Did a bit of birding by bike today, heading down to Holywell Dene, then onwards to Seaton Delaval Hall for an expensive bowl of national trust soup.
A couple of roe deer ran across the track in the dene, nearly resulting in a fatality - the bike rider not the deer!
A kingfisher flashed blue on it's way down the dene, and two dippers were in full song.
Overhead two jays were seen, an unusual record this near the coast.
In the fields towards the obelisk a single wheatear was spotted on a fence post.
But the highlight of the day had to be the Hummingbird Hawk-Moth that returned to the garden again.
Saturday 13 September 2014
Sunday 17 August 2014
The Wildlife Garden
I find it quite astonishing what will come and live in a garden that is focused on being wildlife friendly. Here's a few of the residents in my garden seen yesterday.
Common Carder Bee |
Gold Spot Moth |
Migrant Hawker |
Honey Bee |
Hoverfly - Ceilosiini sp |
Leaf-Cutter Bee |
Peacock Butterfly |
Red Admiral Butterfly |
Thick-legged Hoverfly |
Tree Sparrow - another 3rd clutcher! |
Lesser Yellow Underwing Moths |
Wall Butterfly |
Solitary Wasp - Ectemnius sp. |
Thursday 31 July 2014
Tittivating
The colony of Tree Sparrows in my garden, which was just one pair in a hole in the house wall two years ago, is now, with the addition of a few nest boxes, seven pairs producing at least sixty young!
Taking a break from raising a third brood! |
The right plants in the right places have also brought an abundance of invertebrates, especially in my 'untidy' garden. Gives the Tree Sparrows plenty of food for their young.
Yarrow Plume moth, likes the Yarrow :) |
Small Tortoiseshell |
Wall |
Tuesday 24 June 2014
Unbridled Terns
Artic Terns |
Still, plenty of fine feathered friends to provide one of natures great shows.....
Guillemots |
Guilletmots with young |
Bridled Guillimot |
Kittiwake |
Puffins |
And boat loads of people |
Monday 28 April 2014
Tuesday 15 April 2014
Willow Warbler - Snapped!
Outside our holiday cottage in Pembrokeshire was a large Flowering Currant (Ribes sanguineum). This North American shrub was literally buzzing with bees, and flies, the latter proving rather palatable for a Willow Warbler.
Blue skies, sunshine, a light breeze, and the sound of a Willow Warbler snapping at flies - now that's spring!
Blue skies, sunshine, a light breeze, and the sound of a Willow Warbler snapping at flies - now that's spring!
Friday 14 March 2014
Hopping along...
According to the national news, frogs have been in a spawning frenzy for the last week, everywhere, except here!
Not a single sighting of a frog or toad in mine or my neighbours pond.
Conspiracy theories began to be concocted; a mystery disease, maybe some nasty spray used by the farmer....but then today, while doing a spot of gardening........
Meanwhile, the Blue Tits have some competition for their nest box...
And in the moth trap, a new species for the garden....
Not a single sighting of a frog or toad in mine or my neighbours pond.
Conspiracy theories began to be concocted; a mystery disease, maybe some nasty spray used by the farmer....but then today, while doing a spot of gardening........
Meanwhile, the Blue Tits have some competition for their nest box...
And in the moth trap, a new species for the garden....
Oak Beauty |
Sunday 2 March 2014
Sprung!
Last week saw some spring arrivals to the garden, and some preparations for those to come.
First off was a very aptly named Spring Usher, a new moth for the garden, and for me.
Next was a March Moth, right on cue.
And the crocuses provided a welcome source of nectar for a queen Buff-tailed Bumblebee.
A queen Common Wasp was out sunning herself, demonised by most, but a great garden pest controller for those who understand these valuable, voracious predators.
In preparation for the Swallows arriving back in April, I've completed building a log store for them to nest in. Hope they appreciated it!
First off was a very aptly named Spring Usher, a new moth for the garden, and for me.
Spring Usher |
March Moth |
Buff-tailed Bumblebee |
Common Wasp |
Swallow Hut |
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)