Back!

After six weeks confined to 'analogue world' I've now got broadband back on courtesy of Belated Telecom. Still, their old poles come in handy.....

Little Owl box

In that time I've been busy settling into my new home, building an ever longer garden list with Golden Plover, Jay, and Barnacle Goose the latest additions. Kingfisher has to be the highlight so far (neighbour has a big pond!).

Moth trapping has given me some good records too, with highlights of Northern Deep-brown Dart  and Orange Sallow.

2231a Northern Deep-brown Dart

2271 Orange Sallow

And after the big storm, plenty of migrants on the coast. Here's a couple of pics taken at St Mary's Lighthouse yesterday:

Reed Warbler

Common Redstart

Spotted Flycatcher

Great Spotted Garden List

Great Spotted Woodpecker

The bird species at my new gaff are still throwing up a few surprises. How about Kingfisher flying through the garden yesterday, on it's way to poach a few Sticklebacks from my neighbours pond.

The Greenshank flyover was probably less of a surprise!

The garden list keeps growing:

Black-headed Gull
Blackbird
Bluetit
Carrion Crow
Chaffinch
Chiffchaff
Collard Dove
Dunnock
Feral Pigeon
Goldfinch
Great Spotted Woodpecker
Great Tit
Greenfinch
Greenshank
Grey Heron
Grey Partridge
Grey Wagtail
Greylag Goose
Herring Gull
House Martin
House Sparrow
Jackdaw
Kestrel
Kingfisher
Lapwing
Lesser Black-backed Gull
Linnet
Little Owl
Magpie
Mistle Thrush
Moorhen
Nuthatch
Pheasant
Pied Wagtail
Robin
Snipe
Sparrowhawk
Starling
Swallow
Swift
Tree Sparrow
Willow Warbler
Woodpigeon
Wren

Peeping Tom

Little Owl

On entering the bathroom this morning, this wee chap was staring back at me from the window of the disused barn opposite.

Cheeky Mare!

Put the bird feeder out in the garden of our new home yesterday and this morning the first visitors arrived. First off Tree Sparrows, then a Great Spotted Woodpecker, Great Tit, Greenfinch....then this afternoon.........................

Hard to say goodbye

How many Sparrows?

When we moved home 11 years ago, our garden was of little interest to wildlife; no pond, nowhere to nest, no wild flowers, no nest boxes, no bird table, and few birds.

Some strategically planted Ivy (Hedera Helix) and Clematis (Montana Rubens), was the big step in creating nesting habitat, cover and food.

For those who worry about Ivy damaging their homes, think again - it protects! Read this article.

As we box our possessions for moving to our new home, it's not without a worry for the garden inhabitants. The new owners have small children (goodbye pond), a fear of nature (splat), and commented negatively about the climbers (evictions inevitable).

The only consolation is that our new home is crying out for a nature makeover. And with Barn Owls, Little Owls, and Tree Sparrows as garden visitors, I think a few nest boxes, climbers, and a pond will make some interesting species quite at home.

Dolphintastic!

Nothing beats an evening cruising around the North sea looking for dolphins. We found up to 10 White-beaked dolphins on a trip out of Tynemouth this evening.

Regular trips are run by Northern Experience Wildlife Tours.

Verging on the ridiculous

North Tyneside Council love to mow.............

Before

Before

Before

After

After

After

£558,777 is how much of our council tax in North Tyneside is spent on destroying wild flowers..............for absolutely no reason other than ignorance.

A square metre of life

After getting the go-ahead from the 'head gardener' a square metre of turf was removed and the area sown with wild flower annuals. Quite pleased with the results :)

Vanity Kills

Mowing grass verges is an English condition that is detrimental for the plants and insects that live there. The overwhelming attitude is 'you can't let the grass grow, it looks untidy'. Our urge for tidiness sadly means that we are mowing plants, and hundreds of different species of insects, moths, and butterflies, out of existence. And birds, mammals, and amphibians are deprived of food and shelter.

There are some high profile campaigns coming to the fore looking to change this. Hopefully, through education, we can encourage an approach that is less about us and our visual perception of what looks good, but what science tells us is good - life in all its diversity, thriving.

Next time you see the council mowers, spare a thought for all the butchered inhabitants....and if you feel strongly then support Plantlife's Campaign.

Cinnabar Moth

St John's Wort Beetles

Bee Orchid

Grass Veneer

Xysticus cristatus

Tenthredo arcuata

Arachnophobes look away now!

Zebra Spider Salticus scenicus

Keeping guard at my front door. Take heed!