The last week of August seems to be the best chance of seeing Yellow Wagtails.
These are not to be confused with the Grey Wagtail with their black or grey bibs. These are much more delicate and not so 'in your face' as the Greys can be.
This year the 24th was a star turn, with 55 of the little jewels feeding amongst my cattle at West Harnham. Moving the cattle to the adjacent patch of grass I could then count the wagtails as they flew across to feed amonst the cattle.
The next day they had moved on - though I'm sure more will appear over the next week or so
Friday, 26 August 2011
Thursday, 21 July 2011
Late Summer
Its mid July now.
Most birds are failry quiet now.
From the meadows a churr from a Sedge Warbler can still be heard, but little else. Reed Buntings flit around, but are little heard.
Last night I was watchihng a Barn Owl hunting at about half six, when I suddenly heard an alarm from an unusual source - a Common Tern. not many of these birds can come across Barn Owls.
This morning I watched three flying on south down the valley.
Last night whilst dog walking I found three glow worms, an extra one from those I saw the night before. Quite bright they were clearly visible up to 15 metres away.
Most birds are failry quiet now.
From the meadows a churr from a Sedge Warbler can still be heard, but little else. Reed Buntings flit around, but are little heard.
Last night I was watchihng a Barn Owl hunting at about half six, when I suddenly heard an alarm from an unusual source - a Common Tern. not many of these birds can come across Barn Owls.
This morning I watched three flying on south down the valley.
Last night whilst dog walking I found three glow worms, an extra one from those I saw the night before. Quite bright they were clearly visible up to 15 metres away.
Wednesday, 4 May 2011
Late spring update
The Lapwing may have hatched their eggs - or at least the original nesters. But they have now been joined by other failed or non breeders, with some 14 extras out last night feeding away on the cattle grass last night. Any chicks, I have a feeling, are hiding amongst the peas adjacent to the plots as I have not seen them out on the grassland. There is still one bird displaying over the cattle grass - probably a failed breeder come in.
My arable contractor turned up today to cultivate half the Stone Curley plot - doing the same for all his clients. The tractor drive at least asked what was going on so I said he should look our for chicks. however it wont help any nesting Skylarks I fear.
Meanwhile passage birds are still around. A see single Swallows over the down most days, and this last couple of days one or two Wheatears have been present both on the down and on lower fields.
But bigger birds have also made an appearance at the weekend - first a red Kite soared away south after being mobbed by the Ravens, and then this was followed by a Marsh Harrier on Saturday (probably a young male form last year, dark outer primaries) down in the river valley. It was probaly seen by my neighbours on Friday and again here on Monday.
Another little gem down the meadows today, whilst counting cattle, was a Common Sandpiper, a species seen every now and then on the farm at passage time.
Meanwhile back on the down, the Corn Bunting is very vocal, and in fact I am wondering if there just might be two males singing - but I have yet to see both at once for the final bit of proof. That would be nice.
I graze my cattle in meadows some 6 miles away, and its nice to get a chance to see other birds. Tonight whilst transporting cattle up there I saw a barn Owl out patroling the grass margins at dusk, a flutter of white in the grey of the evening.
A rather nice ringing revovery has come through of a female Teal ringed here in Jan last year, shot in Pas-de-Calais, France this January.
My arable contractor turned up today to cultivate half the Stone Curley plot - doing the same for all his clients. The tractor drive at least asked what was going on so I said he should look our for chicks. however it wont help any nesting Skylarks I fear.
Meanwhile passage birds are still around. A see single Swallows over the down most days, and this last couple of days one or two Wheatears have been present both on the down and on lower fields.
But bigger birds have also made an appearance at the weekend - first a red Kite soared away south after being mobbed by the Ravens, and then this was followed by a Marsh Harrier on Saturday (probably a young male form last year, dark outer primaries) down in the river valley. It was probaly seen by my neighbours on Friday and again here on Monday.
Another little gem down the meadows today, whilst counting cattle, was a Common Sandpiper, a species seen every now and then on the farm at passage time.
Meanwhile back on the down, the Corn Bunting is very vocal, and in fact I am wondering if there just might be two males singing - but I have yet to see both at once for the final bit of proof. That would be nice.
I graze my cattle in meadows some 6 miles away, and its nice to get a chance to see other birds. Tonight whilst transporting cattle up there I saw a barn Owl out patroling the grass margins at dusk, a flutter of white in the grey of the evening.
A rather nice ringing revovery has come through of a female Teal ringed here in Jan last year, shot in Pas-de-Calais, France this January.
Tuesday, 26 April 2011
Bluebells
Well its still April, and the Bluebells are fully out - just what is going on? Mind you I spotted some winter barley orns today, and the silage fields look as though they are heading up at any moment.
Where the trees have been thinned and the light streams in the bluebells are a real picture - always something to savour - and the smell of the pollen is very impressive as well!
A walk in the wood will usually find (amongst much else) an Early Purple Orchid, and if damp enough a favorite of mine Water Avens
Where the trees have been thinned and the light streams in the bluebells are a real picture - always something to savour - and the smell of the pollen is very impressive as well!
A walk in the wood will usually find (amongst much else) an Early Purple Orchid, and if damp enough a favorite of mine Water Avens
Monday, 25 April 2011
Ravens
Ravens have been breeding here for probably 3 years now - favouring the Cedars adjacent to the big house next door.
This year is no exception - and I just hope they leave the sheep alone.
I suspect the eggs hatched on Thursday last week as they are much noisier all of a sudden.
This is a medley of sounds (6 mins 45secs) recorded on Saturday morning (23rd) here
This year is no exception - and I just hope they leave the sheep alone.
I suspect the eggs hatched on Thursday last week as they are much noisier all of a sudden.
This is a medley of sounds (6 mins 45secs) recorded on Saturday morning (23rd) here
Evening in river valley
At this time of year I have an evenings walk round the meadows with Swan Dave - Dave is down in this part of the world checking the breeding swan in the river system, something he's been doing for longer than he usually cares to admit, over 30 years!
Besides the more "obvious" swan roundups in Christchurch Harbour, then "quieter" part of what he has done involves work in the Wylye valley moitoring the numbers of noth breeding birds and non-breeding flocks and meeting with fishing groups and representatives of the the ministries over the constant argument over whether there are too many swan in the Wylye and the detrimental effect this has on weed growth and therefore fish stocks. It is of course an on-going siuation - but numbers of non-breeders do at time seem to be be gently exagerated!
Besides staying for supper we usually have an evening walk around the meadows - trying to spot the swan on nest before they see us. Unlike town and lake swans these will not come to bread enabling Dave to catch and ring them, so most do not have an identifying metal or orange coloured engraved ring.
This time we heard , like most years, a Grasshopper Warbler - always bad enough to locate the singing position in the past - but with one ear out of action for high frequencies its next to impossible for me! This years bird was in a novel position - though full of sedge, so it may stay depending on what the cattle get up to when they come back that way. A Cuckoo was calling away, as were several Cetti's Warblers, and eventually I heard my first Reed Warbler of the summer, after hearing probably 20 Sedgies arguing away. I always liked the description of Mr Nice and Mr Angry for telling the songs apart.
We didnt see a Barn Owl - but as I saw one regularly back in the Winter I am hope that we will.
A late spring walk in the meadows at dusk remains one of my favorite moments, with the birds still singing as the day gradually ends.
Besides the more "obvious" swan roundups in Christchurch Harbour, then "quieter" part of what he has done involves work in the Wylye valley moitoring the numbers of noth breeding birds and non-breeding flocks and meeting with fishing groups and representatives of the the ministries over the constant argument over whether there are too many swan in the Wylye and the detrimental effect this has on weed growth and therefore fish stocks. It is of course an on-going siuation - but numbers of non-breeders do at time seem to be be gently exagerated!
Besides staying for supper we usually have an evening walk around the meadows - trying to spot the swan on nest before they see us. Unlike town and lake swans these will not come to bread enabling Dave to catch and ring them, so most do not have an identifying metal or orange coloured engraved ring.
This time we heard , like most years, a Grasshopper Warbler - always bad enough to locate the singing position in the past - but with one ear out of action for high frequencies its next to impossible for me! This years bird was in a novel position - though full of sedge, so it may stay depending on what the cattle get up to when they come back that way. A Cuckoo was calling away, as were several Cetti's Warblers, and eventually I heard my first Reed Warbler of the summer, after hearing probably 20 Sedgies arguing away. I always liked the description of Mr Nice and Mr Angry for telling the songs apart.
We didnt see a Barn Owl - but as I saw one regularly back in the Winter I am hope that we will.
A late spring walk in the meadows at dusk remains one of my favorite moments, with the birds still singing as the day gradually ends.
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Lapwing follow up
Well hard on yesterdays good news is even better - 7 chicks out on the grass this morning so really succesfull hatching - if only they can fledge as well.
Last nights moth trapping was a big improvement with 25 species, including this rather fine Great Prominent.
As well as the first Hawkmoth - a Poplar.
Last nights moth trapping was a big improvement with 25 species, including this rather fine Great Prominent.
As well as the first Hawkmoth - a Poplar.
Friday, 22 April 2011
Lapwing success
I was looking at an adult Lapwing on the edge of the cattle grassland and suddenly had to change direction.
Two tiny chicks were there in front of me.
A quick dive out of the truck to take a photo - mother calling around me as i did so, then back in the truck and start to move away.
A quick glance around to check I haven't alerted any crows or magpies, then move away fast!
Two tiny chicks were there in front of me.
A quick dive out of the truck to take a photo - mother calling around me as i did so, then back in the truck and start to move away.
A quick glance around to check I haven't alerted any crows or magpies, then move away fast!
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Owl
Times of migration can bring strange birds to familiar places.
So up on the down this evening on my way up to check the cows and calves I spot something sitting on a fence post. Nine times out of ten its one of the local Buzzards. But not tonight. Tonights was a Short-eared Owl, that sat there in the fading light, about 150 yards away and started to preen. Dark blank centres for its eyes moving as its head twisted around, scanning all about it, including myself.
When did I last see one here? 24/11/1981. A long time.
My brother of course has them virtually calling down his chimney - but then that is Scotland for you.
Meanwhile the other birds there soldier on.
A Lapwing did an exocet impression yesterday - flying low and fast at an offending Magpie. I'm afraid it wont get rid of them that easily.
Down the meadows yesterday the first Garden Warblers began singing away - so now just waiting for Reed Warblers and Whitethroats to get back to their territories.
So up on the down this evening on my way up to check the cows and calves I spot something sitting on a fence post. Nine times out of ten its one of the local Buzzards. But not tonight. Tonights was a Short-eared Owl, that sat there in the fading light, about 150 yards away and started to preen. Dark blank centres for its eyes moving as its head twisted around, scanning all about it, including myself.
When did I last see one here? 24/11/1981. A long time.
My brother of course has them virtually calling down his chimney - but then that is Scotland for you.
Meanwhile the other birds there soldier on.
A Lapwing did an exocet impression yesterday - flying low and fast at an offending Magpie. I'm afraid it wont get rid of them that easily.
Down the meadows yesterday the first Garden Warblers began singing away - so now just waiting for Reed Warblers and Whitethroats to get back to their territories.
Sunday, 17 April 2011
Friday, 15 April 2011
Corn Bunting
Two years ago I heard a Corn Bunting singing up on the Down for the first time for probably nearly 30 years.
This represented an almost instant - it was the first year - for the new small piece of downland restoration that I had started that year. The local photographers loved it - the poppies that came up that year could be seen for miles around. Unfortunately this ground that year needed to be kept under control to be seeded with brush collected seed that autumn. So the Corn Bunts didnt really get a chane that year.
Last year they didnt reappear.
But this, things are different - on 19th of March I spotted a small flock of eight. This was exciting enough. On 23rd March there was just a pair on the fence - just sitting, not singing.
Corn Buntings nest late in the season, which is why they have suffered from earler harvests - ie pre September, and therefore a late start to singing for a resident bird is not perhaps unexpected.
Then today the male is singing from the fence with the other bird in close proximity. So fingers crossed they stay the course.
So they join the Skylarks and Lapwings - all at risk from the Carrion Crows.
This represented an almost instant - it was the first year - for the new small piece of downland restoration that I had started that year. The local photographers loved it - the poppies that came up that year could be seen for miles around. Unfortunately this ground that year needed to be kept under control to be seeded with brush collected seed that autumn. So the Corn Bunts didnt really get a chane that year.
Last year they didnt reappear.
But this, things are different - on 19th of March I spotted a small flock of eight. This was exciting enough. On 23rd March there was just a pair on the fence - just sitting, not singing.
Corn Buntings nest late in the season, which is why they have suffered from earler harvests - ie pre September, and therefore a late start to singing for a resident bird is not perhaps unexpected.
Then today the male is singing from the fence with the other bird in close proximity. So fingers crossed they stay the course.
So they join the Skylarks and Lapwings - all at risk from the Carrion Crows.
Tuesday, 12 April 2011
Cuckoo
Well the Cuckoos have arrived down the meadows yesterday morning - I was alerted to this by Ken from next door who also wanted me to check out a pair of 'grey' geese. These in turn, turned out to be a pair of Greylags. For the time of year not exactly surprising. Definately no Cuckoos on Sat or Sun.
On Sunday morning I had a pair of microphone out to record the morning chorus. Really nice and full now, and starting at about 0530. Listening back and observing the sounds on the computer, I noticed again how a loud noise - a jet flying over - at the start of the Dawn Chorus results in an increaed level of song. Its as though either the birds put more effort into their songs - or for other birds this is the extra impulse/signal to start singing.
Meanwhile up on the Down, one Lapwing has now been sitting for a week - whilst another pair were mating. At the other side of the field a flock of 75 Linnets were feeding.
On Sunday morning I had a pair of microphone out to record the morning chorus. Really nice and full now, and starting at about 0530. Listening back and observing the sounds on the computer, I noticed again how a loud noise - a jet flying over - at the start of the Dawn Chorus results in an increaed level of song. Its as though either the birds put more effort into their songs - or for other birds this is the extra impulse/signal to start singing.
Meanwhile up on the Down, one Lapwing has now been sitting for a week - whilst another pair were mating. At the other side of the field a flock of 75 Linnets were feeding.
Thursday, 7 April 2011
Spring filling the edges
Bird song now oozes from the landascape - Skylarks high up, Lapwing twisting around in display below - woodlands filed with Blackcap, Chiffchaff, Chaffinch and a host of tit songs. Woodpeckers are hard at it with Greens laughing call coming through loud and clear every evening.
But spring is not just about birds - butterflies are on the wing. Today with Brimstone and Peacock I saw my first Orange Tip.
I ran my new MV moth trap last night for the first time - not a huge catch with just 17 moths of 5 species (Brindled Beauty the nice one!) - but there were none obviously flying in the torch light when I went to check it.
The spring flowers are bursting forth - primroses particularly good this year, as are Wood Anenomies even the Bluebells are showing a hint of the blue that will decorate the woodland floor before too long.
We still have just the three Swallows - so hope that more will appear over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile the Lapwing may be beginning to sit - or else just trying out the scrape to see if its ready! They are going to be monitored by a team from the Game & Wildlife Conservancy Trust.
But spring is not just about birds - butterflies are on the wing. Today with Brimstone and Peacock I saw my first Orange Tip.
I ran my new MV moth trap last night for the first time - not a huge catch with just 17 moths of 5 species (Brindled Beauty the nice one!) - but there were none obviously flying in the torch light when I went to check it.
The spring flowers are bursting forth - primroses particularly good this year, as are Wood Anenomies even the Bluebells are showing a hint of the blue that will decorate the woodland floor before too long.
We still have just the three Swallows - so hope that more will appear over the next few weeks.
Meanwhile the Lapwing may be beginning to sit - or else just trying out the scrape to see if its ready! They are going to be monitored by a team from the Game & Wildlife Conservancy Trust.
Tuesday, 5 April 2011
River Valley
The valley floor is becoming filled with migrants.
The Blackcap and Chiffchaffs have been joined by the first Sedge Warblers and yesterday a few notes came from a Willow Warbler. This last will probably continue further north - I have not recorded Willow Warblers staying longer than a few days for many years now.
Of course there are residents equally obvious - Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers to name but two.
Winter visitors are now nearly all gone. The last flock of (118) Fieldfares was up on the Down 10 days ago. But down in the meadows there are still a few Snipe. Six were present yesterday - but they are unlikely to stay and breed. sightings may continue to the first few days of May - but they will probably disappear and go to other breeding grounds.
Another wintering bird is the Stonechat. This is also absent now - but can be expected to breed. So there appears to be two populations using the meadows at differing times of the year. Why not just stay put?
Yesterday morning was interesting in that I saw no Swallows or Martins moving up the valley - the slightly colder weather must have stalled their progress.
The Blackcap and Chiffchaffs have been joined by the first Sedge Warblers and yesterday a few notes came from a Willow Warbler. This last will probably continue further north - I have not recorded Willow Warblers staying longer than a few days for many years now.
Of course there are residents equally obvious - Great Spotted and Green Woodpeckers to name but two.
Winter visitors are now nearly all gone. The last flock of (118) Fieldfares was up on the Down 10 days ago. But down in the meadows there are still a few Snipe. Six were present yesterday - but they are unlikely to stay and breed. sightings may continue to the first few days of May - but they will probably disappear and go to other breeding grounds.
Another wintering bird is the Stonechat. This is also absent now - but can be expected to breed. So there appears to be two populations using the meadows at differing times of the year. Why not just stay put?
Yesterday morning was interesting in that I saw no Swallows or Martins moving up the valley - the slightly colder weather must have stalled their progress.
Friday, 1 April 2011
Morning Alarms
Swallow alarm calls this morning told me two things.
Firstly - that there was now more than one bird back - in fact three.
Secondly - that there was a raptor about and looking up above I spotted a large, probably female, sparrowhawk floating over.
So the migrants are really coming in now.
Chiffchaffs and blackcaps are to be heard in every copse with blackcaps reaching the woods at the top end of the farm yeaterday.
Meanwhile the four Lapwing pairs on the down are fighting off all comers - crows buzzards and of course themselves. I should be spotting a sitting female soon.
Firstly - that there was now more than one bird back - in fact three.
Secondly - that there was a raptor about and looking up above I spotted a large, probably female, sparrowhawk floating over.
So the migrants are really coming in now.
Chiffchaffs and blackcaps are to be heard in every copse with blackcaps reaching the woods at the top end of the farm yeaterday.
Meanwhile the four Lapwing pairs on the down are fighting off all comers - crows buzzards and of course themselves. I should be spotting a sitting female soon.
Wednesday, 30 March 2011
Swallow
Spring is now definitely here - or may be its the early start to summer.
A male swallow was singing in flight over our farm buildings this morning.
A great sound - and just about back at the usual time, the last week of March.
So he joins the Blackcap that I first heared first on the 23rd. Bring on the rest!
A male swallow was singing in flight over our farm buildings this morning.
A great sound - and just about back at the usual time, the last week of March.
So he joins the Blackcap that I first heared first on the 23rd. Bring on the rest!
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