-03-12T05:18:12.271-08:00Friday 22nd January 2021<div style="text-align: left;">Today was a mild & sunny day with lovely clear blue skies, so I started my walk by checking out Captain's Pool. Sadly it was virtually empty of birds but for the regular <b>Mallards</b> and <b>Moorhens</b>.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />At the fields there were still at least 1000 <b>Linnets</b> present and around 300 <b>Chaffinch</b>. Whilst scanning through some of the Linnets that were perched up in tress along the field's edge I also picked up a single <b>Brambling</b> amongst them.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><i>Linnets (Linaria cannabina)</i><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGPCPCH82HIK3QCwu9UVYGWtd9A4HMIIz0pKM40sqy3XxvFz5Is1B3XiDWABiQ1aBaQI3ZwRbufBFqRT1Ac0TRyiADKs9tM7fEJ-yMSMgHu7xwlfQaVRrrvoOXgPX_EogmnSys6xcKdiJ/s1080/IMG_4805.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzGPCPCH82HIK3QCwu9UVYGWtd9A4HMIIz0pKM40sqy3XxvFz5Is1B3XiDWABiQ1aBaQI3ZwRbufBFqRT1Ac0TRyiADKs9tM7fEJ-yMSMgHu7xwlfQaVRrrvoOXgPX_EogmnSys6xcKdiJ/w640-h480/IMG_4805.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><i>Brambling (Fringilla montifringilla) with Linnets</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxlM9TalmmwZzhMCSrIAbZG0fRqBu6RSYCMhsvpqFVmSvBBHGDAkY4XZK6exXegbF7cj3-X59dtVqAMhimx7M6kFmjWpFT7pjT7UtEmE_bF6ltB6P1zT2TTk3VQWzLyWittGCY0rYNt6U/s1080/IMG_4805-2.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcxlM9TalmmwZzhMCSrIAbZG0fRqBu6RSYCMhsvpqFVmSvBBHGDAkY4XZK6exXegbF7cj3-X59dtVqAMhimx7M6kFmjWpFT7pjT7UtEmE_bF6ltB6P1zT2TTk3VQWzLyWittGCY0rYNt6U/w640-h480/IMG_4805-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Along the wooded edge of the field I also recorded my first Ladybird of the year when I found a <b>7-spot Ladybird</b> basking on a leaf in the sunshine.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>7-spot Ladybird (Coccinella septempunctata)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6rMaFOj4vWQ_ALxGAfWxpCzGVYuyMXzj9dD9FfElvpuDsJUMoAjit-zdr4vgRPkEHsmuz3ep4pFFODWB8gs6BBOTGOPPeKFEw3dgPNND721lDZ-7d45dMiUWPjpMEX1PAK_lAlvziyvE/s1080/IMG_4813.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH6rMaFOj4vWQ_ALxGAfWxpCzGVYuyMXzj9dD9FfElvpuDsJUMoAjit-zdr4vgRPkEHsmuz3ep4pFFODWB8gs6BBOTGOPPeKFEw3dgPNND721lDZ-7d45dMiUWPjpMEX1PAK_lAlvziyvE/w640-h480/IMG_4813.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also at the wooded edge I found two more fungi species for my site list, <b>Yellow Brain</b> and <b>Common Jellyspot</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Yellow Brain (Tremella mesenterica)</i></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FfkoewqEGzzrEKpuVtSMLcx0aDXPJNnJUSbT52Da37iVrjBNfAPPLtQUHS_I-D4-al60aUuaFFC64rTlGpra7cfpqKiM6jytDh1LOwHQbbuSw5Zu4J-sR3GFw5Rup9KpP7jlAu4f5kGy/s1080/IMG_4821.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FfkoewqEGzzrEKpuVtSMLcx0aDXPJNnJUSbT52Da37iVrjBNfAPPLtQUHS_I-D4-al60aUuaFFC64rTlGpra7cfpqKiM6jytDh1LOwHQbbuSw5Zu4J-sR3GFw5Rup9KpP7jlAu4f5kGy/w640-h480/IMG_4821.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Common Jellyspot (Dacrymyces stillatus)</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSWLnwuCB3R0jC8tpyCe8PQKKD9hFrk4l_AW9E_bYG3-XZTJV-kfdACc5Wx9OgKWXgLGBRJNUKzZ8F3tkaYWwuRaLIkxdz3Ba1TOWCogJd0oyD4FIFE22F4t59YnfI_AlDcsbjsSVfGNf/s1080/IMG_4819.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSWLnwuCB3R0jC8tpyCe8PQKKD9hFrk4l_AW9E_bYG3-XZTJV-kfdACc5Wx9OgKWXgLGBRJNUKzZ8F3tkaYWwuRaLIkxdz3Ba1TOWCogJd0oyD4FIFE22F4t59YnfI_AlDcsbjsSVfGNf/w640-h480/IMG_4819.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-52658728207408368322021-02-07T13:49:00.000-08:002021-02-07T13:49:02.876-08:00Monday 18th to Thursday 21st January 2021<p><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Monday 18th January 2021 - Captains Pool & Spennells Valley NR</b></span></p><p>At Captain's Pool an adult <b>Mute Swan</b> was still present. The previous day there had been an adult and a 1st winter <b>Mute Swan</b> present (as per Spennells Pensioner). A <b>Grey Wagtail</b> was present along the dam.</p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Mute Swan (Cygnus olor) - 18th January 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Yj4tuPgqwF9X409j0S5721sBTzWMtQgOpCi9GHpapvr6nOKzpmx74JvVFdtMebThu1grqFk5I933l_qTX1ukfbj8mHrk4xj-m7sAw5Tb4jydkCbwIrxd43JapT-r0FYNRIQHu1fFXqu1/s1080/IMG_4772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5Yj4tuPgqwF9X409j0S5721sBTzWMtQgOpCi9GHpapvr6nOKzpmx74JvVFdtMebThu1grqFk5I933l_qTX1ukfbj8mHrk4xj-m7sAw5Tb4jydkCbwIrxd43JapT-r0FYNRIQHu1fFXqu1/w640-h480/IMG_4772.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i>Nearby along the footpath at the edge of Spenells Valley Nature Reserve a single <b>Brambling </b>was present with approximately 40 Chaffinch. A nice group of young <b>Jelly Ear</b> fungus was also recorded in this area.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) - 18th January 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeFu3TZwAfF8rv4Hs0JEkkGredLkNkGHQyvo-bWNSorIiG8z5e3tBmZGmlLW3dssOAn_qO5W_ykacbqk33McgMgXMuwTaw-t0TnKyRuHdxqhj4HLKDNsVeU6Mwi5P_YjcRLO8EA10XX39/s1080/IMG_4774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbeFu3TZwAfF8rv4Hs0JEkkGredLkNkGHQyvo-bWNSorIiG8z5e3tBmZGmlLW3dssOAn_qO5W_ykacbqk33McgMgXMuwTaw-t0TnKyRuHdxqhj4HLKDNsVeU6Mwi5P_YjcRLO8EA10XX39/w640-h480/IMG_4774.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 21st January 2021 - Greatfield Road Allotments</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today, on visiting my allotment plot I was greeted by the sight of 11 <b>Redwings </b>that were feeding down on the ground there. On my arrival they flew up to a nearby tree and perched lovely in the sunshine to allow for a couple of photos.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Redwings (Turdus iliacus) - 21st January 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMIJeos5LzXAEjlaW4eEY9wJmpVml79_-SPzEV_rTbcKdtt178tnwdsY3mwMqGxqI7JW5xVFsTO5xv8-d88mKWwiiyj6uiP2n-2_MHewn1K1_KvykUs2b99ZJUCnsq1_VZrymlLaj1vzO/s1080/IMG_4787.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyMIJeos5LzXAEjlaW4eEY9wJmpVml79_-SPzEV_rTbcKdtt178tnwdsY3mwMqGxqI7JW5xVFsTO5xv8-d88mKWwiiyj6uiP2n-2_MHewn1K1_KvykUs2b99ZJUCnsq1_VZrymlLaj1vzO/w640-h480/IMG_4787.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCuZplrDL1BIOjQIo-mgO30v-wdEtdY4bM-n6gEp5EEmqL4B9WPOFng6SC6BQ-LWVxwuAqfiTwSKPDCHbV7K6odF3b00MYhbtxY7yLLrk6xEDJaVzaSMkKYQBihz8IZNYI7Pv6e6YsKVo/s1200/IMG_4789.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpCuZplrDL1BIOjQIo-mgO30v-wdEtdY4bM-n6gEp5EEmqL4B9WPOFng6SC6BQ-LWVxwuAqfiTwSKPDCHbV7K6odF3b00MYhbtxY7yLLrk6xEDJaVzaSMkKYQBihz8IZNYI7Pv6e6YsKVo/w640-h480/IMG_4789.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Thursday 21st January 2021 - Stanklyn Wood</span></b></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From my allotment I headed over to Stanklyn Lane to undertake a walk. I decided to walkalong the lane at the edge of Stanklyn Wood to see what may be of interest. During the walk I discovered two types of fungi; <b>Witches' Butter</b> and <b>Hairy Curtain Crust </b>and was pleased to see a few groups of Snowdrop starting to flower.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Witches' Butter (Exidia glandulosa) - 21st January 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKONeJjW5MN2CWxVDgnPrXUiPg5zd_9g-bMu1kQpTuzZEeaphdQzxX1Yc1Lc34kXX9jaHpNSEfBPH2xQbezY3BHKQcGERuTck_94PorFsUs6GpYgNZGQl7XAU40CuB8rAOjh-GruEytix/s1080/IMG_4796.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeKONeJjW5MN2CWxVDgnPrXUiPg5zd_9g-bMu1kQpTuzZEeaphdQzxX1Yc1Lc34kXX9jaHpNSEfBPH2xQbezY3BHKQcGERuTck_94PorFsUs6GpYgNZGQl7XAU40CuB8rAOjh-GruEytix/w640-h480/IMG_4796.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Hairy Curtain Crust (Stereum hirsutum) - 21st January 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMClxUw7vdkOfeHCPubwCIaTjFvdqIcaI190EwXubUYuYCBERRc9wv5Gh32xnSsZBH9KYP6ZI9NSeji_NtX5Fq09NwojjDcj0N7Tv2nLpKX6BH7vg-fBuYaUfvSBqUIrAPbMy4P-vkJUUi/s1080/IMG_4802.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMClxUw7vdkOfeHCPubwCIaTjFvdqIcaI190EwXubUYuYCBERRc9wv5Gh32xnSsZBH9KYP6ZI9NSeji_NtX5Fq09NwojjDcj0N7Tv2nLpKX6BH7vg-fBuYaUfvSBqUIrAPbMy4P-vkJUUi/w640-h480/IMG_4802.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Snowdrop (Galanthus nivalis) - 21st January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmaotHBUy9xWZBWZjq6VjlqruEPmCWVoCdx5IslXr92b1T-lVQUs_CURoZd3l-CwxT-N1oK5yAgNxtt-pYkxN-X5Qb9Pqo7fcu-CYdnUEvo8MGyJKAClFFxVLl-FDOQfvCrFLb_nuJwz8/s1080/IMG_4793.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGmaotHBUy9xWZBWZjq6VjlqruEPmCWVoCdx5IslXr92b1T-lVQUs_CURoZd3l-CwxT-N1oK5yAgNxtt-pYkxN-X5Qb9Pqo7fcu-CYdnUEvo8MGyJKAClFFxVLl-FDOQfvCrFLb_nuJwz8/w640-h480/IMG_4793.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3te0jI99YjkOd0l0_CtM_8IQglN9jHmaYjXfqafwezrOo6T32oLGHLwXYMZIIhAuB-B4SlWnoyg3v5gSF34s7opodHRWMOKCi9k71BOgBZz5cgTlxqfEsFBy9fnr82zYC6L-6eHg60au/s1080/IMG_4794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy3te0jI99YjkOd0l0_CtM_8IQglN9jHmaYjXfqafwezrOo6T32oLGHLwXYMZIIhAuB-B4SlWnoyg3v5gSF34s7opodHRWMOKCi9k71BOgBZz5cgTlxqfEsFBy9fnr82zYC6L-6eHg60au/w640-h480/IMG_4794.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-61125169506964110102021-01-24T13:09:00.001-08:002021-01-24T13:10:19.824-08:00Wednesday 13th January 2021 and Friday 15th January 2021<p><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Wednesday 13th January 2021</span></b></p><p>Today I visited Captain's Pool with the hope of possibly connecting with the pair of <b>Goosander</b> that my friend and fellow blogger Dave Williams (aka <a href="http://spennellspensioner.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: #0b5394;"><b>Spennells Pensioner</b></span></a>) had seen there the previous day. Goosander on Captains are usually one day birds, so I didn't hold out much hope. On arrival I was in luck. Not only was the pair present but they had now been joined by 2 more drakes, with all 4 <b>Goosander</b> giving reasonable views until an angler arrived and started casting out and they were soon off. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Goosander (drakes) - 13th December 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuEI0HAFp-s49L2VpEGa2SqZutOCyB_W_wE9mXrHPtVVbSKMSaBPOMg8FljIndgIAhYnuYUTpZEuD29rvTMwccqP-b4zKhhgyGxHPKRZbqxvzOqRWm_JdjxmGOLKp0z2hu1Wa4rgzla17/s1080/IMG_4755.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuuEI0HAFp-s49L2VpEGa2SqZutOCyB_W_wE9mXrHPtVVbSKMSaBPOMg8FljIndgIAhYnuYUTpZEuD29rvTMwccqP-b4zKhhgyGxHPKRZbqxvzOqRWm_JdjxmGOLKp0z2hu1Wa4rgzla17/w640-h480/IMG_4755.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Goosander (drake & female) - 13th December 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYdYNQtNlhBqMR6cjc_Un7QRBTNBpNcWnt_pjeJC4oTcOvhhM3nEm-4UYr8QcOulTAFO75ipKjZRksB_cKhfx-UO9BNzaMSvjpdSm0yb-jLccrnaaJlR0xSj-IqRhaH9ywoIoN-CGdsNX/s1080/IMG_4751.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBYdYNQtNlhBqMR6cjc_Un7QRBTNBpNcWnt_pjeJC4oTcOvhhM3nEm-4UYr8QcOulTAFO75ipKjZRksB_cKhfx-UO9BNzaMSvjpdSm0yb-jLccrnaaJlR0xSj-IqRhaH9ywoIoN-CGdsNX/w640-h480/IMG_4751.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">From the pool I headed over the fields where a sizeable flock of c.600 <b>Linnet </b>and around 200 <b>Chaffinch</b> were still present. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Aside from the birds I also recorded a nice little clump of <b>Velvet Shank</b> fungi growing out of an old log. It certainly gave a splash of colour on an otherwise dull day.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Velvet Shank (Flammulina velutipes) - 13th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG3FBwPFEzDUlPJlKS1jakdtCeJ6xgvhQbupAUG0J8Px1OjQg8rHb4beX3DjPTdFTEWunMxZNr3B1y3RHmsYrWiu5mUdBD_tHtk9Niox5v9GIl8EICgv2lqaOVlihlDIoxq6BGDw6xW6d/s1080/IMG_4762.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuG3FBwPFEzDUlPJlKS1jakdtCeJ6xgvhQbupAUG0J8Px1OjQg8rHb4beX3DjPTdFTEWunMxZNr3B1y3RHmsYrWiu5mUdBD_tHtk9Niox5v9GIl8EICgv2lqaOVlihlDIoxq6BGDw6xW6d/w640-h480/IMG_4762.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><b><span style="color: #38761d;">Friday 15th January 2021</span></b><br /><div style="text-align: left;">This morning I had a "garden first" when 4 <b>Lesser Redpoll</b> flew into my Silver Birch and joined the 9 <b>Goldfinch</b> that were present there. After a short while the Goldfinches flew leaving just the Redpolls allowing me to get good binocular views. I then decided to go and grab my camera, at which point they flew (doh!). Still it was great seeing them and it was my first garden record in 17 years of living at this address.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-49590644420156658282021-01-21T12:41:00.000-08:002021-01-21T12:41:10.653-08:00Monday 11th January 2021 - Captains Pool and Stanklyn Fields<p>Today I started my walk with a visit to a still partially frozen Captain's Pool where 53 <b>Black-headed Gulls</b> and a single <b>Lesser Black-backed Gull</b> were stood on the ice. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Black-headed Gull - 11th December 2021</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafHc6JzW27lGhCuY-NGoDs2-OI6IwlWQQprkwiaPy_189Og6CwdDv_5N0e3-o9NjjTxwT0Y_S5Y2cQ-neVLhzUEyZhVCZYa_9DwtfOSCJhjekJeYeLcwVV6MTZ-h4zktLhiTyrPf45kYd/s1200/IMG_4718.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="900" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhafHc6JzW27lGhCuY-NGoDs2-OI6IwlWQQprkwiaPy_189Og6CwdDv_5N0e3-o9NjjTxwT0Y_S5Y2cQ-neVLhzUEyZhVCZYa_9DwtfOSCJhjekJeYeLcwVV6MTZ-h4zktLhiTyrPf45kYd/w480-h640/IMG_4718.jpg" width="480" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Also of note at the pool was a single <b>Grey Wagtail</b> that was along the edge of the damn. 2 <b>Coot</b>, 3 <b>Moorhen </b>and 20 <b>Mallard</b> were also present.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">At the fields the <b>Linnet</b> <b>flock</b> seemed slightly smaller today with around c.600 birds present. This is not unusual as this huge wintering flock will often split into smaller flocks for a while to feed in the fields before massing together at other times. Whilst walking along a single <b>Linnet</b> flew up and landed a short distance away. It seemed slightly dazed and confused and wasn't at all bothered by my proximity to it. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Linnet - 11th December 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjencgnln_O-8UT0pmkccAg4hMrBllM-FWC5AYgZES3nsPH4nbgLjItSd-sY2GN5kQTpW4gDMT4Xp-DLuH4LJyS25Sn-7ESJp5hW83tS0kZfx-qdM72tqCch_Sw2mLFlPBFwDjNmdV_7W6Y/s1080/IMG_4732.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjencgnln_O-8UT0pmkccAg4hMrBllM-FWC5AYgZES3nsPH4nbgLjItSd-sY2GN5kQTpW4gDMT4Xp-DLuH4LJyS25Sn-7ESJp5hW83tS0kZfx-qdM72tqCch_Sw2mLFlPBFwDjNmdV_7W6Y/w640-h480/IMG_4732.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Also of interest during the walk was finding some fallen branches at the wooded field edge that were covered in Jelly Ear fungus. These gelatinous fungi can form very ear-like shapes as the grow.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Jelly Ear (Auricularia auricula-judae) - 11th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpCkR0NGVzT3m2L5lmdEcDQuQQrcZxlkCmOdSclRGL3dNKA0eeDRPXA3WadUdfQhi33CeKHk_Kxv7qk3mOenZ409LH1x3g3NHB0owAesx5z4lxCz0nE6-GWRMlZkLrFYJW3kl3PcjPJ54/s1200/IMG_4724.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOpCkR0NGVzT3m2L5lmdEcDQuQQrcZxlkCmOdSclRGL3dNKA0eeDRPXA3WadUdfQhi33CeKHk_Kxv7qk3mOenZ409LH1x3g3NHB0owAesx5z4lxCz0nE6-GWRMlZkLrFYJW3kl3PcjPJ54/w640-h480/IMG_4724.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-12607529928460405662021-01-14T12:46:00.002-08:002021-01-14T12:46:34.425-08:00Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th January 2021 - Shenstone & Stone<p><span style="color: #274e13;"><b><br /></b></span></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Saturday 9th January 2021 - Shenstone</b></span> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Today I decided to undertake a walk around the lanes and fields on the Shenstone side of the local patch. Things were fairly quite on the bird front with just a handful of <b>Fieldfares</b> and <b>Chaffinch</b> along Witch Lane and whilst walking the footpath across the large field that runs towards Podmore I flushed 2 <b>Meadow Pipits</b>. </div><p>Curslow Lane was also very quite but I did add <b>Common Buzzard</b> and 2 <b>Red-legged Partridge</b> to the list. Whilst at a mostly frozen Willow Marsh Fishery a single <b>Grey Heron</b> was of note. </p><div style="text-align: left;"><i>Common Buzzard - 9th December 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rP7kV6p_TqhD8f1eyH12el1wLlRQdQNrLlDNlwy9Zy5V2_lbUGlTLB2SCt2x5YtfDn9F0OgfdGO05ktskTqOfBH9iOSXk9GvliG9GhCdccq85dcrHT9xXE9TriTWBpEYGjV-_LqGq0A/s1080/IMG_4664.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3rP7kV6p_TqhD8f1eyH12el1wLlRQdQNrLlDNlwy9Zy5V2_lbUGlTLB2SCt2x5YtfDn9F0OgfdGO05ktskTqOfBH9iOSXk9GvliG9GhCdccq85dcrHT9xXE9TriTWBpEYGjV-_LqGq0A/w640-h480/IMG_4664.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><p><br /></p><div><span style="color: #274e13;"><b>Sunday 10th January 2021 - Stone</b></span> </div><div><br /></div><div>I was back over at the Stone side of the patch today where I spent some time around the Heath Lane area. The undoubted highlight was seeing 12 <b>Corn Buntings </b>perched on the hedgerow of the model aircraft field alongside. Also present in this area were c.60 <b>Linnet</b>.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Corn Buntings & Linnets - 10th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW2S_Y6kjrnLEJfn1ujcNCdgnEDkj9HUDmUNfuQGUZGu3h8aMuHL7Al4lO7pjOpIvZiLj__rCOEdlMvOwa1HEXbDY8qDd5oXNBCFIlnNH8GjPW77Jdii3uGIfH-YfHuKXkGGzS-G4NF3b/s1080/IMG_4684.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinW2S_Y6kjrnLEJfn1ujcNCdgnEDkj9HUDmUNfuQGUZGu3h8aMuHL7Al4lO7pjOpIvZiLj__rCOEdlMvOwa1HEXbDY8qDd5oXNBCFIlnNH8GjPW77Jdii3uGIfH-YfHuKXkGGzS-G4NF3b/w640-h480/IMG_4684.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Also of note along Heath Lane were 2 <b>Fieldfare</b>, 1 <b>Song Thrush</b> and a <b>Dunnock</b> who was busily picking through the snow in front of a hedgerow to get to food .</div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i>Dunnock - 10th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyl36gXBpp4UCM-2B5ND5m6bGGl2p_-dPmcfQFfiSffkszp3qWOE3lKpWuthwgThrLQLv6tSca6-paZeO36nm1BNwhqh67dLBrDcZnLPPt8X5TRDFwhKW0qN7mIM5eUnNDePQj9VMIVDl/s1200/IMG_4680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkyl36gXBpp4UCM-2B5ND5m6bGGl2p_-dPmcfQFfiSffkszp3qWOE3lKpWuthwgThrLQLv6tSca6-paZeO36nm1BNwhqh67dLBrDcZnLPPt8X5TRDFwhKW0qN7mIM5eUnNDePQj9VMIVDl/w640-h480/IMG_4680.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-25240132687938547922021-01-11T13:35:00.010-08:002021-01-11T13:58:03.651-08:00Thursday 7th January 2021 - Stanklyn<p>It was a very foggy morning at Stanklyn when I visited for my walk today with a lovely hoar frost covering the trees and shrubs. Snow still remained on the fields in places too so it gave a very wintry feel.</p><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEkBsX691vx2bGfHdBCM4cRKUq2i06YHsv4ZG7BPDXzvbFW-ZH4r_SRnZoyJ69Lb8zX1zjIbdIoRzMcVYbMiNZzb3bD2wfHlk4Ti-yYRx1lyHj7GE3apy5QIIy0MHD6oSP-8VKLuibXP6/s1200/IMG_4649.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKEkBsX691vx2bGfHdBCM4cRKUq2i06YHsv4ZG7BPDXzvbFW-ZH4r_SRnZoyJ69Lb8zX1zjIbdIoRzMcVYbMiNZzb3bD2wfHlk4Ti-yYRx1lyHj7GE3apy5QIIy0MHD6oSP-8VKLuibXP6/w640-h480/IMG_4649.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><div>Birdwise, things were fairly quiet and visibility not great. That said I did record <b>Jay</b>, <b>Meadow Pipit</b>, 2 <b>Blackbirds</b>, 1 <b>Robin</b> and 6 <b>Redwings </b>feeding on the Ivy berries. Luckily one of the <b>Redwings</b> sat up in a nearby tree for a brief while which allowed me to get off a handful of photos.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Redwing - 7th January 2021</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZFO7SVx4tge7yeyB4b46QHTloFQ-HVKx-Z89M6GP6jYPGsE5ob97ycBR_9Xs007FvGruuHWSPkX09GtbUoS5Vgk8_IvtNn7LZOhoOk1wmEvvphElSNZqJT8iWffHiPdSj71l_XAjuZPr/s1080/IMG_4658.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoZFO7SVx4tge7yeyB4b46QHTloFQ-HVKx-Z89M6GP6jYPGsE5ob97ycBR_9Xs007FvGruuHWSPkX09GtbUoS5Vgk8_IvtNn7LZOhoOk1wmEvvphElSNZqJT8iWffHiPdSj71l_XAjuZPr/w640-h480/IMG_4658.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>Robin - 7th January 2021</i><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3cB_eEpI8JfZK9jCxMdWp5786C5ibfYSZlllNAix8Ua87Srp-M-jrGZfORJO3KlLSll27xBbEUDKVvghYlsn4VQrpIsOKvx2Aozs5K0201QikK74Ja4w-HGO1jD_Aq1m9ItNQ_tHCxoO/s1080/IMG_4661.jpg" style="clear: left; display: inline; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG3cB_eEpI8JfZK9jCxMdWp5786C5ibfYSZlllNAix8Ua87Srp-M-jrGZfORJO3KlLSll27xBbEUDKVvghYlsn4VQrpIsOKvx2Aozs5K0201QikK74Ja4w-HGO1jD_Aq1m9ItNQ_tHCxoO/w640-h480/IMG_4661.jpg" width="640" /></a></p><p><i><br /></i></p></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-89166287817729473652021-01-09T08:02:00.007-08:002021-01-09T11:32:56.592-08:00Tuesday 5th January 2021 - Stanklyn and StoneToday I decided to undertake an exercise walk along Stanklyn Lane and up/back down Heath Lane. The fields were still had quite a covering of snow and the conditions were quite cold and icy.<div><br /></div><div><i>Stanklyn Paddocks, 5th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCAL4UXhWUPBhIEbM6PG4P-mAD0xNkGv4WJ02OXjbOLWWj_zLhgZg3KI_fGI7LYg6Yvrw1G96lzzPeEnMC6L545Ag8w7Gh6MI-7NrZXxx-ZgDYboDDG8rosdwIoSci5zMJGKncnFNLVit/s1200/IMG_4627.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizCAL4UXhWUPBhIEbM6PG4P-mAD0xNkGv4WJ02OXjbOLWWj_zLhgZg3KI_fGI7LYg6Yvrw1G96lzzPeEnMC6L545Ag8w7Gh6MI-7NrZXxx-ZgDYboDDG8rosdwIoSci5zMJGKncnFNLVit/w640-h480/IMG_4627.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Surprisingly there was little of note in the fields along Stanklyn Lane but Heath Lane proved to be more productive. A <b>Fieldfare</b> was feeding on the fallen crab apples along the roadside and along the hedgerow at the model aircraft field there were 2 <b>Corn Buntings</b> and C.60 <b>Linnets</b> present. Whilst at the aircraft field a cock <b>Pheasant</b> flew in and perched majestically on a snow covered manure pile. I took a quick photo as, with the backdrop of a distant snow covered Titterstone Clee Hill in the background you could be forgiven for thinking you were somewhere completely different.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Pheasant and a view across to Titterstone Clee Hill</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLB5EZ7gUKo31r9Rm1GGlMucikFBf1zjC33LMo4WODhQxABTxjSJGS6UeNxR4PP-cw9AwvBXH_Itfdlc-jbCe0FpYMlwJvta8lbLmCFn8OKEQ3YnS3YKJs27yTASBhsf-DdveNwKZwuWn/s1200/IMG_4647.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1200" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLB5EZ7gUKo31r9Rm1GGlMucikFBf1zjC33LMo4WODhQxABTxjSJGS6UeNxR4PP-cw9AwvBXH_Itfdlc-jbCe0FpYMlwJvta8lbLmCFn8OKEQ3YnS3YKJs27yTASBhsf-DdveNwKZwuWn/w640-h480/IMG_4647.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Past the grounds of the Islamic School there was a small number of Carrion Crows feeding in the field. Along side them was a single Raven.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Raven - Heath Lane, 5th January 2021</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFIejUqM2ju2k_DE8iOOsJfe8AofVvG2va7w8ZEPdnEnB-elXZHCE2ly0Svou2Kytp9p-TvKLRlQvv8hxjxpE_3Ud7oVnr7Q71rYxVpIwcg1_0ItGUp3c56BlEi0uBbvtOcgUNb0A9N6w/s1080/IMG_4641.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFIejUqM2ju2k_DE8iOOsJfe8AofVvG2va7w8ZEPdnEnB-elXZHCE2ly0Svou2Kytp9p-TvKLRlQvv8hxjxpE_3Ud7oVnr7Q71rYxVpIwcg1_0ItGUp3c56BlEi0uBbvtOcgUNb0A9N6w/w640-h480/IMG_4641.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b>Ravens</b> have increased significantly locally and when I was writing posts for Shenstone Birder first time around they were just occasional fly over birds on the patch that I would pick up as they flew over making their trade mark 'kronking' call. Nowadays there is at least one resident pair their and it's very rare I visit without seeing one or both of them. I have attached a video below of one of the <b>Ravens</b> perched up kronking away that I took along Heath Lane back in December 2020.</div><div><br /></div><div><i>Raven - Heath Lane, 20th December 2020</i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="377" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/mMDD4wg-tGw" width="501" youtube-src-id="mMDD4wg-tGw"></iframe></div><br /><div><br /></div>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-86461776429478875502021-01-07T13:07:00.003-08:002021-01-07T13:07:26.823-08:00Sunday 3rd January 2021 - Captains Pool and Stanklyn Fields <p>This afternoon I met up with local photographer & fellow local wildlife enthusiast Dave Williams (aka Spenells Pensioner) to go and view the ever increasing wintering <b>Linnet </b>flock at Stanklyn fields. The flock has steadily grown as autumn/winter progressed. Back on 24th November 2020 I recorded c.700 there and on this very morning Dave had recorded over a 1000. In a normal winter there are usually a couple of flocks of around 200-300 in the local area so this year is looking exceptional. This winter the fields they are favouring are full of a green manure called Fodder Radish which has gone to seed and has become like a magnet for the Linnets to feed on. Other mixed flocks other finches such as<b> Chaffinch</b>, <b>Greenfinch</b> and even a couple of <b>Brambling </b>have also been drawn to it. Anyway, back to our amble.</p><p>We started off by checking out the frozen Captains Pool. All that was present were 14<b> Black-headed Gulls </b>and a single <b>Lesser Black-backed Gul</b>l on the ice. At the rear of the a number of <b>Mallards</b> were swimming around keeping a small area of water open.</p><p><i>Black-headed Gull & Lesser Black-backed Gull on Captains Pool</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBjAUEScy4Avnf16rdTIFu8T92aC9G07MNLM25kARi8qUlpIGPhLsxdTxE6L3MsysbpgoDgcudORcS2pHLw0Maqc7LAf48Z9GIlWdrYhyphenhyphenmZmnsG4A4k-KjKYAfdxegaKGkjlKxbcsUNEk/s1080/IMG_4611.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="810" data-original-width="1080" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZBjAUEScy4Avnf16rdTIFu8T92aC9G07MNLM25kARi8qUlpIGPhLsxdTxE6L3MsysbpgoDgcudORcS2pHLw0Maqc7LAf48Z9GIlWdrYhyphenhyphenmZmnsG4A4k-KjKYAfdxegaKGkjlKxbcsUNEk/w640-h480/IMG_4611.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p>Heading to the fields we were greeted by a huge flock of around c.1200 <b>Linnets</b> that were swirling around over the crops in an almost Starling murmuration-like fashion. The flock would then split for periods of time into 2-3 smaller flocks before merging again. As the afternoon drew on more and more parts of the flock broke off to in the nearby trees. It really was fascinating to watch. Check out the video below.</p><p><i>Linnet flock at Stanklyn Fields - 3rd January 2021</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" class="BLOG_video_class" height="352" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/MjLD9FHbJ4k" width="488" youtube-src-id="MjLD9FHbJ4k"></iframe></div></div><br /><p>Also of note in the area were 5 <b>Skylarks</b> and a female <b>Kestrel</b>. Sadly this would be the last time I would catch up with Dave for a while for a walk as the country yet again entered lockdown restrictions due to the Covid pandemic. That said I will still be undertaking solo exercise walks around the local fields and lanes with my camera/binoculars in hand, so these blog posts will continue.</p>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-49771382521879913592021-01-06T07:16:00.003-08:002021-01-06T07:21:02.682-08:00Shenstone Birder.......an old friend returns!<p> After a break of over 6 years I have finally decided to restart my Shenstone Birder blog. Why? you may ask. Well, although I moved on to a new local patch for a few years (Hartlebury Common), I never really stopped visiting the area loosely known by local birders as Shenstone (Stanklyn, Stone, Shenstone etc). Having still visited each year, all be it less frequently, the area very much still holds a special place in my heart. In 2020 with the pandemic and numerous lockdowns/restrictions it was local area that I could reach easily for my exercise walks and wildlife recording fix to maintain my sanity. Doing so made me realise that perhaps for 2021 I should restart this blog. </p><p>During the intervening years my interests in the natural world have diversified further and are not solely limited to birds. You could say that I also have a fascination with invertebrates and this resurrected blog will also reflect this as well as focussing on our feathered friends. Also this year I will be travelling further afield (when restrictions permit) for a variety of wildlife within Worcestershire and neighbouring counties. So the blog, much like in its later years, will not just be about Shenstone or Birding. Of course, I could change the blog name to something different or started a fresh once more but Shenstone Birder has a rich back history of 700+ posts and the name has a kind of special place in my heart as it was my first and most successful blogging venture.</p><p>So there you have it. Shenstone Birder starts a new after a lengthy hiatus. I hope you all find it as interesting as first time around and enjoy the upcoming posts (coming very soon).</p><p>Cheers</p><p>Jason</p><p><br /></p><p><i>Corn Bunting</i><i> - Stone, 30th May 2009</i></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Y8lJf8g2I-XPu-PmLRDLlbqYZNnHeZ3rACmE3zaSRQwLbjWOyK-aDAqXBEwod_MgnSQJnKxAx1lREPAT3I6zBBsXtIrZV-04mVHsd2Miqfh9v-4xeQpo3AEW0DcMGrs_b0D59lBL2z4/s800/Corn+Bunting+2+-+Shenstone+30.05.09+HD.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Y8lJf8g2I-XPu-PmLRDLlbqYZNnHeZ3rACmE3zaSRQwLbjWOyK-aDAqXBEwod_MgnSQJnKxAx1lREPAT3I6zBBsXtIrZV-04mVHsd2Miqfh9v-4xeQpo3AEW0DcMGrs_b0D59lBL2z4/w640-h480/Corn+Bunting+2+-+Shenstone+30.05.09+HD.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-86287298855045860832017-02-06T07:11:00.003-08:002021-01-06T06:51:56.133-08:00A New Beginning....Well it's been a long time coming but finally I have finally made my return to the world of blogging. I am now writing a new blog called "A Year on the Common" which can be accessed at the following link:<br />
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<a href="http://hartleburycommon.blogspot.co.uk/"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">http://hartleburycommon.blogspot.co.uk/</span></strong></a><br />
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So what is this new blog all about. We'll, the basic idea is that I am spending a 12 month period that commenced on the 1st January 2017 observing, recording and monitoring the wildlife of Hartlebury Common and the adjoining Hillditch Pool & Coppice nature reserve. Hartlebury Common is a SSSI (Site of Special Scientific Interest) and is Worcestershire's largest remaining area of lowland heath and it is home to vast array of variety of flora and fauna, including some heathland specialities.<br />
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This blog will serve as an outlet for this project and a record of my findings. Of course these areas have been well monitored in the past but you never know what is out there to be found or what may have sadly disappeared over the years so it will prove an interesting experience.<br />
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Please check in on the new blog and share this journey with me.<br />
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Cheers<br />
Jason<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOswjmzNncVIYXKnC6LEcmlSzOMbQETA8O4drmiSmanJNTMgMhCNQBWiIMyGHmboYGJNDziRgAKgro32O5DzehyLT3428PvTSV8rt8MY39RYd3D3EdwZGSYTjWBQv7kx-81spdvWggDSn/s1600/Hartlebuty+Common++-+25th+August+2007.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTOswjmzNncVIYXKnC6LEcmlSzOMbQETA8O4drmiSmanJNTMgMhCNQBWiIMyGHmboYGJNDziRgAKgro32O5DzehyLT3428PvTSV8rt8MY39RYd3D3EdwZGSYTjWBQv7kx-81spdvWggDSn/s320/Hartlebuty+Common++-+25th+August+2007.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<em>A view across part of Hartlebury Common</em>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-32590438141185947752014-09-04T10:02:00.002-07:002021-01-06T06:51:13.422-08:00The end is nigh....After 5 years of writing this wildlife blog and 700+ posts later, I have decided to finally call time on Shenstone Birder and have a hiatus from blogging for a while. There are a number of reasons which have led me to this decision but before I continue, I wish to thank all the readers of this blog for their support over the years. This feedback and meeting/chatting to some of you as a result of the blog has been both humbling and rewarding. But fear not, I intend to return to the world of wildlife blogging/writing in 2015 and I am already planning a new blog/web page with a fresh approach (and hopefully renewed enthusiasm). When that does happen I will post a link on this page to it<br />
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As for my local patch Shenstone/Stone, I am planning on working a new patch/area in 2015 as I feel a fresh challenge, especially with my wider wildlife interests, will re-ignite my mojo so to speak. I will still visit Shenstone/Stone periodically to monitor the Corn Buntings and look for passage migrants but this will now be on a more ad hoc basis.<br />
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If you wish to keep up to date with my current wildlife wanderings, I will still be tweeting sightings etc. on my Twitter feed at the below link:<br />
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<a href="https://twitter.com/ShenstoneBirder"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">https://twitter.com/ShenstoneBirder</span></strong></a><br />
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I will also be regularly updating my wildlife photo galleries on my Flickr page at:<br />
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<a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/shentsonebirder/"><strong><span style="color: #0b5394;">https://www.flickr.com/photos/shentsonebirder/</span></strong></a><br />
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Until the next time folks...Goodbye!<br />
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Jason<br />
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<br />Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-54478681770007254712014-08-02T07:24:00.001-07:002014-08-02T07:24:35.562-07:00Thursday 19th June 2014 - Return to Prestbury Hill<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I made a return visit to Prestbury Hill in Gloucestershire. This time I had Bev with me for was her first visit to this wonderful butterfly reserve. Needless to say she fell in love with the place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As with my last visit we started at the Bill Smyllie reserve. It had been just under a week since my last visit and already there had been a marked change in what was on the wing. Numbers of<strong><span style="color: #ffe599;"> Chimney Sweeper</span></strong> moth were considerably less and we only saw a couple of worn <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Burnett Companions</span></strong>. <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Common Blues</span></strong> were also in smaller numbers and we only saw a couple of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Blues</span></strong> on the Bill Smyllie reserve. That said, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Heaths</span></strong> were just as abundant.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other species of butterfly had just started to emerge as we saw a couple of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Marbled Whites</span></strong> and a single <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Dark Green Fritillary</span></strong>. A single <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Red Admiral</span></strong> was also observed. A number of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Five-spot Burnett</span></strong> moths were now on the wing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Five-spot Burnett</em> <em>(Zygaena trifolii ssp. palustrella form minoides)</em> </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the flora front a small number of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Bee Orchids</span></strong> were now in bloom on the <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Bill Smyllie</span></strong> side of the reserve, as was a nice area of<strong><span style="color: #ffe599;"> Fragrant Orchids</span></strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Bee Orchid (<span class="kno-fv _WF">Ophrys apifera</span>)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Fragrant Orchid (<span class="kno-fv _WF">Gymnadenia conopsea</span>)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the highlights of today's visit was seeing a<strong><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"> </span><span style="color: #ffe599;">Grass Snake</span></strong> on one of the banks of the stretch know as Happy Valley. This individual had milky blue colour eyes, a sign that it was about to slough (shed) it's skin. This blue colour is caused by an oily secretion between the old and new skins as the new skin grows beneath the old prior to being sloughed.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Grass Snake</em> <em>(<span class="kno-fv _WF">Natrix natrix</span>)</em></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyTSYJ9cZoWtn4sb32RnvRZz9jU9_0f42tXfYBEmnwtyZOHIAUbNcjSc_oaztNUpqny-7M60ccw7JCkAmD3ibM6FGi8pbnjlRz59J5RfMsEpvgFqcao9rb14BQ7d8eXAoLgNbfsYLmkWl/s1600/Grass+Snake+(Natrix+natrix)+-+Prestbury+Hill,+Gloucestershire,+19th+June+2014.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsyTSYJ9cZoWtn4sb32RnvRZz9jU9_0f42tXfYBEmnwtyZOHIAUbNcjSc_oaztNUpqny-7M60ccw7JCkAmD3ibM6FGi8pbnjlRz59J5RfMsEpvgFqcao9rb14BQ7d8eXAoLgNbfsYLmkWl/s1600/Grass+Snake+(Natrix+natrix)+-+Prestbury+Hill,+Gloucestershire,+19th+June+2014.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Also of interest on this side of the reserve was a cracking female <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Drinker Moth</span></strong> that Bev found amongst the vegetation, I knew she would come in useful for something! <em>(just hope she doesn't read this or I will be in a world of hurt). </em>Bev also found a nice pair of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Latticed Heath</span></strong> moths in copulation. </span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial;">♀ Drinker Moth (Euthrix potatoria</span><span style="font-family: Arial;">)</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Latticed Heath (Chiasmia clathrata)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst photographing the array of butterflies on offer I noticed a <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Common Blue</span></strong> butterfly that had been <u>parasitized</u> by <strong><span style="color: #9fc5e8;">Trombidium breei mites</span></strong>. These mites attach themselves to the thorax or legs of the butterfly and transfer from host to host when the butterflies alight to nectar at flowers. They feed on the blood of the living butterfly and in small numbers do not pose a threat to the butterfly's life.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>♂ Common Blue parasitized by Trombidium breei mites</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the Masts Field there were still many <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Blues</span></strong> present which was really pleasing for Bev as it was the first time she had seen this species. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yet another great day at one of my favourite reserves...I will have to pop back again early August for the <strong>Chalkhill Blues</strong>.</span><br />
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Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-59428210076535076442014-08-01T14:55:00.000-07:002014-08-01T15:09:02.989-07:00Friday 13th June 2014 - Prestbury Hill, Gloucestershire<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I decided to make the most of the good weather and visit the Butterfly Conservation reserves at Prestbury Hill near Cheltenham. For this visit I had Tony 'Marmite' Smith with me. Marmite I hear you ask? well Tony is a well known social irritant and general wind up merchant and people, especially in birding circles, either love him or hate him...Me, well I'm undecided<em> </em>;-)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway back to Prestbury, we spent the first part the visit mooching about on the Bill Smyllie reserve. Unfortunately we timed our visit a bit late for <strong>Duke of Burgundy</strong> this year but we still had 20+ <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Blue</span></strong> butterflies. The <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Blue</span></strong> is Britain's smallest resident butterfly and they are literally about the size of an adult's thumb nail, absolutely tiny!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There was also good numbers of <span style="color: #ffe599;"><strong>Common Blue</strong></span> and<strong> <span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Heath</span></strong> present. We also had a rather stunning and fresh looking ♂ <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Brown Argus</span></strong>.</span><br />
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<em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Small Heath (Coenonympha pamphilus)</span></em><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was a good day for day-flying moths with treble figure counts of Chimney Sweeper and large numbers of Burnett Companion present. Other species of moth noted included <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Brimstone Moth</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Common Heath</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Mother Shipton</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Narrow-bordered Five-spot Burnett</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Silver-ground Carpet</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Six-spot Burnett</span></strong>, <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Yellow-underwing</span></strong>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Silver-ground Carpet (Xanthorhoe montanata)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">All across the Bill Smyllie reserve there were impressive numbers of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Common Spotted Orchid</span></strong> and <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Pyramidal Orchid</span></strong> in bloom.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a spot of lunch Tony & I headed over to the Masts Field where on undertaking the walk I was absolutely blown away by the sheer number of<strong><span style="color: #ffe599;"> Small Blue</span></strong> butterflies. Just along the paths we walked they were in at least treble figures. There must have been a heck of a lot more across the rest of the hill. It was worth the drive down just to see these diminutive little blues en masse!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><em>Small Blue (<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cupido minimus</span>)</em></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was also nice to see a <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Bee-orchid </span></strong>on this part of the reserve, although we did only see the one.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial;"><em>Bee Orchid (Ophrys apifera)</em></span><br />
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<em></em><br />Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-657877595796583471.post-70900104790669341132014-07-27T03:47:00.002-07:002014-07-27T03:47:37.335-07:00Thursday 12th June 2014 - Titterstone Clee Hill<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today I undertook one of my regular visits to the nearby Shropshire high point of Titterstone Clee. I was primarily going there looking for inverts as the mix of habitats such as rocky quarried slopes, acidic grassland and boggy pools is ideal for an array of wildlife.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On arrival I checked out the acidic pools at the entrance to the old quarry workings. This area is great for Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies) later in the summer but was fairly quiet today with the only notable dragon being an immature ♂ <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Broad-bodied Chaser</span></strong> that was just starting to develop its blue <span class="st">pruinescence.</span></span><br />
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<span class="st"><em><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Broad-bodied Chaser (<span class="kno-fv _uE">Libellula depressa</span>)</span></em></span><br />
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<span class="st"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Whilst photographing the chaser I caught site of a medium sized orange/brown butterfly flitting about and landing on the rocky slope next to the pool. Result! it was a <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Wall </span></strong>butterfly. I had recorded a single one at this site the previous summer. Better still a 2nd one was flitting around over the same slope. The <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Wall</span></strong> is still a fairly common butterfly in some coastal areas but in the mid to late 90's there was a huge population crash leading them to be very scarce and localised in Central England.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em>Wall (<span class="kno-fv _uE">Lasiommata megera</span>) - </em></span></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em>Poor r</em></span><span class="st"><em>ecord shot</em></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQOxys9b1VIUPLikMhuunpvXH4t6O7_4mtzl0kLvvKOJkj7vaGDojmPGA1yCreBB76bCUVxVjaFhpR4b07tiz35jDNAYbLqBnzYHMXfpkzOWeEkY6Ip89EWY1mjU0le-ijonxWt-BnLVs/s1600/IMG_8870.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQOxys9b1VIUPLikMhuunpvXH4t6O7_4mtzl0kLvvKOJkj7vaGDojmPGA1yCreBB76bCUVxVjaFhpR4b07tiz35jDNAYbLqBnzYHMXfpkzOWeEkY6Ip89EWY1mjU0le-ijonxWt-BnLVs/s1600/IMG_8870.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st">Also of note at Titterstone was the large numbers of <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Heath</span></strong> butterflies that were present. The only other butterfly species recorded today was a single <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Small Tortoiseshell</span></strong>.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em>Small Heath (Coenonympha pemphigus)</em></span></span><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyvkHh6GIXtoVrwCeui5eloYRYFaZCqQcJtzuTnN050b9NIvRbzw-dWtE2cREXwfpbhA6PrXTaWiEBrN6QEkpp5_hU5uaSAQp-91XnQU6af-uzonWEWMb-SdLRtrxiQwHGQTpAAmHEQVA/s1600/IMG_8861.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWyvkHh6GIXtoVrwCeui5eloYRYFaZCqQcJtzuTnN050b9NIvRbzw-dWtE2cREXwfpbhA6PrXTaWiEBrN6QEkpp5_hU5uaSAQp-91XnQU6af-uzonWEWMb-SdLRtrxiQwHGQTpAAmHEQVA/s1600/IMG_8861.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em></em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st">As for the birds, the usual suspects were present with <strong><span style="color: #ffe599;">Meadow Pipits</span></strong> seemingly everywhere and <span style="color: #ffe599;"><strong>Ravens</strong> </span>'kronking' away over the summit. I was also treated to views of a single <strong><span style="color: #9fc5e8;"><span style="color: #ffe599;">Peregrine</span> </span></strong>that flew in and perched on one of the cliffs.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em>Peregrine (Falco peregrinus)</em></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="st"><em></em></span></span>Jason Khttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00370640317306824066noreply@blogger.com0