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Archived & Upcoming Images of the Day

31 Dec 2024

What looks like an ill-judged landing doesn't stop the Magpie grabbing this corn grain in the tip of the beak.
Perhaps corn really will 'run away' in the draught from their wings.


Ref: E6C_20241125_1247_017_FB4 Magpie picks up single corn grain as they land.jpg

Touchdown!


Ref: D01_20241126_1325_037_FB6 Magpie landing on Meadow Post facing camera.jpg

Morning sunlight streaks across the woodland partly illuminating this magnificent Magpie.


Ref: E64_20241126_0919_052_FB2 Magpie in morning sunlight.jpg

30 Dec 2024

This Pheasant male, one of at least 3 currently visiting our site, knows that the morning sometimes brings left-over food at this hedge bottom.


Ref: E63_20241122_0805_067_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg

In the overcast mid-morning this female Chaffinch aerobrakes to land at the hedge bottom.


Ref: E63_20241124_1033_123_FB1 Chaffinch female flying into flooded hedge bottom.jpg

A Robin visits the hedge bottom. The strange black 'anti-halo' looks on first glance like a fallen leaf, but closer inspection shows a Dunnock lurking in the background.


Ref: E63_20241122_1431_102_FB1 Robin perched on stone with Dunnock behind outlining Robins head.jpg

While the southern inner path was flooded, Robins made several visits that brought their reflection with them. We couldn't resist this montage.


Ref: E63_20241127_1019_077+1030_080+102_078_FB1 Robin visit to hedge bottom over 12mins with reflections (montage).jpg

29 Dec 2024

A few hours after dark the camera catches this stoat catching a short-tailed Field vole.
Don't misread this as an action pic - the Stoat without the vole was taken 24 minutes earlier.


Ref: E6A_20241120_2211_020+2235_021_FB5 Stoat catching Short-tailed Field Vole at Meadow site 1+2 of 2 (contracted montage).jpg

A better look at the capture of the vole with Rodent's neck in the mouth of the Stoat.


Ref: E6A_20241120_2235_021_FB5 Stoat catching Short-tailed Field Vole at Meadow site 1 of 2 (crop).jpg

In the small hours we get this glimpse of a Fox exiting the site with what is most probably a Rabbit in their mouth.


Ref: BU7_20241125_0340_091+092 Fox carrying Rabbit or Hare towards South hedge gap 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg

The evening of the same day sees an amazingly similar event.
This time it is much less obvious what the prey item is.


Ref: BU7_20241125_1932_049+050 Fox carrying prey through south hedge gap 1 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg

28 Dec 2024

Just before midnight this Tawny Owl is out and about.
We know that the view on the left predates the one on the right (even through they have the same timestamp) because more images follow the bird on the Meadow Post to the right.


Ref: E60_20241120_2346_005_FB3+D01_20241120_2346_005_FB6 Tawny Owl visits Kitchen perch quickly flies to Meadow Post (montage).jpg

The moderate snowfall has here iced over - this Tawny Owl doesn't seem bothered by the slippery surface.


Ref: D01_20241122_0622_023-0625_029_FB6 Tawny Owl 5+ minute visit to icy Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg

Two visits by (probably the same) Tawny Owl 5 minutes apart: the first very brief (we show just the landing) and the second lasting at least 5 minutes.


Ref: D01_20241125_2204_013+2209_015+2213_023_FB6 Tawny Owl 1min & 5+mins visits to meadow post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg

27 Dec 2024

Yummy fresh willow buds just there for the taking.


Ref: DF5_20241120_1215_003 Grey Squirrel selecting willow buds to eat.jpg

Done with collecting food in the treetops, this Grey Squirrel walks nonchalantly head-first down this tree-trunk, gripping the wood with those swivelling rear feet.


Ref: D72_20241121_1255_010 Grey Squirrel walking down Ivy covered tree-trunk.jpg

26 Dec 2024

Then the first snow of this season arrived as the temperature dropped to about -3C


Ref: E6A_20241119_0840_066_FB5 Grey Squirrel in first snow of winter.jpg

One of the many Wood Pigeons hunkering down on the top of the meadow post.
Not a place a human would choose, but the Pigeon has lots of more sheltered places they could perch and this is the one they picked.


Ref: D01_20241119_0946_030_FB6 Wood Pigeon hunkered down on snow covered Meadow Post.jpg

25 Dec 2024

This is a 2 minute visit by the beautiful Barn Owl.


Ref: D01_20241120_0342_039+040+0343_041_FB6 Barn Owl 2 minute visit to meadow post 1-3 of 4 (montage).jpg

Well into the second half of the night the Tawny Owl makes an attractive landing and is obviously very much on-the-hunt to leave a minute or two later.


Ref: D01_20241115_0440_015+0441+017_FB6 Tawny Owl 2 minute visit to Meadow Post 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg

24 Dec 2024

A rather endearing Dunnock looks back at the camera.


Ref: E6A_20241118_1157_024_FB5 Dunnock looking back at camera from wet grass.jpg

A couple of Great Tits take selfies at the Meadow site.
Great Tits bred quite well here this year, but Blue Tits are in very meagre numbers.


Ref: E6A_20241118_1227_028+1231_032_FB5 Great Tit visits to Meadow site (montage).jpg

A female Chaffinch at the hedge bottom, complete with shadow of her head and beak.


Ref: E63_20241118_1413_057_FB1 Chaffinch female with seed in peak casting shadow on stone.jpg

23 Dec 2024

The freshly sown fields (Wheat - judging by the 1 metre cube sacks stacked up) doesn't leave much cover for Hares. Welcome to the local refuge ...


Ref: BUA_20241117_1652_238-240_SC8 Hare approaching East hedge gap (spread montage).jpg

... but keep an eye open for the hunting Fox.


Ref: BU5_20241117_2101_157-159_SC1 Fox prowls past Round Pond and spots something - maybe the camera (stretched montage).jpg

22 Dec 2024

This image of a male Reeves' Muntjac Deer came as a bit of a shock - the pair of light vertical lenticular patches on the face was something we didn't remember ever having seen before.
A scan through the last 3 years of Muntjac images in our archive (about 600) didn't show it either, but with the advantage of hindsight a few images show minor discontinuities at the same place.
It seems that they are called the 'Front Facial Glands' or 'Pre-orbital Glands'. Like those below the eyes, they are usually closed.
We occasionally see Muntjac pushing the front of their faces on tree trunks and they are probably scent marking them. The tongue you see partially extended here is used to clean the scent cavities, and it is suggested that they 'learn' their own scent this way.
A couple of possibly useful videos and texts
https://www.tiktok.com/@mixedwithology/video/7210409071155989803?lang=en
https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/mammals/muntjac-deer


Ref: BU7_20241117_0728_267 Muntjac Reeves Deer male showing front facial glands open & licking muzzle (crop).jpg

Many hours later at the hedge bottom, we pick up a closer view of the Front Facial Glands.


Ref: E63_20241117_1548_159_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer male showing front facial glands open (crop).jpg

The scent glands on the front of the face explain what this male Reeves' Muntjac Deer is doing - scent marking the grass and weeds.


Ref: BU7_20241218_0703_164 Muntjac Reeves Deer male rubbing front scent glands on foliage.jpg

21 Dec 2024

This is the biggest group of Starlings we have seen this year, all landing in quite a spectacular moment (unfortunately not captured on camera) descending on this 'broken' ash tree about 100m south of our south hedge.


Ref: D72_20241116_1039_062 140 Starlings just landed in broken Ash tree to south.jpg

Our patch seems to be a favourite roost for Wood Pigeons, but, the moment we become visible, they depart.


Ref: D72_20241115_1008_039 70 Wood Pigeons launch from Black Poplar trees near edge of Meadow.jpg

20 Dec 2024

"I'm watching you!"


Ref: BU7_20241116_0203_249 Fox pauses after crossing south ditch.jpg

The lengthening night increase the number of Foxes caught on night time cameras. This one was crossing the ditch after entering at the south hedge gap.


Ref: BU7_20241115_0015_208+210 Fox enters at south hedge gap and looks about (montage).jpg

Here a Fox visits the Round Pond just after midnight.


Ref: BU5_20241115_0031_067-069_SC1 Fox walks to edge of Round Pond (montage).jpg

This Fox has just entered the site at the south hedge gap, and stopped in the muddy ditch before setting off purposefully to the west, but it only a few metres to the fence at the edge of the access track.
The facial and ear characteristics suggest that this may be a youngster.


Ref: BU7_20241118_2354_022+023 Fox enters at South hedge gap and walks west down ditch (montage).jpg

19 Dec 2024

This male Great Spotted Woodpecker illustrates the method used by Great Spotted woodpeckers to steal peanuts from squirrel resistant caged feeders.
    Extract a nut from the caged bird feeder using the long beak & tongue.
    Carry it in the beak tip to the gouge in a post.
    Hammer it down into Woodpecker preferred size pieces.
A female visitor follows exactly the same pattern, and we remember instances from decades ago where the Great Spotted Woodpecker used a hollow in the post for a weather vane.


Ref: SP1_20241119_1508_168+1505_153+1508_169_SP1 Great Spotted Woodpecker male extracts peanut and breaks it on post (montage).jpg

Grey Squirrels seem never to cease the transport of food to their 'safe place' - except perhaps when they eat them on the spot.


Ref: E64_20241114_1044_018_FB2+E6A_20241117_1128_152+20241114_0902_014_FB5 Grey Squirrels collecting conkers & apples (montage).jpg

Here a Grey Squirrel makes multiple visits to the top of the bird table, but was always frustrated in attempts to purloin a peanut.


Ref: SP1_20241115_1024_285+1228_310+20241117_1352_544_SP1 Grey Squirrel visits to Study Bird table (montage).jpg

18 Dec 2024

This Barn Owl made a short stop of the Meadow Post.


Ref: D01_20241113_0458_042+0459_044_FB6 Barn Owl 2 minute visit to Meadow Post 2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg

A minute or two later we get this lovely head-on landing through the kitchen window.


Ref: E60_20241113_0502_027_FB3 Barn Owl landing on Kitchen perch (crop with reconstructed left wing tip).jpg

17 Dec 2024

Another brief visit by a few Long-tailed Tits.
Here is a montage of two frames of one leaving the tip of a Horse Chestnut tree.


Ref: D72_20241112_0955_041+043 Long-tailed Tit flying from top of top of Horse Chestnut branch (montage over 250mS).jpg

The spread wings against the sky seem to us an absolute delight ...


Ref: D72_20241112_0955_041 Long-tailed Tit flying from top of top of Horse Chestnut branch (crop).jpg

... that looks even better as a negative


Ref: D72_20241112_0955_041 Long-tailed Tit flying from top of top of Horse Chestnut branch (negative crop).jpg

16 Dec 2024

These 4 female Pheasants seem to have just entered through the east hedge gap in the fencing.


Ref: BUA_20241108_0923_113_SC8 4 Pheasant females probably just entered at East hedge gap.jpg

2 days later we see 3 female Pheasants (one or more other may be out of frame) along with his lordship the male as the most distant bird.


Ref: BU8_20241110_1327_089 3 Pheasant females at Duck Pond accompanied by male furthest from camera.jpg

A female Pheasant visiting the woodland site. Others may be out of the camera's view


Ref: E64_20241113_0833_093_FB2 Pheasant female.jpg

We were surprised to find this single frame showing 3 male Pheasants sharing this patch of leaf strewn grass near the south hedge gap without a hint of animosity - yet.


Ref: BU7_20241113_0859_249 3 Pheasant males.jpg

15 Dec 2024

A Sparrowhawk lands on the Kitchen perch back to camera


Ref: E60_20241110_1518_027_FB3 Sparrowhawk landing on Kitchen perch back to camera (ID only).jpg

The same event is caught by the temporary Trail cam from slightly earlier and continues for another 9 seconds.


Ref: SP1_20241110_1518_665-668_SP1 Sparrowhawk landing on Kitchen perch 1-4 of 4 (montage @3 sec intervals 1+2 accurate).jpg

14 Dec 2024

The temporary trail cam aimed at the kitchen Bird table / perch here picks up an Owl visit that manages to evade the IR sense beam.


Ref: SP1_20241108_0205_218-20241109_2021_480_SP1 Tawny Owl visits to Kitchen perch 2 nights apart 2+5+6+8 of 8 (montage).jpg

Next day this Tawny Owl lands on the Kitchen perch.


Ref: E60_20241109_2021_022_FB3 Tawny Owl landing on Kitchen perch (crop).jpg

Same moment on the Kitchen camera, caught slightly later by the trail cam watching the same perch.


Ref: E60_20241109_2021_022_FB3+SP1_20241109_2021_477_SP1 Tawny Owl landing on Kitchen perch (montage).jpg

A Tawny Owl visit to the Meadow post.


Ref: D01_20241112_0137_011+0141_019_FB6 Tawny Owl 5+ minute visit to Meadow Post 1+3 of 3 (montage).jpg

13 Dec 2024

The Grey Squirrels are again practising the 'nothing allowed near me' strategy.
The dark area at the bottom is probably a fallen leaf.


Ref: E6A_20241107_1351_064_FB5 2 Grey Squirrels skirmishing (dark obstruction probably a fallen leaf).jpg

MY hedge bottom.


Ref: E63_20241109_1033_082_FB1 Grey Squirrel chases away Dunnock.jpg

MY MY Meadow site.


Ref: E6A_20241109_1041_142_FB5 Grey Squirrel chasing away Magpie.jpg

Aren't I twee?
What do you mean 'bully'.


Ref: E60_20241109_1100_013_FB3 Grey Squirrel resting on bird table.jpg

12 Dec 2024

Fieldmice (Wood Mice) in the right place are really adorable.


Ref: E63_20241107_0512_023_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) on stone at Hedge Bottom.jpg

3 Robin visits to the hedge bottom in a 30 minute period.
The 'two' on the right are obviously the same individual - not sure about the one on the left.


Ref: E63_20241107_1611_048-1639_050_FB1 Robin visits to Hedge Bottom over 30 minutes (spread montage).jpg

A small apple (maybe half an apple) purloined by this Grey Squirrel.


Ref: E64_20241108_1633_079_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying partly eaten small apple across woodland site.jpg

11 Dec 2024

This Barn Owl arrives on the Meadow just vacated by a Tawny Owl.
Did the Barn Owl shoo away the Tawny Owl?


Ref: D01_20241104_2043_063+064_FB6 Tawny Owl 5+ min visit possibly displaced by Barn Owl visit 4+5 of 5 (montage over 500mS).jpg

Gorgeous bird!


Ref: D01_20241104_2043_064_FB6 Tawny Owl 5+ minute visit possibly displaced by brief Barn Owl visit 5 of 5 (crop).jpg

4 nights later our more regular Owl visitor lands outside the kitchen window.


Ref: E60_20241108_0206_020_FB3 Tawny Owl visits to Meadow Post & Kitchen Perch over 90m 4 of 6 (crop).jpg

10 Dec 2024

A perky Robin greets the dawn.


Ref: E63_20241102_0653_155_FB1 Robin on autumn leaf litter.jpg

Robins seem to be more numerous than of late.


Ref: D72_20241105_1253_016 Robin on Lichen covered twig.jpg

Robins seem to be more numerous than of late.


Ref: E63_20241105_1629_139_FB1 Robin on hedge bottom stone.jpg

09 Dec 2024

Barn Owls are currently irregular visitors, so this pre-dawn appearance is a pleasant surprise.


Ref: E60_20241102_0428_035_FB3 Barn Owl at Kitchen perch 1 of 2 (crop).jpg

The Barn owl stayed for about 3 minutes before departing.
Although flying in the general direction of the Meadow post, they didn't land on it,


Ref: E60_20241102_0428_035+0431_036_FB3 Barn Owl at Kitchen perch 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg

08 Dec 2024

The plastic rain gauge not only provided a water reading, but also a picture of this Birch Shieldbug - our first record of this species here.
Facing upwards in case the strange shape of Shieldbugs confuses you.


Ref: R70_20241029_0940_039 Birch Shieldbug (Elasmostethus interstinctus) near top edge of clear plastic rain gauge.jpg

Unless they are cut as part of a hedge, Elm trees here succumb to Dutch Elm disease. Nevertheless (and before we knew what would happen) we moved an elm tree blocking the south ditch to make a feature among the sea of plastic tree shelters early in the evolution of the site.
The elm has produced a sequence of suckers which in their turn grow up and die after producing their own suckers. We think that we are now on the 4th generation. Meanwhile the rotting trunks produce an interesting selection of Lichen and Fungi.


Ref: D72_20241101_1255_043+049 Lichen & Fungus on long dead Elm tree trunk (montage with insert).jpg

07 Dec 2024

The local female Sparrowhawk glares at the camera/flash.
She didn't stay.


Ref: D01_20241031_1336_010_FB6 Sparrowhawk on Meadow Post.jpg

Walking along the 'disused track' south of our patch we pass 3 poles, including this disused telephone pole we always check for a perched bird. On this pass there was nothing.
100m further along our walk movement catches the eye at one of the poles, and backtracking a little to find a viewpoint through the nearer trees, we see that this post top has since been occupied by a Kestrel dismembering some prey item.


Ref: R70_20241103_1036_005-1037_034 Kestrel flies to disused telephone pole to eat prey 1+2+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg

06 Dec 2024

This Grey Squirrel looks about to nibble a catkin.
Birds regularly feed on these little bundles of nourishment, but we don't remember seeing a Squirrel with one before. They probably normally eat them 'off the tree'.


Ref: E63_20241031_0751_009_FB1 Grey Squirrel holding Catkin in paws.jpg

This  Tree Rat  Grey Squirrel brings a small Teasel head up to the Bird-table top to devour it.


Ref: SP1_20241104_1258_153+155_SP1 Grey Squirrel climbs up to Kitchen bird table with Teasel in mouth (montage in few seconds).jpg

05 Dec 2024

It was Halloween on the night of these two montaged images which by happen stance arrived as sequential pics. We couldn't resist having this bit of gallows humour.
This is an accurate montage, but two hours separate the visits.


Ref: E63_20241031_0356_256+0219_255_FB1 Fox seeming to hunt Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) at Hedge Bottom on Halloween (montage 2Hrs apart).jpg

This Fox walks quietly up to and then along the edge of Duck Pond before noticing the dull glow of the trail-cams IR illuminator.


Ref: BU8_20241025_2117_025-027 Fox walking past Duck Pond suddenly notices dull red camera flash (spread montage).jpg

A bit spread for effect, a Fox has entered through the south hedge gap and is setting off for the post-midnight part of their hunt.


Ref: BU7_20241030_0128_205-207 Fox crossing ditch after entering at south hedge gap (impression montage).jpg

04 Dec 2024

This must rank as our best portrait of the Jay.
Jays are mainly known for collecting acorns, but this year we are severely 'acorn deprived' and don't know what the Jay is finding.


Ref: E63_20241028_0854_096_FB1 Jay at hedge bottom (crop).jpg

A Song Thrush visits the hedge bottom as the daylight starts to fade.


Ref: E63_20241030_1626_252_FB1 Song Thrush on stone at hedge bottom.jpg

Chaffinches are now in winter colours.
On the left a male, and on the right 20 minutes later a female.
At this time of year we will NOT actually see them together without them squabbling.


Ref: E63_20241028_1044_111+1104_117_FB1 Chaffinch male (left & female in winter plumage (montage).jpg

03 Dec 2024

A few Tawny Owl visits this week.


Ref: D01_20241028_0459_029+0500+031_FB6 Tawny Owl makes 2 short visits to Meadow post 3+4 of 6 (montage).jpg

Grab it before it escapes - whatever 'it' might be.


Ref: E6A_20241026_1128_113_FB5 Robin pouncing on food at Meadow site in rain.jpg

A slightly quirky Dunnock


Ref: E63_20241028_1425_148_FB1 Dunnock at base of stone looking back towards camera.jpg

02 Dec 2024

This Grey Squirrel now seems to be collecting Teasel heads.


Ref: E6A_20241025_1627_081_FB5 Grey Squirrel carrying Teasel head across Meadow site.jpg

Sloe berries (Blackthorn fruit) seems to be a more regular choice.


Ref: E64_20241026_1712_142_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying twig of Sloes (blackthorn fruit) across Woodland site.jpg

Can you scratch your head with your foot?


Ref: E63_20241027_1449_047_FB1 Grey Squirrel grooming top of head with rear leg.jpg

01 Dec 2024

Our confusingly gendered Kestrel lands on the meadow post.


Ref: D01_20241025_1244_043+044_FB6 Kestrel landing on Meadow Post (same scale montage over 500mS).jpg

A few hours later another landing by the current regular Kestrel.
The wind direction must have changed to land facing the camera.


Ref: D01_20241025_1606_059+060_FB6 Kestrel landing on Meadow Post (montage over 500mS).jpg

This Kestrel flew about 15 metres from a disused telephone pole to this post carrying our mains supply cables.


Ref: R70_20241028_1218_010-013 Kestrel landing on mains power pole 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage @8fps).jpg

A closer look at the second moment from the left.


Ref: R70_20241028_1218_011 Kestrel landing on mains power pole 2 of 4 (crop).jpg

 


 

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