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Archived & Upcoming Images of the Day

30 Jun 2018

A Robin in a hurry with youngsters to feed a worm that looks rather large for a comparatively small bird. No doubt to be reduced to 'swallow' sized pieces.


Ref: E64_20180513_1410_157_FB2 Robin flying by with long worm in beak (crop).jpg

2 visits by possibly the same Robin about 4 Hours apart. Whatever the green grub is, it looks like it's the favourite.


Ref: D36_20180515_0539_028+0952_032_FB4 Robin(s) with grub in beak 4 Hrs apart (montage).jpg

29 Jun 2018

We think that this is our first sighting of a Great White Egret, but our two experts are not sure based only on the photo without any notion of size. The bird had none of the grace of the Little Egret and was flying much faster and more powerfully than we would expect to see in a Little Egret. The feet appear dark - Little Egrets have yellow feet, but they can become smothered in mud.


Ref: DF3_20180514_1502_235 Great White (q) Egret in flight (1st sighting) 2 of 3 (crop for ID).jpg

2 frames about 140mS apart show that what we think is a Great White Egret was flying fast, even though it did have a tailwind.


Ref: DF3_20180514_1502_235+236 Great White (q) Egret in flight (1st sighting) 2+3 of 3 (accurate montage @ 7fps).jpg

28 Jun 2018

Goldfinches have done well this year, through we haven't spotted any of the nests. The fluffy down in the beak was put down on the branch and left there as the bird flew off.


Ref: DF3_20180514_1453_229 Goldfinch landing on Conifer with beakful of plant down put down before flying off 1 of 2 (crop).jpg

The white fluff at the birds feet looks like the same type of material as put down after the previous image, but is in a different place.


Ref: DF3_20180514_1612_003 Goldfinch on conifer branch.jpg

A male Chaffinch busily picking the Sunflower kernels from the selection of 'bird seed mix' we chucked onto the concrete track.


Ref: DF3_20180513_0858_106 Chaffinch male eating Sunflower kernels from concrete track.jpg

27 Jun 2018

Hawthorn is now producing blossom all over the area.


Ref: DF3_20180514_0638_169 Hawthorn tree blossoming at our east boundary.jpg

Hawthorn is now producing blossom all over the area.


Ref: DF3_20180514_0641_177 Hawthorn Blossom detail.jpg

Hawthorn is now producing blossom all over the area.


Ref: DF3_20180514_1441_221 Hawthorn Blossom on bush in Meadow.jpg

26 Jun 2018

Down the field margin to our north we enjoyed watching this carpet of Dandelions turn first into the classic 'clock' seed heads (just over 2 weeks), most of the seeds carried away in the wind for next years crop, and finally mown by the farmer clearing the crop margins and bridleways.


Ref: DF3_20180426_1345_016+20180513_1739_146+20180517_1108_002+20180523_1734_071 Dandelion flowers - clocks - stalks - mown in a month (montage).jpg

25 Jun 2018

This Grey squirrel was sunbathing on top of disused post disturbed by someone at the door.


Ref: DF3_20180513_1703_141 Grey Squirrel on alert at top of Raptor post.jpg

Instead of fleeing from the disturbance the Grey Squirrel moved to this hanging position where it simply stayed stationary for several minutes.
Note the rear claws turned around to grip the top securely.


Ref: D5C_20180513_1705_062 Grey Squirrel hanging from post for several minutes.jpg

"Ahh - this is the life. Where's the waitress"


Ref: DF3_20180515_0952_016 Grey squirrel sunbathing on top bar of gate.jpg

24 Jun 2018

This really is 2 separate visits by the Tawny Owl 3 days apart - uncannily similar.


Ref: D01_20180515_2358_026-20180518_0211_094_FB6 Tawny Owl visits 3 days apart to meadow post very similar positions (montage).jpg

This Wood Pigeon stayed for almost three-quarters of an hour.
You can see the background lightening as the day dawns


Ref: D01_20180516_0513_028+0538_016+0549_076+0556_085_FB6 Wood Pigeon 43 minute visit to meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg

23 Jun 2018

A 'head and shoulders' of the now dominant male Pheasant at the woodland site.
Love the 'ear' tufts - very 'punk'.


Ref: E64_20180505_1916_143_FB2 Pheasant male (brunet) head portrait.jpg

A day and an hour apart, this pair of pheasants create a slightly surreal pairing as they pick over the remaining corn.


Ref: E64_20180515_1815_058+20180515_1930_098_FB2 Pheasant pair feeding together twice in 25 hours (montage).jpg

22 Jun 2018

Male Orange-tip Butterflies appear about a week before the females.
Here is a male tanking-up on a Bluebell flower.


Ref: DF3_20180507_1747_009 Orange-tip Butterfly male on Bluebell flower.jpg

Here is a female Orange-tip Butterfly (without the orange tips) sipping delicately from a Garlic Mustard flower.
This plant is the food plant of the Orange-tip caterpillar, so she is probably attracted to the smell of them, although she can feed on other flowers.


Ref: DF3_20180508_1252_131 Orange-tip Butterfly female feeding on Garlic Mustard flower.jpg

The vivid yellow of the male Brimstone Butterfly is on the 'top' of the wing. The underside of the wing has this greenish colour. The top of the female's wing is white, and the bottom paler than this males, but with the same spots and contour.


Ref: DF3_20180506_0928_054 Brimstone Butterfly male on ground ivy with nettle behind.jpg

21 Jun 2018

Leaving the house we sometimes startle away a Kestrel, but have not previously spotted one on the house as we return. This bird then flew down from the top of the chimney to a roof edge just above the gutters where it was out of our sight. So moving to a new closer vantage point we managed a couple of portraits before he spotted us and decided to move on.


Ref: DF3_20180506_0947_159 Kestrel male on edge of slate roof 2 of 2 (crop).jpg

20 Jun 2018

A chance moment catches a Magpie flying up and over the boundary hedge.


Ref: BU1_20180507_0853_006_SC3 Magpie in flight over hedge (adjusted crop).jpg

This Magpie was struggling to extract twigs from the edge of our main woodpile, but here finally succeeded


Ref: DF4_20180504_1838_014-025 Magpie pulling Blackthorn twig from woodpile 02+03+05+08+12+13 of 14 (montage).jpg

2 days later this magpie is landing with a twig on an 11kV cable before flying on out of sight.
We don't have a good view of any Magpie nest this year.


Ref: DF3_20180506_0904_002+004-006 Magpie with twig in beak flying from 11kV cable 1-4 of 4 (montage @7fps).jpg

19 Jun 2018

Mum or Dad (on the right) is tempting the nestling up the branch to get it's next feed. The other nestling (left in the middle & right image) suddenly realises it wants a piece of the action. A noisy business this is!


Ref: DF3_20180508_0953_058+062+065 Rook nest started 25apr2018 - adult draws nestling up branch to feed 03+07+10 of 14 (montage).jpg

The 2 Rook youngsters in the nest can shout at the parents all they like - Mum and Dad are trying to take a rest!


Ref: DF3_20180506_0713_320 Rook nest and Rook pair in Black Poplar tree nearest house - nestlings beg at resting parents (crop).jpg

Other Rook nests seem to be more advanced than any we have a view of. Here a youngster sits on a 11kV cable demanding food.


Ref: DF3_20180508_0646_014 Rook youngster demanding food from adjacent parent on 11kV cable.jpg

18 Jun 2018

3 visits in one night from this Tawny Owl.
We are 'seeing' the bird several nights a week at the moment.


Ref: D01_20180507_0039_001+0042_004+0247_009_FB6 Tawny Owl 4+3+2 minute visits top meadow post 1+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg

These 2 Tawny Owl visits over the same night make a nice comparison of the very different colouration above and below the wings.


Ref: D01_20180508_0020_012+20180507_2220_003_FB6 Tawny Owl landing on meadow post rear and front views (montage).jpg

17 Jun 2018

The Barn Owl visited, a drop-dead gorgeous bird we feel privileged to see.


Ref: D01_20180501_2320_009+2322_011_FB6 Barn Owl 7 minute visit to meadow post 1+2 of 4 (montage).jpg

4 days later a Barn Owl stops over for just a couple of minutes.


Ref: D01_20180505_0218_001+0219_002_FB6 Barn Owl 2 minute visit 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg

16 Jun 2018

A Rook standing on the remains of the broken trunk of the Ash tree in a the hedge to our south, with the vivid yellow of the crop behind. This almost looks like an aerial shot, but the tree is in a little valley photographed from the highest point on one side


Ref: DF3_20180426_1540_023 Rook on broken trunk of Ash Tree by Oil-seed Rape crop (crop 1).jpg

Think Japanese print with gold leaf for the background.


Ref: DF3_20180503_1051_006 Rook on broken trunk of Ash Tree by Oil-seed Rape crop (crop).jpg

15 Jun 2018

May-day 2018 also brought our first sighting of Rook nestlings. They have obviously been around for several days but as long as they stay below the edge of the nest we can't see them from the ground.


Ref: DF3_20180501_1003_068 Rook nest and Rook pair in Black Poplar tree nearest house - chicks in nest (crop).jpg

Mum or Dad Rook stuffing food into whichever gaping beak looks most - err - appealing?


Ref: DF3_20180502_1335_103+113+118 Rook nest and Rook pair in Black Poplar nearest house - 2 nestlings feed 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg

Rook nestling feed done for a bit, Mum or Dad exits - pursued by cries for more food.


Ref: DF3_20180504_0847_066 Rook flying away over 2 begging nestlings (crop 2).jpg

14 Jun 2018

As the daylight fades, the two male Reeve's Muntjac Deer appear together on the island of the main pond, but we didn't get the aggressive behaviour we expected. The Deer in velvet (left throughout) and the one with bone antlers proceeded to have a rather gentle joust (top three images). Just after top right image the Deer in Velvet jumped away - we suspect that his delicate velvet got spiked by the bone antler and it hurt! The 'velvet' deer then approached the other more circumspectly, burying velvet antler harmlessly in the side of the neck of it's 'opponent' for a harmless trial of strength.
Our explanation? Dad on the right is letting his youngster practice doing 'battle'! It was a lovely few minutes to watch.


Ref: DF4_20180429_1819_007-1820_031 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer males interacting and feeding on island 02-05+08+10 of 21 (montage).jpg

This larger image (fits in between the bottom middle and right in the montage) shows the left Deer in velvet pushing quite hard against the unconcerned 'opponent'.


Ref: DF4_20180429_1820_026 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer males interacting and feeding on main pond island 09 of 21 (crop).jpg

As they quietly leave both male Reeves Muntjac Deer reached up for some overhanging leaves . This is how the 'browse line' is created - for us quite a low one for small deer!


Ref: DF4_20180429_1822_072 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer males interacting and feeding on main pond island 19 of 21 (crop).jpg

13 Jun 2018

This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer has his antlers still in Velvet, wandering over the island of the main pond, nibbling vegetation and grooming as it went. An unexpected amount of attention was given to the tiny hooves.


Ref: DF1_20180429_1210_005+1214_035+1215_046 Muntjac Reeves Deer male in velvet grooming on island 01+07+10 of 10 (montage).jpg

This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer has his antlers still in Velvet visits the 'front' edge of the main pond to feed on the longish succulent grass.


Ref: DF3_20180429_1613_005 Muntjac Reeves Deer male in velvet browsing on grass by main pond.jpg

12 Jun 2018

A Buzzard made a few lowish passes as a couple of Rooks made it very clear it was not welcome near 'our' Rookery


Ref: DF3_20180425_0903_023 Buzzard in gliding flight 3 of 3 (crop).jpg

"Get Out"


Ref: DF3_20180425_0904_075 Buzzard being harassed by 2 Rooks 2 of 3 (crop).jpg

The chase continues overhead and into the distance.


Ref: DF3_20180425_0904_104-108 Buzzard being harassed by 2 Rooks 2-6 of 6 (montage @7fps).jpg

11 Jun 2018

On this night the Tawny Owl spent about 2 hours hunting around our patch, landing on the Meadow post 7 times. Here are 6 of the landings


Ref: D01_20180427_0117_005-0328_30_FB6 Tawny Owl 7 visits to Meadow Post in 130m 01-03+06+07+09 of 10 (montage).jpg

In this landing (the fourth) the Tawny Owl has caught some prey and brought it back to the post to eat. From the size of lack of feathers we think this is/was a Shrew,


Ref: D01_20180427_0231_017_FB6 Tawny Owl 7 visits to Meadow Post in 130m 05 of 10 (crop with Shrew (q) in beak).jpg

10 Jun 2018

A Carrion Crow doing his best to look like something out of a horror story?


Ref: E62_20180419_0757_003_FB5 Carrion Crow looking quizzical in rain.jpg

09 Jun 2018

Arriving in the early morning to exchange the camera card in the 'meadow' we came across this pair of Chaffinches mating just 4 metres away on an old breeze-block. This is about the fourth attempt after which the exhausted looking male finally flew off. All these pics taken in 3 to 4 seconds


Ref: DF3_20180423_0719_149-171 Chaffinch pair mating on old brick on top of FB5 IR sensor 1+3+9+16+19+22 of 25 (montage @ 7fps).jpg

A more detailed look at the mating Chaffinches that would slip in between upper right and bottom left images of the montage.


Ref: DF3_20180423_0719_164 Chaffinch pair mating on old brick on top of FB5 IR sensor 15 of 25 (crop).jpg

A male Chaffinch in the peak of breeding condition. There is a tiny black seed in the tip of his beak. This is a different day, different site and different individual to the male we photographed mating


Ref: E63_20180419_1854_020_FB1 Chaffinch male with tiny black seed in beak.jpg

08 Jun 2018

The female (notice the teat) Grey squirrel scurried up an Elm tree as we approached and then proceeded to eat this Hazelnut which she must just have dug from her (or somebody else's) winter cache.
Once this Elm tree gets big enough it will succumb to Dutch Elm Disease, but by then there are new shoots will carry on the cycle.


Ref: DF3_20180422_1508_045 Grey Squirrel female climbing Elm tree to eat exhumed Hazelnut 2 of 2 (crop).jpg

Hunt the Flea?


Ref: E60_20180422_1814_050_FB3 Grey Squirrel preening tail.jpg

07 Jun 2018

This orange tip is newly emerged and flutters seemingly non-stop in search of a mate. Only the male has the gorgeous orange tips, but both sexes have the beautiful green and white patterning over the underneath of the rear wings, and along the edge of the forewing which perfectly lines up when the insect closes it's wings. Amazing!


Ref: DF3_20180503_1557_070 Orange-tip butterfly male showing patterned underwing (crop 2).jpg

A Green-veined White butterfly stops to tank-up on some Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flowers that grow all around the edge of the main pond and the main pond island. The butterfly takes it's name for the patterning under the wing.


Ref: DF3_20180425_0925_128 Green-veined White Butterfly feeding on Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) Flower (Cuckooflower) (crop).jpg

A male Small White Butterfly (commonly called Cabbage White) stops off for a re-fuel on this Dandelion flower.


Ref: DF3_20180422_1345_034 Small White Butterfly male feeding on Dandelion (crop 2).jpg

06 Jun 2018

The clay soil along the crop margins makes a good medium for catching animal tracks. On the right a Roe Deer leaves Hoof prints, and on the upper left a badger shows us the wonderful claws.


Ref: DF3_20180421_1228_091+1228_094 Roe Deer hoof prints (right) and Badger Paw prints (left) in mud north boundary (montage).jpg

The female Reeves Muntjac Deer wandering over the Mound, then for some reason gazing upwards.


Ref: BU2_20180420_2011_463+467_SC7 Muntjac Reeves Deer female wandering up mound and looking upwards (montage).jpg

Badger visits to the mound over 3 nights.


Ref: BU2_20180420_2259_491+20180421_0337_510+20180422_2226_911_SC7 Badger visits to Round Mound (montage).jpg

05 Jun 2018

This beautiful 1913 Model T Ford tourer that owner Richard calls 'Trixie' makes a really rather refined progress down to the auction at the industrial units, returning 10 minutes later. Top left of the montage is the detail of the polite notice affixed to the back.
This is left-hand drive as one would expect for an American model (confirmed by the current owner) - right hand drive versions are apparently now very rare. Restored in the 1970 by the previous owner and now mechanically restored over summer 2018 before a cosmetic strip and rebuild planned for winter.
Googling finds the previous owner of this car portraying an Army WW1 Staff car, though Richard doesn't think it ever was one in real life.


Ref: DF3_20180420_1627_059+1636_065 Ford Model T 1913 reg SV 8435 on Farm Road (montage).jpg

04 Jun 2018

Primroses are appearing in clumps all over the site, smiling up at us (or more likely the sunshine)


Ref: DF3_20180418_1055_109 Primrose clump around base of young Ash tree.jpg

03 Jun 2018

Two very different night hunters: Our 'regular' Tawny Owl visits the bird table at the kitchen window - most definitely NOT looking for scraps. We have noticed before that they like to perch on the top of the G-cramp, rather than on the wood.


Ref: E60_20180417_2152_024_FB3 Tawny Owl perched on rounded end of G-Cramp.jpg

Two very different night hunters: We see foxes a few times a week on the trail cam on the mound, but less often at the high resolution photo sites. Here this passing carnivore gives us a look at those effective canine teeth


Ref: E64_20180414_0220_146_FB2 Fox showing canines in partly open mouth.jpg

02 Jun 2018

Here is what we think of as the dominant male pheasant with his Blond plumage.


Ref: E64_20180414_1845_195_FB2 Pheasant male (blond).jpg

At the Woodland site the sun still gets through in the early morning to burnish the plumage of our dark pheasant. Should we call him a brunet?
Blond is male, Blonde is female, Brunet is male, Brunette is female. What a crazy language English is!


Ref: E64_20180416_0847_016_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg

Out in the rain, a be-speckled male Pheasant and not very impressed by the stale piece of cucumber.


Ref: E62_20180415_1601_210_FB5 Pheasant male in rain speckled with drops.jpg

01 Jun 2018

The most advanced Rook nest (in the Black Poplar nearest the house) is now clearly being incubated. We assume that the male at the left has brought some food for the female.
We thought that birds feeding their partner while incubating would have a proper name, but it is mostly called 'courtship feeding' which it isn't. So we are using 'Incubation feeding' as a reasonably short description.


Ref: DF3_20180415_0844_008 Rook pair courtship or incubation feeding by nest 02 of 12 (crop).jpg

A lump of soft looking 'stuff' on it's way to line the Rook's nest.


Ref: DF3_20180420_0726_006+007+009 Rook flying with leaves to nest 1+2+4 of 4 (close spaced montage).jpg

 


 

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