Return to moorhen home page
Image of the
Day Archive & Upcoming List
Images yet to be shown
Date: 08 Jan 2022
View: E63_20211201_0213_092_FB1 Fox walking through Hedge site while licking nose (crop).jpg
Description: Looking suspiciously smug and 'licking his chops', we wonder whether this
fox has just finished eating one of the other inhabitants!
View: D36_20211202_0745_066_FB4 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) leaps from live trap (crop).jpg
Description: Some mice and Voles caught in live traps in the house have to be physically
shaken out of the traps. But the moment the trap was open this one leapt
for freedom right over the tree-stump, leaving only the shadow.
"So long - and thanks for all the peanut butter!"
Date: 07 Jan 2022
View: D01_20211130_0548_001+0550_005+0554_011_FB6 Barn Owl 6 minute visit to Meadow Post 1+3+6 of 6 (mirror montage).jpg
Description: The Barn Owl visited at the end of the night, ...
View: D01_20211201_1847_091+1846_089+_FB6 Barn Owl short visit to Meadow Post with back to camera 2+1 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: ... and then a brief stop a day later after sunset.
Go on - turn round - No? Oh well you are lovely from the back as well!
Date: 06 Jan 2022
View: D72_20211129_0727_007+0729_017 Muntjac Reeves Deer female ignores night humans to feed in snow cover 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: While collecting the camera cards before dawn we find this female Reeve's Muntjac Deer
quietly pushing aside the snow and leaves to find something to eat.
She isn't disturbed by either us nor the camera flash.
We left some more corn to lick up.
View: D72_20211129_1301_049 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding around Round Mound (crop).jpg
Description: The leaves on this fallen branch don't look very appetising to us, but
the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer was obviously hungry enough to tackle them.
View: D72_20211129_1306_067 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding around Round Mound (crop).jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer picks up the corn with her tongue.
View: E6A_20211130_1458_104+1455_103_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding at meadow site 2+1 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A female Reeve's Muntjac Deer feeds at the Meadow site for several minutes.
Date: 05 Jan 2022
View: D72_20211129_0735_040 Sunrise (orig & final).jpg
Description: After a light snow overnight, the day starts with this slightly angry Dawn.
View: D36_20211129_1008_011_FB4 Robin on tree-stump in light snow.jpg
Description: A Robin in the snow - a living Christmas card (only a few days late)
View: D72_20211129_1242_025 40 Molehills with snow not yet melted on NE side.jpg
Description: A few hours later most of the snow has melted in the direct sun, but here the
North East side of all these Molehills has remained in the shade, creating this
unusual effect.
Date: 04 Jan 2022
View: DF3_20211128_1230_094 Kestrel female hunts + kills + eats Rodent 01 of 23 (crop).jpg
Description: After a failed hunting attempt the female Kestrel flies to this branch where she stays
for a couple of minutes intently studying the ground.
View: DF3_20211128_1232_112-128 Kestrel female hunts + kills + eats Rodent 05+08+09+11 of 23 (impression montage).jpg
Description: She suddenly dives down onto the grass path behind the pond.
View: DF3_20211128_1235_137+141+145 Kestrel female hunts + kills + eats Rodent 12-14 of 23 (bottom up montage + rodent insert).jpg
Description: Read this sequence bottom upwards.
We could just see movement as she smothered her prey (only a blurred brown
on camera) before flying upwards and off towards the Black Poplars along
the access track.
If you look carefully at the insert to the top image you can just see her capture
(it looks to us like a Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse)) grasped in one foot.
View: DF3_20211128_1236_155-1238_197 Kestrel female hunts + kills + eats Rodent 15+16+20+21 of 23 (montage).jpg
Description: She fortuitously chooses a branch on one of the Black Poplars to consume
her prize. The various angles reflect the photographers efforts to find better
angles to view the activity through the hedge and against the sun.
Date: 03 Jan 2022
View: DF3_20211128_1228_053 Kestrel female in flight.jpg
Description: We believe that the original human-tolerant female Kestrel is back.
Here she flies quite close to us to land in a tree on the island in
the main pond, where she stopped for a hunt. We were both already
quite close when she landed for a hunt.
View: DF3_20211128_1228_073-076 Kestrel female launches for unsuccessful attack 4-7 of 7 (montage impression).jpg
Description: Left to right and then down, she dives on some prey but obviously
misses her prize and flies to the top of another tree.
More Tomorrow
Date: 02 Jan 2022
View: BUA_20211127_2343_160-162_SC8 Fox scent marking 1-3 of 3 (approx montage).jpg
Description: The Fox stops off at the tree to the left for a moment of scent marking.
View: BUA_20211201_0244_156+20211202_0121_207_SC8 Fox scent marking on successive days (montage).jpg
Description: A few days later, then two consecutive days an hour or two after midnight,
it is the tree on the right that gets scent marked with incredibly similar gesture.
View: BUA_20211130_0424_084+0456_091_SC8 2 Fox visits 30 minutes apart (accurate montage IR).jpg
Description: A couple of days later there are 2 Fox visits near the east entrance half an
hour apart. Facial marking suggest that they are different foxes.
Maybe they prefer different trees to scent mark.
Date: 01 Jan 2022
View: D01_20211121_1958_051+1959_053_FB6 Barn Owl short visit to meadow post 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl makes a brief stop on the Meadow Post.
View: D01_20211126_0129_019_FB6 Barn Owl lands on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: 5 days later, at an hour and a half after midnight, this gorgeous Barn Owl stops
off at the Meadow Post, but this time didn't stay.
Date: 31 Dec 2021
View: BUA_20211119_0328_043_SC8 Fox (IR).jpg
Description: A sly looking fox with a couple of hours hunting left in the night.
View: BUB_20211120_0559_105 Fox lying down by Duck Pond (IR).jpg
Description: Next day a different Fox lies down by the Duck-shaped Pond.
Its hard work this night-time hunting.
View: BUA_20211122_1915_016+017_SC8 Fox entering site peers round tree 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: After entering the site at the east hedge the Fox slyly peeks around the
tree, but sees nothing to ambush.
View: BU2_20211123_0202_141_SC7 Muntjac Reeves Deer female watches Fox arriving at top of Mound (orig).jpg
Description: The female Reeve's Muntjac Deer at the bottom of the mound looks up at the
arriving Fox coming over the top. A Fox could not tackle even a relatively small
Muntjac Deer, but could certainly attack a Fawn.
Date: 30 Dec 2021
View: E64_20211124_1315_232_FB2 Red-legged Partridge.jpg
Description: An unexpected visit by this Red-legged Partridge at the Woodland site.
It's just past mid-day, but you wouldn't think it from the background light.
View: E60_20211124_1449_039_FB3 Sparrowhawk launching from Kitchen perch.jpg
Description: The Conservatory is usually too cold to make pleasant sitting 'out' for the
next few months, so we don't see the Sparrowhawk flashing past the Windows
doing her circuits of the peanut feeders around the house.
But this pic assures us that she is still 'doing the rounds'.
View: D72_20211121_1220_048 Grey Squirrel sunbathing on pollarded Willow tree stump.jpg
Description: The sun isn't offering a lot of radiant warmth at this time of year, but what there
is this Squirrel is having some.
Date: 29 Dec 2021
View: D72_20211121_1055_038 2 Rooks courting on 11KB cable (crop).jpg
Description: Two Rooks treating this 11kV cable as an avian 'Love Seat'.
View: DF3_20211122_0955_008 Rook pair in Black Poplar Tree.jpg
Description: Next day these two Rooks are pairing up in the Black Poplar trees.
Date: 28 Dec 2021
View: D72_20211121_1045_009-019 Kestrel female hovering near 11kV cables 01-11 of 11 (montage 1 @8fps).jpg
Description: The new Female Kestrel doesn't provide any opportunities for hand-held portraits,
but she hunts while hovering much more than 'Grey Feather', so here is one
of her near the Bridleway to the north, hovering in front of an 11kV cable.
The hover starts at the top and this sequence, with a cable a useful
vertical reference, and a tower (cropped out) providing horizontal positioning,
shows how well the Kestrel keeps station.
Here is a general view of about 1.3 seconds of action ...
View: D72_20211121_1045_009-019 Kestrel female hovering near 11kV cables 01-11 of 11 (montage 3 @8fps).jpg
Description: ... and here more detail of the bird to see the wings and tail in action.
View: D01_20211121_1516_027-1525_045_FB6 Kestrel female 10+ min visit to Meadow Post 01+02+05+08+10 of 10 (montage).jpg
Description: A few hours later the female Kestrel spent at least 10 minutes at the Meadow
Post. The sun came out after a few minutes transforming her colour scheme!
View: D01_20211121_1524_043_FB6 Kestrel female 10+ min visit to Meadow Post 09 of 10 (crop).jpg
Description: A moment not included in the Kestrel montage above.
Date: 27 Dec 2021
View: E64_20211120_0925_118_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: Our currently resident male Pheasant with a slight quirky look.
Its 9.25 a.m., but it looks like the Sun's alarm didn't go off.
View: D72_20211124_1108_011+014+017+020 Pheasant male running over grass to hedge (accurate montage @8fps every third frame).jpg
Description: The new 'resident' male Pheasant is totally anti-human - the merest sight of the
photographer sends the beautiful creature into a sprint - a behaviour that may
serve him well should he meet a shooter
Date: 26 Dec 2021
View: DF5_20211118_1356_017+027 Muntjac Reeves Deer male browsing in salad bed (montage).jpg
Description: All of the current Reeve's Muntjac Deer visitors are exceptionally skittish
at any sight of a human. This male didn't spot the cameraman on the other
side of a ground-floor window, so here are a couple of moments as this male
helped to clear the salad bed of weeds!
View: BU5_20211112_1850_102_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female inside pond watches male on bank.jpg
Description: "Hiya Babe!"
Date: 25 Dec 2021
View: E63_20211115_1644_040_FB1 Woodcock (crop).jpg
Description: Our first ever sighting of a Woodcock, here at the hedge bottom site.
For several days we have spotted single holes in muddy patches around the site,
but didn't know what has made them.
Date: 24 Dec 2021
View: D01_20211114_1753_047-065_FB6 Tawny Owl 10+ minutes visit to Meadow Post 01+03+05+10 of 10 (montage).jpg
Description: A few moments from an extended visit (i.e. over 10 minutes) by this Tawny Owl to the meadow post.
View: D01_20211119_0245_001+246_003_FB6 Barn Owl 4 minute visit to meadow post 1+2 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This Barn Owl visit, after many weeks of absence, was taken at 2.45 a.m.
Date: 23 Dec 2021
View: DF3_20211117_0839_014 Ivy covered tree-trunk at brook.jpg
Description: This feast of browns and green along the edge of the Brook really caught
our eye in the sunshine. The unbroken green of the Ivy covering the tree-trunk
looks almost surreal against the bare bole of the tree.
View: DF3_20211117_0832_001 Sycamore in Autumn colour along south hedge (orig & final).jpg
Description: Our Sycamore trees are outstanding for a canopy of Autumn leaves.
Date: 22 Dec 2021
View: DF3_20211113_1458_012 Grey Squirrel nibbling peanut stolen from bait bag.jpg
Description: Turn your back on the bait-bag for a few minutes and you come back to find
a Squirrel making the most of the largess.
It must have been IN the bag to reach the peanuts in the nearly empty bag.
View: PK1_20211117_1305_912+1306_929+939 Grey Squirrel raids nut feeder after removing top (montage).jpg
Description: We thought the issue of this open-able peanut feeder was solved, but it clearly isn't.
On the right image you see the white cable tie that was holding the lid on.
These clear plastic ties deteriorate in sunlight and become brittle, and it looks
like the Squirrel nibbled an edge and started a crack that broke the strap.
We put the 'other' similar feeder back while we find a foolproof scheme.
Date: 21 Dec 2021
View: D36_20211113_0658_031+0659_032_FB4 Robin visits tree-stump (montage over 1 minute).jpg
Description: A Robin photographs themselves twice in a minute on the tree-stump.
Date: 20 Dec 2021
View: BU9_20211111_0923_016+018_SC2 Pheasant male walking through autumn leaf litter (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Two glorious colours at once - a scatter of Autumn turned Sycamore leaves and stepping
over them a very smart male Pheasant matching some of the colours.
View: D72_20211115_1509_065+068+071 Pineham Field North hedge from Farm entrance (montage for width).jpg
Description: The North hedge of our patch with a mix of yellows, browns and green as
the huge mix of different trees choose to welcome Autumn in their various ways.
View: D72_20211115_1517_092 Sumac in front garden showing Autumn colours (orig & final).jpg
Description: After planting a Sumac at out first house about 1970, moving here 1990 we found
a couple of such trees in the front garden which we have allowed to develop into
several trees. They are so robust they have to be hacked back every other year
or so, but always come back thriving.
Date: 19 Dec 2021
View: DF3_20211111_1112_045-074 Rook with sprouting bean on cable drops shoot & hangs below wire but also drops bean 2+4+8-10+15+17+19-21 of 21 (montage @7fps).jpg
Description: The 11kV cable you see here is near the Farm Road entrance over the hedge.
The Rook was busy pecking at something clamped to the wire by the bird's claws.
The larger part of the item the Rook allowed to drop into the hedge (not caught
on camera). The bird then went chasing after the remains of the item which appears
to be a spouted Bean seed (the last crop was field beans). The bird lowered
the whole body below the wire while hanging on to the cable above with the claws.
But the bird also dropped the bean seed (third to fifth frames) into the hedge.
After a few seconds the bird released one claw, then the other to 'fall' into flight.
We have never seen anything like it before except in joke cartoons.
View: DF3_20211111_1112_062 Rook with sprouting bean on cable drops shoot & hangs below wire but also drops bean 14 of 21 (crop).jpg
Description: More detail of the Rook hanging from the cable above just after dropping the Bean.
Date: 18 Dec 2021
View: DF3_20211109_0839_008 Autumn colours outside east hedge (orig & final).jpg
Description: Some views of Autumn colour - here outside our East hedge.
View: DF3_20211109_0844_019 Autumn colours along brook (orig & final).jpg
Description: Some views of Autumn colour - here along the Brook to the north.
View: DF3_20211112_1343_027 Farm Road Lombardy Poplars in Autumn colour.jpg
Description: The Lombardy Poplars along the Farm Road are all starting 'the Fall' in the same manner.
We understand that Lombardy Poplars are all clones of one another so don't
show much variation in behaviour.
Date: 17 Dec 2021
View: DF5_20211107_1013_018-035 Muntjac Reeves Deer suckles from mother at main pond 2+3 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A mid-morning delight was watching the suckling Fawn drinking their morning
fill from Mum. She was intermittently grooming the Fawn as the Fawn got really
quite rough 'pumping' the udder up and down to get at the last drop!
The lower pic shows Mum starting to not enjoy the youngster's behaviour.
View: DF5_20211107_1015_051 Muntjac Reeves Deer suckles from mother at main pond 6 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: The next moment is caught as an MP4 video you may be able to view.
You see here the natural speed 'pumping' action - we think that you will agree that
it really is rather OTT. Mum decides she has 'had enough' and walks away over her
disappointed youngster.
The file is about 10MB for 10 seconds of grabbed (silent) HD video and may take
a few seconds to load.
Video of Reeves Muntjac Deer Fawn feeding from_mother
Once the feed had finished Mum affectionately grooms her Baby - all is forgiven.
Date: 16 Dec 2021
View: D01_20211101_1349_019+020_FB6 Kestrel female lending on Meadow Post 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: One of the female Kestrels lands on the meadow post.
She is in shadow so is a bit colour-cast compared to the sunlit background.
View: D72_20211104_1029_004-005 Kestrel female takes off from post top 1-3 of 3 ((montage).jpg
Description: One of the female Kestrels leaves the disused telephone pole near the south hedge.
Date: 15 Dec 2021
View: E63_20211030_2038_197_FB1 Yellow slug on hedge bottom stone with eye stalks visible and casting shadow.jpg
Description: This 'Yellow Slug' seems to have started the climb up the
mini-mountain, didn't see anything interesting from the top
so started back down. The eye stalks show better as shadows.
View: E64_20211107_1405_262_FB2 Grey Squirrel seen with circles effect on tail (crop).jpg
Description: This abstract pattern is the tail tip of a Grey Squirrel.
Date: 14 Dec 2021
View: BUA_20211028_1627_065_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer female looking back at camera in dappled light.jpg
Description: A beam of late afternoon sun penetrates 100 metres of woodland to shine on the
ear of this sweet female Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
View: BU7_20211104_1217_016 Muntjac Reeves Deer male following female towards south entrance.jpg
Description: The male Reeve's Muntjac Deer follows the Deer equivalent of Chanel No 5?
The male Deer must catch the moment that the female is receptive to mating.
Date: 13 Dec 2021
View: D01_20211103_1504_205_FB6 Magpie landing on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: The markings on Magpies are a wonder.
The Black/wide divide on the wings runs diagonally across the feathers,
and the tips of the primaries (the main flight feathers) are tipped with Grey.
And we can't even see the back and tail in this landing.
View: D01_20211103_1527_211+212_FB6 Kestrel female on meadow post with worm in beak 1(mirrored)+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: Most Raptors will eat worms when they have not been successful with their preferred
prey, but the worms are usually swallowed 'on the spot', so we don't know why this
female Kestrel brought one to the Meadow Post top to swallow.
Date: 12 Dec 2021
View: E6A_20211102_1245_114_FB5 Stoat 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Not seen before in this calendar year, a Stoat appears at the meadow site
twice about 30 minutes apart. This first appearance provides this better image.
Date: 11 Dec 2021
View: PK1_20211031_1006_797 Freak short storm damage - before during & after - during storm thu kitchen window 19 of 24 (crop).jpg
Description: On an otherwise moderately windy day, about 10 a.m. saw an intense wind lasted only about
15 minutes but the whole area suffered various levels of damage.
This pic of the storm through the kitchen window shows EVERYTHING bending
right in the Westerly gale. The air was full of twigs and leaves whipping across
horizontally, but the camera misses most of them - blurred out by their
speed.
Note that the timestamps are a mix of BST & GMT as the affair completely messed up our
normally systematic tours of the cameras to do the updates.
View: D71_20211031_1520_003_etc Freak short storm damage - before during & aftermath - our site 07-09+11+12 of 24 (montage).jpg
Description: At least 6 trees have fallen or broken off, and three of our normal access paths are
completely blocked by fallen wood.
Top left is a badly broken conifer that has half smothered Round Mound.
Bottom right is a freshly fallen Squirrel Drey.
Left of the Drey image is an Oak tree near the SE corner, now bereft of it's
crown hanging down blocking the path beside it.
View: D71_20211031_1542_054 Freak short storm damage - before during & aftermath - Oak at SE 10 of 24 (orig & final).jpg
Description: A closer look at the poor Oak tree with all three major branches snapped off.
The wind seems to funnel through various places, and it seems that the Oak
was 'in the wrong place at the wrong time'.
Date: 10 Dec 2021
View: DF3_20211030_1821_016 Grey Squirrel eat apple just plucked from further up tree.jpg
Description: Through the conservatory window this Squirrel is seen pulling at apples high in
the tree. Finally one comes away and the Squirrel brings the prize down to this
almost level branch to gorge. The Squirrel eats about half of the apple before
leaving the rest.
View: E63_20211028_1734_042_FB1 Grey Squirrel chases Magpie from hedge bottom.jpg
Description: A not-so-sweet Grey Squirrel chases off a Magpie who dared not to leave
the moment the Squirrel arrived.
View: E6A_20211101_1522_048_FB5 Grey Squirrel and Magpie quietly eating Peanuts together (crop).jpg
Description: A Grey Squirrel - Magpie mix usually sees the Mammal chasing away the bird.
But here we see the same pairing quietly eating peanuts together.
So the Squirrel is probably the much more sociable female of the
species!
Date: 09 Dec 2021
View: D01_20211030_1058_001-1105_015_FB6 Sparrowhawk female 9 minute visit to meadow post 1+2+4-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A rare occurrence - the Sparrowhawk landing on the meadow post and staying for almost
10 minutes.
View: D01_20211030_1100_005_FB6 Sparrowhawk female 9 minute visit to meadow post 3 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: A closer look at frame 3 omitted from the selection above.
View: DF3_20211022_0853_019 Cloud bank to SW (crop & adjust).jpg
Description: A weather front approaching from the South West displayed really 3-D
'ramparts' of clouds above the grey base an hour or so after sunrise.
Todays image (view it Here)
Date: 08 Dec 2021
View: BUB_20211028_2030_019 Muntjac Reeves Deer male looks back at female.jpg
Description: As male Deer follow females about in the hope of mating it is easy to think that
the 'girls' just have to 'put up with it'. But as the females reach Oestrus (USA Estrus)
suddenly it becomes apparent that the females welcome the male attention.
View: BU5_20211029_1917_119_SC1+BUA_1857_133_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer Pair - female inviting mating (montage right to left).jpg
Description: Next night we see (right) the female waiting for the male to keep up with her.
30 minutes later we see them near Round Pond with the females vertical
tail inviting a mating attempt.
View: BU8_20211103_1734_151 Muntjac Reeves Deer Mother + Fawn + Father 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: This little 'family group' of Reeve's Muntjac Deer wandered past the Duck-shaped Pond.
Mum on the left probably licking the Fawn's head, as Dad quietly follows.
Image Archive arch 2021 dec.htm (view it Here)
Date: 07 Dec 2021
View: D01_20211027_0759_053_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post in gloomy morning 1 of 2.jpg
Description: One of the female Kestrels lands on the Meadow post in a seriously gloomy morning.
View: D01_20211029_1441_035+036_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post (montage 400mS apart).jpg
Description: 2 days later this female Kestrel chooses a fine afternoon to land on the same post.
View: DF5_20211029_1340_009+019+020 Kestrel female preening on bird table 1+3+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A female Kestrel doesn't often visit the bird table / perch outside the kitchen,
but on this occasion stayed long enough for a few portraits as she cleans
herself up, most probably after a kill.
View: DF5_20211029_1647_006-009 Kestrel female flying from concrete power post to wooden power post 1-4 of 6 (impression montage).jpg
Description: Twice we have photographed the same female Kestrel flying in this manner
flying from the top of the concrete mains power pole, each time the next target
being the top of the wooden mains power pole some 30m south.
We have also startled her from this post
top a couple of times as well this week, so have to assume she uses this hunting
perch sequence on a regular basis - far more often than we are aware
of.
Although called the 'Windhover', and 'ours' do hover when the wind is right,
experience suggests that they are more 'Postwatchers' in a human built setting.
Date: 06 Dec 2021
View: E6A_20211024_0122_257_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer male head and shoulders (crop with inserts).jpg
Description: This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer triggered this Head-and-Shoulders portrait at the meadow site.
The inserts show his little Tusk casting a shadow in the camera flash, and the tip of his right
Antler which has been broken off we know not how.
View: E64_20211024_1904_225_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at woodland site (uncropped).jpg
Description: A female Reeve's Muntjac Deer passed through this camera site twice in a few
days. The other pic had the top of the head missing instead of just the tip of the ear!
View: BU2_20211024_0320_376+377+380_SC7 2 Badgers Rough & Tumble at Round Mound 1+2+5 of 6 (montage impression).jpg
Description: These two Badgers tumble down the Round Mound in a ball of fur, before quietly
wandering off. Despite their toughness, even adult Badgers seem to be really playful.
Date: 05 Dec 2021
View: E63_20211021_1946_116+20211021_2007_119_FB1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at Hedge bottom (montage 21 minutes apart).jpg
Description: Fieldmice (Wood Mice) now at all of the ground level sites.
This montage is from two images taken 21 minutes apart.
View: D36_20211023_0731_046+0732_047+0744_048_FB4 Magpie carries away 3 dead Fieldmice (Wood Mice) leaving Leopard Slug (montage 1m+12m gaps).jpg
Description: Unfortunately the exterior Mouse glut is mirrored by the invasion of mice inside
our old house. We learnt a few years ago that some mice are too big to get into
the live traps, or are not attracted top them, so Rats and Mouse traps catch the rest.
The sad little corpses are welcomed by Magpie(s) - here carrying off 3 of them
over a few minutes. The middle and right pics also show a juicy Leopard Slug,
but the Magpie doesn't seem to fancy it.
View: D36_20211022_1745_042_FB4 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) released from live trap.jpg
Description: But the Fieldmice (Wood Mice) are not all doom - some 'like' the live traps and end up 'relocated'
well away from the house.
Date: 04 Dec 2021
View: E6A_20211021_1602_040_FB5 Grey Squirrel carrying Rose Hips in mouth.jpg
Description: The Bounty of Autumn comes in many forms.
This Grey squirrel makes off with a couple of Rose Hips.
View: DF3_20211022_1450_024 Grey Squirrel female feeding outside south hedge.jpg
Description: Outside the south hedge this lactating Grey Squirrel watches the humans
appearing, and then quietly walks into the hedge. The moment we are gone she
will be back.
View: E60_20211027_1259_013_FB3 2 Grey Squirrels fighting on bird table.jpg
Description: "Ouch!"
View: DF3_20211026_1544_050 Grey Squirrel inside bait bag watches humans returning.jpg
Description: If you leave a bag of food unattended you should expect to return to find a Grey
Squirrel feasting within!
Date: 03 Dec 2021
View: D72_20211020_0917_009+012+015 Shaggy Ink Cap Fungus opposite blocked gate (montage).jpg
Description: The Annual appearance of Shaggy Ink Cap fungus 'fruiting bodies' took place
overnight. By the time we saw them something had already had a chew on
several. This image shows most of the visible Fungi + details of an unopened
and an opened and partly eaten fruiting bodies.
View: DF3_20211023_1249_045 Shaggy Ink Cap fungus patch almost clear.jpg
Description: Fungi under the ground (the Mycelium) may live for years, but the fruiting bodies
(e.g. mushrooms and toadstools) generally survive for only a few days.
Here is the same patch of grass only 3 days later - just a few fallen stalks.
View: D72_20211020_0920_018+021 Fungus fairy ring around south end Lombardy poplar outside east hedge (montage).jpg
Description: Several 'Fairy Rings' of Fungi appear each year around some of the Farm Road Lombardy Poplars.
The best one we pass by is at the south end outside of our east hedge, and is a more than three-quarters circle.
Date: 02 Dec 2021
View: E63_20211016_1104_349-20211017_1522_474_FB1 Moorhen visiting hedge bottom over 3 days 4+6+8 of 9 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Over 3 days we saw what looks like a single individual Moorhen visit the
hedge-bottom site. Here are 3 of the better pics from the second & third days.
View: E63_20211019_1055_194_FB1 Moorhen at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: This Moorhen spent about 3 Hours coming and going from the Hedge bottom site.
View: E63_20211019_1209_204-1351_221_FB1 Moorhen at Hedge Bottom over 2Hrs (montage).jpg
Description: An assortment of pics of Moorhen visits over 2 Hours
Date: 01 Dec 2021
View: PK1_20211016_1059_770 Spiders hatching at top right of kitchen window (crop).jpg
Description: When the surrounding fields were used for raising 'Dairy replacement' cattle,
flies in the house became something of a problem. One solution was to let spiders breed
in corners of the house, catching many of the flies without us having to regularly use chemicals.
The land is now 'arable' and flies much reduced in numbers, but we still let
the spiders do their thing. Here in the kitchen hundreds emerge from an egg
case.
Photo sizes can be deceptive - the ball is only about 6mm (quarter of an inch)
across.
View: E6A_20211017_1712_274_FB5 Grey Squirrel grooming.jpg
Description: "I'll get that flea if it kills me!"
View: E60_20211016_1736_036+20211017_1026_045_FB3 Grey Squirrel works top off peanut feeder next day eating 2 nuts (montage).jpg
Description: The Saga of the ill-fastened peanut feeder lid continues. We try to jam the top
on - then Squirrels spend ages trying to wheedle their way in. This time one
succeeded - on the right the Squirrel is holding two of the nuts won from
displacing the lid.
Image Archive arch 2021 nov.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Nov 2021
View: E63_20211014_2238_140+2240+143+2246+144_FB1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) + Leopard Slug at hedge bottom 1+4+5 of 9 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This accurately positioned montage is built from just 3 images taken in less than 10 minutes.
The Leopard Slug suspending itself between the stone and a lump of (unidentified)
fruit stayed almost motionless throughout.
View: E64_20211020_2016_249_FB2 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) (one landing head first) + 3 Leopard Slugs.jpg
Description: A chance moment of 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice), one making a very awkward looking landing
from which they undoubtedly 'bounced' unharmed, along with 3 leopard
slugs in the surrounding leaf litter.
Where are the slugs - under the horizontal mouse, another in front of the
horizontal mouse, and another just 'above' that one, half buried in the leaf litter.
Date: 29 Nov 2021
View: D36_20211014_1553_009_FB4 Jay on Tree-stump.jpg
Description: After a disappointing few weeks for sightings of Jays, we finally have some good
views of this elegant bird.
View: D01_20211017_1722_080+081_FB6 Jay lands on meadow post (right) chased away by Magpie 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: As the day ends this Jay lands on the Meadow Post (right) and within 400mS
is already persuaded to leave by an arriving Magpie.
We have often commented that the various Corvid (Crows, Rooks, Jackdaws
and Magpies) usually tolerate each other well. Jays are also Corvids but
it looks like the others may not consider them 'part of the clan'.
View: E6A_20211019_1512_104_FB5 Jay at Meadow site.jpg
Description: A Jay foraging on the ground takes this selfie.
Date: 28 Nov 2021
View: BUA_20211020_1911_136+137_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer mother and new Fawn (montage).jpg
Description: Ah! We have a new Reeve's Muntjac Fawn to watch!
We have to admit that we hadn't noticed that any of the females were pregnant.
These two moments were caught soon after dark ...
View: BUA_20211021_0419_160_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer new Fawn.jpg
Description: ... and here 9 hours later, an hour or two before first light, we see the fawn
again, on their own this time, at the same site. Mum was undoubtedly nearby.
Date: 27 Nov 2021
View: E6A_20211008_0637_088_FB5 Reeves Muntjac Deer male at meadow camera site showing long Antlers + Tusk.jpg
Description: At the meadow site this male Reeve's Muntjac Deer provides a good view
of one of the Antlers, and at the mouth, one of his little tusks.
View: BU7_20211009_0602_195 Muntjac Reeves Deer male eating leaves from fallen twig.jpg
Description: At around the same time next day this male Reeve's Muntjac Deer has spotted this
litter of leafy twigs and stops off to eat some.
Date: 26 Nov 2021
View: D72_20211014_1544_030-045 Red Kite flies in to land near kill in field to south 02+04+07+10+17 of 19 (montage @8fps).jpg
Description: This Red Kite swings round to fly over and land near this bird kill in an adjoining field.
The landing bird is accurately montaged at 8 fps skipping the frames as indicated.
The right hand landed bird is shifted right for clarity.
A second bird (lower left) basically stands still throughout the 2 seconds.
View: D72_20211014_1545_055-059 Red Kite flies in to land near kill in field to south 02-06 of 32 (accurate montage @8fps).jpg
Description: A vividly coloured Red Kite flies in to the same kill.
At 8 frames per second this just fits using successive frames.
No, its NOT the same bird pic 5 times - look at the subtle changes in tail and wing tips.
View: D72_20211014_1545_073-092 Red Kite flies in to land near kill in field to south 11+14+17+24+30 of 32 (montage @8fps).jpg
Description: When this bird arrives the other had gone.
Again the final pic is shifted right.
View: D72_20211014_1606_144+146-148 Red Kite flies from kill in field to south leaving another 1+3-5 of 5 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: 20 minutes later we find 2 Red Kites perched by the kill.
One takes off, here caught departing.
Date: 25 Nov 2021
View: E64_20211013_0831_091_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying sprig of Sloe Berries (Blackthorn fruit) - third similar over a few days.jpg
Description: This is the third time this week that we have this (or maybe several) Grey Squirrel(s) entering
this site in the same direction with a mouthful of foliage with several Sloe Berries (Blackthorn fruit).
View: D72_20211010_1521_109 Grey Squirrel under table eating piece of apple peel raided from compost bin.jpg
Description: This Grey squirrel under an outside table, on top of a damaged
traffic cone (dumped decades ago) is eating a lump of apple peel
grabbed from a knocked over box of items intended for compost.
Taking no notice of the humans 3 metres away, the little creature
quietly eats the whole piece before scampering off.
Date: 24 Nov 2021
View: D01_20211012_0024_013+E60_0054_008+D01_0055_015+0058_021_FB3 Tawny Owl lands on meadow post & kitchen bird table (montage).jpg
Description: Just after midnight this Tawny Owl did a mini-tour of two of 'owl friendly' photo sites.
Left to right: Landing on the meadow post but soon leaving, and then 30 minutes
later arriving at the perch outside of the kitchen window. Just 3 minutes later the
Owl arrives back at the Meadow post for a several minutes stay.
View: D01_20211012_0815_038+0816_040+0822_052_FB6 Kestrel female 8 minute visit to meadow post 3 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: Next morning it is the female Kestrels turn to spend several minutes on the top of the meadow post ...
View: D01_20211012_1213_054+055_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post back to camera 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: ... and another visit 4 hours later.
Date: 23 Nov 2021
View: E63_20211009_2217_113_FB1 2 Yellow Slugs - 1 mostly hidden lower right.jpg
Description: Hours after dark this Yellow Slug (the common name) slithers over the side of
the stone. We have only seen this species a couple of times before.
Date: 22 Nov 2021
View: BUA_20211010_2035_272+20211011_0156_297_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer males with short and long antlers 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: This montage shows that we have two male Reeve's Muntjac deer around the site
with markedly different antler lengths.
View: BU7_20211011_0518_484 Muntjac Reeves Deer male rubbing forehead on ground.jpg
Description: The shorter antlered male Reeve's Muntjac Deer rubs his forehead
on the side of the ditch.
Date: 21 Nov 2021
View: D72_20211001_0953_001 Kestrel female on conifer at SE corner 1 of 3.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel watches us briefly as we approach her
perched in the Conifer at the SE corner of out patch, viewed from outside.
View: D72_20211001_0953_003+0954_004 Kestrel female on conifer at SE corner 2+3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The same bird photographed from a different angle, ignoring the humans as
she has an extensive preen.
View: D01_20211009_1215_114+115_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: This immaculate female Kestrel make an elegant landing on the Meadow post.
This is NOT our regular moderately human tolerant bird but another female with a 'perfect' tail.
Date: 20 Nov 2021
View: DF3_20211006_1039_102+113+119 Red Kite starting to bank in flight (montage impression @7fps).jpg
Description: This Red Kite flying towards us starts to bank and turn off to the side ...
View: DF3_20211006_1039_121-124 Red Kite gliding behind Lombardy Poplar tree (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: ... before sweeping past over the Farm Road.
These are accurately positioned at 7 fps (about 140mS between frames) ...
View: DF3_20211006_1039_147 Red Kite in flight.jpg
Description: ... before sweeping back overhead for this back-lit view before flying away.
A busy 1 minute of camera action.
Date: 19 Nov 2021
View: D72_20211005_1625_249-254 Kestrel female launches downwards from 11kV cable (impression montage).jpg
Description: A female Kestrel hunting from the 11kV cables spots something interesting and
flies down to the field to our west out of site by the tall hedge.
View: D72_20211005_1625_250 Kestrel female launches downwards from 11kV cable.jpg
Description: A closer view of the second image above.
View: DF3_20211006_0805_008 Kestrel female on disused phone pole footrest lit by morning sunshine.jpg
Description: In the morning sunshine our regular female Kestrel warms in the sunshine
and watches us walk past.
View: D01_20211007_1248_005_FB6 Kestrel female perched on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: This lovely bird was first spotted on another post - a thin one
supporting the IR sense beam transmitter some 25m further away
than the 'meadow post'. She left this post and 'vanished', but
returned to this 'proper' post a few minutes later for this
'formal portrait' from the patient automatic camera.
Date: 18 Nov 2021
View: BU7_20211004_1800_073-076 Grey Squirrels mating on tree bole 1-4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: We have only seen Grey squirrels mating a couple of times
before:- June 2012 at the Woodland site, and December 2016 on the
Kitchen Bird Table! Here a couple have chosen the bole of the
tree next to the south entrance for their encounter. At the end
it looks like they both fell off and rolled into the ditch!
View: D72_20211005_0925_211 Grey Squirrel resting on tree branch outside east hedge.jpg
Description: In the morning sunshine on the east hedge, this Grey squirrel is stretched
out along a branch on the inner hedge. Just before getting this photo we saw
the Squirrel turn round on the branch, presumably to warm the other side!
That's the life!
Date: 17 Nov 2021
View: D72_20211004_1054_034 Red Admiral Butterfly on Yellow Buddleia flower.jpg
Description: The only regular Butterfly sightings this October are a few pristine Red Admirals,
mostly using our Yellow Buddleia for fuel.
Our venerable (30 years old) Butterfly ID book says that these migrants mostly die
when winter arrives, but a few survive to spring. But it seems that decades on
they do overwinter but don't 'Hibernate'. An article from George Pilkington's
site 'Nurturing Nature' discusses the whole issue at
https://nurturing-nature.co.uk/wildlife-garden-videos/red-admiral-butterflies-do-they-hibernate-in-britain/
.
View: D72_20211003_1327_082+080 Common Darter Dragonfly (montage).jpg
Description: This Common Darter Dragonfly was warming on the ground in the sunshine on
an otherwise cold day, remarkably well camouflaged . Here are two views blended into one picture.
The colouration is typical of this species when well past the prime of life.
Dragonflies and Damselflies die in the Autumn, but their
eggs will have hatched in the depth of ponds to make nymphs that feed and grow
for between 1 and 3 years. They emerge in the Spring or Summer as flying adults.
Date: 16 Nov 2021
View: DF2_20211003_1251_005+012+017 Kestrel female barely managing to balance on wind-blown phone line (montage 1).jpg
Description: Through a house window we see this female Kestrel trying to balance on one of our
3 swaying 'phone' cables (only one of which works) spanning the field to our west.
View: DF2_20211003_1251_005+012+017 Kestrel female barely managing to balance on wind-blown phone line (montage 2).jpg
Description: A different montage of the same 3 frames.
View: D72_20211003_1333_116+122+128 Kestrel female leaves hover (selected montage).jpg
Description: 3 moments from an extended hover by this female Kestrel on the far side of the hedge
across from the front door.
View: D72_20211003_1335_142-145 Kestrel female flying down after hover @8fps (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The Kestrel spotted something from the extended hover and makes a controlled
but speedy descent out of sight on the other side of the hedge as usual :-(
Date: 15 Nov 2021
View: BUA_20211001_1857_151_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with Antlers now velvet free.jpg
Description: A male Reeve's Muntjac Deer with his little Antlers now on proper display.
View: BU7_20211002_1658_170 Muntjac Reeves Deer female eating fallen hand of leaves.jpg
Description: A female Reeve's Muntjac Deer eats the leaves from a fallen 'hand' of leaves
from the tree whose trunk is at the upper left in this photo.
Date: 14 Nov 2021
View: E6A_20211004_0355_244_FB5 Fox cub (crop).jpg
Description: This Fox Cub makes their first visit to any of the photo sites.
We hope the flash and click wasn't too much of a shock in the quiet of night.
View: BU7_20210930_2333_059+E64_20211001_0106_074_FB2 Fox at south entrance & woodland site 90m apart(montage IR + colour).jpg
Description: These two photos, about half an hour apart, appear to be of the same adult Fox roaming the site.
View: BU7_20211004_2120_108 Fox enters at south entrance and looks about (IR).jpg
Description: One of the Red Foxes that visit takes a look about before setting off
on the nights hunt.
Date: 13 Nov 2021
View: BU5_20210929_2314_690+2232_682+2251_688_SC1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) frolicking (montage of 3 images).jpg
Description: We now have Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at all three ground level sites, and sadly several a day
in the house as well. Here at the meadow site they seem to be jumping for joy.
A short life but packed with action.
View: E6A_20211001_1714_117_FB5 Rat looking twee.jpg
Description: For most of the year our photo-sites are Rat free. But each year the harvest
disturbs the wildlife and for a couple on months we see Rats at some ground
level photo sites.
Is this Rat a gift of nature clean-up squad (outside),
or horrible vermin (in the house)?
Date: 12 Nov 2021
View: D72_20210929_1218_238 Kestrel female hunting from Apple Tree.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel in one her favourite Apple trees in our orchard for a little hunting.
View: E60_20210929_1226_034_FB3 Sparrowhawk female on kitchen perch (crop).jpg
Description: While the Kestrel was hunting on the south of the house, this female Sparrowhawk
paused on the bird table on the north side outside the Kitchen.
The hunting pattern of south side flyby then followed by north side flyby has
been the norm for the Sparrowhawk now for a few weeks.
Actually 'flyby' doesn't catch the speed of these passes - several times faster
than any other bird we see.
We estimate at least 25 mph including a wide 180 degree turn.
Date: 11 Nov 2021
View: DF3_20210928_1251_209 Red Kite flying overhead 5 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: Two hours after our last encounter with a Red Kite, the bird returns.
They know we are watching - and couldn't care less!
View: DF3_20210928_1247_052+058+068 Red Kite turning in glide overhead (montage).jpg
Description: Four Red Kites weaving in and out of the area we can see.
View: DF3_20210928_1251_134 Red Kite flying with prey in claws 3 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: This individual, head twisted sideways, has some sort of prey in their claws
from which the bird is biting pieces from.
View: DF3_20210928_1251_203+209+221 Red Kite flying overhead 4+5+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Date: 10 Nov 2021
View: D72_20210928_1102_002-012 Red Kite circling in updraft 1-6 of 6 (montage alternate frames @10fps).jpg
Description: This Red Kite provided a couple of minutes delight ...
View: D72_20210928_1102_015-017 Red Kite gliding @10fps (montage impression).jpg
View: D72_20210928_1103_035+053+081 Red Kite gliding overhead (montage).jpg
Date: 09 Nov 2021
View: BU5_20210926_1748_434_SC1 Woodpigeon and Pheasant male visual merge - Frankenpheasant (orig & final).jpg
Description: Frankenpheasant !!!
The original frame of this line-of-site whimsy.
We have to admit what while passing through the 4,000 pics for
this half week we both thought 'Pheasant', kept it for the next pass,
and then had a surprise.
View: D36_20210926_1831_008_FB4 Grey Squirrel finds tree-stump top empty.jpg
Description: "Where's my dinner!"
Date: 08 Nov 2021
View: DF3_20210926_1212_016-020 Buzzard in flight @7fps 1-5 of 5 (accurate bird montage).jpg
Description: Just after midday this Buzzard glided by.
Accurately spaced at 7 fps.
View: DF3_20210926_1214_025 Buzzard perched on 11kV cable.jpg
Description: We think that this must be a different buzzard perched on the 11kV cables over
the Bridleway to the north. Only the lighter juveniles regularly perch on the cables -
the mature birds rarely stay long on the hard small area of the cables and prefer
the more comfortable crossbars.
Date: 07 Nov 2021
View: D72_20210924_1300_249+1301_257 Kestrel female perched in Ash tree (montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel allows us within about 10m of her as she perches
in this Ash tree.
View: D73_20210928_1240_025+031 Kestrel male juvenile (q) hovering by 11KV pole then dropping down progressively 04+08-10 of 12 (impression montage).jpg
Description: What we think is a juvenile male Kestrel spent several second hovering aligned
with the insulators behind, before a series of drops and hovers approaching some
morsel on the ground. Unfortunately the prospective prey was on the 'wrong' side
of the hedge for us to see more.
View: D73_20210928_1243_067+072+074 Kestrel flying down to grass to catch Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) and fly off with it 5+7+9 of 9 (stretched montage).jpg
Description: 3 minutes later the Kestrel flew over the grass in front of us and leapt upon
something obscured even in the freshly mown grass. When the bird started to fly
back we could see a Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) grasped in his beak. We lost sight of him as flew
off with it.
We are more used to seeing Kestrels carrying their prey in their claws, and were
surprised to see this 'Owl' style transport. But a web search shows its about
50-50 claws or beak. We couldn't see any pattern to what prey is carried
how.
Date: 06 Nov 2021
View: D72_20210924_1245_129 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in momentary glide.jpg
Description: When the sun appears for more than a few minutes various Dragonflies appear.
Here is a Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in flight.
View: D72_20210924_1246_148-150 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in flight along Lombardy poplar row @8fps 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This Migrant Hawker Dragonfly was flying along the avenue of Lombardy
Poplar trees. Here shown at 8 frames per second accurately montaged.
View: D72_20210928_1107_110+1108_115 Common Darter Dragonfly male basking on garden seat (montage).jpg
Description: Darter Dragonflies are still about on sunny days.
This one found a garden bench a good place to warm in the sunshine.
Date: 05 Nov 2021
View: D73_20210923_1030_019 Grey Squirrel eating pine cone in tree.jpg
Description: Squirrel Heaven - a seemingly endless supply of fir cones in the row of Lodgepole Pines!
View: E63_20210923_1652_045_FB1 Gray Squirrel carrying avocado pear rind.jpg
Description: A Grey squirrel selects the most exotic fruit skin from the offerings.
Only the upper crust of Squirrels here?
View: E63_20210925_1745_181_FB1 Grey Squirrel female feeding at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: Never too soon to make yet more Grey squirrels - this female looks like she
might be starting to lactate already.
View: D72_20210929_0804_197 Grey Squirrel female basking on branch.jpg
Description: This female Grey Squirrel, out of the wind and in a sunny spot, is
probably pleased for a few minutes peace from a dray of hungry youngsters.
Date: 04 Nov 2021
View: E63_20210920_1805_060_FB1 2 Chaffinch males mid-air conflict (crop)t.jpg
Description: A couple of male Chaffinches, neither willing to give up the contest.
He will swerve First!|
View: E63_20210923_0912_020_FB1 Dunnock.jpg
Description: A more peaceful moment as this Spick-and-span Dunnock perched perkily on the stone.
Date: 03 Nov 2021
View: BU7_20210920_2245_176+178+180 Muntjac Reeves Deer male scratches Antler velvet with front hoof before barks & feeds 1-3 of 3 (impression montage).jpg
Description: This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer wanders past the south access through the hedge.
Right to left:-
Scratching at the 'velvet' still shedding from the bottom of the Antler using his left hoof.
Barking his call.
Nibbling the grass.
Date: 02 Nov 2021
View: BU7_20210920_0347_179+181 Fox near south entrance (montage).jpg
Description: Many foxes visit our patch overnight. Here we believe we see three different individuals.
We see them so often at this patch near the south entrance that they must
be using it to scent mark - we rarely 'bait' this patch.
View: BU9_20210922_0501_190+192_SC2 Fox hunting in orchard (accurate montage).jpg
Description: One of the foxes, probably on his way home to the south, pauses in the Orchard
to investigate some activity off frame to the right.
View: BUA_20210922_1955_252_SC8 Fox rubbing side of face with side of front leg.jpg
Description: Here a third Fox stops at the east entrance to rub his face with the side of his leg.
Date: 01 Nov 2021
View: D72_20210920_1317_029 Burnet Rose in shade in north hedge.jpg
Description: Oops - I should have flowered 4 months ago!
Along the north hedge and facing north this single Burnet Rose is flowering in the hedge.
There was another one about a metre away which had flowered unnoticed and withered.
Sniffing this little flower brought back memories of perfume drenched Spring when there
were banks of hundreds of these flowers.
View: D72_20210922_1027_019 Cornflower solitary flower in large flowerpot (naturally) drenched in morning dew.jpg
Description: This delicate Cornflower lifts it's head above the weeds in the flowerpot
holding our rain gauge. It looks a bit odd at first - the whole flower is
smothered by the morning dew as close spaced droplets.
NO we didn't spray it with water - genuine dew drops.
Image Archive arch 2021 oct.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Oct 2021
View: D72_20210915_1304_027 Migrant (q) Hawker Dragonfly male with extremely worn wings.jpg
Description: There are still a few Hawker Dragonflies out in the middle of the day.
This one flew to land on a dead twig, and we got to see how badly his
wings are worn and torn from weeks of 'Hawking'.
Insects can fly with quite amazingly damaged wings.
View: D72_20210918_1440_226 Common Darter Dragonfly male on cut hedge stem.jpg
Description: Here is an apparently pristine male Common Darter Dragonfly warming
himself in the fitful sunshine.
Date: 30 Oct 2021
View: D72_20210918_1328_220 Comma Butterfly on Blackberry fruit.jpg
Description: We used to see Comma Butterflies only in the Autumn, but this year saw
them in Spring and Summer as well. This Autumn visitor is perched on a Blackberry
fruit with wings closed, giving a good view of the corrugated wing edge and white 'comma'.
View: D72_20210922_1550_030 Comma Butterfly perched on Bindweed leaf.jpg
Description: We catch this immaculate Comma Butterfly seeing just the completely different upper wings.
Date: 29 Oct 2021
View: E60_20210920_1003_004_FB3 Sparrowhawk (male juvenile (q)) landing on kitchen bird table nictitating membrane half closed.jpg
Description: A Sparrowhawk (we think a juvenile male) touches down on the kitchen bird table.
The strange appearance of the eye is because the semi-transparent nictitating membrane (sort of eyelid)
is partially over the eye. Many birds cover their eyes when performing possibly
risky maneuvers - such as landing.
We have been seeing new Sparrowhawk behaviour in the last couple of weeks - a
Sparrowhawk flies (so fast it's impossible to distinguish individuals) east to west
across the conservatory window and past the peanut feeder. Eyes onto CCTV feed
of the kitchen side of the house sees the bird 2 or 3 seconds later speeds west to east
past the Kitchen feeder and bird table. We have seen this at least 4 times over the
last couple of weeks, so must happen much more often.
We assume that this is a new individual doing an economy style circle of the house.
Date: 28 Oct 2021
View: d73_20210918_0900_024 Spiders webs on Thistle plant.jpg
Description: On this morning we found the whole area was smothered in dew spangled
spider webs.
View: d73_20210918_0901_027 Spiders webs on Thistle plant.jpg
Description: On this morning we found the whole area was smothered in dew spangled
spider webs.
View: D72_20210918_0920_147 Farm field to north with hundreds of spiders webs.jpg
Description: A couple of acres of Farm crop north of our patch (the dark top right) contained perhaps
500 visible webs, and all the other fields seems to be similarly bedecked.
The farm occupies about 100 acres, so that 50,000 webs!
View: D72_20210918_0921_150 Spiders web between Bean crop plants.jpg
Description: Here is a close-up of a 'perfect' Orb web built between two withered bean plants.
Date: 27 Oct 2021
View: D72_20210917_1334_112+113 Kestrel female flies by tree (accurate montage @8fps).jpg
Description: An accurate montage of the local female Kestrel flying by the young
Lombardy Poplar trees along the Farm Road.
View: D72_20210917_1334_117 Kestrel female in flight past tree (crop 2).jpg
Description: Another moment from the local female Kestrel's flight
Date: 26 Oct 2021
View: E64_20210916_1744_051_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying bean pod.jpg
Description: Several instances now of Grey Squirrels bringing Farmers crop bean pods back
into our patch. When we search our grass paths we find an average of a bean pod
every square metre or so. That's a LOT of food.
View: D72_20210917_1604_125 Farm Bean and Brassica crop north side (+ east & south) with wildlife eaten pods.jpg
Description: The edge of the Farm's desolate crop, including dozens of opened and eaten pods
lying on the crop margin.
View: E64_20210922_1359_140_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying 3 joined bean pods.jpg
Description: Inside our patch this Squirrel has found 3 pods joined together to
transport as one mouthful.
Date: 25 Oct 2021
View: E60_20210915_1354_032_FB3 Sparrowhawk female flies over kitchen perch (crop).jpg
Description: The local female Sparrowhawk makes a 'failed' swoop over the kitchen bird
table and feeder. Our impression is that she just swoops in on the two sites
where we see her without any idea of whether there will be anything to catch.
'Surprise' is one of her weapons!
On Saturday (18th Sep) we saw the female Sparrowhawk flash by the conservatory
window (with nothing to catch at the feeder outside) and on CCTV saw the bird
continue round to the other side of the house where she swooped by the also
unoccupied feeder by the kitchen window. Her speed is awesome.
View: DF3_20210912_0754_020 Buzzard visits to corner of straw stack to west over 3 hours 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Out for an early morning walk we found this Buzzard perched on the corner of a
stack of Straw bales perhaps 70m away. The bird appeared and disappeared a few
times over 3 hours.
Not seen there since, and now the straw stack was soon collected.
Date: 24 Oct 2021
View: DF4_20210911_1821_006-1824_031 Kestrel female eating prey perched on Raptor Post 2+3+5+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: As dusk descends we spot the local female Kestrel just finishing off her supper on
what we call the 'Raptor Post' - now mostly used by pigeons as a site for romantic liaisons.
Over a few minutes we watched her finish her prey and then clean herself up.
View: DF3_20210912_1002_028 Kestrel on Conifer at SE corner.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel back on one of an assortment of 'favourite' branches,
this time a large conifer at the SE corner of our patch, hunting the close cut grass
outside our patch.
View: DF3_20210912_1212_064 Kestrel female on 11kV cable over bridleway.jpg
Description: Two hours later we find her on an 11kV cable over the bridleway to the North.
Date: 23 Oct 2021
View: PK1_20210910_1639_481 Grey Squirrel getting nuts from caged feeder by lifting top 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: You can see from the steel peg that we try to anchor the lid of this peanut
feeder to the rest, but this Grey Squirrel spent hours working on getting past
the partially lifted lid to pull out peanuts. The Squirrel eventually got the
lid right off and ate about 5cm of the column over the rest of the day before
the feeder was replaced.
View: E64_20210912_1524_224_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying bean pod from crop 30m away.jpg
Description: No, this is NOT a Squirrel with a Stogie!
The farm crop around us seems to be some sort of mix of some sort of bean and a
brassica, both now mostly dead. The plants that have produced bean pods have now
all blackened like this with more black than not beans inside. Outside our North
boundary is the detritus of Squirrels and probably other wildlife making the
most of this bonanza. This pod has been carried at least 30 metres to the inside
of our patch
We have found empty pods all over our patch.
View: E63_20210912_1226_250_FB1 Grey Squirrel with pronounced orange markings (crop).jpg
Description: Who has been painting the sides of our Grey squirrels orange?
Most of the Squirrels have soft edge brown patches on their flanks, just one is
unusually orange all over (NOT a 'Red' squirrel), but this one has an atypically
sharp line along the body and down the rear leg with quite intense colour.
Date: 22 Oct 2021
View: BU5_20210910_0425_133-135_SC1 Badger climbing out of Round Pond after drink 1-3 of 3 (impression montage).jpg
Description: The night shift (a Badger) leaving the pond after a drink.
View: BU5_20210910_1152_178+180+181_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer climbing out of Round Pond after drink 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The day shift (One of the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer) leaving the pond after a drink.
View: BU5_20210915_0031_152+0032_155+156_SC1 Fox visits Round Pond over midnight (impression montage).jpg
Description: Another Night shift - a midnight Fox comes for a drink at Round pond
View: BU5_20210915_1118_170-172_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female visits Round Pond for a drink (impression montage).jpg
Description: And another Day shift - a female Reeve's Muntjac Deer steps in to the pond to reach the low water.
Date: 21 Oct 2021
View: BU7_20210906_2338_032 Badger sniffing air just after entering site at south.jpg
Description: This Badger has just arrived on the site through the South hedge.
The nose rises to find out 'who' else is here, and maybe what's to eat!
View: BU9_20210909_0246_283+284+0252_286_SC2 Fox stops to investigate bushes before continuing 1+2+4 of 4 (impression montage).jpg
Description: In the dead of night the fox suddenly stops, swerves and stares intently upwards.
Six minutes later the Fox leaves - we have no idea what happened in the interim.
View: E63_20210905_2237_191+2325_192+20210906_0041_194_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse)+Leopard slug+2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The hedge bottom site has shown quite a lot of Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) activity, but the camera
is only triggered by creatures on the stone so they mostly appear near the
same place.
Note here the Leopard Slug serendipitously caught on the side of the
stone. It looks very matt and dry - not how we expect to see them.
Date: 20 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210908_0729_012-016 Black Backed gull in flight @7fps (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: A Black Backed Gull flies past, here shown at about 140mS intervals but more
closely spaced than reality.
View: DF3_20210908_0729_020 Black-backed Gull in flight.jpg
Description: A Black Backed Gull flying past.
View: D72_20210908_1050_073 300 Gulls following tractor harrowing in field far to south (crop).jpg
Description: Harvest done to the accompaniment of Red Kites, Buzzards and Kestrels.
Baling done to the accompaniment of Rooks and other Corvids.
Now it's harrowing time to the accompaniment of at least 300 assorted Gulls.
Date: 19 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210905_1331_172-174+176 Common Darter female flying to land on top of stem 1-3+5 of 5 (spread montage @7fps).jpg
Description: After a slow start we have been seeing quite a lot of Hawker and (here) Darter Dragonflies.
Hawker Dragonflies generally fly about catching prey as they go, but Darter Dragonflies
choose a well placed stick end where they wait for some suitable midge to fly by, dart out
to catch it, and then (the useful bit for a photographer) often return to exactly the same perch
a few seconds later. Here this one returns - over the 300mS of the left 3 pics the legs move
from full folded for flight to fully extended for landing.
Undercarriage Down!
View: D72_20210906_1527_065 Migrant Hawker dragonfly female perched on Ash tree.jpg
Description: A Migrant Hawker Dragonfly basking in the afternoon sun on an Ash tree twig
at least 50m from the nearest open water.
Date: 18 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210905_1059_092+1100_097-099 Kestrel female flies from boundary mains power pole 1+3-5 of 7 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel doesn't normally hunt from this particular pole top at our south hedge,
and she quickly moved on.
View: DF3_20210903_1541_023-025 Kestrel female diving down from 11kV cable (spread montage).jpg
Description: For once the camera catches the dive of 'our' female Kestrel from an 11kV
wire.
Holding a 3.5Kg camera still for several minutes is rough on the arms,
but putting up a tripod to do the holding seems to see off everything!
Date: 17 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210903_1233_021 2 Small White Butterflies sharing single Blackberry flower.jpg
Description: The number of white butterflies about this year far exceeds any previous experience.
Here are two Small White Butterflies feeding from the same flower.
View: DF3_20210905_1049_072 20 Butterflies feeding on Yellow Buddleia flowers (crop 3).jpg
Description: A wide view of the yellow Buddleia bush shows about 20 Small and Large White
butterflies feeding on the flowers and fluttering above the bush.
This pic really doesn't capture the delightful feeling seeing this
provides.
View: DF3_20210905_1103_114 5 White (Small and Large) (of 7) Butterflies clustered on single Blackberry stem.jpg
Description: This pic of 5 white butterflies crowded on to a single stem of still flowering Blackberry
perhaps captures the delicacy a bit better.
Date: 16 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210903_1219_006+009 Fly (probably Eriothrix rufomaculata) on Mint flower & Leaf (montage).jpg
Description: A couple of handsome flies enjoying the mint flowers and leaves
View: DF3_20210905_1047_067 Red Admiral Butterfly feeding from yellow Buddleia flower.jpg
Description: The Yellow Buddleia we inherited has produced a mass of flowers this year.
Here a Red Admiral Butterfly.
View: DF3_20210905_1048_068 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly feeding from yellow Buddleia flower.jpg
Description: Here on the Yellow Buddleia is a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly.
Date: 15 Oct 2021
View: D01_20210820_0753_111_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile brief visit to meadow post (montage).jpg
Description: A juvenile male Green Woodpecker lands on the meadow post.
View: D01_20210902_1618_045+046+1803_047+048_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile brief visits 2 hours apart (montage).jpg
Description: This juvenile male Green Woodpecker continues his visits.
We think Green Woodpeckers always looks grumpy, but that's anthropomorphising them.
View: D01_20210904_1747_143_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile landing on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: This more advanced juvenile male Green Woodpecker lands on the Meadow post.
View: D01_20210908_1835_062+1834_060_FB6 Green Woodpecker juvenile brief visit to Meadow Post 1+2(mirror) of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A fine montage of (probably) a female juvenile Green Woodpecker landing on
the Meadow Post for a short visit. We have 'flipped' one image for a compact rendition.
Date: 14 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210901_1334_030-048 Kestrel female flying to land on 11kV crossbar 01-07+10+12+15+19 of 20 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: A lovely moment as this female Kestrel flies up to land on an 11kV power pole crossbar.
At the time the bird seemed to be about to fly straight through but aerobraked over
the pole to 'parachute' down for an elegant landing.
View: DF2_20210901_1602_013 Kestrel female preening on dead branch of Pear tree across track.jpg
Description: Later the same day, from an upper floor window, we see the same Kestrel having a Preen
on a dead branch of a (nearly dead) Pear tree across the access track.
Date: 13 Oct 2021
View: D73_20210830_1241_078-080 Buzzard launched from crossbar flies between 11kV cables 1-3 of 3 (montage slight spread @10fps).jpg
Description: This pic really scared us - the leftmost pic quite clearly shows the bird being BETWEEN
the 11kV cables - and getting away with it.
A now retired farmer (now moved away) years ago recounted an experience where he saw
a bird vanish in a flash when it flew between the two cables of an earlier installation of
the high voltage supply.
View: D73_20210831_1238_214+215+217+219 Buzzard flying from 11kV cable (impression montage).jpg
Description: More nerve-racking flying around the 11kV cables, but never between the cables here.
Date: 12 Oct 2021
View: D01_20210829_1114_394-117_398_FB6 Green Woodpecker male makes bad landing on meadow post for 4 min visit 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: An adult male Green Woodpecker graces the meadow Post for a few minutes.
Read this right to left - a heavy landing, a scramble for secure footing, and then
a few minutes watching the world go by.
View: D01_20210830_1043_021+1044_023_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile arrival & departure at Meadow Post 1+3 of 3 (acc montage).jpg
Description: Back to the juvenile Green Woodpeckers - here probing the crack in the
top of the post before being caught departing ...
View: D01_20210830_1057_026-1102_032_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile 6 minute visits to meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: ... before another visit a few minutes later.
Date: 11 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210828_1635_255-264 Buzzard hovering before diving to ground 03+04+08+12 of 17 (impression montage).jpg
Description: Buzzards can hover facing into a wind.
This one over the crop spends a few seconds stationary in the air (so separated here)
before diving down on whatever it has spotted.
View: BU1_20210829_1430_417_SC3 Buzzard flying over east hedge (crop).jpg
Description: One of the Buzzards flies over our East hedge ...
View: D01_20210829_1432_413_FB6 Buzzard 4 minute visit to meadow post 1 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: ... and we think circles round to land on the Meadow Post 2 minutes later.
View: D01_20210829_1432_414-1435_418_FB6 Buzzard 4 minute visit to meadow post 2+4+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The Buzzard spends 4 minutes on the post. The rightmost image is about 400mS after
the landing of the bird shown above.
Date: 10 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210828_1635_217-221 Red Kite flying over fields to south 16-20 of 34 (accurate flight montage).jpg
Description: Another Red Kite pass over the harvest.
The incidental bird in the tree is a Buzzard on the same quest.
View: DF3_20210828_1635_227 Red Kite flying over fields to south 26 of 34 (crop).jpg
View: DF3_20210828_1635_227-232 Red Kite flying over fields to south 26-31 of 34 (accurate montage).jpg
Date: 09 Oct 2021
View: D73_20210828_1541_031-036 Red Kite flying over field to south being harvested 1-6 of 6 (accurate montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: The Harvest of the 'fallen' crop is underway.
The Kestrels, Buzzards and Red Kites (seen here) arrive from all directions
to make the most of the disturbed Rodents and Rabbits.
View: DF3_20210828_1634_150-155 Red Kite gliding over 11kV cables 1+2+4+6 of 6 (Approx montage).jpg
Description: Red Kites prefer to glide over the site and dive on whatever they spot.
View: DF3_20210828_1634_173 Red Kite hovering over field during harvest near working machinery 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Bottom left near the tractor wheels this Red Kite is not disturbed by the noisy
behemoth only a few metres away.
Date: 08 Oct 2021
View: D01_20210826_0812_032+0814_036_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile just landed & moved round pole (montage).jpg
Description: Juvenile Green Woodpeckers have been regularly appearing at the Meadow Post.
We have at least 3 individuals - 2 males and a female.
This is a juvenile male.
View: D01_20210826_1020_093-1033_112_FB6 Green woodpecker male juvenile (moulting to adult) 14m visit to meadow post (montage).jpg
Description: A juvenile male Green Woodpecker spends a quarter of an hour on the Meadow Post.
Date: 07 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210824_1737_080 Small White Butterfly feeding on Oxford Ragwort flower (crop 2).jpg
Description: This sprig of Oxford Ragwort seems to have escaped the attention of Cinnabar
caterpillars, and this Small White butterfly is enjoying the flower's nectar.
Although the plant itself is poisonous, the flowers offer genuine poison-free offerings
to get their pollen distributed.
View: D73_20210826_1115_006-1116_021 Small White butterflies courting and mating (montage).jpg
Description: A pair of Small White Butterflies mating in the morning sunshine.
Date: 06 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210824_1246_045 Brimstone Butterfly male feeding on Purple Loosestrife.jpg
Description: A male Brimstone Butterfly, one of over a dozen seen over the main pond,
feasts on the rampant Purple Loosestrife flowers.
View: DF3_20210824_1100_022 Green-veined white Butterfly feeding on Purple Loosestrife.jpg
Description: A Green-veined White Butterfly enjoying their share of the Loosestrife bounty.
Date: 05 Oct 2021
View: D73_20210823_1240_017 Migrant Hawker male hanging from twig.jpg
Description: There are perhaps a dozen Migrant Hawker Dragonflies around the house and Meadow.
This one stopped on this twig just long enough to get this pic.
View: d73_20210823_1453_037 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on broken plant stem.jpg
Description: A female Common Darter Dragonfly perched on the tip of broken off plant stem
in the afternoon sunshine.
View: DF3_20210824_1608_071 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on fallen plant stem.jpg
Description: This female Common Darter Dragonfly warms herself on a plant stem
Date: 04 Oct 2021
View: E6A_20210822_1653_416-1808_430_FB5 Green Woodpecker male juvenile visits Meadow post & site over 140m 01-04 of 16 (mirror montage).jpg
Description: The juvenile male Green Woodpecker makes another visit, this one lasting almost
two and a half hours. We would like to think that these formed a little sequence,
but they are spaced over in excess of an hour, except the two on the ground about
1 minute apart.
View: D01_20210822_1900_448+1901_449_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile using tongue to pick item out of post top crack 09+10 of 16 (montage).jpg
Description: The Meadow post has been drying out over the years, and was developed some wide
cracks down the length that are hardly visible in this view. The crack down the centre
you see here is a minor affair compared to the large crack that is about 10mm wide at the top.
Anyway, the Green Woodpecker has been systematically pecking inside the crack
(left) and (right) a minute later has pulled something out and you can see the tip of
his long tongue still sticking out of the tip of the beak.
In typical fashion, the light would go really dim for this interesting frame.
Date: 03 Oct 2021
View: D01_20210822_1906_458-1915_472_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile visits post & site over 140m 12-16+16 of 16 (montage).jpg
Description: An assortment of some of the fun moments of the juvenile male Woodpecker's visits.
View: D01_20210825_1642_244+20210823_1825_073_FB6 Male (left) and female Green Woodpecker juveniles (montage).jpg
Description: To complement our juvenile male Green Woodpecker, we unexpectedly see (on the right here)
a juvenile female 2 days after the photo of the male.
Date: 02 Oct 2021
View: DF3_20210819_1114_011 Mint Beetle on mint leaf.jpg
Description: Each year the Mint plants around the house attract these starting glowing
Mint Beetles.
View: D73_20210822_1213_044 Moth Pyrausta aurata (typically 8mm long) feeding on Mint flower.jpg
Description: This tiny Moth catches the eye despite it's small size.
Here it is feeding on a mint flower - very appropriate for a 'Mint Moth'
View: D73_20210818_1615_235 Scorpion fly female.jpg
Description: This years appearance of Scorpion Flies has started.
This is a female - who doesn't have the 'Scorpion like' tail that gives the species it's name.
Date: 01 Oct 2021
View: D01_20210821_2132_335-2134_339+20210822_0428_341_FB6 2 Tawny Owls at Meadow post each end of rainy night 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A single night with Tawny Owl visiting the Meadow post, and
it seems to be two different Tawny Owls. Left to right the 3 photos
are of the same bird, but the visit on the right 6 hours later (with
the post much darker from rain) has a completely different set of
facial features. The second visitor did not stay - perhaps not liking
the photo-flash from about 20m away - if there is good hunting
they will soon ignore like they do car headlights and similar.
Image Archive arch 2021 sep.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Sep 2021
View: E63_20210820_1452_177_FB1 Chaffinch juvenile flying in to land.jpg
Description: A juvenile chaffinch doing his aerobraking to land, here caught in amazingly sharp focus.
Date: 29 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210819_1844_068-1850_080_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile 7 minute visit to meadow post 1-5+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: This week has been a bonanza for sightings of what for now appears to be a
'resident' juvenile male Green Woodpecker. Here he spent about 7 minutes on
the top of the Meadow Post.
View: DF3_20210820_1536_051 Green Woodpecker juvenile on 11kV pole supplying Farm.jpg
Description: When the Victorians built things they tried to provide a little elegance in design
or decorative finish. Now it seems to be mostly:-
Build it strange: the Shard, The Cellphone building
Build it tallest: Burj Khalifa
Build it Functional: Office blocks, Electricity distribution.
But it has to be said that the animals really don't care, as we see here with a Green
woodpecker searching the 11kV power pole for insects next to the circuit breakers
and underground cables to the neighbouring business centre.
View: D01_20210821_1625_257_FB6 Green Woodpecker male juvenile landing on meadow post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The juvenile male Green Woodpecker makes a flamboyant landing.
We has obviously been probing the ground and bought some of it back with him.
Date: 28 Sep 2021
View: BUA_20210812_2057_075+20210813_0247_149+150_SC8 Badgers at east entrance over 5hrs (impression montage).jpg
Description: Badgers make several visits to the plot, the best views at this camera near the
east 'hole-in-the-hedge. The left image pre-dates the other two by about 5
hours, and is most likely a different Badger. On the right the visitor seems to
have spotted the dark red glow of the IR light.
View: BU7_20210816_0041_121+0305_128+131 Badger at south entrance over 3 hours (montage).jpg
Description: 3 Days later what looks like the same badger ambles into the site through the south entrance.
View: BUA_20210817_2231_302_SC8 Badger pauses near east entrance to sit and groom.jpg
Description: Another 2 days on this Badger stops for a groom near the East entrance.
Date: 27 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210816_1553_028+030+033+035 Kestrel female on gutter of living room window flies to 1st floor gutter 1(insert)+2+4+6 of 7 (approx montage).jpg
Description: We came across the local female Kestrel perched on the gutter of the living room.
She wasn't pleased at our unexpected arrival and promptly flew off and
we didn't expect to see her again.
View: D73_20210816_1553_051+1556_061-064 Kestrel female on 1st floor gutter flies away 2-6 of 6 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: But no - her flight simply took her momentarily out of sight and then back over a
roof ridge to land in the 1st floor gutter a few metres up and along from her previous perch.
She spent several minutes staring at the ground from this vantage point before
leaving to try another of her favourite perches.
View: D73_20210816_1559_081+084+086-088 Kestrel female flies from mains power pole cable stay 1+3+5-7 of 7 (acc montage).jpg
Description: Once gone we continued the walk and came across the Kestrel perched on a support
stay of our mains power pole, the first time we have seen her there. After a couple of minutes
she flew from there onto one of her favourite hunting perches about 10m along the
hedge - one of many footrests on a disused telephone pole ...
View: D73_20210816_1559_098 Kestrel female perches on disused telephone pole footrest.jpg
Description: ... where she is a bit lower down than before, and on a more comfortable perch.
This time she ignored us walking by 15m away and we didn't see her again for several days.
Date: 26 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210815_1741_264-1756_317_FB6 Kestrel female 16m visit to Meadow Post group 2 01+10+13+15 of 16 (whole visit montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel made a 16 minute visit that we became aware of at the time.
So here is a mix of hand-held and locked focus camera pics.
This set of 4 pics covers the whole event, a beautifully controlled landing, and
defecating just before departure.
View: DF4_20210815_1745_009-1749_022 Kestrel female 16 minute visit to Meadow Post group 1 1-5 of 5 (hand-held montage).jpg
Description: The hand-held camera caught some of the more quirky moments of the Kestrel's visit
View: D01_20210815_1751_281-1753_295_FB6 Kestrel female 16 minute visit to Meadow Post group 2 05-08 of 16 (preening montage).jpg
Description: The automatic camera caught moments in the several minute preen.
View: D01_20210815_1756_315_FB6 Kestrel female 16 minute visit to Meadow Post group 2 14 of 16 (crop).jpg
Description: A final portrait before she flew off.
Date: 25 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210814_1521_114 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly male.jpg
Description: The afternoon sunshine brought out a few Hawker Dragonflies.
This is a male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly perched on a blackberry stem,
photographed from the side.
View: DF3_20210815_1006_003 Southern Hawker Dragonfly male with right wings scraped.jpg
Description: Next morning this male Southern Hawker Dragonfly is hanging from a
dead twig in the hedge, warming in the sunshine to start the days hunting.
View: D73_20210818_1610_214 Southern Hawker Dragonfly male perched in hedge.jpg
Description: Glistening in the afternoon sunshine, this male Southern Hawker Dragonfly
warms himself in the fitful sunshine
Date: 24 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210814_0751_188+0752_190+0754_192_FB6 Kestrel female 5 minute visit to meadow post 1+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel has made visits around and inside the site this week.
Here she landed on the meadow post - stared intently at the ground around
her for about 5 minutes before diving down out of sight.
View: D73_20210816_1109_018 Kestrel female hunting from 11kV cable.jpg
Description: Another of her favourite hunting perches is the nearby 11kV power cables.
Date: 23 Sep 2021
View: E6A_20210812_1004_006_FB5 Green Woodpecker male juvenile probing ground.jpg
Description: A juvenile male Green Woodpecker probes the ground.
Although their favourite food is Ants, any small invertebrate will do!
View: D01_20210817_0921_109+0944_114+1000_121_FB6 Green & Great Spotted Woodpecker juveniles visit meadow post over 40m (montage).jpg
Description: Over 40 minutes the automatic camera at the meadow post recorded visits
first from a juvenile Green Woodpecker, then a Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker,
and finally probably the same Green Woodpecker, this time his beak not encrusted
with mud. Even allowing for the GSW hanging from the edge, it is clear how much
bigger the Green Woodpecker is than the 'Great Spotted'.
Date: 22 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210811_2242_158-2246_164_FB6 Tawny Owl visits to meadow post over 5 minutes 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: We think that this beautiful Tawny Owl made two visits to the post in five minutes.
View: D01_20210811_2244_160_FB6 Tawny Owl visits to meadow post over 5 minutes 2 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: The reason for 2 visits seems to have been a failed attack - this moment
appears to be an imminent launch but the Owl quickly returned with nothing.
View: AP1_20210811_2306_233_AP1 Tawny Owl perched on ground floor gutter (crop).jpg
Description: 20 minutes later we spot one frame with this glowing eye among a series
of unexplained camera triggers at the front of the house overnight.
Its the Tawny Owl standing in the gutter over one of the front bay windows.
Date: 21 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210811_1051_022 Oxford Ragwort flowers with Gatekeeper Butterfly.jpg
Description: Some of the Oxford Ragwort has timed it's growth to make a decent flowerhead
before the Cinnabar Caterpillars ravage the plant!
The Gatekeeper butterfly you see, not badly disguised here, is the dominant
brown butterfly at the moment.
View: D73_20210811_1053_035 Peacock butterfly feeding on Teasel with pollen specks on proboscis.jpg
Description: A Peacock butterfly has his Elevenses on a teasel head.
You can just see specks of pollen adhering to his double pipe proboscis.
Date: 20 Sep 2021
View: E64_20210807_2349_204_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with tusk visible.jpg
Description: Two portraits of what we think are different male Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
In the first pic one of the male's little 'tusks' is clearly visible.
View: E64_20210808_0213_206_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer male.jpg
Description: This visitor 2 hours later gives us a good view of his Antlers in Velvet,
and his particularly dark facial mask.
Date: 19 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210807_1502_010 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly female perched on Purple Loosestrife flower.jpg
Description: Several Dragonflies patrol various areas on warm days, but mostly too
high to get decent photo. This female Migrant Hawker Dragonfly stopped
on a head-height Purple Loosestrife flower long enough to get a photo.
Dragonflies have no interest in flowers beyond somewhere to perch.
View: D73_20210810_1750_037-040 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly in flight with prey in legs 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Migrant Hawker Dragonflies seem to fly at lower temperatures than other Hawker
species we see here. This female has caught something held in her folded legs,
and is eating it 'on the wing' as they do. The insert is the insect on the right.
View: D73_20210811_1032_010 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly female perched in hedge.jpg
Description: A female Migrant Hawker Dragonfly sunning herself.
Air temperature has been marginal for Odonata this week, and they
all rest in the sunshine periodically to warm up.
Date: 18 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210806_0635_004-0646_064_FB6 Green Woodpecker juvenile male visits to meadow post over 15m 1-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: This juvenile Green Woodpecker spent 15 minutes visiting the Meadow Post.
This juvenile is just starting to show adult markings for a male.
From about 30 images we choose these moments to show you.
View: PK1_20210808_0927_350 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile feeding at kitchen peanut feeder.jpg
Description: We see several juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers visiting the peanut feeders
for a quick high protein feed. These cages do block the Grey Squirrels, but this
bird's long beak and slender head means that the cage is no barrier, and that's
fine with us.
View: D01_20210810_1023_055-1153_059+E6A_1157_044_FB5 Green Woodpecker visiting post and Meadow site over 90m 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: What seems to be a regular individual juvenile Green Woodpecker visited the Meadow Post.
A few minutes after his last visit to the post we see him on the ground some 10m away
triggering the 'meadow camera'.
Date: 17 Sep 2021
View: DF3_20210807_0815_012+013 Kestrel female flying from conifer outside east hedge 1+2 of 4 (approx montage @7fps).jpg
Description: We come across the female Kestrel hunting from a conifer at our east hedge.
She finally got bored with us watching her and flew down the hedge and away.
Date: 16 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210804_1628_177_FB6 Green Woodpecker juvenile on top edge of meadow post.jpg
Description: Green Woodpecker always look a bit grumpy (to us anthropomorphic humans).
This juvenile spent a couple of minutes hanging from the edge of the meadow post.
View: D01_20210730_1439_119_FB6 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile at meadow post.jpg
Description: A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker also visits the meadow post, but prefers ...
View: D5C_20210805_1012_011+1024_026 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile on peanut feeder (montage).jpg
Description: ... this peanut feeder, where it currently appears every day.
Here caught in two of the many positions used to gain access to those
inconveniently imprisoned peanuts.
Date: 15 Sep 2021
View: DF3_20210804_1247_066 Southern Hawker Dragonfly female perched on un-ripe blackberry fruits.jpg
Description: A Southern Hawker Dragonfly buzzing around us stops for a few second
on a clump of unripe blackberry fruits. The insects couldn't care less
whether the fruit is ripe or not - it is a hunter and this is just 'any' perch.
View: DF3_20210804_1304_127-129 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly female in flight @7fps 1-3 of 4 (accurate montage @7fps + insert).jpg
Description: Migrant Hawker Dragonflies are smaller than most of the other Hawker species in the UK,
but can fly at good speed, and perform the most amazing changes of speed and direction.
The magnified insert is of the right hand image.
View: D73_20210731_1252_177 Common Blue Damselfly female blue form on dead weed in crop margin.jpg
Description: At the edge of the farmer's undoubtedly insecticide drenched bean crop, we find
just this one female Common Blue Damselfly. This insect is a hunter of midges
and the like, and lays eggs in the ponds, so is probably less effected by the
chemicals than Bees, Butterflies and moths.
Date: 14 Sep 2021
View: DF3_20210804_1011_039 Brimstone Butterfly male (1st of 2nd emergence) feeding on thistle flower (crop 1).jpg
Description: The fresh emergence of Brimstone Butterflies is upon us. This one has chosen a
thistle flower for a tank-up.
View: DF3_20210804_1539_306+307 Brimstone Butterfly male takes off from Purple Loosestrife @7fps 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: As the camera fires on this male Brimstone Butterfly he lifts off from the
spike of Purple Loosestrife in the pond edge for this accurate montage.
View: DF3_20210804_1539_311 Brimstone Butterfly male feeding on Purple Loosestrife.jpg
Description: The male Brimstone Butterfly flies to a closer plant where we can
see his proboscis deep in the flower.
Date: 13 Sep 2021
View: DF3_20210804_1518_170 Holly Blue Butterfly (1st of 2nd emergence).jpg
Description: This Holly Blue Butterfly makes it's second generation for the year, before laying
eggs and making Pupae which hibernate through the winter to emerge as next
years first generation.
Even quite similar Butterfly species use a wide range of 1, 2 or 3 generations per
year, going through the winter as any of Egg, Caterpillar, Chrysalis or Adults.
The diversity is amazing - your couldn't plan it!
If you are interested in such stuff we recommend to you a 1991 book
'The Butterflies of Britain & Ireland' by Jeremy Thomas & Richard Lewington
ISBN 0-86318-591-6. It includes multi-sided illustrations of both sexes
different generations and variations, and timelines for each stage of development.
Looking this up on Amazon, EBay & Google (in 2021) shows used original hardback
copies for about UKP 7 inc. delivery, and that there is a revised edition
(2019) for about UKP 20 which we haven't seen so can't comment.
View: D73_20210812_1044_010 Holly Blue Butterfly male (shows both sides of wing).jpg
Description: A sighting of a male Holly Blue butterfly which has the top of
the wings a blue rather than darker and black edged female.
Date: 12 Sep 2021
View: DF3_20210803_1233_009-012 Rook threatening Kestrel female in flight 1-4 of 4 (impression montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Exit from the house startled the female Kestrel, and it was soon threatening a Rook.
But by the time the camera had found the action the tables had turned on the Kestrel,
now being 'seen off' by the Rook.
View: DF3_20210804_1523_176 Kestrel female silhouetted in Ash tree.jpg
Description: Next day the female Kestrel wasn't pleased to see us appear outside the south hedge,
and made for the cover of an Ash tree growing in the hedge, where she made
this nice silhouette.
View: DF3_20210804_1739_412 Kestrel female perched on disused Telephone pole footrest.jpg
Description: After the heavy rain, the softer ground has attracted the female Kestrel
back to one of her regular hunting perches. She can dive down onto an
area of 'maintained' grass to catch insects and worms.
After we pass she flew out of sight ...
View: DF3_20210804_1750_423 Kestrel male perched on disused Telephone pole top viewed from north.jpg
Description: ... and 10 minutes later from the other side of the pole we were surprised to
see this MALE kestrel on the top of the same pole. By normal Kestrel standards he
looks a little 'washed out' so we suspect that this is a new generation bird -
possibly her son.
Date: 11 Sep 2021
View: E63_20210802_1331_023_FB1 Blackbird male.jpg
Description: Blackbirds are normally immaculate creatures, but has to be excused a little
dishevelment during a moult.
Seeing the light coloured feathers made us wonder whether this was a long
lived bird going grey. Average life is reported as 3.5 years but they have been
know to live to 20 years. But various sources all agree that birds do NOT 'go
grey' like humans do, but worn feathers can assume this greyish
appearance.
Date: 10 Sep 2021
View: PK1_20210801_1643_325 Grey Squirrel on top of sawn off overgrown hedge.jpg
Description: Outside the kitchen we last year cut down a 5 metre hedge that was beginning to
thrash against the top of the house. This Grey Squirrel pauses for a moment on a
piece of the cut wood.
View: E60_20210731_1827_090_FB3 2 Grey squirrels face-to-face on kitchen perch.jpg
Description: A face to face encounter between 2 Grey Squirrels.
No animosity showing here.
View: DF3_20210804_1308_149+150 Cloud in shape of running Squirrel (montage for width - no other processing).jpg
Description: An Aerial Grey Squirrel leaping across the sky to the right?
Date: 09 Sep 2021
View: E64_20210731_1834_115_FB2 Pheasant male having lost some tail feathers.jpg
Description: Our lovely male Pheasant seems suddenly to have a shorter and thinner tail.
Eyes open for the 'discarded' feathers!
View: E64_20210802_0740_005_FB2 Pheasant male with no tail feathers.jpg
Description: 2 days later we see the inevitable - a most definitely 'tail challenged' male pheasant.
Date: 08 Sep 2021
View: E63_20210728_1907_103+1928_108_FB1 Grey Squirrel leaping to and from stone 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The 2020 Olympics (in 2021) were in progress when we obtained these two images,
so here we could not resist concocting this accurately positioned montage of a
Grey Squirrel doing a 'vault' over the stone.
The only snag is that the two pics are 20 minutes apart with other images (with
no squirrel in them) in between!
View: D5C_20210729_1732_004 Grey Squirrel resting in Conifer near house.jpg
Description: While testing some camera lens configurations over a quarter of an hour in and
out of the door 10m from this tree, this Grey squirrel simply lazed unconcerned
through the whole affair. How to relax!
Date: 07 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210727_1428_022 Brown Hawker dragonfly perched on high twig.jpg
Description: A Brown Hawker Dragonfly perches on a piece of dead wood high above a hedge.
View: DF3_20210729_1023_073 Gatekeeper Butterfly feeding on Blackberry flower.jpg
Description: Another sighting of a Gatekeeper Butterfly enjoying one of the thousands of
Blackberry flowers now offering their nectar and at the same time pollinating
the flowers for us to harvest the fruit in the autumn.
Date: 06 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210726_1437_011-014 Hawker Dragonfly catching insect in flight @10fps 1-4 of 8 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A Hawker Dragonfly (we are not confident of the species) flies by us ...
View: D73_20210726_1437_015-018 Hawker Dragonfly catching insect in flight @10fps 5-8 of 8 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: ... and suddenly swerves upward to catch an insect in the 'net' made with the legs
before flying back the other way.
An unbroken sequence at 10 frames per second - Dragonflies can manoeuvre incredibly
quickly.
View: D73_20210726_1438_026-298 Hawker Dragonfly misses catching passing insect @10fps 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage with arrows).jpg
Description: Here we see the Hawker Dragonfly missing a catch in this accurate montage
with both Dragonfly and insect moving downwards at 10 fps.
This first version arrows the intended prey ...
View: D73_20210726_1438_026-298 Hawker Dragonfly misses catching passing insect @10fps 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage centre detail).jpg
Description: ... while this tighter crop shows more detail including the Dragonflies
legs extending into a 'catch-net' and then closing after failure, both
events lasting no more than 100mS (tenth of a second)
Date: 05 Sep 2021
View: BU7_20210726_0132_169 Fox entering at SW corner.jpg
Description: This Fox makes a stealthy entrance through the south hedge in the small hours.
View: BU7_20210728_0549_091-093 Fox walking towards camera with eye detail 1-3 of 3 (IR montage).jpg
Description: 2 days later, shortly after sunrise, possibly the same fox meanders past the camera.
The way the mix of IR and daylight catches the eyes produces some interesting effects
Date: 04 Sep 2021
View: D01_20210725_1335_331-E60_1450_166_FB6 Kestrel female (abnormal tail feathers) hunts round house for 1Hr 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel chose our patch for an hour's hunting.
First 'seen' flying over the meadow post, then spotted by the humans in the
orchard, flies 100m to conifers overlooking the meadow - she seemingly likes this type
of conifer, and is finally caught landing on the kitchen bird table, possibly with prey hidden
from us in her claws.
The image on the right shows that some feathers types in her tail are not
normal tail feathers. 2 years ago the same bird had one abnormally coloured
tail feather so we named her 'Lady Grey Feather'.
None of these tail abnormalities seem to bother her in the slightest.
View: BU2_20210727_1651_157+159_SC7 Kestrel female lands at base of Round Mound 1+3 of 3 (impression montage).jpg
Description: We have no record of seeing any Raptors at this sight before this moment of the
female Kestrel landing - possibly to catch a rodent on the ground. We never got
to see her claws or what was on the mound before she arrived - the montage looks
nice as we have spread it out here, but in fact the bird landed directly over
the wing-spread image so there may be a rodent hidden underneath.
You can again see the abnormal tail feathers.
Date: 03 Sep 2021
View: D5C_20210725_1702_012-014 Great Tit juvenile (of 3) being fed by adult 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Juvenile Great Tits cluster on the perch outside the kitchen to wait for a
feed. Here Mum or Dad arrives with another beakful.
View: D5C_20210726_1304_002 4 Great Tit juveniles waiting for a feed.jpg
Description: Four juvenile Great Tits serendipitously evenly spaced along the Kitchen perch.
View: E63_20210724_0929_222_FB1 Great Tit juvenile holding small ball of mud encrusted seeds.jpg
Description: This more mature juvenile Great Tit, now feeding itself, seems have picked up a
ball of mud and now has to extract the seeds stuck in it.
Date: 02 Sep 2021
View: PK1_20210724_0739_193 Snails mating.jpg
Description: Down in the undergrowth, slimy passion in the morning from this pair of snails.
View: E6A_20210722_1824_041_FB5 2 Wood Pigeons feeding together.jpg
Description: On the grass in the meadow, togetherness, Wood Pigeon Style.
View: DF3_20210729_1016_007-012 Red Kite in flight 4-9 of 9 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Up in the sky this Red Kite is flying some 50m away.
This represents less than one second of flight.
Date: 01 Sep 2021
View: D73_20210722_1235_028 4 Small White Butterflies spiralling upward in courtship flight.jpg
Description: This year seems to have been exceptional for Small White Butterflies with dozens at
a time fluttering over the meadow.
Perhaps they like the farmers bean crop!
Here 4 of them spiralling upwards in the sunshine in a fluttering courtship ritual.
View: D73_20210722_1235_038+039 Small White Butterfly pair courtship flight - male shadowing female 1+2 of 2 (montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: The four Small White Butterflies quickly split into 2 pairs - this is a montage of
one of the pairs now fluttering downwards in close formation, the male (above)
casting his shadow on the female.
Image Archive arch 2021 aug.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Aug 2021
View: PK1_20210723_1317_150 Southern Hawker Dragonfly female (1st of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: Finally the hot weather has brought out the first dragons - well Hawker Dragonflies at
least!
This female Southern Hawker Dragonfly is perched on a twig basking in the hot sunshine.
View: PK1_20210723_1321_155 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly female (1st of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: This female Migrant Hawker Dragonfly hangs in the shade inside a hedge.
Date: 30 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210718_0831_034 Crocosmia flower spikes.jpg
Description: A favourite summer flower is the Crocosmia - intense colour and a beautiful
flowering sequence along the always (horizontal) spike.
View: DF3_20210718_1213_039 Day Lily Flower (last of 2021).jpg
Description: 30 years ago the site barely planted, and to add 'variety' we planted a patch
of Day Lily bulbs at the edge of the just dug main pond.
They have demonstrated their robust nature by still flowering well into
this next century.
View: D73_20210720_1114_040 Lime Tree blossom.jpg
Description: We have just one Lime tree, as opposed to about 20 now very tall Large-leaf Limes.
This one is just flowering - as you walk by the air fills with a subtle citrus perfume.
Date: 29 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210718_0815_010 Magpie beak Open (not calling) in heatwave 1 of 4.jpg
Description: Even at 8 a.m. the air temperature is already warm, and the sun feels hot.
This Magpie was standing on the mains electricity pole with beak continuously
open but not calling. We read this as panting to keep cool.
View: DF3_20210718_0817_016 Magpie beak Open (not calling) in heatwave 4 of 4.jpg
Description: The Magpie moves about 15m away from us to land on the disused Telephone pole,
sees that we were not going to stop our walk along the nearby track, and decides
to leave.
View: D01_20210719_0650_001_FB6 Magpie landing on meadow Post in cloud of midges with sunlight through feathers.jpg
Description: A Magpie makes an early morning landing lit by the sun behind.
We think that the brown feathers are backlit, while the white primaries
are catching the sun directly.
View: D73_20210721_0727_051 Magpie juvenile on conifer branch.jpg
Description: A young Magpie sits high in this conifer watching the world go by.
This is about 7.30 a.m. - it will soon become unpleasantly hot to sit out in the direct sunlight.
Date: 28 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210717_0947_003 Gatekeeper Butterfly (1st of 2021).jpg
Description: Out first sighting this year of a 'Gatekeeper' Butterfly.
The 2 white specks in the black circle are a quick ID assist.
View: D73_20210721_1104_114 Ruddy Darter Dragonfly female on partly eaten Iris frond.jpg
Description: Our first Darter Dragonfly ID of the year (21 July 2021).
This is a female Ruddy Darter managing to partly obscure herself
on the other side of a very chewed up Iris frond in the middle of
the main pond.
View: D73_20210721_1109_128 Emerald Damselfly female (crop).jpg
Description: We last saw an Emerald Damselfly in 2010 - 11 years ago.
This female landed a few metres up a tree and this is the best pic we could get.
In the 2010 session we took images of both sexes in our 'flight tunnel' - you can see them at
26 Sep 2010 and
2 Oct 2010.
Date: 27 Aug 2021
View: E64_20210717_2055_174_FB2 Pheasant male at sunset.jpg
Description: The male Pheasant is still making regular visits. Here he graces us with
a photo complete with the setting sun.
View: E6A_20210720_1848_084_FB5 Pheasant male at meadow site (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: The male Pheasant is beginning to become a little less pristine,
but he still looks magnificent.
Date: 26 Aug 2021
View: BU5_20210716_0116_141_SC1 2 Badger walking along edge of Round Pond.jpg
Description: A pair of Badgers saunter along the edge of Round Pond an hour after midnight.
View: BU7_20210716_2213_088 Badger entering site with another following behind.jpg
Description: The night after seeing a pair of Badgers at the Round Pond, here are
a pair entering our patch at the south west corner - one in foreground and the
other just coming through the hedge behind.
View: BU5_20210716_2353_240_SC1 Badger grooming.jpg
Description: Half and hour later this badger is resting at the Round pond edge, busy
grooming the fur.
Date: 25 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210716_1507_055 Grass Snake under corrugated iron (ID only).jpg
Description: 'Our' grass snake now hears us coming and we rarely take him/her by surprise.
This stealthy approach catches the snake almost fully stretched out - estimated
length is just under 1 metre.
View: D73_20210715_1603_005 Roesels Bush Cricket of Garden Bench (orig).jpg
Description: A Roesel's Bush Cricket we found on a garden bench Note the very long antennae
sported by Crickets - Grasshoppers sport much shorter antennae.
Date: 24 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210701_1554_015 Oxford Ragwort deformed flower heads & small Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar.jpg
Description: The Oxford Ragwort plants have just started flowering.
Just right of lower middle you can see the first Cinnabar Moth
Caterpillar that we have spotted this year.
The top flowerhead is massively deformed. There are several other
examples, and some years we see similar on Oxeye daisies.
We think it probably an insect converting the flower for breeding
purposes, but have been unsuccessful in finding out what species.
This plant is poisonous to most creatures, but the Cinnabar Moth
absorbs the poison to make itself poisonous, and has the warning
colouration to tell the bird not to 'try it for dinner'.
We also sometimes see Cinnabar Moths feeding on Groundsel where
they don't pick up the poison defence. They don't do as well on this
plant, and we haven't seen any on Groundsel so far this year.
View: D73_20210707_1437_529 Cinnabar Moth Caterpillars (various sizes) on Ragwort flower buds.jpg
Description: The Ragwort has burst into life at several location, and the Cinnabar Moths have
been busy laying the eggs to make a good 'crop' of their caterpillars.
View: D73_20210708_1550_048 Cinnabar Moths Caterpillars on Oxford Ragwort.jpg
Description: The Cinnabar moth Caterpillars are taking over the Oxford Ragwort!
Wikipedia tell us that:-
Cinnabar moth from Europe was released as a biological control agent
against common ragwort in the USA (1991), Australia (2000) and New Zealand (1990)
but apparently with limited success.
Artificial introductions vary from utter failure to complete disasters (like the
Australian Cane Toad introduced in 1935 and now a 'plague').
View: DF3_20210714_1016_011 Ragwort plant decimated by Cinnabar Caterpillars.jpg
Description: A week later the Cinnabar Caterpillars have just about stripped this and most
other Ragwort plants in our patch, but the plants recover every year.
Date: 23 Aug 2021
View: BU5_20210714_2128_379-2129_393_SC1 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer males (dad & son (q)) gentle spar at Round Pond 1-6 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: As darkness falls we see an encounter between 2 male Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
The difference in size and obviously affection between the two (left middle) suggests to us a
Father - Growing up Fawn relationship. We think that Dad is helping his youngster learn a
little of the tactics of competing males, but neither of the two want to hurt the other.
Date: 22 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210713_1735_134-139 Red Kite flying overhead (impression montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Seeing a Red Kite in the far distance circling in a Thermal up-draft is normally
followed by the bird disappearing into the haze. This time though the bird made
a leisurely drift toward us, and eventually went almost overhead. Here is about
half a second of powered flight, spread out vertically a little to see the outlines.
View: D73_20210713_1735_187 Red Kite in Flight.jpg
Description: 5 seconds later (the camera runs at 10 fps so just count the frame numbers!)
we enjoyed this oblique view of the Red Kite.
Date: 21 Aug 2021
View: E63_20210713_0935_072_FB1 Moorhen at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: One Moorhen (of the pair we know we still have) makes a few visits each
week to the south hedge bottom site and the woodland site.
This view at the hedge bottom seems particular appealing.
Date: 20 Aug 2021
View: BU7_20210712_2221_021+BU9_2223_031-033 Polecat pair courting near SW entrance 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Our first sighting of a PAIR of Polecats.
First seen 'canoodling' near the South entrance (left pic),
2 minutes later they are running along in close contact through the
orchard.
Close contact MAY mean the male has her by the neck - we can imagine that
Polecat courtship may be a bit of a rough-house!
View: BU7_20210713_0152_032 Polecat.jpg
Description: In the small hours of the same night possibly one of the same Polecats
stops by the south entrance before undoubtedly speeding away.
Date: 19 Aug 2021
View: E60_20210712_1655_013_FB3 Sparrowhawk female (crop).jpg
Description: Following fleeting overflights, the female Sparrowhawk returns to one of
her old haunts.
Date: 18 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210705_0959_031 Small white Butterfly female first brood on Privet flowers.jpg
Description: A Small White Butterfly enjoying a feed from the Privet flowers.
Make the most of them - they only flower for a few days!
View: D73_20210709_1509_105 Tortoiseshell Butterfly feeding on Blackberry flower.jpg
Description: The Blackberry flowers are now abundant, and this Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly
isn't going to skip the opportunity.
View: D73_20210713_1739_290 Comma Butterfly (new generation).jpg
Description: Following an initial flurry of Comma Butterflies in Spring, they do their
thing, lay eggs and die. The new brood appear as adults in July, and here
is a pristine sample. This generation again lay eggs, and the next 'batch'
appear in September. It is this generation that overwinter as adults to
venture out the following year to start the cycle going again.
View: DF3_20210714_1344_109 Green-veined White Butterfly on Blackberry flower (first of 2021).jpg
Description: This is the second emergence this year of Green-veined White Butterflies.
This species overwinters as Chrysalises (or chrysalides) to emerge in Spring,
twice laying eggs for 2 summertime generations, before dying in the Autumn
and leaving the Chrysalises to emerge to continue the species next year.
Date: 17 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210709_1114_089 Marmalade Hover-fly feeding on Buttercup flower.jpg
Description: The Marmalade Hover-fly stops on this buttercup, only a bit bigger than the insect.
View: DF3_20210711_1213_025 Marmalade Hover-fly hovering over Rose of Sharon flower.jpg
Description: Another Marmalade Hover-fly, this time hovering over
the much larger Rose of Sharon flower.
As well as drinking nectar they eat honeydew and pollen,
so this one is above a feast!
Date: 16 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210711_0904_001 Blue Tit juvenile on edge of bird table.jpg
Description: The winning entry for this weeks 'most twee Blue Tit' competition.
View: E60_20210711_0611_127_FB3 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile on tip of perch.jpg
Description: This juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker looks small - perhaps a youngster
from a later brood.
Date: 15 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210708_1547_037 White Plume Moth (Pterophorus pentadactyla) landing on grass stem with wings still spread.jpg
Description: A White Plume Moth still flutters the wings to gain balance after landing on
this grass blade. The name Pentadactyla refers to the 5 separate wing segments
that align in the perched insect so it looks like a bit of stick.
View: D73_20210709_0830_075 Yellow Shell Moth.jpg
Description: A Yellow Shell moth rests on a thistle leaf in the dark of the hedge.
Date: 14 Aug 2021
View: E63_20210708_0821_018_FB1 2 Chaffinch juveniles with adult male holding beakful of seeds.jpg
Description: Dad Chaffinch with two of almost certainly his this years youngsters.
View: E63_20210708_0904_030_FB1 2 Chaffinch juveniles perched together.jpg
Description: An hour later the camera catches this sweetie moment of the two young Chaffinches
together on the stone - undoubtedly waiting impatiently for their next feed.
View: E63_20210708_1846_050_FB1 Chaffinch male flying off with seeds in beak.jpg
Description: A male Chaffinch flies upwards with a beakful of seeds.
View: E63_20210712_1911_033_FB1 Chaffinch male about to land on stone.jpg
Description: 4 days later this male Chaffinch, still in full breeding colours, makes a well
controlled approach to landing on the stone.
Date: 13 Aug 2021
View: E63_20210701_2140_078_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: A recently rare sighting at any of the hi-resolution photo sites of a Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
In this case we think the growing fawn stops by for this one photo.
View: E64_20210706_2026_146_FB2 Muntjac Reeves deer fawn gamboling through woodland site.jpg
Description: A little delight - 'our' Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn gambolling across the
woodland site, caught here with all four hooves off the ground but in too random
positions and insufficient movement blur to be a high speed run.
Date: 12 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210706_1747_370-372 Lark ascending & singing over crop to east @10fps 4-6 of 6 (montage at one-fifth of real spacing).jpg
Description: This Skylark made an unexpected appearance ascending from the farmers field,
singing his silvery song before diving back to the ground.
Date: 11 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210706_1601_094-097 Swift banking in flight keeps head level @10fps (impression montage).jpg
Description: It seems that on this afternoon the conditions for Swifts to hunt this area were
just right. About 10 birds spent a couple of hours hunting over the farm field around
us, and sometimes over our patch.
In this first montage (probably spaced closer than reality) it interesting to
see that the wings turned vertical while the head stay horizontal.
View: D73_20210706_1740_237 Swift in flight @10fps 02 of 23 (crop).jpg
Description: A Swift flying by.
View: D73_20210706_1740_245-249 Swift in flight @10fps 10-14 of 23 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: An accurately positioned montage of a Swift in flight at 10 frames per second.
View: D73_20210706_1741_342-345 Swift in flight banking toward camera @10fps 1-4 of 4 (impression montage).jpg
Description: The bland sky prevents any attempt at 'accurately positioned', so here more closely
spaced than natural for a better look at the bird.
Date: 10 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210705_0948_004 Grass Snake coiled under corrugated iron escapes down hole 01 of 22 (crop).jpg
Description: Checking under the corrugated iron sheet we discover the Grass Snake
coiled about as neatly can be. Here is a moment while his forked tongue is visible.
View: DF3_20210705_0948_007-025 Grass Snake coiled under corrugated iron escapes down hole 02+06+07+10+17+20 of 22 (montage).jpg
Description: A few seconds later the Grass Snake makes a rather leisurely exit down the
hole.
Once we have disturbed the snake on a particular day we leave the
corrugated iron untouched for the rest of the day.
View: D73_20210707_1434_489 Grass snake coiled under corrugated orin.jpg
Description: Two days later the Grass Snake almost looks as if tied in a knot, but
then slithered away so fast we was the only decent pic we got.
Date: 09 Aug 2021
View: BU2_20210704_0543_459+0614_463+465_SC7 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer males in velvet sparring on Round Mound 2+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Wildlife documentaries seem to us to be obsessed with Deer Ruts and fighting
stags, but Reeve's Muntjac Deer seem quieter creatures and we had never before seen
them being aggressive. But here over 30 minutes two Reeve's Muntjac stags, both
with antlers in velvet, sparred on the Mound with their unfinished antlers.
Date: 08 Aug 2021
View: E60_20210701_0617_086_FB3 Wren juvenile on tip of kitchen perch.jpg
Description: Wrens are said to be very common, but secretive.
Here a juvenile Wren momentarily stops on the tip of the kitchen perch.
View: E63_20210703_1956_231_FB1 Wren on hedge bottom stone.jpg
Description: Another Wren makes a momentary stop at the hedge bottom stone,
but is already crouched for further action.
Date: 07 Aug 2021
View: D01_20210702_0930_101+0936_113+0939_117_FB6 Kestrel female lands on post with prey for 10+ minutes 1+2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel makes another visit to the Meadow Post, landing with back
to camera. After 6 minutes she finally turns and we see her half-eaten Rodent.
The camera stop after 10 minutes of continuous exposures and we don't know
how long it was before she left.
Date: 06 Aug 2021
View: DF3_20210702_0724_005+014+0729_037 2 Grey Squirrel juveniles playing on bird table with 1 falling 1+4+5 of 5 (mixed scale montage).jpg
Description: Two juvenile Squirrels spent 5 minutes 'playing' on the bird table outside
the Kitchen Window. It would appear that this 'play' has a substantial
sexual element, but they were definitely not actually mating.
In the last frame the one on top is here falling off and landing 1.5 metres
below without apparent injury.
Date: 05 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210630_1551_089 Meadow Brown Butterflies mating on Oxeye Daisy flower.jpg
Description: A pair of Mating Meadow Brown Butterflies enjoying themselves on an Oxeye Daisy flower.
View: D73_20210630_1528_049 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly feeding on Elderberry flower.jpg
Description: The Privet hedge along some of the access track has several butterflies
enjoying the nectar. Here a Small Tortoiseshell.
View: D73_20210630_1529_054 Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on Elderberry flower.jpg
Description: One of several Red Admiral Butterflies.
View: D73_20210702_1747_055 Speckled Wood Butterfly.jpg
Description: The second crop of Speckled Wood Butterflies seems to be emerging.
They may be just every brown imaginable, but we find them beautiful.
Date: 04 Aug 2021
View: E63_20210629_1910_131_FB1 Chaffinch male flying off with insect in beak (crop).jpg
Description: This male Chaffinch flies over the stone, beak carrying a seed.
View: E63_20210630_0730_164_FB1 Dunnock flying from stone (crop).jpg
Description: This Dunnock flies over the stone.
View: E63_20210705_1705_035_FB1 Robin juvenile on stone threatening (q) Chaffinch male.jpg
Description: The juvenile Robin on the stone seems to be practising his aggressive call on the
male Chaffinch. The Chaffinch doesn't look the least impressed!
Date: 03 Aug 2021
View: D73_20210630_1541_066 Grass snake with tongue extended exposed under corrugated iron sheet 1 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: On lifting the corrugated iron sheet we are delighted to get another sighting of
our well grown Grass Snake. In this pic you can see the Snake's forked tongue
flicking in the air.
Why do snakes do this? The Snakes olfactory organ is back inside the head -
the tongue picks up the molecules to transfer them to it. So to 'sniff out' the
world you have to keep flicking your tongue.
View: D73_20210630_1541_066-074 Grass snake with tongue extended exposed under corrugated iron sheet 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: We may be enchanted by the snake, but the snake is not at all enchanted by being rudely uncovered,
and promptly slithers down the adjacent (mouse?) hole to completely disappear.
Here you see the 'uncoiling' process in action over a few seconds
Date: 02 Aug 2021
View: D01_20210620_1450_060_FB6 Wood Pigeon struggling to balance on landing.jpg
Description: 'Rond de Jambe' Wood Pigeon Style?
The nearest ballet reference we non-ballet followers could find.
A word taken from the ballet mistress in 'Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall'
View: E60_20210629_1829_059_FB3 2 Wood Pigeons on kitchen bird table.jpg
Description: Probably a 'pair' of Wood Pigeons sharing the bird table.
Date: 01 Aug 2021
View: D01_20210627_1337_004_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post with Brown Hawker Dragonfly female in beak 2 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: The females Kestrel arrived on the meadow post with a Hawker Dragonfly in her
beak - a unique event in our records. The Dragonfly species is clearly
identifiable from the pic - a female Brown Hawker Dragonfly.
One could object to the Kestrel killing this beautiful creature, but the Dragonfly itself
feeds purely by hunting, and so on down the food chain.
Although Owls carry prey items in their beaks, we had assumed that Kestrels always
carried prey in their talons. Maybe the Kestrel found the Dragonfly sunbathing on the post
and snatched it with the beak. But is so light (less than 1 gram) and she could also easily fly with it.
We tabulated weights of some insects over a decade ago - see
Weights of Insects
View: D72_20210628_1048_008+D01_20210628_1055_008-1104_026_FB6 Kestrel female hunt from cable catches Rodent eaten on Meadow Post 2-4+6+9 of 9 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel is here hunting from a power line, accompanied by a Wood pigeon on
the other cable. The Kestrel obviously caught something about 7 minutes after the top photo,
and took it to the meadow post to devour it where the automatic camera caught the action.
View: D73_20210630_1625_108+1624_103 Kestrel female hunting from mains cable (montage).jpg
Description: After closely spaced return visits to old haunts around our patch, the female
kestrel has settled to her more normal hunting pattern where we see her on just
2 or 3 days a week.
Image Archive arch 2021 jul.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Jul 2021
View: D01_20210625_2012_156-2019_170_FB6 Kestrel female arrives at Meadow Post with Rodent and eats it 1+3+4+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: After many weeks of absence the female Kestrel is back, seemingly
re-visiting her old haunts to see whether they remain good hunting.
Here she spends about 7 minutes on the top of the Meadow post where the
automatic camera watches her arrive with some sort of Rodent in her claws, where
she dissects and consumes the entire Rodent.
View: D01_20210626_1057_211_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post with Rodent in claws 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Mid morning next day she similarly arrives with a smaller Rodent, but for whatever
reason leaves without obviously eating it 'on the spot'.
View: D72_20210627_1217_030 Kestrel female hunting from branch of apple tree in orchard.jpg
Description: Lunchtime another day on we spot her hunting from the dead branches of a really old
Apple tree in the 'Orchard'. For some reason she is much more tolerant of humans
in the garden below than elsewhere.
Date: 30 Jul 2021
View: BUA_20210625_0440_061+064+068_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer mother grooming fawn then fawn grooming mother 1+3+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A lovely moment at around dawn as Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn is affectionately groomed
by Mum, and then a surprise as we see the behaviour reciprocated with the fawn
grooming Mum.
The fawn has to learn this social nicety, but it's lovely to see.
View: D5C_20210625_1502_014 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn in front garden.jpg
Description: At the front of the house the Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn licks over her fur
between nibbling bits of the 'garden'.
Her growing size and formation of the facial mask make it difficult to
tell the fawn from the adults at first glance.
Date: 29 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210622_0902_001+006+008 Great Spotted woodpecker female feeding juvenile peanut grit 1-3 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Great Spotted Woodpecker continues to supplement the youngster's
rations with peanut fragments
View: DF3_20210622_0903_027+030+033 Great Spotted woodpecker female feeding juvenile peanut grit 4-6 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Great Spotted Woodpecker continues to supplement the youngster's
rations with peanut fragments
View: E60_20210625_1819_046_FB3 2 Great Spotted Woodpecker juveniles one under perch & other landing.jpg
Description: Here are two juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers - what is going on we can only guess.
We often see juvenile Woodpeckers mistakenly begging from each other!
Date: 28 Jul 2021
View: E6A_20210616_1814_037_FB5 Rabbit youngster in clover.jpg
Description: "Baby Bunny in Clover"
View: E6A_20210621_1649_106_FB5 Pheasant male guarding female + grasses + clover + buttercups + oxeye daisies.jpg
Description: The ever attentive male pheasant guards one of has (at least) 3 wives. The
ripening grass and some heavy rain causes the grass stalks to fall into any
empty space as you see here, along with the Clover flowers and Buttercups at
this suddenly cluttered site.
Date: 27 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210623_1557_132 Sycamore seed developing.jpg
Description: A cluster of developing Sycamore seeds showing a subtle pink colour.
View: DF3_20210623_1041_086 Oak tree leaf tips some turning yellow.jpg
Description: In one of the oak trees on the sunny side of the meadow has several
patches of leaves at the end of branches going brown and yellow.
It too high to see if it is infestation or damage of some kind.
Date: 26 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210623_1742_156 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male.jpg
Description: One of very few male Banded Demoiselle Damselflies - a flickering delight to
see in flight.
The females are so similar to the female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies
that we find it hard to tell them apart.
View: DF3_20210623_1602_138 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly female.jpg
Description: A female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - the brown colour of the wings is
clear in this photo, so it is NOT a Banded Demoiselle
Date: 25 Jul 2021
View: E60_20210621_1156_042-20210623_0524_084_FB3 Great Spotted Woodpecker adults + 2 juves over 4 days 5+3+6 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: This has been the 'Week of the Woodpeckers' visiting peanut feeders on both
sides of the house. Here this montage shows the whole family as far as we are
aware. On the left the 2 Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers actually seen
like this), and on the right first Mum and then Dad.
View: D5C_20210620_0942_008-0943_028 Great Spotted Woodpecker female feeding juvenile with peanut fragments 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Mum Great Spotted Woodpecker likes to feed her youngster some peanut grits.
Date: 24 Jul 2021
View: BU7_20210620_1326_013+1327_021 Muntjac Reeves Deer mother visits fawn who exits through hedge to south (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Mum and Fawn again met at this site, spend a few minutes mostly at the
edge of the frame, before the youngster makes their way out into the
wider world of the farmers field (top middle).
View: BU7_20210621_0328_050+051 Muntjac Reeves Deer male rubs forehead and antlers-in-velvet on ground (montage).jpg
Description: Itchy 'velvet' over the growing antlers of this male Reeve's Muntjac Deer
seems the most likely need for rubbing on the ground
View: BUA_20210623_1440_238_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn in dappled sunlight.jpg
Description: The Trail cam at the east hedge catches the lovely little Reeve's Muntjac fawn probably
just re-entered our patch and walks quietly through a sunbeam.
View: DF3_20210623_1553_127 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn resting at edge of grass path (crop).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn spends a lot of time on the plot, mostly now
avoiding the flash camera sites. But about once a day on random walks around our
patch we get a sighting. The little creature seems to know we are not an
immediate danger, but always walks quietly into the nearest cover and we don't
see them again.
Date: 23 Jul 2021
View: E64_20210617_1548_076_FB2 2 Grey Squirrel threatening each other.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrels seem to be showing the worst of their behaviour this week.
At the woodland site these two seem to be having a snarling contest
over a few fragments of food.
View: E63_20210617_1703_113_FB1 2 Grey Squirrel fighting (crop).jpg
Description: An hour or so later some 70m away we get this largely impenetrable melee of fighting
Grey Squirrels. We think it is just 2 creatures!
Reminds us of the excellent stop-motion movie 'Isle of Dogs (2018)' where fight
scenes are represented by similar 'balls of fur with bits sticking out'.
View: E63_20210617_1705_114_FB1 Grey Squirrel leaping from stone.jpg
Description: 2 minutes later the issue seems resolved - only this Squirrel remains.
Date: 22 Jul 2021
View: E63_20210613_0251_259_FB1 Badger feeding at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: This Pristine Badger visits the hedge bottom.
View: E63_20210616_2254_056_FB1 Badger (head at edge of frame).jpg
Description: After dark this Badger get a rude surprise as the camera flash fires.
But this one keeps coming back so can't be too disturbed.
Date: 21 Jul 2021
View: E63_20210603_1657_040_FB1 Pheasant male twisted backwards.jpg
Description: Birds in general seem to be able to move their tails through a huge
range of angles. There is no stiff foliage here that could be bending the tail.
View: E63_20210611_1648_137_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: Very rare sightings of any female Pheasants, and none at all of chicks.
But his Majesty looks magnificent even without his tail ...
View: E63_20210611_1826_168_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: ... but the 'girls' probably find him more impressive WITH his tail.
View: E6A_20210618_1256_124_FB5 Pheasant male at meadow site drenched with rain.jpg
Description: After a day of continuous rain it looks like this male Pheasant found shelter
overnight, but needing to eat has left him looking a bit like a 'drowned Rat'.
Date: 20 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210614_1012_059 Broad-bodied Chaser female in hedge W side of access track (crop).jpg
Description: A female Broad Bodied Chaser high in the hedge along the access track.
View: D73_20210615_1254_150 Broad Bodied Chaser female perched on broken off teasel stem.jpg
Description: This year we have seen several of these different individual female Broad Bodied Chasers.
Surely a male, with the lovely powder blue pruinescence, will turn up to make
the next generation.
View: DF3_20210612_0922_010 Black-tailed Skimmer female on bare soil between crop plants (1st of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: First sighting for 2021 of a (female) Black Tailed Skimmer, of all places
out on the farmer insecticide drenched crop :-(
Date: 19 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210614_0920_005-0921_019 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile on study window feeder pick of 13 (montage).jpg
Description: At least one juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker has made it to a degree of
independence. This one was exploring the post, flat surface and Peanut feeder
outside the study window. Over a couple of minutes we got all of these moments -
just enjoy the young woodpecker possibly first solo exploration of this construct
where one of the parents has been there to feed the youngster on previous visits.
Date: 18 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210614_0723_093+0720_084 Sawfly Larvae descend from meshes on 4 metre single threads to ground 3+1+2 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: Walking down a dark tree-covered path we found the way 'blocked' by several
single strands of silk hanging down from about 4 metres high down to the ground.
Some of these had caterpillars crawling down them that appear, after a lot of
book thumbing, to be some sort of 'Sawfly' Larvae.
Top: The silk 'mesh' still with Larvae in it.
Left: A close up of the strand with about 8 Larvae on it. The
Larvae shadow on the ground is formed the shadow from the camera flash.
Right: A distant shot of the setup - this strand actually hung from further up
than you can see here.
Our lack of expertise (and minimal guide books) means we
are unable to 'nail' the insect's ID any better, and maybe wrong at that.
View: D73_20210614_1004_033 Sawfly Larvae descending from silk meshes down 4 metre long single threads to ground 5 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: 3 hours later the Larvae have mostly dispersed.
Date: 17 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210612_1640_075 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male perched on twig showing sharp bend between segments 2 & 3.jpg
Description: Here is a male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly - more commonly seen that the
females at the moment. The 'break' in the body may look alarming, but the insect
can bend substantially at join of each of the 10 abdominal segments. This joint
between segments 2 & 3 contains the male's sexual organs.
View: D73_20210613_1509_059 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male showing wing veins ridges very clearly.jpg
Description: This male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly catches the light showing how the veins of the
wing create corrugations that give this incredibly lightweight structure surprising strength.
A form of natural origami!
View: D73_20210612_1453_055 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly female.jpg
Description: A female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly.
The wingspan is about 7cm - much larger than most Damselflies.
Walking down a path with dozens of these fluttering around you
is quite one of the most magical experiences we know.
View: D73_20210613_1212_002 Banded Demoiselle male fluttering wings while perched.jpg
Description: The Beautiful Demoiselles are supplemented by the only other similar
species (in the UK anyway) of the strikingly marked Banded Demoiselle.
This is a male - the females have no such banding and are so hard to tell
apart from female Beautiful Demoiselles 'in the wild' that we may miss
them among the larger numbers of the Beautiful females.
Each wing has it's own band which is quite dark even when the wings are separated
as you unusually see here.
Date: 16 Jul 2021
View: BU9_20210611_1910_027_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn with desiccated leaf in mouth.jpg
Description: The Fawn seems to be managing fine, here with a dried out leaf in the mouth.
Not so junk-food crisps for a Deer?
View: BU7_20210615_0631_036-0636_063 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn & mother meet at SW corner for groom 1+4+7+9 of 9 (montage 5 mins).jpg
Description: We had started to think of the Reeve's Muntjac Deer as rather independent, but here a
possibly by chance, possibly not, encounter at the SW corner between Fawn and what must
be Mum led to 5 minutes of affectionate grooming of the youngster and eventually exit though
the south hedge. If you look carefully at the top of the bottom right picture, you will see
Mum looking back, past a grass blade, at her Fawn to check that it is following.
Date: 15 Jul 2021
View: D5C_20210611_1118_007+009+010 Great Tit breaking off fragments of peanut to feed juvenile 2-4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The Kitchen window bird table and perch are held in place by a pair
of G-clamps. This seems to provide a nice grippy surface for the Adult
Great Tit (left) to feed their youngster. The adult has obtained a piece
of peanut from the feeder and is chipping off a smaller piece to feed
the youngster.
Concerns about feeding peanuts during the breeding season centre around
young birds choking on whole peanuts. Ensure your feeders only release
fragments and it becomes useful supplement for chicks and the parents.
View: E60_20210616_1141_064_FB3 Great Spotted Woodpecker female offers food to juvenile hanging beneath (crop).jpg
Description: At the top, Mum Great Spotted Woodpecker.
Hanging upside down, juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker.
We have seen this juxtaposition many times, and still have no idea
why the juvenile chooses to hang inverted.
Date: 14 Jul 2021
View: D01_20210610_2222_053-20210614_0409_185_FB6 Little Owl visits on 3 of 5 days for ever longer periods 1-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: 3 visits by what looks like the same Little Owl over 5 days, visiting for 1, 2 and then 3 'frames'.
Frames on this camera are taken at exactly 1 minute intervals when the post is occupied.
Top middle is the back of the head - without optical equipment this looks remarkably
like much bigger bird.
View: D01_20210611_2142_111_FB6 Little Owl visits on 3 of 5 days for ever longer periods 3 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: More detail of the top-right image.
View: D01_20210617_0103_027+0104_129_FB6 Tawny Owl 2 minute visit to meadow post 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: After several weeks we see a Tawny Owl again, spending a couple of minutes at the meadow post.
Tawny Owls seems to prefer (or find easier to catch) Voles over Fieldmice (Wood Mice).
We see very few of either prey at the nearby Meadow site photo kit at the
moment, but there are plenty around, and unfortunately in, the house.
Date: 13 Jul 2021
View: BU8_20210608_0846_077 2 Moorhen adults on grass by pond followed by (at least) 2 chicks.jpg
Description: Mum and Dad introduce 2 of the Moorhen chicks to the world outside the pond.
This was the last of the group of 3 pics triggered by the adults so more chicks
may be following.
View: D73_20210608_1741_105 2 Moorhen chicks.jpg
Description: In the evening of the same day two sibling Moorhen are in the duckweed of
the Duck-shaped pond.
Date: 12 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210608_0917_044 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male immature.jpg
Description: There are perhaps a dozen male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies around
the various places they frequent as the 'sun moves round the heavens'.
View: D73_20210608_1231_072 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male immature (head detail).jpg
Description: Detail of a male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly shows
the intricate spines and hairs.
View: D73_20210609_1253_148 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly female (1st female of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: At last we see a Female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly.
Only the females have the white 'pseudo-pterostigma' on both Demoiselle species.
Many other Odonata have these marks in a similar position, but there are usually
black or Brown, hence the 'pseudo' for these white ones.
View: D73_20210610_1038_016 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male (1st of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: This is a male Banded Demoiselle Damselfly sunning himself on a nettle leaf.
So far we have not spotted any female Banded Demoiselle Damselflies,
but may have missed some - they are rather similar to the Female
Beautiful.
Date: 11 Jul 2021
View: E63_20210607_1420_054-20210608_1203_139_FB1 Yellowhammer visits to stone at hedge bottom (montage over 22hrs).jpg
Description: Several sighting of the male Yellowhammer (and a poor pic of the female) this week.
Here is a little celebration of some of the male's visits on a somewhat elongated stone.
Date: 10 Jul 2021
View: D01_20210607_0157_187_FB6 Tawny Owl single frame visit.jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl stops by the meadow post 2 hours after midnight.
There don't seem to be many Rodents at the nearby 'Meadow camera'
so the Owl hopefully knows of better places to hunt.
View: D01_20210602_0416_055+057+2100_103+105_FB6 2 Little Owls visiting meadow post morning & evening of the same day (montage).jpg
Description: Visits in the early morning and early night of the same day by Little Owls.
A careful inspection suggests that this is two individuals.
Have we got a pair nesting on our patch? We DO have a little owl
nesting box inaccessible to us past stinging nettles.
More if we discover anything new - without interfering with the nest box
until well after they could have finished with it.
Date: 09 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210606_0834_030 Silver-ground Carpet Moth on leaf with rear wings partly exposed.jpg
Description: A Silver-ground Carpet Moth shows off the intricate wing pattern.
The rather elongated look is because the wings are not fully
covering one another as you normally see when the insect is resting.
Date: 08 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210605_1257_135 Grass Snake basking on partly hidden mound of desiccated Iris leaves (crop).jpg
Description: We haven't sighted a grass snake for 4 years (28 Jun 2018) under a corrugated
iron sheet we still look under most days. So catching a sight of this Grass
Snake sunbathing in the middle of the main pond, coiled over a tuft of
desiccated Iris fronds from last year, was a surprise. We couldn't see it very
well for the glare of the plants around it. and took several pics at various
angles through intervening fresh growth. Eventually it slithered off we know not
where - Grass Snakes are completely happy in water. In this pic you can see the
3 parts of the snake, bottom towards the tail, top toward the head, and just
above middle the snake's head itself facing to the right.
View: D73_20210614_1002_002+016 Grass Snake under corrugated iron sheet exits under edge of lifted sheet 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Almost 2 weeks after the first Grass Snake sighting, we lift the corrugated iron
sheet and in the first time for years find this Grass snake warming itself under
the sun warmed corrugated iron. The snake wasn't too happy with this
interruption of it's sauna, found a break in the up-ended iron, and made a swift exit.
View: D73_20210615_1239_093-105 Grass snake found under corrugated iron sheet escapes into mouse hole 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The next day we see probably the same Grass Snake at the same place. This time
the corrugated iron was thrown right back, not providing a surface route to
escape, so the snake makes for the nearest Mouse hole and the whole snake
(probably almost 1 metre long) pours into the hole and vanishes!
Date: 07 Jul 2021
View: DF3_20210605_0814_003-0822_076 hover-flies (merodon equestris) mating on blackberry leaf 1-6 of 6 (montage over 8 mins).jpg
Description: This pair of Hover-flies were making so much noise about it that we had to
investigate the frantic buzzing and found these two on a bramble growing out of
a miniature conifer. These taken over 8 minutes. At frame 5 he fell off - but
she let him regain his classic position. We left them to it and they were gone
half and hour later.
Date: 06 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210529_1341_012 Green Alkanet in flower along east of access track.jpg
Description: Every year for the last 30 years (i.e. since we moved here) a 10m stretch along
the east edge of the access track becomes a sea of the blue flowers of Green Alkanet.
Patches are starting to appear on the west side of the track and in the orchard
without any help from us.
View: D73_20210601_0946_092 Hawthorn tree in blossom with incidental Burnet Rose flowers.jpg
Description: Some of the Hawthorn trees growing from the inner hedge are have become really
impressive with a huge overhang, turning parts of the outer path into a 'tunnel'.
Date: 05 Jul 2021
View: BU8_20210529_0208_180 Badger adult with 3 youngsters near Duck-shaped Pond.jpg
Description: Mum or Dad Badger with 3 youngsters dutifully following.
An adult and 2 youngsters seen again later the same night.
View: BU2_20210605_0206_176_SC7 Badger adult with 3 cubs.jpg
Description: A week after the first visit by an Badger adult + 3 youngsters we see
what is probably the same group from 50 metres away from the previous
siting at the bottom and lower slope of the mound.
Date: 04 Jul 2021
View: DF1_20210603_1233_007+010+1234_053 Blue Tit nestbox feeds (grubs & Peanut grit) + Fecal Sac removal 1-3 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A Blue Tit was flying past the window about once a minute -
moving between a peanut feeder and this nest box. Investigating
showed that the visitors to the nest box were grabbing peanut
grit from the feeder and 'grubs' from the Yellow Buddleia in a
mix to feed the youngsters in the nest. Whole peanuts can be a
choking danger to chick, but it seems that having to peck out
tiny fragments makes peanuts a useful supplement. In this first
montage we see Mum or Dad delivering a green grub.
This nestbox is in total shade all day and these are the best pics we can get.
View: DF1_20210603_1235_158-160 Blue Tit nestbox feeds (grubs and Peanut grit) + Fecal Sac removal 4-6 of 6 (acc montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Here one of the parents flies out to dispose of a Fecal Sac.
This nestbox is in total shade all day and these are the best pics we can get.
Yes - the box is mounted on a sloping branch - the birds don't care!
Date: 03 Jul 2021
View: DA1_20210601_1357_285+1355_276_FT1 White Ermine Moth on box showing orange body only when flapping wings (montage).jpg
Description: The White Ermine Moth is an extremely attractive sight glowing in
the dark of the Moth Trap. Reluctant to leave the 'pill' box at
the start of the session, you see here the resting insect (right)
with no hint of the glorious orange body (left) while warming up the
wing muscles ready for flight.
View: DA1_20210601_1356_279+1358_293_FT1 White Ermine Moth in 5 flights (montage).jpg
Description: A montages celebration of this beautiful White Ermine moth.
View: DA1_20210601_1358_293+1523_409_FT1 White Ermine Moth in flight with tip of grass blade (montage).jpg
Description: A close up of this White Ermine moth with the tip of a grass blade for scale.
Date: 02 Jul 2021
View: DA1_20210601_1342_250+1418_366_FT1 2 Poplar Hawk-moths in flight (montage).jpg
Description: Hawk-moths are, by Moth standards, really big. This Poplar Hawk-moth was a wingspan
of about 40mm (inch and a half) though it seems bigger when you are handling them.
The orange patch doesn't show at all on the resting insect, and doesn't get any
mention in ID books or normal photos.
View: DA1_20210601_1342_250+1526_426_FT1 Poplar Hawk-moth with small Head of Cow Parsley (montage).jpg
Description: Here montaged at the same scale with a small head of Cow Parsley you
get a better idea of scale.
Date: 01 Jul 2021
View: D73_20210601_1320_130 Brimstone Butterfly female perched on Blackberry leaf.jpg
Description: This female Brimstone Butterfly perched nicely for a photo before being
rudely netted to strut her stuff for a few minutes at the insect flight kit.
View: DA1_20210601_1320_186+1315_162+1317_171_FT1 Brimstone Butterfly female in 3 flights (montage).jpg
Description: 3 separate flights here of the female Brimstone butterfly,
since montaged to make some sort of fun layout, before we took her back
to her bramble patch.
Image Archive arch 2021 jun.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Jun 2021
View: DA1_20210601_1301_106+108+1307_143_FT1 Cinnabar Moth in 2 flights with buttercup (montage).jpg
Description: Photographing Cinnabar Moths has always been really difficult, but this one
after an initial period of playing dead, kindly obliged with several quite decent
flights past the camera.
View: DA1_20210601_1301_109+1303_123 Cinnabar Moth 2 flight (montage)_FT1.jpg
Description: Another two moments from Cinnabar Moth flights.
Date: 29 Jun 2021
View: P10_20210601_0706_412 Green Carpet Moth (Colostygia pectinataria) faded to grey on moth-trap wall.jpg
Description: Green Carpet Moths fade from green quite quickly - this one grey.
It is photographed against the black plastic of the moth trap it was caught in.
View: DA1_20210601_1349_263-264+1524_417_FT1 Green Carpet Moth in flight with Green Alkanet flower (montage).jpg
Description: A younger 'greener' individual provided these moments a Green Carpet moth in flight.
Date: 28 Jun 2021
View: P10_20210601_0658_410 Cockchafer Beetle aka Maybug (Melolontha melolontha) resting on cardboard.jpg
Description: This Cockchafer Beetle was caught in the overnight moth trap, and
is here perched on the 'egg boxes' used to fill the trap with
insect-friendly perches. The lack of the 'brush' Antennae tells
is that this is a female.
View: DA1_20210601_1420_383+1425_404_FT1 Cockchafer Beetle aka Maybug (Melolontha melolontha) in 2 flights (montage).jpg
Description: This is a male Cockchafer Beetle in a couple of flights down what we call
out 'Flight Tunnel'.
If you are interested in how we get these pics there is lots of detail (probably
too much!) to be found at
Flight Tunnel.
Date: 27 Jun 2021
View: bu7_20210601_0833_052 Muntjac Reeves Deer male (1 antler) in early morning sunlight.jpg
Description: This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer has lost one of his Antlers.
Don't worry - you will lose the other and then grow a lovely new pair to impress the girls!
View: BU7_20210601_0833_054 Muntjac Reeves Deer male (1 antler) in early morning sunlight + orange tip butterfly on flank.jpg
Description: A few second later the missing antler isn't so clear, but we can just identify
on his flank a hitch-hiking small Orange-tip Butterfly!
Date: 26 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210602_1555_204 2 Moorhen Chicks on Duck-shaped Pond (first of 2021) (crop).jpg
Description: For the first time in years the Moorhen web site has Moorhen once
again breeding on the ponds. Two very young Moorhen who don't
know that they should be hiding!
View: D73_20210603_1226_033 2 Moorhen Chicks on Duck-shaped Pond (crop).jpg
Description: Next day, forewarned into making a quiet approach, we see 2 again
View: D73_20210603_1438_046 Moorhen Chick portrait on Duck-shaped pond.jpg
Description: A little portrait of this scruffy and simultaneously beautiful ball of feathers
View: D73_20210603_1439_053 4 (of maybe 5) Moorhen chicks on Duck-shaped pond (ID only).jpg
Description: Here we momentarily see 4 of these tiny chicks at once.
There is probably another hidden top right, but we are not sure.
By now the presumably new pair of adults have learned to guard their
youngsters better, and we can't get near without a warning call and
the whole lot vanishing into the foliage.
Date: 25 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210530_1555_068 Orange-tip Butterfly male feeding on Red Campion.jpg
Description: The Orange-tip butterflies seem to have been around FAR longer than usual.
Normally for 2 or 3 weeks. Our first record is 17 April 2021, so we have been seeing
them for 6 weeks. They don't even look 'tatty'.
View: DA1_20210601_1129_045_FT1 Orange-tip Butterfly male in flight (crop).jpg
Description: A male Orange-tip butterfly flies by giving us a good view of the
top of the wings. Only the males show the orange tips.
View: DA1_20210601_1131_060+1232_085_FT1 Orange Tip Butterfly male in flight with Garlic Mustard flowers (montage).jpg
Description: Another flyby by this male Orange-tip butterfly shows you the underside
of the insect including the intricate green lacework that provides
disguise (on both sexes) when the wings are closed.
Date: 24 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210530_1220_035 Burnet Rose (1st of 2021).jpg
Description: The Burnet Rose always beats the better known Dog Rose to flowering here.
The perfume of the Burnet hits you downwind from even a small patch.
We both think this is the best scent in nature - wonderful without being sickly.
View: D73_20210601_1516_134 Dog Rose (first of 2021).jpg
Description: 2 days later we spot the first Dog Rose.
A much lighter but still pleasing perfume.
Date: 23 Jun 2021
View: E63_20210527_1749_052_FB1 Grey Squirrel attacking another.jpg
Description: Ouch! That claw sinking into the back of the fleeing Squirrel
looks like it means business :-(
View: BU5_20210528_1718_194+1720_205-207_SC1 Grey Squirrel run up to edge of Round Pond and jumps in (accurate montage).jpg
Description: We have never before seen a Squirrel leap into a pond.
There must have been something really tasty to grab from the water!
View: E64_20210528_1732_112_FB2 Grey Squirrel with prominent gonads attacking another.jpg
Description: Definitely a MALE Grey Squirrel - his 'personal equipment' raring to go.
We understand that many similar species' gonads vary in size annually.
View: E63_20210530_1759_259_FB1 Pheasant male startled by Grey Squirrel streaking by.jpg
Description: Something MUCH more important than confronting the somewhat startled Pheasant
seem to be occupying the attention of the Grey Squirrel tearing past.
Date: 22 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210526_1236_080 Columbine (Aqualigia vulgaris) flowers.jpg
Description: We have always thought of this plant as being called Aqualigia and was a
cultivar, but it turns out to be a Columbine, and a native plant at that.
Each beautiful flower lasts only a day or two, coming along in sequence.
View: DF3_20210523_0717_007 Hawthorn tree over easy hedge covered in blossom.jpg
Description: Our East hedge is lit up by a couple of Hawthorn trees in full bloom.
There are 8 similar trees along the 100m East stretch, and a similar number
along the 100m North stretch.
Date: 21 Jun 2021
View: DF3_20210525_1045_040+1044_016 Great Spotted Woodpecker male pecking peanut from feeder (montage).jpg
Description: We haven't seen much of Great Spotted Woodpeckers so far this year.
This male sometimes visits this peanut feeder outside the study for a top-up.
This bird is very skittish - one hint of movement through the window and he's away!
Date: 20 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210519_1009_089 Chaffinch male singing from Ash tree.jpg
Description: In this leafing Ash tree a male Chaffinch declares ownership.
At another tree 50m away we hear a similar song but have never
managed to spot the singer!
View: D36_20210522_1438_044_FB4 Chaffinch male on tree-stump.jpg
Description: A magnificent male Chaffinch arrives at the tree-stump.
He is still in full breeding colours with intact blue coating on his beak.
View: E63_20210525_1800_142_FB1 Dunnock.jpg
Description: Dunnocks here are like Sparrows when we were children back in the
early 1960s- look out of the window and you may well see one.
Very appropriate that they used to be called a 'Hedge Sparrows'
though its not actually any kind of Sparrow.
Date: 19 Jun 2021
View: E64_20210520_1947_072-20210523_1709_321_FB2 Moorhen 7 of 10 visits to Woodland site over 4 days 4+1-3+5-7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: Over 4 days (we collect the camera cards on a 4 and 3 day weekly cycle) we spotted
a Moorhen several times on the Trail-cam at Round pond, and exactly 10
times here at the woodland site. This is the 7 best montaged as a bit of fun.
We have always loved our Moorhen!
View: E64_20210524_1204_037_FB2 Moorhen walking across site showing foot detail.jpg
Description: This close-up of the more adventurous of the pair of Moorhen provides a good view
of the lobed toes so good at getting around ponds, dense weeds and solid ground
without the obvious compromises you see in Ducks, Swans etc.
View: BU5_20210524_1552_077_SC1 Moorhen chasing away grey Squirrel.jpg
Description: Probably the same Moorhen is very diligent at defending the nesting
territory from potential interloper or egg predators. We have caught
repeated moments of their method of attack - launch beak-first at what has upset them!
Date: 18 Jun 2021
View: BU9_20210518_1319_073-075_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn walking through orchard (spread montage).jpg
Description: In the afternoon hazy sun, the Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn patters quietly
across the grass at the end of the orchard.
View: BU7_20210519_1003_046 Muntjac Reeves Deer female crossing near south access.jpg
Description: One of 'our' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer steps quietly through the long grass
and Cow Parsley with the well-used south entrance upper left.
View: DF4_20210525_1817_089 Muntjac Reeves Deer female reaching on hind legs to reach self-set sycamore leaves (crop).jpg
Description: A pair of female Reeve's Muntjac Deer appear a couple of times a week for an evening
forage at the back of the house. One of them is our 'resident' and tolerates us, but
this one flees at the sight of us, but does this trick, that the 'resident' does not, of
rearing up to reach foliage otherwise out of reach.
So through an upstairs window we sneak some photos of her grabbing a mouthful
of self-set Sycamore leaves.
Date: 17 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210520_0732_133 Apple Blossom full and partly open after rain.jpg
Description: All the blossom is getting a bit of the beating from the seemingly endless heavy rain showers.
But it somehow feels fresh anyway.
View: D73_20210518_0949_123 Hawthorn Blossom.jpg
Description: The Hawthorn Blossom has been rather disappointing this year on the flailed
farm hedges, but where we maintain the hedges more gently there are some
lovely splashes of white flowers in a sea of 'bobbles'
Date: 16 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210519_0947_003 Cranefly unident on blackberry leaf.jpg
Description: There are said to be 300 different species of Crane-fly in the UK,
most of them very small and few very large.
This one is of intermediate size.
View: D73_20210519_1241_116 Craneflies unident mating on hawthorn leaf.jpg
Description: Judging from the wing pattern and larger size, this pair of Crane-flies seen
mating is a different species we again have not identified.
View: D01_20210517_1345_025_FB6 Great Tit carrying probable Cranefly in beak.jpg
Description: On the Meadow Post (aka the Owl Post when they oblige) we have to assume that
the Great Tit's beak holds what is (or was) another of the many Crane-flies we
are seeing.
Date: 15 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210517_0941_021-0943_048 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at outside of south hedge 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A typical couple of minutes as one of the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer ambles along
alternately grooming and feeding.
In the bottom left image you can just see a speck of blood below the eye where she
has obviously scraped herself - again.
View: D73_20210517_1245_069+075+080 Muntjac Reeves Deer female on hind legs to reach foliage to eat 1+3+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Several hours later this moment was NOT what we typically see - the Deer
reaching up on hind legs to reach a presumable particularly good looking patch
of leaves.
View: D73_20210517_1245_071 Muntjac Reeves Deer female on hind legs to reach foliage to eat 2 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: More detail from a frame not included in the montage -
"Got It"
Date: 14 Jun 2021
View: E63_20210517_1530_057_FB1 Yellowhammer and Dunnock.jpg
Description: This male Yellowhammer glows in the bottom of the hedge as the smaller Dunnock
(lower right) complains - a bit.
View: D73_20210518_0942_118 Yellowhammer in hedge south of Farm Entrance.jpg
Description: When you see a yellowhammer on some plain surface it stands
out like a light bulb. But see it in a natural habitat and it is really quite
hard to see even when you know it is there.
View: D73_20210519_1006_078 Pied Wagtail hunting around sprouting crop.jpg
Description: On the sprouting crop this Pied Wagtail is hunting for insects in the mud.
His patterning provides surprising good camouflage against this messy ground.
Date: 13 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210515_1726_069 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn chewing.jpg
Description: The Fawn is not as habituated to humans as the 'resident' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer,
but is getting used to us. Here is the Fawn chewing primrose leaves.
View: DF4_20210517_2032_013-2037_067 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn suckling from mum before getting groomed (montage).jpg
Description: So many interesting things happen when the light is well below what makes a good photo!
Here mother Reeve's Muntjac Deer visits her Fawn at the main pond a few metres north of the house.
First she delivered supper in liquid form, with youngster getting quite animated to get the
last drop from the teats. Ouch!
Then Mum gives an affectionate wash and brush up (including the anal licking to stimulate the fawns
evacuation) and finally almost a snuggle, Deer style, before they part ways.
View: DF4_20210517_2039_071-2047_101 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn walks to island and settles for night 1-4+6-7 of 7 (approx montage).jpg
Description: Mum having departed the Fawn spent 8 minutes quietly walking over the mat of Iris roots
to get to the island to settle on one of her thoroughly flattened regular resting places.
Date: 12 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210515_1616_049 Orange-tip Butterfly male perched on Cow Parsley bud (crop 1).jpg
Description: The Orange-tip Butterflies have been on-the-wing for an atypically long time
this year. This one is perched on yet-to-flower Cow Parsley bud.
View: D73_20210515_1616_049 Orange-tip Butterfly male perched on Cow Parsley bud (crop 2 - coiled proboscis detail).jpg
Description: A closer look shows the coiled up proboscis just below and right of the compound eye.
Date: 11 Jun 2021
View: BU9_20210511_0722_045+0724_046+047_SC2 Pheasant male displaying 1-3 of 3 (spread montage).jpg
Description: The trail-cam in the Orchard caught this moment of the male Pheasant stopping
to make one of his characteristic display-and-call.
View: E64_20210514_1630_092_FB2 Grey Squirrel and Pheasant male confrontation.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrel vs. male Pheasant.
Although it looks like the Squirrel has 'won' its is possible that the
Pheasant is about to land ON the squirrel and give the Squirrel a
spike from those sharp spurs.
Date: 10 Jun 2021
View: BU7_20210519_0056_039+0549_043 Badger and Muntjac Reeves Deer male visits night & early morning (montage).jpg
Description: The trail-cam looking towards the south entrance catches these 2 visitors
a bit after midnight and during dawn. Identical framing and scale.
View: BU5_20210511_0108_068+0109_070_071_SC1 Fox & Badger face-off 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A little Fox vs Badger moment.
The Fox goes for drink in the pond, and as the fox pulls away from the water
there is a Badger approaching directly at the Fox, causing him to crouch
down and lay ears flat. It seems that is the Fox makes a speedy exit rather than
the Badger. We had never thought before about a 'pecking order' between
these two visitors.
View: BU7_20210511_0131_017 Fox reclining on long grass grooming fur with rear leg.jpg
Description: This fox stops off on the way out through the south hedge, sort of lounging in
the long grass for a bit of a scratch. This pic was captured 23 minutes after
the confrontation at the pond, so most likely the same Fox
Date: 09 Jun 2021
View: DF4_20210510_0923_051-0951_080 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn on Main pond island visited by mother 02+06+07+09 of 19 (montage).jpg
Description: The lack of a Moorhen nest of the main pond island means that it is peaceful
enough for the Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn to use it as a daytime haunt.
Lately the fawn has spent most of the daylight hours resting in this patch,
almost hidden at ground level with just the ear tips showing above the Irises.
Here we view the island from an upstairs window.
Unusually, on this day, we saw Mum paying him a visit ...
View: DF4_20210510_0952_124-146 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn on Main pond island visited by mother 11+12+14+15 of 19 (montage).jpg
Description: ... to have a little feed herself (but not offering anything to the fawn) but giving a fawn a
'wash-and-brushup' which the fawn very obviously enjoyed.
The Fawn never even tried to suckle, so is presumably now completely weaned.
View: DF4_20210510_0952_130 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn on Main pond island visited by mother 13 of 19 (crop).jpg
View: BU3_20210512_2035_268+269_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer mother leading Fawn to hole in hedge (montage).jpg
Description: 2 days later as night falls the Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn is accompanied by Mum.
Mum reaches up to snatch a few leaves from the hedge before guiding the youngster
through the gap in the hedge.
Date: 08 Jun 2021
View: DF3_20210507_1014_091 Orange-tip Butterfly male feeding on Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flower.jpg
Description: The Orange-tip butterflies are still enjoying the Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower).
Garlic Mustard is starting to flower - the females will need this for laying their eggs.
View: D73_20210509_1605_019 Hawthorn Blossom.jpg
Description: Hawthorn Blossom highlighting the way the Anthers change.
Date: 07 Jun 2021
View: E64_20210512_1819_183+1822_185_FB2 Grey Squirrel sits on piece of apple in Magpies beak 3 minutes later (montage).jpg
Description: Should we tell the Magpie that the Grey Squirrel was sitting on his food 3 minutes earlier?
The Magpie's eye is fine - he has closed his nictitating membrane (inner eyelid) for a moment.
View: E6A_20210506_1638_040_FB5 Grey Squirrel eating Banana skin piece held delicately in single paw.jpg
Description: The delicacy with which this Grey Squirrel is holding this piece of banana
suggests the era of 'tinkling teacups'.
View: E64_20210504_0850_083_FB2 Grey Squirrel galloping through site with rear legs in front of front legs.jpg
Description: There is no evidence in the original frame of why this Grey Squirrel was
in such a hurry. This is reminiscent of slow-motion film of a Cheetah chasing
after some unfortunate Gazelle, back arching both ways to increase the effective stride length.
Date: 06 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210505_1550_048+092 Goldfinch eating seeds from Dandelion Clock 1+3 of 3 (montage 2 for focus & arrangement).jpg
Description: Its the time of the Dandelion, and the Goldfinches make the most of the
mass of 'food balls' that Dandelion Clocks provide.
View: DF3_20210507_0741_043-045 Blue Tit exploring Ash tree for grubs (montage).jpg
Description: A rather scruffy Blue Tit clambers around the branches of the Ash trees
looking for grubs to take 'home' to the nest.
View: D73_20210509_1742_048-051 Wren flying from top of Buddleia 1-4 of 4 (montage @10fps).jpg
Description: A Wren perches for a few seconds on the tip of a trimmed Buddleia branch
before flying off.
View: D73_20210512_0954_097-099 Wren singing from tip of cut Buddleia 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Outside the study window a Wren declares his territory.
Date: 05 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210503_0710_127-133 Hare running across sprouting crop NE of Farm Road 02-08 of 30 (approx montage @10fps).jpg
Description: A Hare making a long run over the sprouting crop in the Farm's field. There are
4 times more images than shown here as the Hare disappeared into the distance.
The Hare is remarkably well concealed brown on brown despite us pushing the
contrast as high as reasonable.
Date: 04 Jun 2021
View: D73_20210426_1615_066+068 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn near house startled & leaps by cameraman 1+3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn seems to be getting used to seeing
us 'harmlessly' nearby. Something spooked the little fawn from
behind, who leapt away straight by the cameraman and away.
View: BU3_20210425_1106_142-144_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn crossing access track (impression montage).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac fawn takes a well trodden route into the farm field
adjacent to our patch, pausing to look down the track (at the traffic?) as he goes.
View: DF4_20210501_1816_006 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn feeding near main pond.jpg
Description: As the day ends the Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn, on her own, is sampling the
various weed and flowers.
View: DF4_20210501_1816_010 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn feeding near main pond.jpg
Description: Its seems that the pattern of dots on the Fawns two sides are similar but
far from identical. Quite unlike an insect's perfect mirror imaging.
Date: 03 Jun 2021
View: E63_20210428_0830_208_FB1 Moorhen at hedge bottom as pheasant female leaves.jpg
Description: One of a pair of Moorhen arrives at the hedge bottom site as this female Pheasant departs.
View: BU5_20210501_1758_454-456_SC1 Moorhen pair chivvying their partner along bank of Round pond (montage).jpg
Description: Two Moorhen at the edge of Round Pond.
We caught this behaviour 3 times in 4 days - this is the clearest.
When we watched moorhen from inside the house on the main pond this behaviour
was usually indicative of a change-over of incubation duties - "Go and get on the nest!".
View: E64_20210503_0616_306_FB2 Moorhen walking through woodland site.jpg
Description: One the the Moorhen pair shortly after sunrise, exploring the woodland
site for some breakfast.
Date: 02 Jun 2021
View: D5C_20210429_0830_006 Blackcap female on overgrown hedge cuttings.jpg
Description: We don't see much of the Blackcaps, and this year so far only a female
sporting her Brown cap has made an appearance. This one was close to the north
of the house seen through the kitchen window.
View: E6A_20210429_0702_332_FB5 Blackbird female lit by first sunshine.jpg
Description: As the first beams of sunlight reach the meadow, the female Blackbird is already
out and about starting the day.
Date: 01 Jun 2021
View: E64_20210426_1951_100_FB2 2 Wood Pigeons at Sunset.jpg
Description: A pair of Wood Pigeons, probably getting amorous at sunset.
Well - they get amorous at every other time of day!
View: D73_20210430_1736_048+065+070+076 Wood Pigeons mating on gate rail 1+4+5+8 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: A few days later we see this pair of Wood Pigeons indulge in a little afternoon nookie.
Image Archive arch 2021 may.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 May 2021
View: D73_20210429_0728_178 Crab Apple blossom (crop).jpg
Description: In early morning sunlight, a 'wall' of Crab-apple blossom make a visual treat.
View: D73_20210429_0718_164 Crab Apple blossom in un-flailed section of hedge near entrance in south hedge.jpg
Description: This is some Crab Apple Blossom at the top of a bit of overgrown hedge at the
entrance end of our access track.
Date: 30 May 2021
View: D36_20210414_0541_048_FB4 Sparrowhawk on tree-stump (crop).jpg
Description: A very early morning visit to the woodland tree-stump by the local Sparrowhawk.
View: D01_20210504_0453_091-0456_097_FB6 Little Owl makes 4 minute visit to meadow post 1+4+2+3 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: And finally, a Little Owl spent a few minutes on the Meadow Post.
Little Owls also hunt in full daylight, so we will be looking for this visitor in the daytime as well
Date: 29 May 2021
View: D73_20210413_1557_147+1541_101 Bee-fly perched on leaf with in-flight insert (montage).jpg
Description: For us the real start of the insect season is the first sightings of Bee-flies.
View: D73_20210427_1248_111+1249_114 Small White Butterfly feeding on Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flowers (montage).jpg
Description: A small white butterfly feeds on the Lady's smock (Cuckoo flower) that the deer have not eaten.
Date: 28 May 2021
View: D73_20210501_1635_090 Muntjac Reeves Deer female looking back down east inner path.jpg
Description: As we turn the corner to walk down this path, this Reeve's Muntjac Deer has
already heard our footfalls and looks back to discover the cause.
Once she knew it was 'only them' she went back to the more important
business of eating the hedge.
View: BUA_20210427_0808_093_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer female reaching up to browse on hedge near East entrance (crop).jpg
Description: One of the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer working on tidying up the new 'browse line'.
Date: 27 May 2021
View: D73_20210415_1059_012 Pear Blossom.jpg
Description: Pear blossom is more interestingly patterned inside the flowers than we realised.
View: D73_20210424_1050_032 Crab Apple blossom.jpg
Description: In one of the farm hedges, some Crab-apple blossom shines out.
Date: 26 May 2021
View: D5C_20210425_0935_031 Moorhen stepping through long grass showing lobed feet.jpg
Description: Stepping quietly over the long grass by the pond we get this portrait which shows
the feet we describe as 'lobed' - a compromise for walking on pond weeds, swimming,
and walking on land - less awkward on land than the webbed feet on ducks but
still good in the pond.
View: BU5_20210424_1925_555_SC1 2 Moorhens on Round Pond with Muntjac Reeves Deer female on bank.jpg
Description: Following a few more sightings of original bird, here (not a montage) we catch
(what we assume is) a 'pair' of Moorhen swimming towards each other on the Round
Pond. The camera was kindly triggered by the resident female Reeves Muntjac Deer
in the foreground.
View: DF4_20210427_0956_043+0954_022 Moorhen Pair feeding separately on main pond (montage).jpg
Description: 3 days later from the house we catch these two images of two moorhen feeding
simultaneously but separately on the main pond.
The easiest way to tell Moorhen apart is by the variable line between the red
bulk and yellow tip of the beak. Using this we can see the bird on the right
is our original arrival, while the more cautious bird hiding in the Iris fronds is
the new arrival.
Date: 25 May 2021
View: D73_20210427_1259_147 Forget-me-not Flowerhead in multiple colours.jpg
Description: Often seeing a couple of different colours of Forget-me-not flowers on a single plant,
this little group on a single stem sports 5 different tints.
We wondered if this was unusual, and found no on-line pics with this many
colours on one plant. But also discovered that there are about 70 recorded
species of Forget-me-nots with a wild variety of single colours, and about 500
species altogether, mostly not classified.
Date: 24 May 2021
View: BU8_20210409_0610_084 Reeves Muntjac Deer Fawn and Mother.jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn follows Mum.
View: BUA_20210424_1314_172_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn.jpg
Description: Ahh! - the Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn is caught in
just this moment at the east hedge gap. This image is
2 weeks after the one with mother above, and the Fawn is now
often seen without Mum.
Date: 23 May 2021
View: D73_20210424_0818_016+0923+0955+1026_028 Dandelions opening in sunshine by back door 2+4-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: Here a patch of Dandelions just outside the back door shows Dandelion
opening and closing in sympathy with the sunlight, with gaps of about 1
hour then two half-hours as the sun starts to shine past the side of a conifer.
Many flowers It seems like quite an 'expensive' strategy to have
evolved to have the ability to close your flowers, but if it
didn't pay-off they wouldn't have evolved it.
Date: 22 May 2021
View: DF3_20210423_1239_003 Brimstone Butterfly female feeding on Bluebell (orig).jpg
Description: 'Bluebells' are starting to flower in the less shaded spots, and this female
Brimstone Butterfly is enjoying a nectar from this one.
This is not a genuine 'English' Bluebell - decades ago when we
bought the bulbs it was not well known that many commercial
'Bluebells' are actually more robust foreign species. The insects
don't care, so we are not purists enough to disturb what we have.
View: D73_20210426_1230_010 Speckled Wood Butterfly (1st of 2021).jpg
Description: Our first sighting 2021 of a Speckled Wood Butterfly - once they arrive we tend
to see them for months, mostly at the woodland edges.
View: D73_20210427_1252_135 Speckled Wood Butterfly.jpg
Description: 24 hours later this Speckled Wood butterfly provide a clear view of
the underside of the wings.
Date: 21 May 2021
View: DF3_20210421_1744_029+037 Grey Squirrel feeding on Oak buds near branch tips (montage).jpg
Description: This Oak tree is just starting to bud, and the squirrels are swinging all over the branches
to fill their little bellies with as many buds as they can stuff in.
In this montage the Squirrel left worked the way right, nearly lost his grip, and
swung underneath to climb back up.
View: DF3_20210421_1744_038 Grey Squirrel feeding on Oak buds near branch tips.jpg
Description: One frame later, confidence regained, just one paw at each end is considered sufficient.
Date: 20 May 2021
View: E6A_20210420_1856_180+1858_181+1902_182_FB5 Pheasant pair encounter with Grey Squirrel (montage over 8 minutes).jpg
Description: A disagreeable Grey Squirrel attacks first the male Pheasant, 2 minutes
later the female, but 4 minutes later the calmer pair have taken 'ownership'
of the feeding site.
Date: 19 May 2021
View: DF5_20210416_0948_007 Muntjac Reeves Deer female on Main Pond island.jpg
Description: The female Reeves Muntjac Deer gets onto this pond's island by delicately
walking on the Iris roots.
View: D5C_20210415_1724_025 Muntjac Reeves Deer female chewing Iris frond.jpg
Description: The 'resident' Reeve's Muntjac Deer seems to like Iris fronds.
Eat as many as you want!
Keeping Iris plants under control on just this pond is a major problem.
Date: 18 May 2021
View: BU3_20210416_2253_110_SC6 Roe Deer male with bare antlers on access track.jpg
Description: This male Roe Deer made this night-time visit to our access track.
This male's antlers have already shed their 'velvet'.
View: BU8_20210421_0852_298+199+BU5_0853_341 Roe Deer male with antlers in velvet 1+2+4(mirrored) of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: 5 days later this lovely male Roe Deer (Antlers still 'in Velvet') made a speedy
pass through our plot. So we have at least TWO visiting male Roe Deer in
different stages of Antler development.
The deer's body is covered in similar scrape marks like the healed one we see on
our resident 'Muntjac'.
View: DF3_20210422_1735_012 Chinese Water Deer in crop far to south.jpg
Description: A few weeks after our first sighting of a Chinese Water Deer here we see
(judging from the missing nape fur) the same individual, out in the evening
quietly exploring the edge of the crop to the fields to the South (perhaps
almost a quarter of a mile away).
View: BU8_20210421_2038_370+371+373 Muntjac Reeves Deer female drinks at Duck Pond 1+2+4 of 4 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer knows where to get a drink, and makes
directly for the Duck-shaped pond shortly after dark.
Date: 17 May 2021
View: BU5_20210419_1703_076-078_SC1 Pheasants mating at pond bank 1-3 of 3 (mirrored montage).jpg
Description: In 30 years here we have never before seen Pheasants mating.
The Mallard Drake swimming slowly by doesn't seem the slightest bit impressed.
View: E64_20210417_1955_220_FB2 Pheasants at Sunset.jpg
Description: Sunset with Pheasants OR Pheasants at sunset.
View: E64_20210421_1844_197_FB2 Pheasant male guarding feeding female.jpg
Description: "En-Guard!"
Date: 16 May 2021
View: DF3_20210418_0925_156 Robin singing from 11kV cable.jpg
Description: Around the blocked gate we often find a singing Robin, here perched on
a nearby 11kV cable, but also in various trees and hedges.
View: D73_20210420_1612_090 Robin singing from tree-top with midges.jpg
Description: From the tip of a conifer by the garage this Robin delivers his ownership
decree, surrounded by a cloud of Midges.
Date: 15 May 2021
View: E63_20210419_0947_015_FB1 Blackbird female with beak crammed with dried grass (orig).jpg
Description: The female Blackbird at this site gathers nest lining.
We are surprised she can see where she is going with load on board.
View: D01_20210415_1859_021_FB6 Magpie carrying multi-coloured twigs in beak (crop).jpg
Description: The Magpie nest is built, now some pretty coloured twigs for the interior - not.
Date: 14 May 2021
View: E63_20210411_1621_077_FB1 2 Grey Squirrels leaping in squabble (crop).jpg
Description: NOT a montage - one lucky frame catching this moment Grey Squirrel of exuberance.
View: E6A_20210412_1723_173_FB5 Grey Squirrel and Pheasant male confrontation.jpg
Description: A battle of wills - Grey Squirrel vs. Pheasant, Claws vs. Spurs.
We don't know what happened :-(
Date: 13 May 2021
View: DF3_20210417_1005_034 Rooks courtship feeding at nest in Black Poplar (crop 2).jpg
Description: A pair of rooks 'Courtship feeding' at their nest.
The males basically feed the females who do most of the incubation,
but the males do their stints on the eggs as well.
Date: 12 May 2021
View: DF3_20210417_1341_084 Orange-tip Butterfly male feeding on Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flower.jpg
Description: A male Orange-tip Butterfly feeding on Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower).
The pattern at the tops of the orange patch seem to be atypically dark.
View: DF3_20210417_1606_092 Orange Tip Butterfly female (1st of 2021).jpg
Description: Normally we see female Orange-tip Butterflies a week or two after the first see the males,
but this year we saw first emergence at the same time. The females don't have the
orange tip, but still have the delicate green tracery under the wing that you can
JUST see showing through as a green haze on the rear wings. The Green tracery
is present on the males as well but the picture of the male above wasn't
optimised to show it.
View: D73_20210421_1510_155 Orange-tip Butterfly female on Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flower head (crop).jpg
Description: A few days later this female Orange-tip Butterfly was resting on a Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower)
flower-head, wings fully folded so we get a great view of the wonderful green tracery.
Date: 11 May 2021
View: DF3_20210330_1002_005+010 Yellowhammer in Lombardy Poplar flies down to concrete to pick up corn (montage).jpg
Description: At the bend of the farm road a Yellowhammer appears every time we
walk toward the concrete block where we leave some corn.
He waits for us on the block, flees to one of the nearby trees as we approach
with a few metres to go, and then promptly returns to the block top, or in
this case the concrete track below where the wind immediately blew the corn.
View: DF3_20210418_0913_096 Yellowhammer standing on top of Blackthorn hedge.jpg
Description: A Yellowhammer perched on the top of a Blackthorn hedge.
Date: 10 May 2021
View: E64_20210413_1951_217_FB2 Pheasant male and female feeding together.jpg
Description: Ahh - togetherness Pheasant style.
Even if he does have at least two more girls in his harem.
View: BU2_20210411_1757_150_SC7 3 Pheasant females with male at far left edge (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: The male Pheasant proudly watches THREE of his ladies
Maybe Gentlemen prefer Blondes (2:1 here) but we are quite sure
he would welcome ANY colour.
Date: 09 May 2021
View: E64_20210331_0405_194_FB2 2 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) embracing on hind legs.jpg
Description: Less than a handful of picture of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) this week, so we consider it
fortunate that one of them is this little pair of Squeaks up to who knows
what in the hours before dawn.
View: E63_20210411_2208_111_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) (only sighting in 1 week).jpg
Description: The number of mice seen in Spring has been unusually low this year -
This is the ONLY mouse seen this week.
Date: 08 May 2021
View: E63_20210330_1927_237_FB1 Pheasant male & Grey Squirrel confrontation.jpg
Description: No more fights spotted recently between the Squirrel and Pheasant, but plenty
of 'dirty looks!
View: E63_20210405_1723_060_FB1 Pheasant male fleeing Grey Squirrel attack (crop).jpg
Description: The male Pheasant makes a quick exit - upwards.
So much for the truce we mentioned above.
Date: 07 May 2021
View: E6A_20210410_1818_378_FB5 Mallard Duck pair arriving fresh from pond with Duckweed.jpg
Description: A pair of Mallard Ducks visit the meadow site still scattered with food.
View: BU5_20210411_0221_673_SC1 Badger on bank watching Mallard Duck pair on Round Pond water.jpg
Description: Eight hours later the Ducks are on the water of Round Pond.
The Badger spent several minutes watching them.
View: BU5_20210405_2149_185_SC1 Fox on far bank watching Mallard pair swimming on Round Pond.jpg
Description: Across the pond we catch a Fox, complete with reflection in the rippling water,
looking longingly at the two Mallard Ducks, tantalisingly out of reach.
View: BU5_20210411_1528_136_SC1 Mallard Duck female swims to male leaving trail through duckweed.jpg
Description: The female Mallard Duck swims up to the male on the bank, leaving
a tell-tale trail through the Duckweed.
In our more 'natural' surroundings the females actively seek the protection of
individual males who will face up to threats for his 'girl'.
At public parks groups of males desperate to mate will often gang up on any female
they see, and sometimes drown them in the frenzy - a sad outcome of the
unnatural compression of wildlife into unsuitably small spaces.
Date: 06 May 2021
View: E63_20210401_1728_078+20210405_0817_003_FB1 Blackbird male stepping onto and off stone 4 days apart (montage).jpg
Description: A bit of fun with pics taken 4 days apart.
First the local male Blackbird stepping up onto the stone,
and 4 days later the same individual stepping down.
View: E63_20210408_1633_143_FB1 Blackbird female.jpg
Description: The female Blackbird owning this site is presumably taking a few minutes
off the eggs to feed and preen.
View: E63_20210409_0756_177_FB1 Blackbird male threatening (q) something out of frame to left.jpg
Description: Next morning the male Blackbird is very animated.
Date: 05 May 2021
View: BU7_20210407_1526_139-1528_147 2 Grey Squirrels chasing around trunk of tree by SW hedge gap (montage)jpg.jpg
Description: What are trees for if not to run round & round while chasing your
friend / rival / lover.
View: D73_20210331_1414_399 Grey Squirrel basking along top of gate.jpg
Description: "This is the life!"
View: D73_20210330_1742_217+232 Grey Squirrel high on Black Poplar twig feeding on catkins (montage).jpg
Description: All of the Black Poplars inside our site were grown from fallen wood 30 years ago,
and are now all at least 10 metres tall. The tiny speck just below the bottom left
corner of the insert is a Grey Squirrel enlarged in the box, busy eating Catkins
from the tree. If the Squirrel falls from this height he will have to grab a branch
to avoid serious injury.
Reminds us of the 'Avatar' Jake's falling down the tree sequence.
Date: 04 May 2021
View: D73_20210410_1554_071 Muntjac Reeves Deer female foraging in replanted fruit trees.jpg
Description: The 'resident' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer seems to find plenty to eat in the Woodland.
View: BU7_20210330_2030_134 Muntjac Reeves Deer male rubbing forehead on ground.jpg
Description: We often seem to catch a moment where male Reeve's Muntjac Deer rub their
foreheads on the ground as you see here. We suspect that the emerged
antlers are uncomfortable at the base where the velvet was attached to the
blood supply.
Date: 03 May 2021
View: D73_20210404_1208_081 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly (first sighting in 2021) feeding on Blackthorn Blossom.jpg
Description: Our first sighting of a Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly this year - a species that hibernates
through the winter. This one is remarkably pristine for 6 months old.
View: D73_20210404_1543_118 Peacock Butterfly feeding on Blackthorn blossom.jpg
Description: This Peacock Butterfly awake after overwintering is in quite good condition
for a 6 month hibernation. Nevertheless she has some bird peck damage to the left wing.
Date: 02 May 2021
View: BU5_20210404_1123_350+359_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female drinking joined by male & another female 1+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A female Reeve's Muntjac Deer (left of bar) has a drink from the Round Pond, and
is shortly replaced (right of bar) by the male as another female walks in to make
a triplet.
View: BU9_20210403_0019_121+123_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female & Fawn in orchard (montage for clarity).jpg
Description: A delightful sighting of a Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn and mother quietly
walking through the orchard.
View: BU8_20210405_1238_009-1245_019 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn near Duck Pond without mother (montage).jpg
Description: Two days later the Fawn is out in the daytime.
With no sign on Mum anywhere, the Fawn spends a few minutes in
the sunshine near Duck Pond.
View: E6A_20210406_0455_082_FB5 Reeves Muntjac Deer fawn (crop).jpg
Description: In the early hours of next morning the youngster visits the Meadow site apparently
on their own and takes this glorious selfie. Mum is probably somewhere quite
close.
Cooing is permitted!
Date: 01 May 2021
View: E60_20210406_1657_070_FB3 Heavy Snow show at kitchen perch (orig & final).jpg
Description: A heavy but short snow shower laid 1 to 1.5cm of snow,
melting to 1.3mm in the rain gauge.
10:1 seems to be about the ratio of snow depth to equivalent water
depth.
View: E6A_20210406_1700_163_FB5 Grey Squirrel in snowfall using tail as umbrella.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrels have dense enough tails that they can use them as an umbrella.
We see this behaviour in snow, rain and strong winds.
View: E6A_20210406_1840_171_FB5 2 Magpies foraging on snow covered ground (orig & final).jpg
Description: As darkness falls a couple of Magpies forage over the feeding site.
View: D73_20210407_0728_018 Viburnum flowers after snowfall.jpg
Description: The still flowering Viburnum at the back of the pond looks rather nice with these white highlights.
Image Archive arch 2021 apr.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210403_1735_068 Birch weeping silver in back garden with Catkins (orig & final).jpg
Description: The Weeping silver birch in the back garden is now smothered in Catkins.
View: D73_20210403_1242_020 Silver Birch Catkins in vertical streaks.jpg
View: D73_20210407_0723_003 Birch weeping silver in back garden lightly snow covered (orig & final).jpg
Description: A brief snow shower laid and stayed overnight, tempting us out to try to capture some feel
for the changed landscape.
Here is the weeping birch by the garage is delicately sprinkled with white.
Date: 29 Apr 2021
View: D36_20210402_0902_029_FB4 Rook lands on Tree-stump with long twig.jpg
Description: Another stick for the nest.
This looks like a freshly broken-off addition.
View: BU5_20210402_1849_168_SC1 Rook pulling stick out of Round Pond.jpg
Description: This Rook is picking one of many broken twigs now fallen into the Round
Pond.
Maybe being saturated makes it more pliable?
Date: 28 Apr 2021
View: DF3_20210330_1013_030 7 Spot Ladybird.jpg
Description: We have been seeing 7-spot Ladybirds intermittently for some weeks now,
But on this sunny day they were out in numbers.
This one is on some unidentified thorny bush of the trackside hedge.
Date: 27 Apr 2021
View: E63_20210328_1706_089_FB1 Chaffinch male with black patch above beak.jpg
Description: A male Chaffinch with beak most definitely in full breeding blue.
View: E6A_20210401_1812_073_FB5 Chaffinch male taking off.jpg
Description: A male Chaffinch exiting this site as a not obviously aggressive
Blackbird approaches out of this crop.
We have seen the green back of this species many times but it still
amazes us that there is no hint of it on the perched bird.
Date: 26 Apr 2021
View: bu2_20210331_0705_428_sc7 chinese water deer (1st observation here) with injury at back of neck.jpg
Description: Here we see our first sighting here of a Chinese Water Deer,
here walking quietly past a mound of spoil from digging a pond.
View: bua_20210331_0707_489_sc8 chinese water deer (1st observation here) with injury at back of neck (crop 2).jpg
Description: 25 metres away near the edge of our patch we see The Chinese Water Deer again.
Although visible in the first image we can now clearly see that she has lost a
lot of fur from the back of her neck, and also how thick the fur is - a
characteristic of this species.
Date: 25 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210325_1203_009 Cherry Blossom (orig & final).jpg
Description: The Japanese are apparently having an early flowering of their famous Cherry Blossom,
but early or not we find ours a delight.
View: D73_20210331_1741_407 Blackthorn blossom tumbling over top of hedge like snow.jpg
Description: Blackthorn blossom tumbles over the top of the freshly leafing Hawthorn
hedge.
With a bit of luck we may get a 'mirror image' when the Hawthorn
flowers.
Date: 24 Apr 2021
View: df5_20210326_0925_006-011 sparrowhawk perched on willow branch launches in chase to left 2-7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: A sighting of this grey shape in the Pollarded Willow tuned out to be a Sparrowhawk.
Grabbing the camera just in time to witness a high speed launch towards a passing
and quickly really frightened Wood Pigeon.
The Pigeon was never 'in frame' and the chase disappeared into the trees.
A search a few minutes later didn't show any signs of a kill, but the chase
may have continue for hundreds of metres.
View: df5_20210326_0925_006-007 sparrowhawk perched on willow branch launches in chase to left 2+3 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: A bit more detail of the start of the action.
The body and crown colour of this bird suggest a male, but the eye-stripe
and tail colour suggest a female.
But it is definitely a Sparrowhawk one way or t'other.
A friend obtained an opinion on the sex of this bird and one on his own site
that had taken a Pigeon - males are not 'supposed' to be large enough to
tackle Pigeons. The outcome was that both were probably females based on details
not mentioned in bird ID books.
Date: 23 Apr 2021
View: E60_20210329_0947_029_FB3 Rook landing on Kitchen perch with desiccated Iris leaves in beak (crop).jpg
Description: A Rook with an assortment of straggly nesting lands on the Kitchen
Perch.
At small size 'thumbnail' we momentarily see this image as a flying
skeleton!
View: BU7_20210328_0650_183 Rook collecting beakful of leaves.jpg
Description: A Rook collects a beakful of dried leaves to make the nest that
bit more comfortable for 2 to 3 weeks of boring incubation.
View: DF3_20210327_0551_020-022 Rook flying with nesting material in beak (close spaced montage @ 7fps).jpg
Description: A Rook winging his way home to one of the nests in the Black Poplars
along our access track.
View: E60_20210330_0934_066_FB3 Rook arrives at Kitchen bird table with long twig.jpg
Description: A Rook brings along quite a substantial twig.
Date: 22 Apr 2021
View: E6A_20210324_1131_126_FB5 Magpie with huge cut main stem in beak.jpg
Description: Optimist!
Not a chance of this huge and out of balance stem making it into the air.
View: D01_20210324_1147_082_FB6 Magpie with long thin twig in beak carried to post top.jpg
Description: That's better - this one has so far made it onto the top of the post.
View: D01_20210326_0912_064+0611_060+1551_082_FB6 Magpie collecting muddy nesting materials over 10 hours (montage).jpg
Description: Over one day what MIGHT be the same Magpie collects beakfuls of muddy vegetation.
On the right after a day of such effort the bird beak and breast are absolutely filthy.
Date: 21 Apr 2021
View: BUA_20210323_1952_182_SC8 Roe Deer male near East entrance 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: We have several sightings of this male Roe Deer with antlers in their glory.
Note that the antlers are NOT in velvet.
View: BU5_20210328_0454_340_SC1 Roe Deer male with antlers in velvet.jpg
Description: This male Roe Deer passes along the edge of the pond
Note that this male Roe has his substantial Antlers still 'in Velvet' - so
we have at least two male Roe Deer visiting.
Both of these male Roe Deer have appeared with a female over a couple of days -
we await interesting events
View: BUA_20210328_0553_354_SC8 Roe Deer male with antlers in velvet and female at East entrance 10 of 11 (crop).jpg
Description: An hour later this male Roe Deer is still in the area as the day lightens ...
View: BU8_20210328_0610_083 Roe Deer male with antlers in velvet.jpg
Description: ... and we finally get an image in colour before he departs.
Date: 20 Apr 2021
View: E64_20210323_1748_120_FB2 Mallard Duck pair at woodland site at sunset.jpg
Description: Feeding female Mallard Duck along with her guardian male.
When you see Mallard ducks in public ponds the males mainly seem
to be bullies trying to mate with any female that appears, and sometimes
females are accidentally drowned by heaps of competing males.
But in the more natural surroundings, here the males are very supportive
to their chosen 'girl'.
View: E64_20210327_1643_153_FB2 Mallard duck pair - female feeding guarded by male (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: Mallard duck feeding and the Drake waits on guard duty.
Date: 19 Apr 2021
View: E63_20210330_1744_204_FB1 Mallard pair at hedge bottom (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: A Pair of Mallard Ducks at the hedge bottom - the female (left) quacking at her mate.
The males call is much softer than the females.
View: BU5_20210328_0051_329_SC1 Fox walking past Mallard Duck pair on water.jpg
Description: In the hour after midnight this Mallard duck pair float safely on the water as the Fox
passes by on the nightly rounds. We are sure he know that the ducks are
there, and that he stands no chance of catching one at the moment.
View: BU8_20210329_1744_046 Mallard Duck pair flying from Duck Pond.jpg
Description: A pair of Mallard ducks flying off together from the Duck-shaped pond.
Date: 18 Apr 2021
View: BU7_20210323_1653_084 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with clear view of tusks (crop1).jpg
Description: This seem to be a newly arrived male Reeve's Muntjac Deer, distinguished by his
rather short antlers, providing a very clear view of his little Tusks seen from
this unusual angle (detail as next image).
View: BU7_20210323_1653_084 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with clear view of tusks (crop2).jpg
Date: 17 Apr 2021
View: E64_20210323_0157_071_FB2 Badger.jpg
Description: 5 Hours later what could be the same Badger snuffles his way over the
Woodland feeding site.
View: BU2_20210321_2035_586-2036_591_SC7 2 Badgers romping on Round Mound 1-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: All in less than a minute, and we can only guess what is going on.
Date: 16 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210321_0819_037 Cherry Blossom in front garden.jpg
Description: The decades old Cherry tree at the front of the house.
We have had to cut back branches threatening the house and overhead
phone line, and we are rewarded with even more blossom than usual.
View: D73_20210321_0820_048 Cherry blossom (crop 2).jpg
Description: A much closer view.
View: D73_20210321_1035_081 Cherry Blossom buds (crop 2).jpg
Description: We have lots of cherry trees of various varieties.
Date: 15 Apr 2021
View: BU7_20210318_1408_019+1413_032+1418_038 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer females (one pregnant (q)) near SW entrance (montage).jpg
Description: Two female Reeve's Muntjac Deer at the SW corner.
Top we have our 'resident' with 'scar' along her left flank.
Middle we have a visitor we sometimes see with the male, that
has a slightly extended tummy suggesting that she is pregnant.
Bottom the resident is facing the camera, and the
visitor shows developing teats at her rear end.
Date: 14 Apr 2021
View: E6A_20210313_1419_127_FB5 Rook stretching upwards with Wings parked.jpg
Description: Aren't I magnificent!
View: BU5_20210311_1155_028-030_SC1 Rook jumping into Round Pond for quick bathe 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Rooks often seem to come for a brief bathe at this pond, but we usually
only catch the rook with the ripples. Here in the middle image we see
with bird jumping in for at most a few seconds.
View: D5C_20210322_0750_003+001+010 Rook delivery of nest lining 2+1+3 of (montage).jpg
Description: Another bundle of dead leaves get delivered to partner already at the nest.
Rooks don't seem to use anything but tangle and gravity to hold their nests together.
Date: 13 Apr 2021
View: BU9_20210317_1042_242+1053_247_SC2 2 Foxes cross orchard 12 minutes apart (montage at identical scales).jpg
Description: Two very different foxes passing this spot inside 12 minutes.
View: BU8_20210317_2014_139+140+2015_141 2 Foxes interacting at Duck Pond 1-3 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: A couple of foxes encounter in the night.
Read this left to right. Fighting, greeting, courtship?
View: BU8_20210318_2201_033 Fox youngster.jpg
Description: The size and proportions suggest that this is a fox CUB near Duck Pond.
No sign of an adult in the original much wider pic.
Date: 12 Apr 2021
View: D01_20210317_1330_101+102_FB6 Magpie landing on Meadow Post with twig in beak (montage over 400ms).jpg
Description: Magpies are building several nests around the site
View: D01_20210311_0816_003_FB6 Magpie landing ion Meadow Post with beakful of mud.jpg
Description: Magpies glue their nests together with mud - another beakful in transit.
View: BU5_20210317_1552_220_SC1 Rook collecting twig at Round Pond (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: The Rooks have mostly finished their nests, but still like to 'reinforce' them.
Date: 11 Apr 2021
View: E63_20210316_1606_115_FB1 Blackbird male pulling worm from ground (crop).jpg
Description: This Blackbird has found a good-sized worm.
Now starts the struggle to pull it out of the ground!
View: E63_20210316_1617_119_FB1 Yellowhammer male.jpg
Description: A male Yellowhammer visits the hedge bottom.
Date: 10 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210315_1339_033-006 Chaffinch male repeatedly flies to feed at water surface 1+2+4+3 of 5 (montage impression).jpg
Description: Chaffinches are surprisingly agile fliers, and can pluck food from a
water's surface while only getting their feet wet.
Bottom left in this montage the bird seems to have found a 'take away'.
Date: 09 Apr 2021
View: DF3_20210313_1401_029 Muntjac Reeves Deer male among sprouting Daffodils at east end of Butterfly Alley.jpg
Description: This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer is far from tolerant of humans.
This brief sighting was followed by an unhurried departure, but not spotted again.
View: SG5_20210315_1418_214+1453_217_SC5 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer females crossing access track 35mins apart 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: 2 photos from a camera on the access track catches these two female Reeve's
Muntjac Deer leaving our patch to move into the farm field opposite. This is two
different individuals, the lower one possibly early in pregnancy. The lower deer
actually does show a slight mark where the upper deer has the major scrape -
possibly one of the entrances is just a bit 'tight' for a grown Muntjac.
Date: 08 Apr 2021
View: DF3_20210313_1452_064 Kestrel female hunts outside conservatory & catches Rodent in grass 32 of 82 (crop).jpg
Description: This Kestrel suddenly appears a few metres from one of the windows hunting in
a hover over what passes for our 'Lawn'.
View: DF3_20210313_1452_084 Kestrel female hunts outside conservatory & catches Rodent in grass 45 of 82 (crop).jpg
View: DF3_20210313_1452_100 Kestrel female hunts outside conservatory & catches Rodent in grass 57 of 82 (crop).jpg
View: DF3_20210313_1457_137+142+1458_151 Kestrel female hunts back garden & catches Rodent in grass 70+74+80 of 82 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel hovering in flight doesn't lead to a successful hunt, so she
perches in a grass-side overgrown hedging plant and spent a few minutes intently
watching the grass. She suddenly launches down out of sight from the window, but
creeping out finds a viewpoint of her ripping to bits what looks like a Rodent.
Date: 07 Apr 2021
View: E60_20210312_1551_030_FB3 Sparrowhawk female attacking over Kitchen Perch & peanut feeder (crop 2).jpg
Description: The regular local Sparrowhawk makes another failed hunting pass over the
kitchen perch. But she obviously succeeds enough times to keep her going.
A 'Rule-of-Thumb' seems to be that these sort of hunts fail 9 out of 10 times.
View: E60_20210316_1051_034_FB3 Sparrowhawk male.jpg
Description: Another failed hunt by the Sparrowhawk.
Date: 06 Apr 2021
View: D5C_20210313_0904_123-0906_237 Grey Squirrel eating Willow Catkins & breaking twigs to get them 1+2+4+6-8 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: At this time or year the Grey Squirrels make the most of the mass of 'tasty and nutritious'
willow catkins. They can't reach most of them along the whippy branches, so
bite through the end they can get at (what teeth!) and hold the cut twig to eat.
View: D5C_20210313_0905_172 Grey Squirrel eating Willow Catkins and breaking off twigs to get them 5 of 8 (crop).jpg
View: D73_20210317_1626_086 Willow twigs broken off by foraging Grey Squirrels.jpg
Description: Under another Willow that suffers the same fate is this pile of bitten
off twigs complete with some uneaten buds and catkins.
Untidy little blighters!
Date: 05 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210310_1604_046+1610_049 Kestrel female hunting during gale from sheltered places on house (montage).jpg
Description: We hadn't seen the local female Kestrel for over a week, when tramping home in a
gale as it begins to rain, we find her on the sheltered north side of the house
hunting the grass in front of the main pond (left pic).
6 minutes later there she is, now on the other sheltered wall facing East, on
one of her favourite 'electrifying' perches from which she watched us go
inside. We don't know how long she stayed.
Date: 04 Apr 2021
View: DF3_20210309_0921_026-028 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 11-13 of 58 (approx montage).jpg
Description: Now the good easy-to-collect sticks on the concrete track have all gone into the
early nests, the later builders have to fly off to collect sticks, and we
enjoying watching them flying in with their prizes. These pics are taken from an
unbroken sequence of 58 pics at about 7 fps so the sequence is over about 8
seconds.
The bird arrived at huge speed helped by the tailwind ...
View: DF3_20210309_0921_031-044 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 16+21+25+29 of 58 (impression montage).jpg
Description: ... over the top of the tree housing the nest and looping round ...
View: DF3_20210309_0921_054-063 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 39+41+44+48 of 58 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: ... now into the wind (so much slower and skipping frames) to aerobrake down
onto the nest ...
View: DF3_20210309_0921_073 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 58 of 58 (crop).jpg
Description: ... where 'he' lands to weave in his new wood, supervised by 'the wife'.
Date: 03 Apr 2021
View: BU7_20210308_1727_066 Muntjac Reeves Deer male showing tusk (orig).jpg
Description: The little 'tusks' sported by adult male Reeve's Muntjac Deer are
characteristic, but we haven't seen one in a pic for over a year.
So this 'overgrown top jaw tooth' being visible in this image (and another not
shown here) was a nice surprise.
Vampire Deer?
View: D73_20210303_1054_143 Muntjac Reeves Deer female nibbling at clump of long grass.jpg
Description: A clump of grass gets delicately nibbled a metre or so away from the photographer.
We notice that this little 'dear' never eats the whole of anything but
'pick-and-mixes' her way over the site.
View: D73_20210307_1217_082 Badger paw print in soft mud at base of young Lombardy poplar.jpg
Description: The whole area shows sign in the soft mud of multiple visits by
Reeve's Muntjac Deer and the occasional Roe Deer.
Each of the Farm's Lombardy Poplars is surrounded by a sea of mud,
and here a Badger shows how soft the ground is by leaving
this immaculate Paw and Claw print.
Date: 02 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210308_1408_018 1500 Starlings (approx) in flight 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Following sighting of only a few starlings, we were really surprised to see this
elegant moving cloud to the south, rising up and landing for a cause we couldn't
see. We estimate 1500 birds in this section you can see.
Date: 01 Apr 2021
View: D73_20210307_0818_047-054 Rook flying with twig in beak 2+1+3+4 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: After moaning about the lack of Rooks in flight with twigs to build
nests, several new nests have several birds carrying in twigs.
The frame rate of the camera (10fps) and the birds wingbeats didn't match
very well, so we have selected a sequence to provide
Top + middle + end of the power stroke & finally + the upstroke with wings partly folded.
Image Archive arch 2021 mar.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Mar 2021
View: E6A_20210305_1638_117_FB5 Grey Squirrel nibbling cooked potato.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrel Heaven?
View: D73_20210307_1428_088 Grey Squirrel watching from bottom of south hedge.jpg
Description: Facing the sunshine, this Squirrel squats at the base of the outer hedge
enjoying a bit of unaccustomed warm sunshine.
View: BU7_20210308_0959_010-012 2 Grey Squirrels chasing around tree-trunk 2-4 of 4 (impression montage).jpg
Description: We sometimes see Grey Squirrels chasing round and round in circles around large
tree trunks, but rarely catch it 'on film'.
This automatic camera was luckier and caught this pair at their antics.
View: E64_20210309_1713_125_FB2 Grey Squirrel eating Banana skin like stick of rock.jpg
Description: This Squirrel chews a Banana skin like a stick of celery.
Date: 30 Mar 2021
View: E63_20210219_1424_173_FB1 Pheasant male leaping as Grey Squirrel attacks.jpg
Description: In the Left corner: 'Teeth and Claws' Squirrel.
In the Right Corner: 'Beak and Spurs' Pheasant.
View: E63_20210220_1638_236_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: This years glorious Pheasant male.
We are STILL waiting to see a female on camera or with eyes :-(
View: BU9_20210228_1116_270-1117_272_SC2 Pheasant male at end of orchard 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This magnificent male Pheasant stomps his way across the orchard.
View: BU9_20210228_1116_270_SC2 Pheasant male at end of orchard 1 of 3 - staring at camera (crop).jpg
Description: The left image catches him apparently staring at the automatic camera,
but more probably something on the same tree.
Date: 29 Mar 2021
View: E64_20210227_0203_162_FB2 Badger.jpg
Description: A Badger visits at 2 a.m.
How do they keep the muzzle so pristine white in our seas of mud?
View: E63_20210302_0640_068_FB1 Badger with mud-spattered head.jpg
Description: A couple of days later we see this badger out in the soggy dawn looking
very much far from pristine.
Date: 28 Mar 2021
View: E64_20210213_0912_218_FB2 Wood Pigeon leaning sideways about 45 degrees.jpg
Description: What this Wood Pigeon is up to we can't even imagine.
View: E63_20210226_1628_116_FB1 Wood Pigeon wary of approaching Pheasant male.jpg
Description: Wood Pigeons and Pheasants usually co-exist without problems.
The Pigeon is probably needlessly alarmed by the arrival of the bigger bird.
Date: 27 Mar 2021
View: DF3_20210226_0949_039 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn left in fallow field runs off 01 of 17 (crop).jpg
Description: Its the time of year to look across the empty fields in the hope of spotting
Hares. This brown creature, recumbent in a patch of weeds, didn't look like
a Hare (ears too short) not a Rabbit (wrong body shape).
View: DF3_20210226_0950_042-050 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn left in fallow field runs off 02-10 of 17 (approx montage).jpg
Description: It suddenly took fright and fled, moving rapidly over the uneven surface in
leaps and bounds, revealing itself to be Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn. At about 7
fps (so a bit over 1 second here) this is an accurate montage of the
foreshortened view.
View: DF3_20210226_0950_054+057 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn left in fallow field runs off 14+17 of 17 (accurate montage for gait consistency).jpg
Description: While selecting which images to montage we noticed that these frames 14 and 17 were
almost identical, although the background indicate definitely different images.
The timing is pure chance, but we find it uncanny.
Date: 26 Mar 2021
View: BU7_20210225_1626_080 Rook with thick twig in beak.jpg
Description: Several hours trying and failing to catch Rooks flying in with stick or other nesting material
our trusty 'trail cam' at the end of the orchard does the the 'ground-selection' phase for us.
View: BU3_20210226_0937_118-20210227_0740_289_SC6 Rooks collecting twigs from access track (montage).jpg
Description: Our failure to get decent pics of bird carrying twigs to the nest is at least partially
explained by the access track being so liberally scattered with fallen twigs that
the Rooks just have to jump down to get them.
All these images taken by one trail cam.
View: D73_20210303_1228_166-190 Rook stealing twigs from adjacent nest 1-3+5-7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: It's even easier to collect twigs if your neighbour leaves his nest unguarded.
The thief collected two thin twigs on this visit you can see crossing near the beak.
View: BU5_20210302_1435_186_SC1 Rook carrying nest lining at edge of Round Pond.jpg
Description: Most of the nests are already mostly built, so its time to collect moss and leaves to
line the cups.
Date: 25 Mar 2021
View: BU5_20210225_1557_055-057_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female walking up to Round Pond edge 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Our female Reeve's Muntjac Deer rubs the top of her head on the ground before walking
up to the edge of the pond for a drink. In the Rightmost frame you can see her enormous
tongue possibly using the water to groom her muzzle.
View: D73_20210225_0735_083 Muntjac Reeves Deer female scenting photographer.jpg
Description: Our endearing Deer - hoping some corn will appear?
Date: 24 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210222_0713_213 Shieldbug Hawthorn adult on slate covering FB4 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: This little Shieldbug nearly got flattened as we replaced this protective slate
that shields the window of the camera box looking at the tree-stump.
Date: 23 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210221_1219_154 Round pond still surface reflecting surrounding trees (3 worlds).jpg
Description: Reminiscent of the Escher's picture 'Three Worlds'
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Three_Worlds_(Escher)
without the fish but with leaves both floating and submerged.
Date: 22 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210221_1231_202 Muntjac Reeves Deer female gazing up at photographer.jpg
Description: The female Muntjac Deer regularly walks right up to us where we
can normally throw some corn on the ground for her.
View: D73_20210221_1231_202 Muntjac Reeves Deer female reflection in eye detail.jpg
Description: From the above pic her enormous brown eyes show a reflection of
our house, the photographer visually to the left.
The image is rotated and lightened to make it clearer.
Date: 21 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210220_1243_066 Snowdrops in flower.jpg
Description: This year has been a major event for Snowdrops, clumps appearing
where we have never noticed them before. We assume that something
about this Spring has produced lots of 'first flowerings' for clumps not
previously noticed without the flowers
View: D73_20210222_1548_030 Snowdrop clumps at bottom of old apple tree in orchard.jpg
View: D73_20210222_1551_048 Snowdrop flowers at bottom of old apple tree in orchard.jpg
View: BU8_20210224_1705_096 Muntjac Reeves Deer female examining Snowdrops.jpg
Description: Do I like Snowdrops?
Thank goodness not, or we wouldn't have to enjoy ourselves!
Date: 20 Mar 2021
View: D01_20210209_1431_063+1437_064+065_FB6 Green Woodpecker male making 2 visits to Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The local Green Woodpecker is very nervous of humans, so we hardly ever see him
for ourselves. But he seems to find the Meadow Post an acceptable place to perch.
View: D01_20210218_1539_056_FB6 Green Woodpecker landing on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: A Green Woodpecker stops for a moment on the meadow post.
Date: 19 Mar 2021
View: D01_20210217_1624_033+034_FB6 Kestrel female lands on Meadow Post with Rodent in claws 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: The local female kestrel brings her latest catch (looks like a Vole - her favourite!) to
the meadow post to 'prepare and consume'.
View: D01_20210221_0958_125+126+0959_128_FB6 Kestrel female 2 min visit to Meadow Post 1+2+4 of 4 (montage intervals 400mS+60Sec).jpg
Description: This time 'empty clawed', the local female Kestrel spends a
couple of minutes eyeing over the rough grass from the meadow post.
Date: 18 Mar 2021
View: E6A_20210215_1621_119_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding watched by human at rear (adjusted crop with insert).jpg
Description: As you will see, the resident female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has become absurdly 'tame'.
This photo taken by an automatic camera and showing yours truly on the other side.
The light was poor and the automatic camera (with flash) took this much better photo.
The insert shows that she seems ONLY interested in the mixed corn - but grass and mixed
corn if you throw some corn into the grass.
View: BU7_20210218_1052_032 Muntjac Reeves Deer female twisting to groom with left rear hoof.jpg
Description: We notice that there is one patch on her body she can't quite groom properly
at the very rear of her back. She probably scratches it against tree bark, but
it never looks quite pristine.
View: D73_20210221_1227_171 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at edge of vegetable bed.jpg
Description: Near the nose you see patches of ruffled fur that she never manages
to smooth down ...
View: D73_20210221_1228_184 Muntjac Reeves Deer female spending several second grooming tail.jpg
Description: ... but she can comb her tail out with her teeth!
Date: 17 Mar 2021
View: E64_20210213_0115_189_FB2 Badger.jpg
Description: A Badger stops by for a portrait - but more importantly to hoover up some scraps.
View: BUA_20210213_0349_091+093_SC8 Badger foraging near east entrance 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A couple of hours later a Badger makes their way toward the east hedge
gap, still foraging along the way.
Date: 16 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210212_0715_012 Sunrise (crop).jpg
Description: A lurid and rather threatening Sunrise to the South East ...
View: D73_20210212_0715_021 Sunrise (crop).jpg
Description: ... while a few wispy clouds to the South West picked up the same colour.
View: D73_20210214_0715_001 Sunrise (crop).jpg
Description: 2 days after one lurid sunrise we get another even more vivid,
but doesn't seem as threatening
View: D73_20210214_0716_019 2 Mute Swans flying through sunrise (crop 1).jpg
Description: 2 Mute Swans were flying in the distance against these glorious sunrise colours.
Date: 15 Mar 2021
View: DF3_20210211_0933_005+0934_013+0936_096 Kestrel female flies to Black Poplar with Rodent and eats it over 5 minutes 1+2+4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Returning from a walk we approached this tree from the well-lit south and with a
woosh the local female Kestrel arrived to perch turning as she landed from the
other side. At the time we didn't notice the Rodent clutched in her claws. She
jumped down out of sight into the ivy which clothes this tree. By walking down
the concrete track a few metres to the north side of the tree we found her in
the dark busy ripping up and eating her meal. We left her to feed as we went
back home to get back out of the freezing gale.
View: DF3_20210213_1247_006-011 Kestrel female in flight into gale by conifer 1-6 of 6 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: A Gale blowing from the left allows our local female Kestrel to rise from her perch
with barely a flap of the wings. Accurately montaged over 1 second.
Date: 14 Mar 2021
View: DF3_20210210_1259_050 Muntjac Reeves Deer female grooming front leg.jpg
Description: In a spell of sunshine 'our' female Reeves Muntjac Deer stops in the dappled
shade of a weeping Silver birch to tend to an itch on her leg.
View: E64_20210210_1348_005_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female.jpg
Description: We expected that Reeve's Muntjac Deer would eat a variety of food from the
baited sites, but so far all we see is her licking up corn.
View: E6A_20210213_1741_274+1734_273_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding for at least 7 minutes (montage).jpg
Description: The resident female Reeve's Muntjac Deer spent at least 7 minutes feeding at this site.
moving round to conveniently get at different parts and providing us with a view from both sides.
Date: 13 Mar 2021
View: E64_20210208_1630_118_FB2 Grey Squirrel eating Banana peel in melting snow.jpg
Description: Chomp - Chomp - Chomp
The Grey Squirrel tucks into this strip of Banana peel.
View: E64_20210209_1501_176_FB2 Grey Squirrel leaping away from another with tail vertically down to ground.jpg
Description: Is this an 'Indian Rope Tail trick'?
View: BU5_20210210_1340_028-030_SC1 Grey Squirrel runs onto Round Pond Ice 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Several Grey squirrels venture out onto the ice over several days.
What they find there we guess could be fallen catkins and such.
View: D36_20210212_1624_049_FB4 Grey Squirrel on Tree-stump in Teapot pose.jpg
Description: Its no good - this Grey Squirrel looks like an imaginative design for a Teapot,
handle on the left, lid bulging upwards, and spout on the right.
Date: 12 Mar 2021
View: BU2_20210202_0046_196-198_SC7 Polecat running up Round Mound (montage).jpg
Description: Just after midnight the Polecat approaches one of the Rabbit Warren access holes.
Quote: They are slender enough to chase rabbits into their warrens to catch them,
so are specialised to underground predation.
View: BU7_20210210_0255_122+0256_126+BU9_0258_349-351 Polecat visits flooded ditch (rolling) + S of orchard 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: We normally see the Polecat in the South of our patch, but here they are
at the far South East corner by the flooded ditch. The middle image seems to show
the Polecat rolling herself on the bank of the flooded ditch.
Date: 11 Mar 2021
View: BUA_20210207_1100_001-003_SC8 Fox entering through east hedge gap 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A Fox enters the site in Mid-morning, and has a quick look around before setting
off on the hunt.
View: BUA_20210210_0944_038_SC8 Fox looks back before leaving snowy site 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: This Fox glances back into our patch as she leaves through the East hedge.
View: BU7_20210211_1945_081 Fox walking along frozen ditch water 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: We catch this unexpected sight of a Fox quietly padding along the frozen
surface of the southern ditch.
View: BU2_20210213_0240_243_SC7 Fox sitting with legs crossed on Round Mound.jpg
Description: A laid-back fox sits with legs crossed.
Date: 10 Mar 2021
View: D5C_20210209_1117_085-1119_160 Redpoll feeding on Great Willowherb seeds 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A Redpoll feeds for several minutes on the seeds from last years
Great Willowherb flowers outside the Living Room window.
A search of our archives shows that we see one or more Redpolls every few
years. We have always ID's the bird as a Redpoll, but our more recent
bird ID books (i.e. published in the 21st century!) show an additional species - the
Lesser Redpoll - which we think that this, and our earlier photos, probably is.
Date: 09 Mar 2021
View: D01_20210207_1619_019+023_FB6 Sparrowhawk male 4 minute visit to meadow post 3+7 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: Surprise! The MALE Sparrowhawk visits the meadow post for a few minutes. He did
similar once last year. Male Sparrowhawks are smaller than the females and the
pair don't compete too much for prey.
From the RSPB site: The female takes prey up to wood pigeon size, but the
smaller male does not catch anything bigger than the mistle
thrush.
Date: 08 Mar 2021
View: E6A_20210205_1302_150_FB5-DF3_1304_026 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding at FB5 (auto & hand-held cameras) 01+03+05+07 of 10 (orig).jpg
Description: We came across our 'resident' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer feeding at the meadow
site and watched her technique for licking up corn grains which we could just
hear her crunching with her teeth. So here we have views from both sides - top
left and bottom right from the automatic camera, and top right and bottom left
from a hand-held camera. The bottom right image show the cameraman's legs as he
took the pics. The camera resolutions are different, and it worked out to be
more naturally not to align the pics.
View: DF3_20210205_1307_035 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding at FB5 (auto & hand-held cameras) 08 of 10 (crop 1).jpg
Description: 5 minutes later she had wandered into some rank grass where she was finding something
to her taste.
View: DF3_20210205_1307_035 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding at FB5 (auto & hand-held cameras) 08 of 10 (crop 2).jpg
Description: Now that's what we call 'Licking your Chops'!
View: E6A_20210206_1322_220-1331_222_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female clearing corn from small patch over 9mins 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Plant your feet and eat your fill.
Date: 07 Mar 2021
View: E6A_20210204_1439_115_FB5 Wood Pigeon stepping onto stone in drizzle.jpg
Description: It's drizzling again, but this Wood Pigeon still looks magnificent.
View: D01_20210206_1521_154_FB6 Wood Pigeon arrival displaced another from Meadow Post.jpg
Description: Wood Pigeons changing over on the Meadow Post.
NOT a montage.
Date: 06 Mar 2021
View: BU2_20210204_0345_082-084_SC7 2 Badgers encounter at base of Round Mound 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A couple of badgers romping - one way or another - in the still of the night.
View: E64_20210204_0355_013_FB2 Badger (crop).jpg
Description: 10 minutes later a Badger wanders through the woodland photo site about
40 metres away.
Date: 05 Mar 2021
View: D5C_20210131_1334_053+054 Grey Squirrel raiding peanut feeder with top forced off 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The cable-tie style Peanut feeder lid lock got the Squirrel style 'keep working on it'
treatment and this one finally gets the top off and could gorge themselves!
View: E60_20210201_1056_020+1123_022+1124_023_FB3 2 Grey Squirrels squabbling at kitchen bird tale (montage).jpg
Description: Over half an hour these two Grey squirrel endlessly contest access to the
currently open-topped peanut feeder.
The position of the fleeing Squirrel is uncannily consistent - such are automatic triggers.
View: D5C_20210201_1126_131 Grey Squirrel raiding opened peanut feeder (crop).jpg
Description: By next morning only 1cm of nuts is left.
To get at them requires this quite extreme & claustrophobic gymnastics.
View: D5C_20210202_1124_155 Grey Squirrel frustrated by replaced (closed) peanut feeder.jpg
Description: Next day - the alternate feeder (black lid - where the original fastening still works)
is really frustrating the Squirrels - for now.
Date: 04 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210207_0917_140 Snowdrops along NW bank of main pond (crop 2).jpg
Description: This delightful strip of Snowdrops along the NW edge of the main pond is
here photographed across the water. From about 20 bulbs planted decades
ago they have spread several metres either way, of which this just the
centre section to retain some flower detail.
The deer and Rabbit obviously don't like the taste!
Date: 03 Mar 2021
View: D01_20210203_1418_057_FB6 Buzzard short visit to Meadow Post 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: A Buzzard hasn't been apparent in the sky, so we were surprised
to find this visit recorded on the Meadow post in the afternoon.
View: D01_20210203_1418_058+1419_060_FB6 Buzzard short visit to Meadow Post 2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The image on the left is about 400mS after the approach above.
Date: 02 Mar 2021
View: D73_20210127_1056_007 Muntjac Reeves Deer female.jpg
Description: A 'resident' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has found a shrub in our 'garden'
that is literally 'to her taste'.
View: D73_20210127_1057_024-1058_071 Muntjac Reeves Deer female eating leaves from shrub in garden 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Reeve's Muntjac Deer closes her mouth over a leaf and
then yanks the whole bush about until it comes away.
Parks with deer show a browse line on trees and bushes that
corresponds to how high the resident Deer can reach. We are now
seeing development of a similar, though lower, line on our own
patch, from the attentions of the Muntjac Deer.
Date: 01 Mar 2021
View: DF3_20210117_1059_090 Contrail with shadow on hazy cloud below (crop).jpg
Description: An event we ave only recorded once before (in 2005) is a 'dark contrail'.
In both cases the effect was obviously a real contrail casting a shadow
on hazy cloud below.
View: D73_20210131_0901_003 Cloudscape.jpg
Description: A rather attractive morning cloudscape looking east.
Image Archive arch 2021 feb.htm (view it Here)
Date: 28 Feb 2021
View: DF3_20210128_1009_014+017 Kestrel female preening on telephone pole footrest 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel on one of her favourite perches.
We think she must have just had a feed - feather maintenance
was the order of the day.
View: DF3_20210128_1010_021+022+024 Kestrel female perched on telephone pole footrest 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A glance at the Pesky Human - Oh its THEM - nothing to worry about ...
View: DF3_20210128_1011_026-1012_037 Kestrel female preening on telephone pole footrest 1+2+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: ... so back to the preening.
Date: 27 Feb 2021
View: DF3_20210128_1018_068-099 Red Kite circling overhead 34-34 of 65 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: A bit of sunshine and blue sky brought along this Red Kite who flew almost over
as they flew in from the SW and turned to go off to the SE.
A pick from 65 pics at 10fps close spaced for effect.
View: DF3_20210128_1018_084+086 Red Kite circling overhead 19+21 of 65 (montage).jpg
Description: Two more moments from the Red-Kite flyover
View: D73_20210131_1105_017-019 Little Egret flying over Leamington Farmhouse 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Another irregular sighting of a Little Egret.
Here most of the feet are again black with mud, but this time the claw tips are clearly
the yellow we expect for this species.
Date: 26 Feb 2021
View: D73_20210203_0939_062-083 Muntjac Reeves Deer female eating shrub leaves avoiding blackberry thorns 1+4+9+9 of 9 (montage).jpg
Description: Our resident browse-line maker seems to like this shrub, and carefully avoids the
annoying spiky Blackberry stems growing up through the bush.
View: E64_20210203_1318_148_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female visits to photo sites over 2 days 4 of 4 (orig & final).jpg
Description: 4 hours later the local female Reeve's Muntjac Deer wanders through
the woodland camera site.
View: E63_20210202_1642_092-D73_20210204_1248_004_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at 3 sites in 40mins + House 1-3 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: In just 40 minutes the 'resident' female Reeve's Muntjac Deer visits all 3 high resolution
photo sites. A couple of days later she eats her way across the front garden oblivious
to the cameraman.
Date: 25 Feb 2021
View: E6A_20210202_0710_101_FB5 Fox hunting before dawn (crop 1).jpg
Description: Just before dawn the homeward bound fox has a last pass through the meadow.
View: BU8_20210121_1957_034-036 2 Foxes walk to edge of Duck pond and squabble1-3 of 3 (montage of a few seconds).jpg
Description: These 3 images of 2 foxes are all taken within a few seconds of one-another.
We GUESS that's a male on the left making premature overtures to a female,
but we could be entirely wrong.
View: BU7_20210201_0950_004 Fox leaping over flooded ditch.jpg
Description: Typically 5mm (1/4 inch) of rain is falling every day.
The blocked ditch is overflowing into the farm land and this fox
decides to jump over rather than paddle though half a metre of muddy water.
Date: 24 Feb 2021
View: D5C_20210124_1229_040 Grey Squirrel digging through snow to find food.jpg
Description: Having exhausted the easy-to-reach corn on the bird table above,
The Grey Squirrel started 'burrowing' through the snow to reach the ground
below where the Squirrel was finding things to eat hidden from view.
View: BU8_20210125_0736_007+008+011+012 Fox walking on snow near Duck Pond 1-4 of 4 (approx montage).jpg
Description: A Fox passes by the Duck-shaped Pond (on the right) checking
the snow for something to eat.
View: E6A_20210125_1237_039_FB5 Magpie feeding on snow.jpg
Description: Magpies look quite weird in snow.
View: E6A_20210125_1602_049_FB5 Rook pair feeding together in snow (crop).jpg
Description: A pair of Rooks quietly sharing some mixed corn unearthed from the
snow.
Undoubtedly a 'pair'.
Date: 23 Feb 2021
View: BU3_20210124_1002_048_SC6 Fox hunting on access track during start of snowfall.jpg
Description: For a few hours there was a moderate fall of snow. While only a light
dusting this Fox stops on our concrete access track
View: D01_20210124_1027_336_FB6 Jackdaw on Meadow Post in falling snow.jpg
Description: A Jackdaw braves the falling snow for a viewpoint to find something to eat.
View: BU5_20210124_1028_236_SC1 Grey Squirrel on snowy bank of frozen pond.jpg
Description: Inside the tree-sheltered woodland this small young Grey Squirrel has probably
never seen ice or snow before.
"What the *&%^$ is this?"
View: E60_20210124_1051_021_FB3 Grey Squirrel finding corn under snow on bird table in falling snow (crop).jpg
Description: On the exposed kitchen bird table this Grey Squirrel burrows beneath
the falling snow to reach the corn placed there earlier.
Date: 22 Feb 2021
View: E60_20210124_1413_034_FB3 Sparrowhawk landing on Kitchen perch in snow (crop 2).jpg
Description: It is cold, and the Sparrowhawk is hungry.
Date: 21 Feb 2021
View: E60_20210122_0901_001_FB3 Wood Pigeon on kitchen bird table against sunlit Dogwood.jpg
Description: A currently rare moment of sunshine illuminates the Dogwood at the rear of
the main pond as this Wood Pigeon makes an elegant touchdown.
View: D5C_20210122_1127_018 Grey Squirrel scraping from pollarded willow 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: At the moment any sunny morning will find one or more Grey Squirrels
enjoying this sheltered tree-stump. These creatures seem to find the bark
of this Pollarded Willow a desirable snack - like this moment here they will
scape away at the top edge of the bark - the pale wood along the top
edge shows where they have already been.
View: BU7_20210126_0220_104 Fox at edge of flooded ditch.jpg
Description: The ditch hasn't frozen because the run-off from seemingly endless rain
keeps the water moving. Several creatures stop by to drink - this Fox turns
to check out something back on the bank of the ditch.
Date: 20 Feb 2021
View: BU8_20210123_0817_076 Fox carrying large prey in mouth.jpg
Description: The distance + poor light make it hard to identify what this Fox
has caught to take home for Breakfast. Wrong colour for a Rabbit or Pigeon,
too big for a rodent, so we guess a corvid of some sort.
View: DF5_20210123_0916_018 Muntjac Reeves Deer and fox face each other across main pond 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: This Fox spent a few minutes investigating the main pond, but
he was being watched from the island by a female Deer, and decided to depart.
View: DF5_20210123_0918_035+0919_044 Muntjac Reeves Deer cleaning rear hoof then scratching neck with it 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Once the Fox had gone the Deer relaxed and stayed by the tree on the island
for at least a couple of hours.
Muntjac Grooming Manual: Clean your hoof before using it to scratch your neck
View: D73_20210123_0934_012 Muntjac Reeves Deer female on Main pond island.jpg
Description: We caught this en-deer-ing (sorry) moment before she settled down on the ground
taking occasional mouthfuls of the 'weeds' around her.
Date: 19 Feb 2021
View: E63_20210122_0748_146_FB1 Blackbird female looking upwards.jpg
Description: Female Blackbird demonstrates her 'The Exorcist' style twisting head movement.
View: E6A_20210126_0721_056_FB5 Blackbird male feeding on snow.jpg
Description: A male Blackbird probes the snow where he knows that there might be some corn.
Date: 18 Feb 2021
View: D01_20210125_1403_047-048_FB6 Kestrel female lands on Meadow Post with Vole in claws as snow melts 1+2 of 2 (montage 400ms).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel flies in to the Meadow Post carrying what looks like a
Short-tailed Field Vole in her left claw. She didn't stay here to eat it.
View: D01_20210119_1238_017+20210121_1428_069_FB6 Kestrel female brief moments at Meadow Post 1+3 of 3 (impression montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel makes an almost 'bounce' visit to the meadow post.
View: D73_20210123_1254_032 Kestrel female on footrest of disused telephone pole.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel spends hours on some days hunting over the grass margin
outside our south hedge. Here she is watching us, but soon returns her gaze to
the more important grass margin for her fill of worms and insect larvae.
Date: 17 Feb 2021
View: DF5_20210121_1441_011+013+1442_017 Kestrel female hunting from perch in Ash tree on Main pond island 1+2+3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Sitting in the living room we saw 'our' female Kestrel Whizz by the Window to loop
round and perch on the Ash tree on the main pond island for a couple of minutes.
View: E60_20210121_1444_008+1438_007_FB3 Kestrel female on Kitchen perch and flyby (montage).jpg
Description: Next morning we discovered that the female Kestrel had a few minutes earlier
flown over the Kitchen Window Perch (left image below) and a few minutes later
landed on the perch (right image below) presumably to hunt over the rough grass
below.
So this montage isn't what it looks like!
Date: 16 Feb 2021
View: E63_20210119_1044_063_FB1 Great Tit and Blue Tit feeding.jpg
Description: A Great Tit (left) and Blue Tit quietly feeding together
View: D73_20210117_1215_047 18 Goldfinches arrayed in top of tree.jpg
Description: 18 Goldfinches visited this tree near the edge of the meadow.
View: D73_20210117_1217_060 Goldfinch (ID only).jpg
Description: 17 of the goldfinches flew off together, but this one stayed on for a while.
View: E6A_20210116_0801_125_FB5 Chaffinch male in first smattering of sleet.jpg
Description: A Handsome male Chaffinch ignoring the tomato in favour of more nutritious fare.
An overnight sleet shower has melted over most of the site, but for some reason
stayed at the centre of the Meadow Camera target area.
Date: 15 Feb 2021
View: DF3_20210116_1354_076 Muntjac Reeves Deer female in thicket near south hedge 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: This beautiful quiet creature seems pretty much inured to our presence.
Here she was browsing in a thicket, mainly eating leaves from the still active
Blackberry plants.
View: DF3_20210116_1354_078 Muntjac Reeves Deer female in thicket near south hedge 3 of 3 (crop 2).jpg
Description: After a few mouthfuls she moved over to having a little groom.
View: E6A_20210116_1403_186_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at meadow site 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: A few minutes later the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer grazes quietly on the
limited grass at this site in the middle of the afternoon.
View: BU7_20210118_2147_038 Muntjac Reeves Deer male crossing flooded ditch.jpg
Description: A male Reeve's Muntjac Deer stepping out of the flooded ditch.
His little Antlers look particularly sharp and don't match the male's
that we have been seeing up to now at the eastern camera.
Date: 14 Feb 2021
View: DF3_20210116_1340_010+011+013+015 Rook launching from Wooden Power pole 1+2+4+6 of 6 (acc montage @7fps skipping frames).jpg
Description: Rook activity is on the 'up'.
This one flew from the top of 'our' wooden electricity pole ...
View: DF3_20210116_1345_023 Rook calling then launching from bent over twig 01 of 15 (crop).jpg
Description: ... to land on a vertical twig that immediately bent over by 90 degrees.
You can see here that the bird has 2 twigs in the claws. One twig clearly
could not have supported the birds weight, but catching 2 vertical stems
simultaneously and bending them in synchrony really requires some
wonderful flying skills. After a few calls the bird departed, leaving the twigs
flailing about
View: DF3_20210116_1345_047-050 Rook calling then launching from bent over twig 12-15 of 15 accurate montage @7fps.jpg
Description: The end of the birds flight that we saw accurately montaged at 7 fps.
Date: 13 Feb 2021
View: E60_20210115_1428_011_FB3 Sparrowhawk flying over kitchen bird table (crop).jpg
Description: This Sparrowhawk makes a disappointed pass of the Kitchen bird-feeder complex.
Date: 12 Feb 2021
View: BU2_20210115_0458_140+142+143_SC7 Badgers mating on Round Mound 2+4+5 of 6 (spread montage).jpg
Description: Here we see a pair of Badgers mating at the bottom of the mound at 5 a.m.
while as completely dark as it gets here.
A description of where Badgers mate suggest that it is 'close to the Sett',
but the only Sett we know of is several hundred metres away.
Maybe there is something that we haven't found yet!
Date: 11 Feb 2021
View: DF2_20210114_1019_014 Muntjac Reeves Deer female crossing flooded front drive.jpg
Description: Here you can see that the Deer's fur is drenched in what turned out to be
a day of non-stop rain. The pools of water are in what constitutes our front driveway
with the Deer's little hooves sinking into the saturated soil.
View: BU7_20210117_0530_143 Fox drinking from flooded ditch (crop).jpg
Description: This fox paddles through the flooded ditch - several images at
different times capture the Fox having a drink of the paddling water.
Date: 10 Feb 2021
View: D73_20210111_1409_011-013 Rook harassing Buzzard over field to north 1-3 of 3 (montage @10fps double spaced).jpg
Description: A walk down to the north bridleway found a Buzzard perched on one of the 11kV
crossbars, But while still 100m away the Buzzard departed. A local Rook took
exception to the Buzzard and gave chase. The Rooks are not nest building yet,
but Buzzards are a risk to Rook eggs and nestlings so it is never too early to
start shooing them away.
View: D73_20210115_1512_026 Buzzard on 11kV crossbar.jpg
Description: Several sightings of a Buzzard on the 11kV crossbars along the north
Bridleway. About 100m is about as close as we are allowed to get!
View: D01_20210118_1442_029+030_FB6 Buzzard lands on Meadow Post 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400ms).jpg
Description: This Buzzard visited our 'Meadow Post, for a short visit.
It doesn't look like the Buzzard seen on the crossbars, but it's difficult to be sure.
Date: 09 Feb 2021
View: E6A_20210108_1450_167-20210110_0902_274_FB5 Molehills forming over 2 days 01+04+06+08 of 10 (montage).jpg
Description: Over 2 days the automatic camera at this sight recorded the appearance of first
1 substantial Molehill, and then next night another perhaps half a metre away,
burying the new placed stone in the process. The hills were just behind the IR
trigger beam, so we see an assortment of the locals visiting the site.
Unfortunately we never caught a pic of the little 'Gentleman in Velvet'
who made the mounds.
Bottom left is our female Kestrel ...
View: D01_20210109_1524_154+155_FB6+E6A_1524_259_FB5 Kestrel female lands on Meadow Post & attacks at FB5 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: ... who had landed on the Meadow post a minute or two before or after the flight
over the Molehill. All these pics have the same time stamps from different
cameras, so we can't tell to the minute even which came first.
Date: 08 Feb 2021
View: E6A_20210108_0839_108+0953_115_FB5 Weasel carrying Bird (q) then Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) in mouth 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Two sightings of a Weasel about an hour apart, each time with a kill in the
mouth. On the left, with the night frost still evident, we think she has taken
some sort of 'Little Brown Bird', and on the right undoubtedly an unfortunate
Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse).
A versatile little predator!
Date: 07 Feb 2021
View: E6A_20210107_1145_028_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer female eating corn on frosty ground 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Our Apparently resident female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has made several appearances
in the last few days, both for automatic cameras and right in front of yours truly.
Here she triggers the Meadow camera.
View: D71_20210108_1224_014 Muntjac Reeves Deer female by hedge outside livingroom window 3 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: Here we see her through the living room window on the other side of a really poor
bit of hedging that is in shade almost all year.
View: D71_20210108_1224_015 Muntjac Reeves Deer female by hedge outside livingroom window 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
View: E64_20210108_1632_108_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female.jpg
Description: Here she is at the Woodland camera site, licking up corn grain
(amongst other stuff we prefer not to think about).
Date: 06 Feb 2021
View: D73_20210107_0935_010 Sun viewed through Fog.jpg
Description: A day of never ending fog started with this brief appearance of the sun looking
more like a bland moon.
At times of 'Solar Maximum' we would expect to see a few sunspots, but we are
leaving a time of 'Solar Minimum' with very few spots to see, and we confirmed
that there weren't any on this side of the sun when we took this
photo.
View: D73_20210111_0717_163 Moon in thin crescent rising through lurid dawn (crop).jpg
Description: While out exchanging the camera cards on our twice weekly round, we noticed this
thin crescent moon peeping through this lurid sunrise.
In line with 'Red Sky in Morning, Shepherd's warning' the following day was truly grim!
Date: 05 Feb 2021
View: D01_20210106_1522_165+166_FB6 Buzzard (q) landing on meadow post 1+2 of 2 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: As the sun lowers in the sky (not that it ever gets to any great
height at the moment) this Buzzard makes a landing on the Meadow
post, but doesn't stay. These two moments are less than half a
second apart.
View: D01_20210105_1200_070_FB6 Wood Pigeon about to land by or on another at meadow post.jpg
Description: "Behind you!"
This is the same pole that the Buzzard landed on, providing a size comparison
Date: 04 Feb 2021
View: D73_20210106_1249_059 Muntjac Reeves Deer female walking to camera.jpg
Description: Stopping for a moment to watch the Kestrel on a distant post,
this little creature quietly ambles towards us until a few
metres away. She sees us, jumps for a moment, but then quietly
turns, feeds a bit more, and wanders away.
Date: 03 Feb 2021
View: E60_20210105_0317_005_FB3 Tawny Owl landing on kitchen perch.jpg
Description: This Tawny Owl lands at the kitchen window nicely in focus.
Date: 02 Feb 2021
View: E6A_20201231_2126_084_FB5 Polecat.jpg
Description: The local Polecat passes through the camera trap in the meadow.
Taken about 2 hours before the end of year 2020
View: BU2_20210107_0635_409-411_SC7 Polecat foraging along base of Round Mound 1-3 of 3 (approx montage).jpg
Description: A week later we see what is probably the same Polecat over a few
seconds as she scampers left to right along the bottom of the mound.
A Polecat may be the nearest creature we have to the American 'Groundhog',
whose day is celebrated each 2 February,
Date: 01 Feb 2021
View: D73_20210103_1001_084 Kestrel female hunting from top of drenched wooden mains power pole.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel on the top of our mains electricity pole.
View: D73_20210105_1100_017 Kestrel female perched in dappled shadow on tree at end of orchard.jpg
Description: Two days later we find the local female kestrel perched in one of the trees along
our south hedge.
View: D73_20210106_1305_107 Kestrel female resting and preening on wooden electricity pole top.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel has a rest and occasional preen on the top
of our wooden power pole. Through the tangle of branches from inside
our 'orchard' we think she never saw us, and we left her in peace.
Image Archive arch 2021 jan.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Jan 2021
View: E63_20201229_1503_031_FB1 Dunnock and Blackbird.jpg
Description: A little teatime conversation?
Well at least these two birds are prepared to tolerate each other collecting food to see them through the night.
View: E60_20201230_1549_022_FB3 Sparrowhawk over Kitchen Bird Table & peanut feeder.jpg
Description: As the daylight fades, the female Sparrowhawk makes a final
failed pass over the kitchen window feeder.
"I'll have to wait for the morning breakfast queue"
Date: 30 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201229_1011_018 Teasel head inverted and rammed in to top of small tree stump.jpg
Description: This teasel is in the hole of a long dead 'Himalayan Birch'. It was
quite firmly rammed into the hole, and must have put there by
some sort of bird to hold it while seeds were extracted. A
Squirrel would just hold and rip it apart!
View: E6A_20201228_1311_062+1605_088+20201229_1108_126_FB5 Tomato with Pigeon + Dunnock + Squirrel (montage).jpg
Description: The 'Tale of the Tomato'.
This squishy tomato survived with no more than a few pecks for almost 24 hours
before the Grey Squirrel took it away.
Date: 29 Jan 2021
View: BU8_20201227_1640_006-BU3_1729_096 Roe Deer female 50 minute visit over site 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: A sighting of a female Roe Deer who seems to have spent just under an
hour wandering around our patch. We don't know where she entered, but left to
right we see moments by the Duck-shape pond, the end of the orchard, the East hedge,
and finally exiting through the western access to the track, accumulating at least a
quarter of a mile.
View: BU3_20201228_0200_111_SC6 3 Muntjac Reeves deer on access track (male following 2 females).jpg
Description: Next early morning sees a typical Reeve's Muntjac Deer family group on
the concrete access track. The female on the right is about to duck
through the hole in the pig-net, probably the rest to follow.
As usual the male is at the rear.
Date: 28 Jan 2021
View: BU3_20201224_2223_023_SC6 Fox wistful gaze upwards from access track (crop).jpg
Description: In the dark of the night this Fox is caught gazing wistfully upwards.
He could be looking at many things, but this is one of the Rook's
favourite roosts.
View: BU7_20201230_1134_136-138 Fox crossing flooded ditch 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Unusually spotted (by the automatic camera) in the late morning, this
Fox slinks their way across the sodden ditch and out onto the farm land.
Date: 27 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201227_0929_067+070+071 Kestrel female flying from perch in conifer 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A short spell of sunshine afforded this moment of the female Kestrel
hunting the grass margin to our south. Here she is determinedly flying down
to whatever she has spotted in the grass.
Date: 26 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201224_1050_151-153 Kestrel female lands on grass to pick up insect to eat 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Down-the-hatch with this latest catch.
View: D73_20201224_1050_186 Kestrel female gliding and turning in front of young Lombardy Poplar tree.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel moves by at what seems lightening speed (until you
see a Sparrowhawk).
View: D73_20201224_1053_317+1054_334 Kestrel female dives from pole top to grass to eat insect 1+3 of 4 (montage as insert).jpg
Description: Here the female Kestrel has Chosen to hunt from the top of post that converts
the underground mains cable (coming up from the ground left) to an overhead
pair of bare wires, one of which is supported by that bolt.
Anyway, she sees something in the grass and dives down to eat it.
It looks like another large larvae.
View: D73_20201224_1056_385 Kestrel female lands to catch insect 2 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: Our last selection of this lovely bird - swooping to the ground
to grab some poor morsel that we didn't get to see.
Date: 25 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201224_1045_004 Kestrel female on telephone pole footrest.jpg
Description: This is the 'adjustable height' hunting pole.
Why sit only on the top of a pole when this one has about 10 different heights.
Actually she often DOES sit on the top of this one as well, and chooses various
heights of footrest without any obvious preferences.
View: D73_20201224_1048_043+045+046+1029_075 Kestrel female bad landing in Conifer & flies away 01-04 of 11 (montage leftward).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel decides to make a landing on a conifer twig, but for whatever
reason has difficulty getting balance after touchdown.
View: D73_20201224_1049_076-080 Kestrel female bad landing in Conifer & flies away 05-09 of 11 (accurate montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: She stays only a few seconds before flying back the way that she arrived.
Date: 24 Jan 2021
View: E64_20201219_1413_178+1424_179_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female 11 min feed as Grey Squirrel moves under her (mirror montage).jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer spent 10 minutes feeding at the woodland site.
An amusing sideline is the Grey Squirrel creeping ever closer.
She can be seen just behind the thigh of the front legs at the left,
and 10 minutes the Squirrel seems to be right under the Deer.
View: E64_20201220_0213_216_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female trotting through site (whole frame).jpg
Description: 12 hours later, now in the middle of the night, the little Deer trots by the same camera.
Date: 23 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201219_1323_009-011 Kestrel female on mains power line 3-5 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: Following the abundance of female Kestrel pics last week, she has
since made a few appearances.
View: D73_20201219_1324_014-018 Kestrel female takeoff from mains power line 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: She flew straight from the cables towards the house ...
View: D73_20201219_1325_030 Kestrel female perched on gutter at SW corner of house.jpg
Description: ... ending on the gutter on a front corner of the house, but she
soon flew to the top of 'our' telephone pole by the main road.
Date: 22 Jan 2021
View: BU5_20201217_1326_039_SC1 Pheasant male and Grey Squirrel on bank of Round Pond.jpg
Description: A lunch-time encounter shortly after an early in the day round with the bait bag.
The Grey Squirrel hasn't already attacked the pheasant,
so is probably one of the tolerant individuals.
View: E63_20201217_1335_052_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: 10 minutes later, and glowing in the afternoon sunshine, this year's male pheasant
arrives at the hedge bottom still scattered with scraps.
View: E63_20201219_1441_169_FB1 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: 2 days later the male Pheasant makes another appearance.
No sightings of a female yet.
Date: 21 Jan 2021
View: DF3_20201217_1024_013 Green Woodpecker female perched on young silver Birch branch.jpg
Description: After months of departing 'Yaffle' calls and the occasional pic on the automatic
camera on the meadow post, the female Green Woodpecker finally gives
us a decent chance of a portrait.
View: D01_20201214_2012_027+2014+031_FB6 Barn Owl 10+ minute visit 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl made one of their occasional visits, staying for at least 10 minutes.
Date: 20 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201214_1244_441+444 Kestrel female perched on springy Lombardy poplar twig 07+10 of 10 (aligned montage).jpg
Description: Here the female Kestrel has perched on the tip of one of the Farm's young
Lombardy Poplars. She was bounding up and down on this thin piece of wood,
but managing to compensate for the motion to keep her head still.
View: D73_20201214_1246_504 Kestrel female failing to grip twig to land.jpg
Description: Her next landing on a nearby twig was quite tricky ...
View: D73_20201214_1246_516 Kestrel female landing on Lombardy Poplar twig in strong wind 10 of 16 (crop).jpg
Description: ... but she made it after a second or two.
View: D73_20201214_1249_573 Kestrel female with feathers evenly spread in flight.jpg
Description: A good view of the feathers on our female Kestrel.
Date: 19 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201214_0943_284 Kestrel female on Telephone pole footrest.jpg
Description: A disused telephone pole provides about a dozen footrests from which
the local female kestrel likes to hunt over the grass margin.
View: D73_20201214_0956_368-384 Kestrel female takes prey from grass then takes off to hover 1+6+8+11+16 of 22 (acc montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel takes off after a feed - climbing straight up into the sky for a hover facing
into the wind.
View: D73_20201214_0956_385-390 Kestrel female takes prey from grass then takes off to hover 15-20 of 22 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel continues here ascent.
Top bird above is immediately below the bottom bird below.
View: D73_20201214_0956_408-410+413 Kestrel female landing in tree 1-4 of 4 ((right to left montage).jpg
Description: Once at sufficient height she flew to another tree branch for the next hunt.
Date: 18 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201214_0938_119-121 Kestrel female diving into prey in grass 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage @10 fps).jpg
Description: From a hover the female Kestrel dives down onto the prey she has spotted in the
saturated grass.
View: D73_20201214_0938_165-169 Kestrel female taking off from grass 01-05 of 13 (montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Whatever The female Kestrel caught could be swallowed without us seeing it.
Here she is taking off to continue her hunt.
View: D73_20201214_0939_225 Kestrel female in flight 4 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: What a beautiful creature
View: D73_20201214_0939_242-246+253 Kestrel female flying to land in tree 06-11 of 12 (acc montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Trees seemed to be a favourite hunting perch on this day.
Here she is making her way to one of them.
Date: 17 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201214_0935_034-040 Kestrel female in flight 3 of 7 (accurate montage right to left).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel spent most of the day hunting over 1000 square metres
of farm margin saturated grass. Read this flight from right to left - the
leftmost bird is folding her wings making her look suddenly smaller.
View: D73_20201214_0935_041-052 Kestrel female diving to ground to eat leatherjacket(q) larva 1+2+4+6+9+12 of 12 (spread montage + insert).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel perched in surrounding trees, and sometimes hovered, diving to the ground to
collect whatever she had spotted in the grass. In this case it is some sort of larva
(not a worm this time) that you can just see in the 4th 5th images from the left (detail of 5th image above).
View: D73_20201214_0935_066-073 Kestrel female hovering in gusty wind maintaining head position 04+06+07+11 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: Here hovering in a blustery wind you can see that the female Kestrel's beak tip
is motionless against the distant tree despite the movements of her wings and body.
View: D73_20201214_0935_072 Kestrel female hovering in gusty wind 10 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: A bit more detail of the hovering Kestrel.
Date: 16 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201213_1251_082 Muntjac Reeves Deer female in thicket SE of Duck Pond 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: Our apparently resident female Reeves Muntjac Deer feeds on
the fallen leaves in a thicket south east of the duck-shaped pond.
View: D73_20201217_0717_030 Muntjac Reeves Deer female foraging in thicket ignoring photographer & camera flash 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Out in the morning dark to collect the camera cards, our powerful head-torches
caught sight of movement in the brambles. It was this female Muntjac, amazingly
not the least bothered by having our lights shone on her nor bothered by the
camera flash. Standing still to watch her she eventually munched her way towards
the camera until barely a metre away - the camera is pointing down on to the
back of her head. She wandered back in the brambles so we left her in
peace.
A wonderful experience.
Date: 15 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201211_1340_024 Muntjac Reeves Deer feeding in salad bed 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: If ever the weather dries up we will be able to clear out this vegetable bed.
Meanwhile this female Reeves Muntjac Deer helps clear the weeds for us.
View: D73_20201211_1342_035 Muntjac Reeves Deer feeding in salad bed 3 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This female Reeves Muntjac Deer helps clear the weeds for us.
View: D73_20201213_1250_062 Muntjac Reeves Deer female in thicket SE of Duck Pond 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: What seems to be a resident female Reeves Muntjac Deer feeds on
the fallen leaves in a thicket south east of the duck-shaped pond.
Date: 14 Jan 2021
View: D01_20201211_1115_025_FB6 Kestrel female lands on meadow post with Short-tailed Field Vole in Talons 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel uses the local 'take-away' (the Meadow) for her lunchtime vole.
She flew away with it to we know not where.
Date: 13 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201210_1039_008 Kestrel female in tree at end of orchard (viewed from outside).jpg
Description: After a week of absence we come across the local female Kestrel perched in a tree
at the end of our 'orchard', here photographed from outside our patch.
View: DF5_20201210_1203_001+002 Sparrowhawk female perched in Ash tree 2+1 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: 80 minutes later the Sparrowhawk catches our eye perched in one of
the Ash trees visible from the house.
View: E60_20201209_1434_023_FB3 Sparrowhawk attacking bird inside caged Peanut feeder (crop).jpg
Description: This mess of a photo is a Sparrowhawk attacking a bird inside the peanut feeder.
A look at the CCTV recording shows that the Sparrowhawk flew into attack from the left, spent
a few seconds trying to grab some sort of small bird from the feeder but failing, and the
small bird flew off. The Hawk circled and landed on the perch above, obviously sans prey,
and 30 seconds later flew away.
Date: 12 Jan 2021
View: BUA_20201209_0248_108_SC8 Fox scent marking tree.jpg
Description: A Fox scent-marks the tree near the East hedge animal access.
View: BU5_20201209_2322_234_SC1 Fox looking across Round Pond.jpg
Description: A little before midnight the next night, a Fox gazes across the water of the now
overflowing Round Pond. The Fox could be hearing or scenting something
interesting on the island out of crop to the right, and wondering whether it is
worth the swim.
Date: 11 Jan 2021
View: E63_20201205_2245_329_FB1+BU2_20201205_2133_501_SC7 Badger visiting mound + Hedge + mound over 2Hrs 1+2 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This Badger (ID'ed from markings) first visited the mound, 45 minutes later
was on the other side of our patch at the bottom of the south hedge, and then
an hour later seen again back at the mound (not shown - by then the Fog had
descended to stay for the next 3 days)
View: BU6_20201209_1837_076_SC2 2 Badgers walking up orchard path.jpg
Description: A couple of Badgers making procession through the orchard.
Date: 10 Jan 2021
View: D01_20201205_1527_132_FB6 Wood Pigeon lit by sunset.jpg
Description: At this time of year we get less than 8 hours of sunlight.
The orange light of the setting sun illuminates this sleek Wood Pigeon.
View: D73_20201205_1548_137 Sunset.jpg
Description: 15 minutes later the orange glow through the window encourages a
brief excursion to catch the moment.
Date: 09 Jan 2021
View: E6A_20201209_1017_200_FB5 Green Woodpecker female.jpg
Description: Following our fog hazed Green Woodpecker earlier, here she is in all her glory.
View: D73_20201205_1244_098-105 Rook in flight with changing lighting at 10fps 1-8 of 8 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: A rook flies 'out of the glare of the sun' and past us, creating this unusual
progression of appearance all in less than a second.
Date: 08 Jan 2021
View: E6A_20201205_1226_218_FB5 Grey Squirrel leaping with Teasel head in mouth.jpg
Description: While walking past a bench Marie spotted the debris of a Teasel
head that has been dismantled on the flat arm of a Bench.
A day or so later after collecting the camera card at this site we find this
moment as a Grey Squirrel with Teasel head in mouth speeds in the
appropriate direction. We have to assume a connection.
View: BU2_20201209_1303_261_SC7 1 Grey Squirrel + 5 Rooks + 4 Jackdaws feeding on Round Mound.jpg
Description: A single Grey Squirrel surrounded at just over 'swipe' distance by an arc of 5 Rooks.
Behind the Rooks is a line of 4 Jackdaws.
Date: 07 Jan 2021
View: D73_20201205_0911_018 Blackbird female with dark beak perched on silver birch branch.jpg
Description: One of the dark billed Blackbirds we see at this time of year - this is a female.
View: DF2_20201208_1127_005+008+1128_026 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding on meadow path 2+3+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: From an upstairs window we could watch this Reeve's Muntjac Deer
browsing either side of the path through the meadow.
Date: 06 Jan 2021
View: D01_20201203_1116_067_FB6 Wood Pigeon on meadow post in rain.jpg
Description: This Wood Pigeon out in the cold and rain plumps up the feathers
to keep out the cold. No sleek breast here - maximise the insulating air-space.
View: E60_20201207_1156_004_FB3 Wood Pigeon folding wings after landing.jpg
Description: A Wood Pigeon folds the wings after landing. Those hundreds of feathers
now form a perfectly smooth breast.
Date: 05 Jan 2021
View: D01_20201130_0449_045_FB6 Barn Owl landing (crop).jpg
Description: Just before 5 a.m. this Barn Owl makes this lovely landing, but doesn't stay.
View: E63_20201201_1637_186_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse).jpg
Description: Maybe the Barn Owl was hoping to find a final Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) before the end
of the night, but this portrait was from the hedge-bottom site rarely
visited by Owls.
Date: 04 Jan 2021
View: DF3_20201201_0913_003-006 Rook in flight 1-4 of 4 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: A rare spell of sunshine breaks the interminable gloom allowing
some attractive images of this Rook flying by.
View: D01_20201126_1451_017+018_FB6 Jackdaw landing on Meadow Post (montage about 300mS apart).jpg
Description: In recent years Jackdaws have mostly disappeared in the summer months, returning for the Winter.
Date: 03 Jan 2021
View: D36_20201127_0106_024_FB4 Tawny Owl visit to tree-stump (crop).jpg
Description: Tawny Owls only occasionally visit this woodland tree-stump.
3 Woodpiles around this stump provide home for Fieldmice (Wood Mice) and Voles,
and we suspect that the Owl's gaze is focussed on an unfortunate resident.
View: E60_20201130_0304_006_FB3 Tawny Owl landing on Kitchen perch (crop).jpg
Description: Probably the same Tawny Owl makes a landing on the perch outside the kitchen.
Date: 02 Jan 2021
View: E63_20201126_1441_061_FB1 Grey Squirrel eating piece of apple.jpg
Description: Would butter melt in the mouth of this endearing creature?
View: DF3_20201201_1307_032 Grey Squirrel grooming in sunlit patch.jpg
Description: In a sheltered sunny patch this Grey Squirrel spends several minutes
warming itself and having an extensive groom.
View: E6A_20201201_1355_081_FB5 Grey Squirrel nibbling banana peel.jpg
Description: A piece of Banana peel that escaped the kitchen scissors is now nevertheless
picked up and eaten by this Squirrel.
Banana peel used always be left untouched until it rotted. We started cutting
it into squares and the animals were willing to try it. Having learned that it is
'good stuff' some will tackle it cut up or not.
Date: 01 Jan 2021
View: E60_20201201_1556_020_FB3 Sparrowhawk female (crop).jpg
Description: A fresh new year sees this female Sparrowhawk near the end of
daylight on the Kitchen Window perch. A careful inspection
shows fresh blood on her lower breast feathers and over one of
her talons. She is probably digesting her latest kill.
Image Archive arch 2020 dec.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Dec 2020
View: DF3_20201201_1307_026 Magpie on Silver Birch branch with feathers lifted by wind from rear.jpg
Description: As this misery of a year comes to an end, a little hope of better things
as this Magpie high in a Silver Birch tree is surrounded by the emerging
catkins ready to start the new season.
View: BU5_20201126_1409_144_SC1 Grey squirrel gazing over Round pond lit by streaks of sunlight.jpg
Description: A Grey Squirrel apparently gazing over the expanse of water lit
by shafts of sunlight finding straight lines through the tree trunks.
Date: 30 Dec 2020
View: BU2_20201126_1208_016--1209_024_SC7 Muntjac Reeves Deer visit to Mound for 2 minutes (montage).jpg
Description: This Reeve's Muntjac Deer spends just a couple of minutes foraging on the mound,
but nevertheless manages 7 pics of which these 6 are all in different places as
shown montaged here. Judging by some of the strange positions of the top four
moments, it looks like her little hooves don't grip the slope (perhaps 30
degrees) very well.
Date: 29 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201126_1235_003-1236_014 Muntjac Reeves Deer female browsing in leaf litter west of FB4 stump 1+2+4+5 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: While repairing camera electronics at the tree stump this Reeve's Muntjac Deer
came wandering up the path towards us, quietly rummaging through the leaves. The
Deer never seemed to spot us, or has us classified as 'harmless', and after a
couple of minutes saw more productive foraging off to the side of the path and
disappeared into the undergrowth.
View: BU7_20201124_0532_022-0534_035 Muntjac Reeves Deer female feeding near south hedge 1+2+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: We don't leave food at this patch, but the rough grass held this Reeve's Muntjac
Deer's interest for several minutes.
Date: 28 Dec 2020
View: E63_20201123_1609_092_FB1 Pheasant male (portrait crop).jpg
Description: The new male Pheasant stops by to check out the 'bait'.
View: E64_20201125_1523_174_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: The new male Pheasant at the woodland site.
Date: 27 Dec 2020
View: E64_20201123_1925_081_FB2 Badger.jpg
Description: Night has fallen and this Badger visits the woodland site.
View: BU7_20201118_1843_013-015 Badger crossing south ditch & leaving 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This Badger triggers the camera as they walk across the ditch and
then through the hole in the hedge into the farm beyond.
These over perhaps 3 seconds.
View: BU7_20201123_1853_010-012 Badger leaving through south hedge 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A Badger exiting the site over a few seconds - we have several instances of a
similar exit - probably the same badger following a (literally) well trodden route.
Date: 26 Dec 2020
View: E63_20201121_1625_198_FB1 Song Thrush inspecting soil (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: An unusually poised moment for this Song Thrush, looking for something
to eat hidden in the bare soil.
View: E63_20201125_1308_208_FB1 Great Tit.jpg
Description: Great Tit numbers have this year not exploded like the Blue Tits, but we are
starting to see them again.
View: E63_20201123_1234_027_FB1 Robin.jpg
Description: We don't seem to have shown you a Robin portrait recently, and this one has posed rather elegantly.
View: E63_20201122_0724_207_FB1 Robin and Dunnock squabble.jpg
Description: A Robin (on the ground) and Dunnock (in flight with open beak directed at the Robin)
having a little squabble.
Date: 25 Dec 2020
View: D01_20201120_1404_066--1416_086_FB6 Kestrel female takes Rodent to Meadow post to eat 01+04+06+08+09+11 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: The Kestrel's Christmas Dinner
After a days absence the local female Kestrel arrives at the meadow post
with a Rodent (we THINK a vole) which she devours over about 10 minutes.
After flying off she returns 3 minutes later, but didn't stay (last frame).
Date: 24 Dec 2020
View: E64_20201121_1404_128_FB2 Grey Squirrel eating carrot top in leaf litter.jpg
Description: Raw Carrot seems to have become a little less unpopular with the Grey Squirrels.
We suspect that one or two (of the all-together too many) of them quite like it.
Animals are not identical automata - decades of observation have
shown us that they have individual preferences and idiosyncrasies just like
humans.
Date: 23 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201119_1306_045+049+053+055 Kestrel female preening perched on Ash tree on main pond island 2+4-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel appears again having an extensive preen on a branch of the
Ash tree. Recently there have been an unusual number of sightings of this
Kestrel preening - we guess the new feathers need a lot of 'settling in'.
View: D73_20201119_1249_020 Kestrel female on top of concrete mains power pole (crop 3).jpg
Description: Before her visit to the Ash tree we see her on the top of the concrete mains
power pole, photographed while giving us a quick 'check' before going back to
hunting the ground on the far side of the pole.
Date: 22 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201115_1052_105 Kestrel female preening on power cable connector on house wall 1 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: After finding the female Kestrel on the end of a section of farm hedge
we finished the walk to find a female Kestrel perched on the top mains cable connector
on the house, in the sunshine but out of the chilling wind.
A stampede to the east boundary found that the 'bird in the hedge' had gone,
so this is likely the same bird each time.
This perch is one of her favourite preening perches.
View: D73_20201115_1056_146+149+150 Kestrel female preening on power cable connector on house wall 3-5 of 7 (montage).jpg
View: D73_20201115_1100_179 Kestrel female preening on power cable connector on house wall 7 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: The view from the conservatory door as we left the female Kestrel continuing her preen.
View: DF5_20201116_1150_017+1147_015 Kestrel female preening on Ash tree on main pond island 6+5 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: An hour later through the living room window we see her arrive in the Ash tree
on the island of the main pond, where she spent several minutes continuing
preening. Here you get a good view of the freshly grown tail, now clearly sans
last years 'Grey Feather'.
Date: 21 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201115_1021_045 Kestrel female hunting from overhead mains cables.jpg
Description: Every week or two the local female kestrel spends a day or two hunting around our patch.
We don't see any regular pattern to where she hunts and preens though she has her
favourite haunts.
This time she is first spotted on the mains cables supplying the house.
View: D73_20201115_1028_061+1027_055+059 Kestrel female hunting from overhead mains cables (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel hasn't moved from the above pic, but the cameraman moved to the
other side of the wire for a less back-lit image.
View: D73_20201115_1040_080 Kestrel female preening on tip of hedge tractor gap 2 of 4 (crop 1).jpg
Description: We leave her in peace and go for a walk around the outside of our patch,
and were surprised to find her preening on a corner of the farm hedge
where it has ben removed to allow tractors through.
More tomorrow
Date: 20 Dec 2020
View: D5C_20201105_1109_009-1110_038 Grey Squirrel Grooming (Montage).jpg
Description: This male Grey Squirrel settled down for a couple of minutes groom.
Top right and middle left show a pass over his tail.
They may be flea infested little vermin, but they do try to keep clean.
View: E64_20201113_1526_107_FB2 Grey Squirrel eating Banana end encrusted with peanut butter and corn.jpg
Description: Banana skin with Peanut butter stuck to the bottom'.
Delicious (no really - if it was clean it would be perfectly edible!).
View: D73_20201119_1253_030 Grey Squirrel eating items scratched up from grass.jpg
Description: A vigorous scrabble in the long grass produces something that this
Grey Squirrel finds worthy of consumption.
Date: 19 Dec 2020
View: E6A_20201109_1602_072_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer sharing site with 2 Magpies 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: This unusual pic shows a Reeve's Muntjac Deer passing by a couple of Magpies
at most 1 metre away. Magpies are obviously aware of the difference between this
gentle Deer and similar sized Dog, Fox or Badger.
View: E6A_20201109_1602_073_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer sharing site with 2 Magpies 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: About 1 minute later we see that the Deer has nearly walked out of frame, while
the Magpies have hardly moved.
View: E63_20201112_0719_008_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer and Magpie.jpg
Description: A few days later we see similar behaviour at the hedge bottom site.
We don't remember seeing behaviour before and suspect that this is one of
this years new Deer extending their nights browsing into the daylight at
each end of the day. This is the early morning ...
View: E6A_20201112_1539_052_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer and Magpie (orig & final).jpg
Description: ... while this is back in the meadow in late afternoon.
Date: 18 Dec 2020
View: DF3_20201107_1243_047+049+050 Kestrel female preening on 11kV cable 2-4 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The 11kV cable over the north bridleway is becoming a favourite spot
for this female Kestrel who is enjoying a thorough preen.
View: DF3_20201107_1243_066+051 Kestrel female preening on 11kV cable 6+5 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A creep nearer along the Bridleway didn't disturb her ablutions.
Date: 17 Dec 2020
View: DF3_20201107_0943_001 Muntjac Reeves Deer female choosing yellowed leaves to eat (crop).jpg
Description: Through a scraggy hedge we see this female Reeve's Muntjac Deer daintily searching
for yellow leaves to eat.
View: DF3_20201107_0943_004 Muntjac Reeves Deer female chewing leaves.jpg
Description: Here she is chewing a few leaves in a rather endearing moment.
View: DF3_20201107_0943_005 Muntjac Reeves Deer female choosing yellowed leaves to eat.jpg
View: DF3_20201107_0947_026 Muntjac Reeves Deer female grooming.jpg
Description: A few minutes later the sunshine has departed and she has a groom in the gloom (sorry).
Date: 16 Dec 2020
View: E60_20201106_1625_019_FB3 Sparrowhawk female flying over Kitchen perch (crop 2).jpg
Description: A female Sparrowhawk flies over the Kitchen bird table.
Considering the speed that they fly, this pic is unusually sharp.
Date: 15 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201106_1026_103 Muntjac Reeves Deer female choosing yellowed leaves to eat.jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer seems quite tolerant of us Humans,
feeding quietly here on what was once a neat shingled area.
View: D73_20201106_1028_122 Muntjac Reeves Deer female licking up corn from track (crop).jpg
Description: Here she was licking up corn scattered on the track, initially intended for birds,
but she is hungry as well.
View: D73_20201106_1029_144 Muntjac Reeves Deer female grooming foot (crop).jpg
Description: The Deer is relaxed enough for a little groom.
Date: 14 Dec 2020
View: BU3_20201105_2316_041+2317_045_SC6 Roe Deer female followed by male on access track 1+3 of 3 montage).jpg
Description: After several months we again see Roe Deer, and in this first montage, a pair at that,
walking up the concrete access track. The two original images are:-
1 of 3: The distant pair of eyes of the male and the female at the centre of the image.
3 of 3: The male at the left (Antlers visible) and the female starting to go through
the gap in the hedge on the west side.
View: BUA_20201105_2321_070+072_SC8 Roe Deer female near east entrance (montage).jpg
Description: 5 minutes later the female Roe Deer appears 100m away inside the east side, presumably on the way
to the hole in the hedge a few metres right. The male didn't show on any camera inside the plot -
it's possible that his antlers catch the steel netting and he couldn't get in by that route!
View: BUA_20201105_2321_071+20201108_1921_327_SC8 Roe Deer female + Muntjac Reeves Deer male size comparison (montage).jpg
Description: Roe Deer (left) are much bigger than our normal Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
This is a same scale montage for size comparison.
Date: 13 Dec 2020
View: BU7_20201105_1940_023 Badger entering through south hedge.jpg
Description: A Handsome Badger out for a forage, here at our south hedge.
View: BUA_20201110_2131_139-2132_147_SC8 Badger visit to East hedge 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Brock walks towards this entrance at the east hedge, but decides to stay inside.
View: BUA_20201112_0203_293_SC8 Fox at east hedge staring at camera.jpg
Description: Night animals staring directly at IR illuminating 'trail cameras' show
the same bright eyes you see with a torch or car headlights.
These creatures have a reflective layer behind the retina to
increase the chance of any photon hitting a sensitive 'rod'.
Date: 12 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201112_0638_029 Crescent Moon + Venus + Mercury (top to bottom) alignment (crop with annotation) 1 of 2.jpg
Description: The morning of 12 November 2020 saw this minor astronomical alignment. This
photo at 06:38 shows the Crescent moon and Venus, both clear to see with Venus
in the upper middle of this pic. Mercury we just couldn't see with the naked eye
or camera, but appears faintly below middle on the left in all the pics taken
when viewed at camera resolution.
The planets in the boxes are scaled up 3 times, then reduced a similar amount
when making this 1024 pixel height reduction, so look not dissimilar to the camera originals
Date: 11 Dec 2020
View: DF3_20201104_1255_064 Brimstone Butterfly perches on rose leaf (crop 1).jpg
Description: A mid-day patch of early November sunshine sees this pristine male Brimstone
butterfly warming himself on the south facing Rose bush by the front door.
These insects overwinter in sheltered spots (they love sheds) to appear in
the Spring to mate, relying on spring flowers for fuel.
View: DF3_20201104_1238_042 Goldfinch on Teasel.jpg
Description: Goldfinches adore Teasel - they pick the seeds out of the spiky head for months.
View: E63_20201103_0652_065_FB1 Dunnock on stone reacting to arriving Chaffinch male.jpg
Description: A male Chaffinch flying in from the right is alarming this Dunnock, but
that seed in the beak is unlikely to be dropped as the bird flees.
Date: 10 Dec 2020
View: BUA_20201102_0725_017_SC8 2 Muntjac Reeves Deer feeding together.jpg
Description: Formation Browsing in the leaf litter.
View: BUA_20201101_0702_308_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer female appearing to smile.jpg
Description: Can Reeve's Muntjac Deer smile?
View: BUA_20201104_1139_417_SC8 Muntjac Reeves Deer female in dappled sunlight.jpg
Description: This is a female Reeve's Muntjac Deer in the middle of the day lit by dappled sunlight.
View: BUA_20201103_2006_346+347_SC8 3 Muntjac Reeves Deer family near East entrance 1+2 of 3 (montage for clarity).jpg
Description: A Reeve's Muntjac 'family portrait' - female at the left, male facing the
camera, and youngster turning round next to Dad.
Date: 09 Dec 2020
View: E60_20201031_1349_015+1409_016_FB3 Kestrel female visiting kitchen window 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel made two visits to the Kitchen Window perch 20 minutes apart.
It's unusual to see a Kestrel landing on the top of the peanut feeder - their
normal prey is Rodents caught on the ground.
View: D01_20201103_0847_005-0858_027_FB6 Kestrel female takes Vole to meadow post (12 min visit) 01+05+08+10+12 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel spent over 10 minutes landing with a Vole in her Talons and ripping it to
bits to eat it. We love the smug 'satisfied' look in the final frame, even if we
are probably imagining the emotion.
View: D01_20201103_0848_007_FB6 Kestrel female takes Vole to top of meadow post to eat (12 minute visit) 02 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: This more detailed pic fits between left and second from left in the above montage.
Date: 08 Dec 2020
View: E63_20201030_1759_112+20201031_1722_175+1810+178_FB1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) over 2 nights - left pair+top pair+bottom single (montage).jpg
Description: A couple of nights brought a flurry of Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) sightings.
Here from 3 frames are the pair on the left, the pair on the top,
and the singleton jumping down at the bottom accompanied by his shadow.
View: E63_20201103_1751_138-20201104_2336_238_FB1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at hedge bottom (montage from 7 of 13 images).jpg
Description: A couple of nights a few night later we have amalgamated 7 of 13 pics of Fieldmice (Wood Mice),
accurately positioned. The variation of fur colours is particularly marked - the
single flash lighting is the same for all.
Date: 07 Dec 2020
View: D01_20201101_1412_045+1423_047+1415_049_FB6 Green Woodpecker male on Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This male Green Woodpecker spends a few minutes on the meadow post.
Nothing for you up here mate!
Date: 06 Dec 2020
View: DF3_20201101_1001_006 Red Kite in flight.jpg
Description: This Red Kite flew overhead for just a minute or so.
View: DF3_20201101_1001_015-018 Red Kite in flight by Ash tree @ about 10 fps 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage).jpg
View: DF3_20201101_1001_032 Red Kite in flight.jpg
Date: 05 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201028_1048_026+032 Red Kite gliding with sunlight glancing on underside 2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This Red Kite wheels around over our heads for less than a minute, and we
catch some moments as the still relatively low sun catches details on the bird's underside.
View: D73_20201028_1048_053 Red Kite gliding 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: A momentary sight of the top of the Red Kite's tail.
View: D73_20201028_1048_069+075+077 Red Kite gliding 7 of 3+6+7 (montage).jpg
Description: Three moments as the Red Kite turned in the air catching the low sunlight
in different ways.
Date: 04 Dec 2020
View: E63_20201025_1536_033-1538_035_FB1 Grey Squirrel eating slice of banana over 3 minutes 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A slice of Banana makes a meal for this Grey squirrel who spent at least the
3 minutes you see here eating it.
View: E63_20201026_1359_072-1402_075_FB1 Great Tit over 3 minutes 2+3+1 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The immaculate Great Tit spends a few minutes at the hedge bottom.
This year has been a major breeding success for Blue and Great Tits.
View: E63_20201028_1700_227_FB1 Song Thrush.jpg
Description: A one-off visit by this Song Thrush.
We have not previously noted the light specks along the back.
Date: 03 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201025_0957_109 Sparrowhawk gliding.jpg
Description: This Sparrowhawk glided by at an impressive speed - Sparrowhawks
seem to do everything at lightning speed.
View: D73_20201025_0957_120+135--137 Sparrowhawk female in flight (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: As she flew away she started powered flight, providing an opportunity to show
the wings in action. This is very close-spaced - we couldn't determine the
accurate positions.
Date: 02 Dec 2020
View: D73_20201024_1039_057 Kestrel female in north hedge Hawthorn dives on prey in bare field & returns to Cherry 1 of 3.jpg
Description: We found our 'local' female Kestrel hunting from trees on the outside of our
North hedge. From about 50m away she completely ignored our presence, and we saw
3 possibly successful hunts, the bird diving down from about 5 metres up the
trees to the recently harrowed 'soil', spending perhaps 30 seconds on the
ground, before returning to different trees in the hedge. Here is one of the
hunts - we don't know what, if anything, she caught, but anything she grabbed
she ate on the ground.
View: D73_20201024_1041_068 Kestrel female in north hedge Hawthorn dives on prey in bare field & returns to Cherry 2 of 3.jpg
View: D73_20201024_1042_102 Kestrel female in north hedge Hawthorn dives on prey in bare field & returns to Cherry 3 of 3.jpg
Description: After a few minutes watching, the cold wind was biting at our toes, and as we
left she was poised ready for her next catch.
View: D73_20201027_1051_003-007 Kestrel female launching from apple tree branch @10fps1-5 of 5 (horizontally stretched montage).jpg
Description: 3 days later the same female Kestrel was perched in an old apple tree hunting
the rough grass in the orchard. Here she drops down and away on another hunt we can't see.
Date: 01 Dec 2020
View: E64_20201022_2153_051_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer.jpg
Description: Front right hoof delicately moving forward, this Reeve's Muntjac Deer
quietly forages through the night.
View: BU3_20201022_2236_056_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer female turns towards edge of track as male follows.jpg
Description: Back to normal for the Reeve's Muntjac Deer - the male follows the female wherever she goes!
Image Archive arch 2020 nov.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Nov 2020
View: E64_20201020_0244_025_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female walking across site.jpg
Description: A young Reeve's Muntjac Deer walks quietly across the site hoping to find
some food in the dark of the night.
Date: 29 Nov 2020
View: E63_20201015_1635_053+1642_054_FB1 Blue Tit taking away corn grain (montage).jpg
Description: Visits by the same or different Blue Tits at the hedge bottom, here 'stealing' a corn grain.
View: E63_20201016_1350_149_FB1 Great Tit with glossy head feathers.jpg
Description: Great Tits are only a little larger than Blue Tits.
We normally think of both species as having matt feathers, but
this Great Tit shows a lovely glossy head - could it just be soaked?
View: E63_20201019_1605_057_FB1 Great Tit.jpg
Description: A more typical view of a Great Tit, poised nicely on the stone.
Date: 28 Nov 2020
View: E6A_20201020_1939_279-20201021_0214_374_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) visits over 1 night (montage).jpg
Description: A Squeakquence (sorry) of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at the meadow over a single night
as the Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) count soars.
View: E63_20201017_1926_255+20201015_1855_079_FB1 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) pairs visiting 2 days apart (montage).jpg
Description: At the hedge bottom the Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) are less exuberant but the different camera
setup allows better photos of small creatures.
View: E63_20201013_0123_077_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) with corn grain filling mouth.jpg
Description: To a Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) a corn grain must be a really substantial feed.
Date: 27 Nov 2020
View: E6A_20201010_1724_311_FB5 Wood Pigeon adult showing spread body feathers.jpg
Description: It is easy to forget that the beautiful smooth breast plumage of a Pigeon is
actually hundreds of individual feathers carefully groomed to perfection.
View: E60_20201016_1652_006_FB3 Wood Pigeon juvenile shaking out feathers.jpg
Description: A good shake out to settle the feathers helps turn this juvenile Wood Pigeon's
chaotic feather duster appearance back to a small sheen.
View: E60_20201018_0845_015_FB3 2 Wood Pigeons sharing bird table.jpg
Description: A couple of juvenile Wood Pigeons share the bird table, plumages back to
it's smooth profile.
Date: 26 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20201011_1116_095 Red Admiral Butterfly on yellow Buddleia with view of coiled proboscis.jpg
Description: There seem to be several Red Admiral Butterflies feeding around the site.
This one is on Yellow Buddleia that goes on flowering until the first hard
frost. You can see the Butterfly's Proboscis tightly wound.
View: DF3_20201013_1300_026 2 Red Admiral Butterflies feeding on rotten fruit and greenbottle flies in.jpg
Description: Well away from the universally loved yellow Buddleia, these Red Admiral Butterflies,
along with wasps and Greenbottles, drinks the juice of a fermenting fruit.
Apparently Butterflies can get drunk from fermenting fruit, and get so woozy
that you can pick them up.
The butterfly on the left has had a couple of bird pecks on the
wing.
Red Admirals used always to migrate south for the winter or succumb to the cold,
But recent mild winters allow them to overwinter, even been seen flying in
December and January, so our recent unexpected sightings are a trend.
Greenbottles were forever disturbing the butterflies - you can see
another one flying in upper lefti
Date: 25 Nov 2020
View: D73_20201012_1213_008+009+015 Kestrel female on swaying black Poplar branch 1-3 of 4 (aligned montage).jpg
Description: The tolerant female Kestrel flies in to land on this tree branch over the access track
about 100 metres from us. A quiet approach between our 2 north hedges doesn't seem
to bother her at all. She spends another couple of minutes hunting, also showing
how she keeps her head still on this swaying branch, before flying off towards the
house. We didn't see her again this day.
View: D73_20201012_1213_020 Kestrel female on Black Poplar branch.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel perched on a Black Poplar branch.
View: D73_20201012_1214_024 Kestrel female on Black Poplar branch.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel perched on a Black Poplar branch.
View: D73_20201012_1214_031-033 Kestrel female flying from tip of Black Poplar branch 2-4 of 4 (vert acc montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel flies from her perch on a Black Poplar branch.
Date: 24 Nov 2020
View: E63_20201011_2253_311+20201012_0321_324+0124_319_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) with piebald fur 6+5+4 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: Fieldmice (Wood Mice) are quite variable in appearance, but we don't remember seeing a Piebald mouse before.
Here is a montage of 3 of the visits - we assume just the one mouse has this appearance.
Piebald is apparently a recessive Gene - both parents have to provide
it before it manifests itself in the offspring.
View: E63_20201011_2338_314_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) + yellow Slug + Hawthorn berry.jpg
Description: At the same site we see here a 'normal' Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) accompanied by a 'Yellow
Slug'.
Only our second sighting ever of a Yellow slug, the first one a few weeks ago.
Date: 23 Nov 2020
View: D01_20201011_2118_067_FB6 Barn Owl short visit to Meadow Post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The increase in rodent numbers makes it worthwhile again for Owls to
hunt over the patch.
Here this Barn Owl, not seen for months, makes a short stay on the meadow post.
View: D01_20201011_2347_073-2353_085_FB6 Tawny Owl 7 minute visit to Meadow Post 1+2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The increase in rodent numbers makes it worthwhile again for Owls to
hunt over the patch.
Two and a half hours after the Barn Owl stops by, the Tawny Owl stops by for 7 minutes.
Date: 22 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20201011_1103_058-1107_085 Kestrel female on pole footrest from progressive viewpoints 1+3+4+5+8 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: Hours after seeing the Female Kestrel on power cables to the north, we find the
bird on one of her favourite perches -a Footrest of a disused Telephone pole.
For once she let us pass on the path some 10 or 15 metres away, allowing this
sequence of the bird seen from both sides of the post. We haven't rescaled -
apparent bird size reflects our distance from her.
View: DF3_20201011_1106_074 Kestrel female on pole footrest from progressive viewpoints 6 of 8 (crop).jpg
Description: A better look at the female Kestrel on the telephone pole.
Date: 21 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20201011_0749_037-043 Kestrel female landing on 11kV cable 1-7 of 7 (spread montage @ 7fps).jpg
Description: Read this sequence right to left as the camera caught the landing
of the female Kestrel on the 11kV cable. You see here about 1 second of action.
View: DF3_20201011_0750_046 Kestrel female on 11kV cable watching cameraman.jpg
Description: The photographer feels 'spotted', but the female Kestrel concludes he is 'mostly harmless'
and continues her hunt.
Date: 20 Nov 2020
View: E63_20201010_0203_149_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse).jpg
Description: This Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) displays whiskers of impressive length.
View: E6A_20201008_1937_106_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) leaping towards (q) another (crop).jpg
Description: Squabbling? Showing Off?
View: E6A_20201012_2358_048_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) leaping above another.jpg
Description: A Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) leaps high over another just before midnight.
We normally put this behaviour down to males showing off to prospective mates.
View: E6A_20201011_2048_432+2049_433_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) flees as Fox approaches site 1+2 of 2 (montage over 1 minute).jpg
Description: In the meadow this Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) streaks away from unseen danger.
A minute later the Fox renders the danger visible.
Date: 19 Nov 2020
View: D01_20201007_1231_033-1233_037_FB6 Buzzard making 3 minute visit to meadow post 4+3+1 of 4 (montage 2).jpg
Description: Buzzards are starting to appear around the site again.
This one lands on the Meadow Post and stays for about 3 minutes.
View: D01_20201007_1231_034_FB6 Buzzard making 3 minute visit to meadow post 2 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This Buzzard is regaining balance just after landing - about 300mS
after the landing in the montage.
Date: 18 Nov 2020
View: E64_20201003_1713_116_FB2 Rabbit juvenile.jpg
Description: A young Rabbit.
Love the whiskers!
View: E6A_20201004_0117_107_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile in rain (crop).jpg
Description: A young Reeve's Muntjac Deer picking up the days left-overs.
Date: 17 Nov 2020
View: E64_20201002_1339_060_FB2 Grey Squirrel feeding.jpg
Description: This Grey Squirrel is feeding up ready for the Winter when they
will only emerge from their Dreys on warm days.
View: D36_20201003_1436_033_FB4 Grey Squirrel collecting fruit from Tree-stump.jpg
Description: This Grey Squirrel is feeding up ready for the Winter when they
will only emerge from their Dreys on warm days.
Date: 16 Nov 2020
View: BU6_20201001_1435_019_SC2 Fox hunting in orchard for 20 minutes 1 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: A Fox making a mid-afternoon visit to hunt in the orchard.
View: BU6_20201001_1435_020_SC2+BU7_20201001_1456_007+009 Fox hunting in orchard for 20 minutes 2+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The Fox stays for about 20 minutes before exiting through a now well trodden
path through the south hedge.
Date: 15 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20201006_0938_012 Red Admiral Butterfly warming on sun-facing wall 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: The three pristine Red Admiral Butterflies seem to have stayed near the house.
In the morning sunshine they alternate between warming themselves on this
sun-facing wall (along with a Bee and lots of flies) ...
View: DF3_20201006_0940_022 Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on Yellow Buddleia.jpg
Description: ... before moving to the Yellow Buddleia to refuel.
Apart from Ivy, this generous Buddleia seems to be the only local source of nectar.
Date: 14 Nov 2020
View: E63_20200928_1959_071_FB1 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at stone.jpg
Description: A Couple of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) come out just after dark in search of any food left
by the evening visitors.
View: E6A_20200929_1958_106_FB5 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) courting 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: As daylight fades these two little sweeties 'played' on the grass in front
of the meadow camera.
Date: 13 Nov 2020
View: E60_20200926_2111_027_FB3 Tawny Owl visits Kitchen perch then meadow post over 7 minutes 1 of 8 (crop).jpg
Description: As night arrives, so does this Tawny Owl caught in touchdown at the kitchen window.
View: E60_20200926_2114_029_FB3 Tawny Owl visits Kitchen perch then meadow post over 7 minutes 3 of 8 (crop).jpg
Description: The camera at the kitchen window doesn't multi-trigger, so yours-truly fired off
the camera manually from the dark kitchen to capture some portraits. Here we
suspect that the bird was aware of movement at the window but stayed
anyway.
The photographer can't see any detail outside the window until a picture appears
on the back of the camera, so what we photograph this way is pot-luck.
View: E60_20200926_2111_027_FB3-D01_2117_043_FB6 Tawny Owl visits Kitchen perch then meadow post in 7 mins 1+5+6+8 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: The Tawny Owl stayed for a few minutes on the perch before flying directly to
the meadow post (about 50m away) for another few minutes hunt.
Date: 12 Nov 2020
View: D73_20200928_1052_044 Red Admiral Butterfly - 1 of 3 pristine feeding on Yellow Buddleia.jpg
Description: A surprise was to find 3 pristine Red Admiral Butterflies feeding from the
flowers on the top of a 3m high Yellow Buddleia that came with the house
30 years ago.
This Buddleia is so vigorous that we take it down to 'knee' height
when the flowers have finally been stopped by the first frost. It is a 'magnet'
for butterflies and moths at the end of each flowering season.
View: DF3_20200926_1249_018 Small Copper Butterfly showing underside of rear wing.jpg
Description: The weather is turning generally colder, but a bit of sunshine and desperation
to make the most of their last days means butterflies and Dragonflies make
appearances near the middle of the day.
This is a Small Copper Butterfly - you normally see the orange upper wing
but here we see the subtle appearance of just the underside of the rear wing
with touches of the orange showing through.
Date: 11 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20200925_1614_160-1615_174 Kestrel female hunting from Ash tree branch 2+3+5+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel lands to hunt from a branch in one of the Ash trees along the
South hedge.
View: DF3_20200925_1615_176 Kestrel female catching cranefly then running over grass for another catch 01 of 19 (detail crop).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel sees something in the recently cut grass margin, and dives
onto it. You sort of expect a rodent to be the target, but no, this Cranefly is
worthy of the effort.
View: DF3_20200925_1615_182-204 Kestrel female catching cranefly then running over grass for another catch 03+08+11+14+17+19 of 19 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Then a first for us - this female Kestrel runs over the
grass to grab another prey item. The bird is, not unexpectedly, not particularly
good at running, and we show here about every third image of those taken at 7
fps - so just under half a second between each image accurately montaged except
for the last which would overlap the previous, hence the white bar. We never saw
what she caught, but the grass is alive with Craneflies.
View: DF3_20200925_1616_212-214 Kestrel female flying away after running over grass 1--3 of 3 (near accurate montage @ 7fps).jpg
Description: Finally the female Kestrel flies off, we hope replete.
Date: 10 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20200925_0853_045+050 Kestrel female maintaining eye position on lightly bouncing branch 1+2 of 2 (aligned montage).jpg
Description: She lands on a conifer branch at the inside SE corner of our patch, here
photographed from outside. She is mostly sheltered from the brisk wind, but the
branch is gently bouncing. In this aligned montage you can see how the hunting
bird keeps her eyes stationary by flexing her body and neck.
View: DF3_20200925_0856_086 Kestrel female in top of conifer.jpg
Description: She moves to the top of the same tree more exposed to the wind, and the branch
she is on exceeds her ability to compensate for the movement.
Rather than a partial compensation, she stops compensating altogether and her
whole body moves as one.
View: D01_20200925_0933_079-0948_108_FB6 Kestrel female 16 minute visit to meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Half an hour later the female Kestrel spends 16 minutes hunting from the post
in the meadow.
Date: 09 Nov 2020
View: D73_20200924_1702_023 Kestrel female hunting from dead branch dives onto prey behind pond 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: The behaviour of this female Kestrel suggests that this is the bird we
Christened 'Grey Feather', even though the result of her moult seems to have
produced a normal set of tail feathers. Here she is on one of her favourite
perches on a protruding dead branch of an old apple tree.
View: DF3_20200925_0852_016-024 Kestrel female flies from disused telephone pole 1+2+4 of 4 (impression montage).jpg
Description: Next day the female Kestrel moves to a footrest on the disused Telephone pole.
View: DF3_20200925_0852_030 Kestrel female in flight.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel flies from the footrest on the disused Telephone pole
low over the ground and out of sight.
Date: 08 Nov 2020
View: D73_20200920_1329_043 Small Copper Butterfly female feeding on Yarrow flower.jpg
Description: In previous years Small Copper Butterflies have been very much an occasional sighting - this
year there are several at various places in the meadow and along the access track.
This is a female ...
View: D73_20200920_1617_087 Small Copper Butterfly male.jpg
Description: ... and this a male Small Copper Butterfly.
The tip of one wing has been bird pecked or damaged on a thorn or similar.
View: D73_20200921_1251_008 Brown Argus Butterfly male.jpg
Description: A male Brown Argus Butterfly basks in the sunshine.
Date: 07 Nov 2020
View: E60_20200919_1337_058_FB3 Sparrowhawk perched on bird table (crop).jpg
Description: The female Sparrowhawk makes a rare stop on the Kitchen bird table.
View: DF3_20200919_1632_055+057-063 Kestrel taking off from harrowed field 2-9 of 9 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: This Kestrel dives down from an 11kV wire above onto the harrowed field.
After a minute or two mostly 'lost' in the ground debris, the bird leaps into the air
and flies off. This is an accurate montage at about 7 fps except for the bird on the
ground (lower left) to the first moment of the flight.
The tail suggests 'male', the head suggests 'female', so probably a juvenile.
Date: 06 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20200919_1308_022 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly male.jpg
Description: A male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly stops for a moment on a cut Blackberry stem.
View: D73_20200920_1208_039 Common Darter female over mature.jpg
Description: A lovely old lady - a Common Darter Dragonfly, seeing out her days.
Date: 05 Nov 2020
View: E6A_20200918_1343_125_FB5 Grey Squirrel Photobombs Chaffinch male and Dunnock (crop).jpg
Description: PHOTOBOMBED by SQUIRRELZILLA?
We think the Squirrel has an acorn in their mouth, and another in the paws.
Date: 04 Nov 2020
View: E6A_20200920_1132_251_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer leaping across site (crop).jpg
Description: "What's a Kangaroo doing here"
.
It is a leaping Reeve's Muntjac Deer of course, once the initial disorientation is over!
View: D73_20200918_1241_013 Muntjac Reeves Deer at side of main pond before walking in 2 of 2.jpg
Description: This Reeve's Muntjac Deer appeared about 7m away across the pond, and quietly
walked onto the mat of Iris roots over the water, disappearing behind the metre
high fronds.
View: E64_20200922_0100_065_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer.jpg
Description: An hour after midnight this female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has probably
been attracted by the smell of fruit.
Date: 03 Nov 2020
View: E63_20200917_2313_063_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) nibbling cherry pip.jpg
Description: How Twee can you get?
In the hour before midnight this Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) delicately nibbles a cherry
pip it has selected from jam-making fruit waste.
Date: 02 Nov 2020
View: DF3_20200906_0925_014 Ash keys (seeds) on main pond island.jpg
Description: On the Ash tree on the main pond island the unripe Keys (Ash seeds)
make a striking sight in the sunshine.
View: DF3_20200919_1024_005 Ash keys (seeds) on main pond island.jpg
Description: Two weeks later the same Ash tree Keys (seeds) have now ripened.
A few are already starting to 'wing' their way to the ground.
View: DF3_20201010_0924_007 Ash keys (seeds) on main pond island.jpg
Description: The Ash keys are hanging on to the tree on the main pond island,
even though all the leaves have fallen.
View: DF3_20201010_0929_010 Ash keys (seeds) on tree in east hedge (orig & final).jpg
Description: The timing of the different Ash trees around our site is quite variable. Ash
trees are propagated using seed (rather than genetically identical cuttings) so
the trees show quite a lot of variation. While the tree on the island has lost
all of it's leaves, this vigorous Ash tree at the eastern hedge still retains
most of the yellowing leaves and about 100 'bunches' of keys.
Date: 01 Nov 2020
View: E63_20200916_0657_121_FB1 Chaffinch male in winter colours.jpg
Description: A healthy male Chaffinch stops off at the stone. All trace of the
blue beak and intense feathers colours discarded for the winter.
View: E63_20200917_0641_237_FB1 Dunnock confronting Chaffinch male (out of crop).jpg
Description: This Dunnock seems to have plucked up the courage to confront a male
Chaffinch at the left edge of the original frame.
This Chaffinch is NOT the individual above - it wasn't in great shape
with a large Tick and early stage Bumblefoot.
View: E63_20200916_1745_173_FB1 Great Tit inspecting rotten apples.jpg
Description: A few windfall apples moved from the orchard are the focus of attention
for this pristine Great Tit.
View: D73_20200912_1018_111 Feather moulted covered in raindrops magnifying barbs.jpg
Description: The whole site is dotted with white-ish feathers discarded by moulting birds.
Here you see the water repellent nature of the feather material possibly
aided by preen oil or powder. Naturally wet from a heavy dew.
Image Archive arch 2020 oct.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200914_1508_003 Brimstone Butterfly on Mint flower.jpg
Description: Spot the Butterfly on these mint flowers!
View: D73_20200914_1520_013 Brimstone Butterfly on Mint flower.jpg
Description: Here you can clearly see the Brimstone Butterfly's proboscis busy sucking up the life-giving
nectar.
Date: 30 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200914_0646_092 Sunrise through mist and distant tree foliage 05 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: A sunrise walk catches a distinctly mysterious set of images of the sun
rising through layers of smoky mist.
Smoke from the awful fires in the Western USA (Sep 2020) made it across the USA and the Atlantic
to appear in the skies over Europe where the intensity and colour of these pics
is showing the effects.
View: D73_20200914_0648_117 Sunrise through mist and distant tree foliage 09 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: A sunrise walk catches a distinctly mysterious set of images of the sun
rising through layers of smoky mist.
Smoke from the awful fires in the Western USA (Sep 2020) made it across the USA and the Atlantic
to appear in the skies over Europe where the intensity and colour of these pics
is showing the effects.
View: D73_20200914_0651_148 Sunrise through mist and distant tree foliage 11 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: A sunrise walk catches a distinctly mysterious set of images of the sun
rising through layers of smoky mist.
Smoke from the awful fires in the Western USA (Sep 2020) made it across the USA and the Atlantic
to appear in the skies over Europe where the intensity and colour of these pics
is showing the effects.
Date: 29 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200913_1231_262 Comma Butterfly shows both sides of wings on ivy flowers.jpg
Description: A newly emerged Comma Butterfly, here showing both the dark bottom of the wings
with the white 'comma', and the vivid orange top of the wings.
View: D73_20200913_1606_302 Small Copper pair courting inc one Blue spotted aberrant form 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: A pair of Small Copper butterflies courting in the rank grass.
The bottom individual has a few blue spots said to be an unusual 'aberrant' form.
View: D73_20200915_1612_045 Red Admiral Butterfly.jpg
Description: A pristine Red Admiral Butterfly.
Next stop the south coast for a mass-migration to Europe.
Date: 28 Oct 2020
View: DF3_20200911_1229_013 Garden Carpet Moth on Blackberry leaf.jpg
Description: More used to finding Garden Carpet Moths in the moth trap, here is one
on a Blackberry leaf at midday, albeit in the shade.
View: D73_20200914_0642_060 Plume Moth Common (Emmelina monodactyla) on conservatory door.jpg
Description: Plume Moths when perched all have something like the same appearance of a capital 'T'.
But the 'top' of the 'T' is actually a set of several hairy wings normally only seen properly in flight'.
Date: 27 Oct 2020
View: E6A_20200911_0201_094_FB5 Badger.jpg
Description: A beautifully kempt Badger snuffles the way over the meadow site.
View: E6A_20200915_1817_142_FB5 Rabbit youngster.jpg
Description: At the same site this Baby Rabbit pays an early evening visit.
Date: 26 Oct 2020
View: BU2_20200914_0055_247-0139_288_SC7 Polecat visits over an hour (montage).jpg
Description: Over about an hour there are repeated visits by this Polecat to the Mound.
View: BU2_20200914_0120_271_SC7 Polecat watching Fox leaving mound.jpg
Description: About half-way through the above sequence the fox passed through, watched
suspiciously by the stationary Polecat.
View: E6A_20200910_0259_187_FB5 Fox (crop).jpg
Description: A Fox takes a close look at the camera baiting site, possibly more
interested in worms and insects than what is left of our offering.
Date: 25 Oct 2020
View: BU4_20200904_0348_063-0350_070 Muntjac Reeves Deer (females (q)) feeding and mutually grooming 2+4+6+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: 2 Reeve's Muntjac Deer spend a few minutes quietly feeding together,
and performing a little mutual grooming.
A sort of 'I'll Scratch your back if you scratch mine'
View: E63_20200915_1506_087_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile (q).jpg
Description: A Reeve's Muntjac Deer (female or juvenile) quietly walks through this site.
Date: 24 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200910_0707_124-126 4 Mallard Ducks in flight with wings in unison 1-3 of 4 (approx montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Mallard ducks moult by losing all their flight feathers and staying safe on the water.
As they end the moult they start 'exercising' in groups for flights lasting several minutes.
Here a group of 4 (plus a 'tail-end-Charlie' we have left out) flew round the brook several
times, a lot of the time with their wings beating in accurate synchrony as here.
Date: 23 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200909_1549_018+1550_025 Blue Tit on west facing Gable wall chasing insects 1+2 of 2 (montage impression).jpg
Description: Several Blue Tits were feeding from the west facing wall of our house,
perching on the rough wall coating and chasing after insects flying from the
adjacent foliage.
The 2 birds are montaged for effect, but the top bird & insect are positioned as
in the camera original.
View: E6A_20200909_0833_145_FB5 Grey Squirrel carrying away Horse Chestnut conker.jpg
Description: Small piles of chewed up Horse Chestnut husks are all over the site.
Here a Grey Squirrel carries off the prize conkers as a take-away or for a buried
cache.
Date: 22 Oct 2020
View: BU4_20200908_1318_066 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile in dappled light.jpg
Description: In the dappled sunlight of the afternoon this young Reeves Muntjac Deer
looks through the hedge as foliage up and right makes shadows across the body.
View: E64_20200908_2200_075_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer.jpg
Description: A gorgeous gentle and delicate Reeve's Muntjac Deer steps her way quietly through the night.
Date: 21 Oct 2020
View: DF3_20200906_0841_004 Peregrine Falcon (q) on distant 11kV crossbar over Bridleway.jpg
Description: Small Raptors (birds of prey) provide occasional sightings.
This Peregrine Falcon in the area on a local 11kV crossbar. So far
sightings of Peregrines are at most one a year.
View: D73_20200909_1551_031 Hobby in flight 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: High overhead a Hobby wheels round in search of Dragonflies.
We see this bird a few times each year when Dragonflies are about.
View: E60_20200908_1834_013_FB3 Sparrowhawk (crop).jpg
Description: Flashing by as Sparrowhawks always seem to do, this female catches
herself on camera. We usually 'see' a Sparrowhawk perhaps a score
of times a year
View: D73_20200904_1039_227 Kestrel female in conifer inside SE corner.jpg
Description: This female Kestrel, at the moment a regular visitor, is hunting from the shelter of a conifer
Date: 20 Oct 2020
View: DF3_20200906_1620_023 Common Darter Dragonfly perched in weak sunshine on corrugated iron sheet.jpg
Description: Sunning itself on a piece of Corrugated Iron, this Common Darter Dragonfly
shows the wing structure well against the weathered metal.
View: D73_20200909_1738_105 Common Darter Dragonfly male landing on corrugated iron with shadow 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: A magical moment at the time, and still is in this photo,
as this Common Darter Dragonfly gently lands next to his shadow.
View: D73_20200909_1615_074 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly male perched on blackberry stem.jpg
Description: The dominant Dragonfly here in this cold weather is the Migrant Hawker.
This one is warming itself in the sunshine hanging from an old Blackberry stem.
View: D73_20200908_1742_050 Southern Hawker Dragonfly male.jpg
Description: The Southern Hawker is the second-most populous Hawker Dragonfly here.
Date: 19 Oct 2020
View: D01_20200905_1837_123_FB6 Buzzard lands on Meadow post and stays 10+ minute 1of 5 (close crop).jpg
Description: A few distant sightings of a Buzzard over the site over
the last few days is supplemented by this visit to the Meadow Post for an at-least 10 minute
stay.
Here is a dramatic moment in the landing
View: D01_20200905_1837_123+124_FB6 Buzzard lands on Meadow post and stays 10+ minute 1+2 of 5 (montage about 300mS apart).jpg
Description: These two moments of the Buzzard landing at about a third of a second apart.
View: D01_20200905_1838_126-1844_138_FB6 Buzzard lands on Meadow post and stays 10+ minute 4+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The Buzzard in hunting mode - stand and watch for some unfortunate ground dwelling creature.
Date: 18 Oct 2020
View: E63_20200905_0329_179_FB1 Yellow slug (Limax flavus) sliding over top of stone.jpg
Description: Something new in the Slug world for us - a 'Yellow Slug' (actual common name).
About the same size as a Leopard slug and equally striking in it's own way.
View: D73_20200905_0920_001 Harlequin Ladybird (14 spots).jpg
Description: Worryingly few Ladybirds of any sort at the moment.
This seems to be one of the huge number of variants of Harlequin Ladybirds.
Date: 17 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200904_1037_066-070 Red Kite flying past top of young Lombardy Poplar 2-6 of 6 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: This Red Kite flew in a huge arc, providing the opportunity for some pics.
View: D73_20200904_1037_133-136 Red Kite turning in flight 1-4 of 4 (impression montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: This Red Kite flew in a huge arc, providing the opportunity for some pics.
View: D73_20200904_1037_184 Red Kite in flight.jpg
Description: This Red Kite flew in a huge arc, providing the opportunity for some pics.
Date: 16 Oct 2020
View: E64_20200903_2225_025_FB2 Fox (crop 1).jpg
Description: A Fox prowls through the Woodland site
View: E64_20200903_2225_025_FB2 Fox (crop 2).jpg
Description: A Fox prowls through the Woodland site - a 'head and shoulders. portrait.
Date: 15 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200831_1155_032 Mint Beetles mating on Mint leaf.jpg
Description: 2 Mint Beetles doing their thing on a mint plant.
View: D73_20200831_1156_035 Mint Beetle on Mint leaf (crop).jpg
Description: An individual Mint Beetle gives us a good view of the carapace's Gorgeous iridescence.
Date: 14 Oct 2020
View: E64_20200829_1534_038_FB2 Grey Squirrel carrying away Leyland cypress frond and cones.jpg
Description: The camera that takes pictures at this woodland site lives under the cover of a now huge
Leyland Cypress tree. Almost certainly this Grey Squirrel has bitten off this twig
complete with developing cones, and is taking it somewhere 'quiet' to eat the goodies.
View: E62_20200830_1805_189_FB5 Rabbit youngster with pronounced ears.jpg
Description: An Uber-twee Rabbit standing on the food as it eats it 'teenage' style.
The ears look out of proportion, but that may be quite a normal part of development.
We don't normally see Rabbits this young at the high resolution photo sites.
View: E62_20200901_0701_059_FB5 Rabbit youngster leaping over grass (crop).jpg
Description: We can't even begin to imagine why this juvenile Rabbit is leaping so high
over the grass.
Date: 13 Oct 2020
View: D01_20200829_0834_055+20200830_1401_107+20200827_0839_058_FB6 Green Woodpecker juv + Great Spotted Woodpecker juv + Kestrel female (montage).jpg
Description: Over two days we show all these three birds at the same scale -
Left: A belligerent looking Juvenile Green Woodpecker.
Middle: The smaller juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker
Right: The female Kestrel is a bit of a mess from her moult.
Why is the Great Spotted Woodpecker - the smallest bird here - called 'Great'?
The 'Great' just relative to the substantially smaller 'Lesser Spotted Woodpecker'
(which we have never seen) while Southern Europe also sports a 'Middle' Spotted Woodpecker.
Date: 12 Oct 2020
View: BU7_20200829_0607_050 Fox juvenile stepping out of ditch.jpg
Description: As the day starts to break, one of the local Foxes enters through the gap
in the hedge you can see behind, and is here climbing out of the ditch.
View: BU2_20200830_1852_172_SC7 Fox walking down mound showing dark facial marking.jpg
Description: As evening draws in, this fox wanders down the Mound.
The fallen branch is typical of what we are seeing all over the site -
dead branches littering the ground after the recent gales.
Date: 11 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200824_1212_111 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn licks fly from face 2 of 2 (detail crop).jpg
Description: This young Reeve's Muntjac Deer is using her enormous tongue to flick away
a fly that landed on her face.
View: D73_20200824_1212_110+111 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn licks fly from face 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: To put the above image into some context:-
Approaching the blocked gate we startled away a female Reeve's Muntjac Deer who
ran off down the crop edge and through the hedge. We thought we heard one or
two 'barks' from the Deer as she went.
As we moved through the gate this young Deer stood looking at us.
This moment catches a fly landing below her left eye, and her tongue whipping out
to flip it away. The fly you see at the top of the tongue is
actually in-flight, with the insect's shadow roughly where the
fly originally was.
View: BU4_20200831_2056_013-2058_024 Muntjac Reeves Deer Mother and weaned Fawn 1+2+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: A sweet few minutes a week later recorded by the automatic camera at the east
boundary shows us Mum and juvenile Reeve's Muntjac Deer quietly foraging
together. We don't routinely bait this site, so they must be finding fallen
Hawthorn berries and the like.
Date: 10 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200824_1056_025 Ivy Flower starting to open attracting Fly and Wasp.jpg
Description: Neither of us are keen on green flowers, but our aesthetic judgement is not shared
by the insects. This head contains both unopened and open Ivy flowers.
View: D73_20200831_1624_068 Wasps on rotting apple peel.jpg
Description: Neither of us are keen on wasps, but we don't interfere with them unless they
become a problem, but we have to admit that this is a wonderful show of
yellow and black.
Date: 09 Oct 2020
View: D5C_20200827_0802_007+013 Grey Squirrel scrabbling in mown grass finding acorn 1+2 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Grass cut the previous day, This Grey Squirrel was vigorously scraping at the
ground, and it seems found an acorn.
View: D73_20200827_1023_007 Grey Squirrel on gate about to bite into acorn.jpg
Description: 2 hours later a Grey Squirrel is biting into an acorn on top of our
dilapidated gate.
Date: 08 Oct 2020
View: E64_20200827_0037_041_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile browsing.jpg
Description: A juvenile Reeve's Muntjac Deer checks over a photo site for some tasty
additions to his diet.
View: D73_20200827_1045_032 Muntjac Deer juvenile browses through orchard 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: As we walk up an orchard path towards the house, this young Reeve's Muntjac Deer
is walking the other way. We both stop and look at each other before the
Deer makes a slightly nervous jink to the left and then quietly walks off in that direction.
Date: 07 Oct 2020
View: BU5_20200823_2131_129_SC1 Fox on edge of Round pond gazing upwards.jpg
Description: On the edge of Round pond, this Fox gazes up at the overhanging trees.
No idea what is attracting the attention.
View: BU4_20200823_2132_218 Fox scent marking tree in east hedge.jpg
Description: A couple of minutes later the Fox reaches the East boundary and is here
scent marking one of the hedging trees.
View: BU6_20200823_0037_085_SC2 Badger lying down to crunch apples.jpg
Description: Lying down on the job - this badger spent a few minutes crunching up
windfall apples while sprawling luxuriously like a Roman Emperor.
Date: 06 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200822_1555_355 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly male hanging from Blackthorn thorn.jpg
Description: This male Migrant Hawker Dragonfly landed to hang from one of the giant
thorns of a Blackthorn plant in a hedge.
View: D73_20200824_0948_019-021 2 Speckled Wood butterflies courtship flight 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage right to left @ 10fps).jpg
Description: A pair of Speckled Wood Butterflies in a courtship flight.
Read right to left in pairs, accurately positioned at 10 fps.
View: D73_20200827_1018_006 Cinnabar Caterpillars on leaf-stripped Ragwort.jpg
Description: A couple of Cinnabar Caterpillars on a Ragwort plant they have completely stripped
of foliage.
Date: 05 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200822_1548_317 Kestrel female preening under eye with claw.jpg
Description: The female kestrel shows us how to scratch your eye with a stiletto!
View: D73_20200822_1654_392 Kestrel female on apple tree dead branch.jpg
View: D73_20200822_1656_405 Kestrel female on apple tree dead branch 7m away (crop 2).jpg
Description: Near the end of the day the Kestrel about 4 metres up in the Apple tree lets the
photographer reach about 7 metres from her. Not wanting to discourage her visits,
a tactical withdrawal followed and she was still there when back indoors.
Half an hours later she had 'gone'.
Our next brief sighting was 7 days later.
Date: 04 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200822_1459_243 Kestrel female hovering 2 metres high over back garden grass 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: An hour later the female Kestrel surprised us by momentarily hovering about 2m
above the back 'garden lawn'. The photographer just pointed the camera and
'fired', and was surprised to find even 2 frames with reasonable pics of the
kestrel on it. Long-live Auto-focus!
View: D73_20200822_1459_254 Kestrel female on Silver Birch twig in gusty wind (crop).jpg
Description: Immediately after the hover the female Kestrel landed in the back-garden weeping Silver Birch ...
View: D73_20200822_1503_280+289+290 Kestrel female in birch tree blown off by wind gust 04+08+09 of 10 (approx montage @10fps).jpg
Description: ... but a strong gust of wind made her lose balance, and she ended up with her back
to the gale. Not a comfortable angle for any bird ...
View: D73_20200822_1548_309 Kestrel female perched showing moulting tail regrowing.jpg
Description: ... and she quickly flew back to the more stable perch in the apple tree.
Date: 03 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200822_1340_169 Kestrel female on power insulator.jpg
Description: The second day of female Kestrel sightings was of her perched on the bracket
supporting our electricity supply.
Fortunately the top conductor is the Neutral polarity so she would survive touching the
wire.
View: D73_20200822_1345_207 Kestrel female on disused gate-post from North.jpg
Description: 4 minutes later we find the female kestrel has moved on to the disused Gatepost.
The heavy (and vertical!) post left of middle is an 11kV power-line support. She
quietly preens but not quite ignoring us. Her tail feathers are becoming quite a
mess as she moults.
View: D73_20200822_1347_222+1348_225+1351_231 Kestrel female on disused Gate Post from north (montage).jpg
Description: Here she stood quietly for at least 4 minutes, presumably hoping something
tasty would appear on the concrete track or verge.
She doesn't bother looking at the hedge - she isn't suited to pouncing
in dense foliage, unlike a Sparrowhawk who will fly straight through a
dense hedge in pursuit of prey
Date: 02 Oct 2020
View: E62_20200821_1722_120_FB5+D01_20200821_1802_196_FB6 Magpies feeding on dead rabbit chase away Kestrel female who grabbed a piece 1+3+2 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Earlier on this day we found a juvenile Rabbit lying dead on a path. Apart from
a few bird pecks it didn't show any obvious sign of attack by a predator. We
moved it to the meadow camera site in hope of seeing a Fox or Badger take it
away, but instead what seems a endless sequence of Magpie visits reduced the
bulk of the Rabbit to almost nothing. The Kestrel seems to have decided a bit of
carrion would be good, grabbed a bit and arrived at the meadow post with it. But
the Magpies were not having this interloper take 'their' food, and quickly chase
the Kestrel away.
A little licence taken with the timing - the Magpie chasing
away the Kestrel took place too quickly for the camera to catch
it.
View: D01_20200821_1802_197_FB6 Magpies feeding on dead rabbit chase away Kestrel female who grabbed a piece 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This pic of the landing female kestrel is 300mS after the one in the montage
above, and you can see that the content of the left claw is not the usual vole
or mouse.
Date: 01 Oct 2020
View: D73_20200821_1017_051+053+055 Kestrel female flies from disused gate-post from SE 09+11+13 of 14 (acc montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: For 2 days we had multiple sightings of the local female Kestrel
First we see her on the post of the disused gate viewed from the farm's side.
We slightly surprised her arriving here, and she eventually decided to depart.
Here she crouches before launch, and then 2 moments about 0.2 second apart.
View: D73_20200821_1017_052+054 Kestrel female flies from disused gate-post viewed from SE 10+12 of 14 (accurate montage @ 10fps).jpg
Description: The actual camera rate is 10 fps, so here we fill-in the missing two pics.
of her launch.
View: D73_20200821_1610_064 Kestrel female on dead branch of apple tree.jpg
Description: A few hours later the female kestrel is hunting from a Branch in an apple tree
at the end of our 'orchard'. She seems more tolerant of humans here.
View: D73_20200821_1611_072 Kestrel female on dead branch of apple tree.jpg
Description: A few hours later the female kestrel is hunting from a Branch in an apple tree
at the end of our 'orchard'. She seems more tolerant of humans here.
Image Archive arch 2020 sep.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Sep 2020
View: BU5_20200821_0148_035_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer male sniffing rear of female.jpg
Description: About 50% of pictures of the male and female Reeve's Muntjac Deer show the male
sniffing around the rear of the female. He must not miss his chance - what else
are males for?
View: BU5_20200821_0149_037+039_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer male at rear of female 1+3 of 3 (montage over a few seconds).jpg
Description: One minute later the male Reeve's Muntjac Deer looks a bit disgruntled,
and actually looks at something else.
Date: 29 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200820_1036_037-043 Red Kite flying behind trees 1-7 of 7 (accurate montage @10 fps).jpg
Description: This Red kite made a long fly-by before finally disappearing behind trees.
Accurately spaced at about 10 fps.
View: D73_20200820_1042_064 Red Kite in flight.jpg
Description: 6 minutes later a Red Kite made a return pass with the head better lit.
Date: 28 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200817_1211_042 Southern Hawker Dragonfly female hanging from stinging nettle flowers (crop).jpg
Description: Our first (and so far only) sighting this year of a Southern Hawker Dragonfly.
This is a female hanging on stinging nettle flowers.
View: D73_20200817_1556_135 Sloe Bug (Dolycoris baccarum) on teasel head 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: In the top of a spiky teasel, this Sloe Bug quietly explores.
Date: 27 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200817_1553_129 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on clothes line bracket (crop).jpg
Description: This female Common Darter Dragonfly seems to like the top of our
dilapidated rotary clothes drier.
A beautiful creature on real Tat!
View: D73_20200820_1309_136 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on dead twig on woodpile.jpg
Description: This female Common Darter Dragonfly seems to have taken a liking to twigs at the
top of the Woodpile outside the kitchen.
View: D73_20200820_1311_155+156+158 Common Darter Dragonfly female landing on woodpile twig 2+3+5 of 5 (impression montage).jpg
Description: One of the fun things about Darter Dragonflies is that they often return to the perch
from which they have just flown, given a chance to photograph a landing as here.
NOT an accurate montage but a decent 'impression'.
View: D73_20200820_1312_227 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on dead twig on woodpile.jpg
Description: This female Common Darter Dragonfly seems to have taken a liking to twigs at the
top of the Woodpile outside the kitchen.
Date: 26 Sep 2020
View: BU4_20200814_2115_044 Muntjac Reeves Deer female + male + Juvenile.jpg
Description: Our little Reeve's Muntjac Deer family entering the site from the just harvested
and harrowed farm land near the North East corner.
View: BU6_20200815_2311_112_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer male sniffing female as Fawn suckles 5 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: Next night we catch our little family at the South West corner. The Fawn is
enjoying a feed from the Milk-bar, while Dad eagerly sniffs Mum to see if she is
up for a little action.
Apparently female Muntjacs can sometimes mate just a week or two after giving
birth.
Date: 25 Sep 2020
View: E63_20200814_1748_094_FB1 2 Chaffinch males in aerial squabble above fleeing Dunnock.jpg
Description: A teatime aerial squabble between 2 male Chaffinches.
The Dunnock at the bottom seems to have decided to escape before one
of the Chaffinches turns on them.
Date: 24 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200814_1624_239 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile just east of hedge by vegetable bed 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Behind a bench is an odd little patch of undergrowth with a patch cleared to
allow cutting to prevent it growing too tall. This deer has wandered into
the cleared patch behind where we were sitting, and here was quite definitely
eating stinging nettles despite there being plenty of non-stinging leafage available.
View: BU6_20200819_0146_070_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer male chewing apple under apple tree.jpg
Description: A male Reeve's Muntjac Deer busily Chewing an apple he has found
in the brambles and stinging nettles under our most productive (cooking)
apple tree.
Date: 23 Sep 2020
View: D01_20200813_1833_074_FB6 Wood Pigeon preening tail feather.jpg
Description: Some feather maintenance in progress, starting to preen the way along
the row of tail feathers.
The feathers may be getting uncomfortable as the moult begins.
View: D73_20200817_0955_029 Wood Pigeon feathers spiralling downwards after bird takes off from tree (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: A few days later, walking down the Farm Road, this event bordered on a surreal
experience. A Pigeon took off from one of the young roadside Lombardy poplars,
nothing in itself to grab the camera, but as it flew away an appearance like
miniature parachutes 'littered' the sky, spinning as they descended. It seems
they are feathers from the Pigeon's tail, for some reason many being shed at
once. The insert is an enlargement of the middle-right feather.
View: E62_20200816_1047_005_FB5 Wood Pigeon missing all long tail feathers.jpg
Description: Have we found the Pigeon with the missing tail feathers? Sadly NO.
This pic was taken the day before of a similarly tail-deprived Pigeon, which may
mean this is not an uncommon occurrence, but you have to be very lucky to see it.
Date: 22 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200813_1454_041-1512_124 Kestrel female eating prey (young Starling (q)) in old apple tree 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel streaked past the window and landed on a substantial
horizontal branch of the oldest Apple tree. In shade on an already gloomy day we
couldn't see what she was up to, but looking into dark areas the camera sees her
dismembering what looks to us like a juvenile Starling - one of the dozens to be
seen on the electricity cables. She spent almost 20 minutes eating this really
substantial catch.
Date: 21 Sep 2020
View: D36_20200812_2100_041-20200813_0248_077_FB4 Red Underwing moth multiple visits in 6 hrs 01+02+04+05+10 of 10 (acc montage).jpg
Description: An unusual amount of wet 'bait' overnight at this site attracted what is most
likely several different Red Underwing Moths over a period of 6 hours.
Here is an accurate montage of 5 of the 10 camera triggers that made useful images.
View: D36_20200813_2314_013_FB4 Red Underwing Moth on tree stump as another flies in.jpg
Description: Next night the camera caught these two Red Underwing moths at this site together.
View: D36_20200814_2345_044_FB4 2 Red Underwing Moths with Leopard slug.jpg
Description: And another night on finds two Red Underwing Moths joining a leopard slug for the feast.
It's not very clear, but it is possible that the moth on the right is sucking up fluid that wets the slug.
We have definitely seen fieldmice (wood mice) licking slugs, but this sighting is less certain.
Date: 20 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200810_1211_054-101 Red Kite circling (close spaced selected montage).jpg
Description: This Red Kite wheeled around our heads, which we here try to represent at
smaller than an A1 piece of paper!
View: D73_20200810_1212_172-176 Red Kite gliding behind trees while looking sideways @10 fps12-16 of 16 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: One minute later the departing Red Kite seems more interested in whatever can be
seen the to right than where they are going!
View: D73_20200811_1232_353+381+386 Red Kite circling (montage frame rate 10fps).jpg
Description: Next day this Red Kite made a couple of circles, but too awkwardly positioned
for a long sequence. Finally she vanished into the distance.
Date: 19 Sep 2020
View: D01_20200811_1924_140_FB6 Wood Pigeon landing on post lit by evening sunshine.jpg
Description: A Wood pigeon with an attractive natural symmetry as it lands.
Date: 18 Sep 2020
View: E63_20200809_0804_150_FB1 Chaffinch male preparing to land on stone.jpg
Description: This male Chaffinch undercarriage down ready for landing.
View: E63_20200812_1848_102_FB1 Robin flying in to stone (crop 2).jpg
Description: This juvenile Robin has not been visiting the site to show his developing
red breast. but here looks full of 'joy' and anticipation as the bird flies into the
site.
But no, ...
View: E63_20200812_1848_102_FB1 Robin flying in threatening Chaffinch male on stone (crop 1).jpg
Description: ... its an attack on the male Chaffinch standing innocently on the stone.
Date: 17 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200808_1519_199+213+1521_247+1522_268 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile at main pond 1+4+5+8 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: 2 days running we have had face-to-face encounters with a young Reeve's Muntjac Deer.
This one we watched from outside the kitchen window, browsing on the grass and weeds by
the main pond, and then stepping down the bank to the low water to get a drink.
A quite magical experience.
View: D73_20200809_1212_030-1214_049 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile in trees at Duck pond reaching 2m away 2+3+5+6 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: Next day the young Deer got within about 2 metres of the stationary but
undisguised cameraman. The apparent 'looking down' angle of the top right image
is absolutely genuine.
View: D73_20200809_1214_049 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile in undergrowth near Duck pond 6 of 7 (crop for tongue).jpg
Description: These lovely little creatures can lick their eye!
Date: 16 Sep 2020
View: E63_20200807_1917_065_FB1 Blackbird male.jpg
Description: A somewhat tatty but busy male Blackbird at the hedge bottom.
We have a few pics of him with food items in his beak, but none
worth showing you. We have no idea where the nest is.
View: E62_20200808_0519_088_FB5 Blackbird female with grub in beak (orig).jpg
Description: On the other hand the female Blackbird has been spotted several times with various
grubs and adult insects in her beak.
The 'kitchen hygiene' in us makes us desperate to give this food a wash!
View: E62_20200810_0513_206_FB5 Blackbird female with grub in beak.jpg
Description: 2 days later she has found a cleaner looking morsel for the screaming youngsters.
View: E62_20200812_0518_073_FB5 Blackbird female with small slug (q) in beak.jpg
Description: The female Blackbird has found yet another juicy slug to take back to the ever open beaks.
Date: 15 Sep 2020
View: DF3_20200806_1446_069+071+078 Red Kite turning head while gliding 1-3 of 3 (close spaced montage @7fps).jpg
Description: 3 well separated Red Kites made the most of good conditions for thermal up-drafts.
This one spent a minute or so just 10 or 20m from us.
Against a predominant clear sky, we can't work out 'accurate spacing', so
we have tried to suggest the motion in close spaced montages.
View: DF3_20200806_1447_105+108+117+119+124 Red Kite wheeling in flight overhead 01-05 of 13 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: The Red Kite wheels overhead.
View: DF3_20200806_1447_147+152+156+170 Red Kite wheeling in flight overhead 06-09 of 13 (close spaced montage 1).jpg
Description: The Red Kite wheels overhead.
View: DF3_20200806_1447_184+192+205 Red Kite wheeling in flight overhead 10+11+13 of 13 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: Bye-bye Red Kite - lovely to see you so well.
Date: 14 Sep 2020
View: E62_20200804_1039_080_FB5 Blackbird female with slug + other items in beak.jpg
Description: A female Blackbird collecting a small slug, plus several other 'things' in
her beak. We think she is feeding another batch of chicks in one of
our old sheds.
Date: 13 Sep 2020
View: DF3_20200804_0944_036-042 Heron perched on dead branches flies along brook edge 01+02+04-07 of 17 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: This branch fell from a tree at the brook in the Spring storms, but this is the
first time we have seen a Heron using it as a perch.
Although some 70m away the bird wasn't pleased to see us, and after a
couple of minutes decided to fly to the other side of the brook.
View: DF3_20200804_0944_044-048 Heron perched on dead branches flies along brook edge 09-13 of 17 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: The Heron continued the flight against shaded foliage, gradually picking
up airspeed. This image is exactly the same from rate and width before
re-scaling as the take-off above, so comparison is meaningful.
View: DF3_20200804_0944_050 Heron perched on dead branches flies along brook edge 15 of 17 (crop).jpg
Description: The last frame before they disappeared into the shade of the trees.
Date: 12 Sep 2020
View: E63_20200802_2010_132_FB1 Fox (crop).jpg
Description: A Fox on the Prowl passes through the hedge-bottom photo site.
View: E63_20200803_1814_051_FB1 Fox (crop 1).jpg
Description: A profile image of a fox is quite unusual at this site.
Facial features suggest that this is the same fox seen the day before,
so presumably the flash and thump from the camera box is not enough
to put off this individual.
View: E63_20200803_1814_051_FB1 Fox (crop 2).jpg
Description: A sort of Head-and-shoulders of the Fox.
Date: 11 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200802_1021_056+049 Clouded Yellow Butterfly male at south hedge (1st sighting) 5+4 of 5 (montage + wing top insert).jpg
Description: Our first ever sighting of a Clouded Yellow butterfly, along the sun facing
side of the south hedge. This is the male.
This insect has a vivid orange appearance in flight, but closes the wings
immediately on landing so you don't get to see the upper surface.
The insert is a slightly blurred moment in flight where we can momentarily
see the top of the wings with the even richer yellow.
Date: 10 Sep 2020
View: DF3_20200804_0950_066 Common Darter Dragonfly.jpg
Description: A middle sized Dragonfly, the Common Darter
View: DF3_20200806_1758_305-307 Brown Hawker Dragonfly in flight @7fps 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The Brown Hawker Dragonfly is well named - even their wings are tinged brown.
Here is one flying by taken at about 7 fps.
View: DF3_20200806_1758_306 Brown Hawker Dragonfly in flight 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: The middle image in more detail.
The damaged wing is very typical of the insect after a few days
in the sunshine. Damage can get much worse than this before it has
any impact on ability to fly well.
Date: 09 Sep 2020
View: BU8_20200731_1532_083+084 Muntjac Reeves Deer male checking females scent 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The male Reeve's Muntjac Deer checking out 'his' female for readiness
to mate. A second or two later you can see his tongue is still hanging out.
View: BU4_20200801_0133_063 Badger with head up towards camera.jpg
Description: This image of a badger at the east hedge struck us as unusual -
you can see the Badger snout looking rather like the classic farm pig's.
Badgers spend most of their time 'nose to the ground' so we don't normally see
the snout.
View: BU6_20200803_0040_210+213+215_SC2 Badger biting pieces from windfall apple 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The season of Windfall apples is enjoyed by many creatures.
Here a badger arrives at what looks like a pristine apple, holds it
in place with their paw for a bite or two from it, before wandering on.
Date: 08 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200729_1614_128 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male.jpg
Description: We thought we had seen the last of the two "Demoiselle Damselfly" species for the
year, so are pleased to see this male Banded Demoiselle well away from
their normal haunts.
View: D73_20200730_1458_256 Field Grasshopper (Chorthippus brunneus) on path through meadow.jpg
Description: A Field Grasshopper landed unexpectedly at our feet, and the
camera caught the little creature before he 'hopped' onwards.
Date: 07 Sep 2020
View: E60_20200730_1438_027_FB3 Sparrowhawk flying towards camera over kitchen window perch (crop).jpg
Description: A Sparrowhawk barrels over the kitchen window perch.
Several occurences of sightings here over several days.
View: BU8_20200803_0353_233 Bats flying near Duck Pond over browsing Reeves Muntjac Deer 1 of 3 (crop + details insert).jpg
Description: The camera by this pond caught 3 successive frames showing what must be at least
4 Bats hunting. This is the first of the 3 frames. Top right is an enlarged
image of the two on the left, with spacing closed up a bit.
Insects close enough to the camera mimic bats and birds in flight are quite
common, but close enough to the camera to give this impression are both bright
white from the IR illuminator, and badly blurred.
Thanks to the foraging deer for triggering the camera at a suitable moment. We
used to actively photograph bats, but that's another story.
Date: 06 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200730_1303_157 Holly Blue Butterflies mating on Hawthorn leaf (crop).jpg
Description: A pair of Holly Blue butterflies mating on a Hawthorn leaf.
View: D73_20200802_1118_110 Brown Argus Butterfly male feeding on Thistle.jpg
Description: This is a male Brown Argus butterfly.
The Brown Argus is classified as 'Blue' butterfly, and its underwing (not shown here)
is quite similar to Common Blue. We initially mis-identified this individual
as a female Common Blue but a friend corrected our ID.
We are starting to see more blues here than in past years.
Date: 05 Sep 2020
View: D73_20200730_1300_129+131+134 Buzzard gliding by (close spaced montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Some bright weather with patches of cloud brings out the large raptors -
here a buzzard glides by looking for a thermal up-draft.
View: D73_20200730_1301_150 Buzzard gliding overhead.jpg
Description: Some bright weather with patches of cloud brings out the large raptors -
here a buzzard glides by looking for a thermal up-draft.
Date: 04 Sep 2020
View: E60_20200728_1753_031_FB3 Kestrel female with Short-tailed Field Vole in 1 claw (crop 1).jpg
Description: Right outside the Kitchen window this female Kestrel arrives with a Short-tailed Field Vole
caught on the ground outside the kitchen window.
On the CCTV record we first see the bird swoop from the Ash tree down to the
ground (then out of frame). 30 seconds later the bird with prey in Talons flies up to the
perch, flying behind the perch to land facing the camera, as you see here.
The bird momentarily leaves the prey laying on the perch and it shows no signs of life.
30 second later it grabs the prey in the talons again and flies off to the left.
Date: 03 Sep 2020
View: DF3_20200723_1103_057 Red Kite flying by.jpg
Description: This Red Kite flies by - the liquid clear eye giving us a suspicious stare.
View: D73_20200727_1754_038-042 Red Kite threatens harassing Rook 1-5 of 5 (Horizontally shifted montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Several Rooks were trying to make life uncomfortable for this Red Kite.
But one glance upwards by the Kite seems enough to deter this pass.
View: D73_20200728_0950_121-151 Red Kite adult & juvenile practicing in-flight combat 01+05+07+09 of 12 (montage 2).jpg
Description: These two Red Kites obviously practicing aerial combat. It never
got really 'nasty' so we rather enjoyed the aerobatics. Parents
often spar with their youngsters to teach them 'the ropes'.
Date: 02 Sep 2020
View: D01_20200726_2008_009-20200727_0625_001_FB6 Buzzard makes 3 short visits to meadow post sunset to rise 1-5 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: What looks like the same Buzzard made 3 visits to the meadow Post in the course
of one evening and the next morning. Each visit lasted 2 to 3 minutes.
View: D01_20200727_0625_001_FB6 Buzzard making 3 (2-3 min) visits to meadow post sunset to sunrise 5 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: More detail of the Buzzard's morning visit.
Date: 01 Sep 2020
View: DF4_20200726_1814_003-1827_135 Kestrel female hunt - Willow+Ash+ground+Ash+table 01+04+(05+06)+08+09+13 of 14 (montage).jpg
Description: At around 6 p.m. this female Kestrel gave a quarter of an hour's
hunting demonstration watched through an upstairs window.
She flew in unexpectedly to a Willow tree on the far side of the pond about 22m away.
After a few minutes she flew onto a dead branch of the Ash tree occupying the
pond's island perhaps 17m away and started an intensive hunt. She flew from this
branch down to the bottom of the bird-table post, stayed a minute or two, and flew
back to a different branch on the Ash tree. Finally she flew down the TOP of the
bird table, unfortunately missing that cameras trigger beam.
View: DF4_20200726_1822_056 Kestrel female hunting - Willow + Ash + ground + Ash + table 06 of 14 (crop).jpg
Description: More detailed picture from the hunt - the launch.
View: DF4_20200726_1822_092 Kestrel female hunting - Willow + Ash + ground + Ash + table 09 of 14 (crop).jpg
Description: More detailed picture from the hunt - the return after the failed attack.
Image Archive arch 2020 aug.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200726_1243_117 Mint Moth (Pyrausta aurata) wingspan 20mm on Mint flower.jpg
Description: A really beautiful if rather small 2cm (0.7 inch) wingspan Mint Moth feasting on
the flowering mint plants. The inner yellow 'dots' are actually mostly hidden
streaks on the lower wings.
Allowing patches of mint to flower in the last year or two has been unexpectedly rewarding.
View: D73_20200729_1737_155 Bronze Shieldbug (Troilus luridus) Larva (crop).jpg
Description: This stunning insect is a Larval stage of the not-quite so
stunning adult Bronze Shieldbug (Troilus luridus).
The Larva starts eating vegetable matter, but later moves on to Moth larvae and Beetles.
Date: 30 Aug 2020
View: BU7_20200723_2215_015 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn + female + male.jpg
Description: One of 'our' Reeve's Muntjac Deer families at the SW corner entrance.
View: BU2_20200728_0832_176_SC7 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn sniffing infant sycamore growing on mound.jpg
Description: A Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn sniffing the 'trunk' of this infant self-set Sycamore tree.
Possibly other Deer have scent-marked it.
View: BU3_20200729_1951_295-297_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn exits site followed by mother1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A Rather sweet moment as one of the smaller Reeves Muntjac Deer Fawns exits our
patch onto the access road, mother following it through the hole in the netting.
Date: 29 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200722_0946_231 Kestrel female moving along 11KV cables before flying off 03 of 13 (crop).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel is obviously mid-moult, and here stops on an 11kV cable
for a 'reef-out. This is 'Lady Grey Feather' named for the single grey tail feather,
but it is this feather that has moulted early.
Will the replacement feather be Grey or Brown?
View: D73_20200722_0949_241-246 Kestrel female moving along 11KV cables before flying off 5+6+8-10 of 13 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: She worked her way along the wire before perching on the crossbar,
finally making her departure by the usual 'falling off' technique.
View: D73_20200720_1258_024-027 Kestrel male hovering @10 fps with Pigeon 2-5 of 5 (montage downwards true heights at bottom).jpg
Description: We don't see a lot of the male Kestrel, so are pleased to see him
hovering over the field to our South. A Pigeon flying horizontally
right to left provides some visual timing reference
Read this top to bottom, where the bottom pair of birds are at 'actual height'.
Date: 28 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200719_1224_106-109 Emperor Dragonfly male (old & very tatty) in flight 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage with insert).jpg
Description: We first saw (no photo) a male Emperor Dragonfly some weeks back in this area.
At last getting a photo, we see he has led a busy life in the interim, wings now really
tatty from endless brushing on foliage, but still flying well. These at 10 fps.
View: DF3_20200717_1049_161 Brown Hawker Dragonfly (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: We think we have seen one of these Brown Hawker Dragonflies several times,
but not sure enough to report. So here is our first confirmed sighting this year.
The cropped 'Anal Appendage' is also missing on the original grabbed shot.
Date: 27 Aug 2020
View: BU5_20200721_1508_220_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn + mother on edge of Round Pond.jpg
Description: Fawn and Mum Reeve's Muntjac Deer share a quiet moment at the pond edge.
View: BU3_20200721_1520_290_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer Mother leads Fawn across access track.jpg
Description: 12 minutes later we see them pattering across the access track.
View: BU4_20200721_1307_145 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with antlers in velvet.jpg
Description: What we believe is the Fawn's Dad pauses just after entering the site through the east boundary.
View: BU4_20200722_2036_284 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with antlers in velvet rubbing forehead on ground.jpg
Description: Next night we see him forehead to ground, possibly scent marking, but more likely the 'velvet'
on his antlers is getting irritating and he wants to rub it off.
Date: 26 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200716_1229_016 Brimstone Butterfly on Crocosmia flower.jpg
Description: One or more Brimstone Butterflies are visiting the Crocosmia flowers.
The deep trumpet may make the nectar accessible only to these bigger
Butterflies - we have never seen small butterflies on these flowers.
View: D73_20200719_1204_051 Brimstone Butterfly feeding on Crocosmia flower (crop).jpg
Description: 3 Days later around the same time of day another visit from a Brimstone Butterfly.
View: D73_20200722_1613_314 Peacock Butterfly on Hop Sedge.jpg
Description: A Peacock Butterfly spreads their wings in the soft sunshine.
Date: 25 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200721_1046_094-097 Buzzard Gliding by @ 10fps 2-5 of 5 (accurate montage 2).jpg
Description: A Buzzard glides quietly by ....
View: D73_20200721_1047_140-193 Buzzard circling in Thermal (about 10fps) 03+08+14+19+25+37+43+48+56 of 64 (montage).jpg
Description: The same bird then started serious circling in a Thermal, though obviously not a very strong one.
From 64 continuous frames of one complete circle we offer the montage of 'highlights'
Our paint package just can't handle image big enough to cover the whole event in one go.
If any of you want a lengthy distraction and have a paint package to match, please
let us know and we will 'zip' up the 64 pics and put them on the web site for you to collect.
Date: 24 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200717_1423_252 Gatekeeper Butterfly with Proboscis rolled up.jpg
Description: We have a huge 'crop' of Gatekeeper Butterflies this year.
Here you can see the coiled up Proboscis when at rest.
When you consider what a tangled mess humans can make with a hose,
this piece of 'design' is very effective - and it has to be for this insect to survive.
View: D73_20200719_1212_082 Gatekeeper Butterfly female feeding on Cow Parsley.jpg
Description: An immaculate female Gatekeeper Butterfly - the first female we have managed to
photograph this year. The 'boys' will be pleased :-)
Date: 23 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200717_0721_036-039 Pied Wagtail with large insect in beak unable to swallow it 1-4 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: Normally whatever a Wagtail catches goes down the hatch so fast you don't see it without
the aid of 'technology'. But this Pied Wagtail needed several tries and numerous 'bashes'
on the concrete before the prize would fit the beak.
View: D73_20200720_1623_064 Blue Tit juvenile pecking on rusty electricity pole support cable (crop).jpg
Description: This juvenile Blue Tit seems to be trying to glean nourishment from this piece
of really rusty old cable. Being young is the time to learn!
Date: 22 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200712_1051_028 Cinnabar moth Caterpillar on Ragwort.jpg
Description: While lots of insects use Ragwort nectar as fuel, the Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar normally
specialises in eating the poisonous Ragwort leaves that other insects can't eat.
Apparently they store the poisons in their bodies to protect both the Caterpillar and the
adult moth from predators. So not a Moth - YET.
View: D73_20200717_1741_003 Cinnabar Moth caterpillars (large and tiny) on unopened Ragwort flower.jpg
Description: Little and Large - Cinnabar Moth Caterpillar style.
View: DF3_20200717_1240_177+1244_226 Cinnabar Moth 1+3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Here are a couple of views of the Cinnabar Moth which, with a bit of luck,
the caterpillars will become.
Date: 21 Aug 2020
View: E62_20200711_1211_054_FB5 Magpie juvenile calling for food.jpg
Description: FOOD!
What do you mean - you are old enough to feed yourself!
View: E63_20200717_0549_111_FB1 Chaffinch male on stone + tiny snail.jpg
Description: The variation in scale of nature's creatures is wonderful.
Here the, to us, small chaffinch utterly dwarfs the tiny snail on the stone.
Date: 20 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200715_1142_085+087 Kestrel female hunting from old Apple Tree 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The Local female Kestrel perched in her favourite spots in the garden on
one of the dead branches of an old apple tree.
Face and Profile views a few seconds apart, 'artistically' montaged.
View: D73_20200715_1526_125 Kestrel female hunting from House gutter at SW corner.jpg
Description: A 3 hours later we find her at another regular spot, perched on the end of the gutter
at the south-west corner of the house.
She may look more elegant to us on the branches, but from her point of view it's just
somewhere to watch for unwary rodents below.
Date: 19 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200710_0928_016 Ringlet Butterfly on Conifer.jpg
Description: This is a Ringlet Butterfly sunning itself in the morning sunshine
View: D73_20200712_0851_025 Red Admiral Butterfly on Blackberry flower.jpg
Description: A Red admiral Butterfly feasting on a Blackberry flower.
View: D73_20200712_0911_057 Gatekeeper Butterfly on Ragwort.jpg
Description: A Gatekeeper Butterfly enjoying the nectar from a Ragwort flower.
View: D73_20200712_0912_063 Meadow Brown Butterfly male on Ragwort.jpg
Description: A Meadow Brown enjoying the same source of Nectar.
Date: 18 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200712_0914_071 Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on Teasel.jpg
Description: A Red Admiral butterfly this time choosing a Teasel for it's next feed.
View: D73_20200712_0920_095 Green-veined White Butterflies mating (female on left) 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: A couple of Green-veined White Butterflies fluttering in the grass as they
get 'worked up' prior to mating.
View: D73_20200712_1218_062 Peacock Butterfly on Thistle flower.jpg
Description: A Peacock Butterfly enjoying a Thistle flower
View: D73_20200714_1235_050 Speckled Wood butterfly.jpg
Description: A Speckled Wood butterfly sunning itself around mid-day.
Date: 17 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200712_1054_049 Thick Legged Flower Beetle male (crop 2).jpg
Description: A male Thick-legged Flower Beetle struts his stiff on Ragwort.
Even the leg swelling manage to have a fine coating of 'hairs'.
View: D73_20200711_1624_086 Mint Beetles mating on Mint leaf.jpg
Description: Mint beetles on err - Mint, working hard at making more Mint Beetles.
Date: 16 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200710_0939_076-079 Pied Wagtail finds insect while foraging through buttercups 1 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This Pied Wagtail is chasing about over the grass area, stopping suddenly every
few seconds. Here is what the stops are for - grab a tiny caterpillar (3rd image
from the left) and down the hatch with it. These taken at about 7 fps
View: D73_20200716_0720_150-152 Pied Wagtail catching tiny insect 1-3 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A couple of Pied Wagtails were catching insects on the freshly mown grass outside
our South boundary. Its all too quick to see without the aid of 'slow motion' - here
the infinitely slow motion of an accurately montaged set of pics taken at 10 fps.
Date: 15 Aug 2020
View: BU3_20200708_1302_001+002_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn and mother on access track 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Reeve's Muntjac mother and Fawn cross the access track to go through the
hole in the hedge into our patch. 2 moments 2 or 3 seconds apart.
View: E64_20200710_2112_050_FB2 Muntjac Reeves Deer female at sunset.jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer is checking over the woodland site as the sun sets behind.
View: D01_20200711_0319_302+0217_286_FB6 Barn Owl (right) and Tawny Owl (left) visits 1 hour apart (montage).jpg
Description: In the small hours of the same night this Barn Owl makes an 8 minute visit to
the meadow post, followed just an hour later by a short visit from the Tawny Owl.
This are at identical scales, but the darker Tawny Owl has a different exposure.
Date: 14 Aug 2020
View: D01_20200709_1232_112-1238_125_FB6 Kestrel female takes vole to meadow post & eats it 01+03+05+09 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: Not having seen her on it for months, we had assumed that the local female
Kestrel no longer much likes the meadow post. But here she has taken a Vole to
the post top and spends a few minutes ripping it to bits to eat it, followed by
a few minutes looking rather satisfied.
Date: 13 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200706_1051_019 Fox & Cubs flowers with 2 Marmalade Hover-flies.jpg
Description: We do enjoy these 'Fox & Cubs' flowers self-set around the house and providing
flashes of brilliant orange. The insects like them too.
View: D73_20200706_1507_108 Ragwort + Oxeye Daisy + Mallow + Teasels in meadow (orig & Final).jpg
Description: In the partial shade of the Oak tree at the edge of the meadow, a glorious
bouquet of self-set wild flowers.
Ragwort (the yellow flowers) is poisonous to many farm animals, but our
adjacent surroundings are now entirely arable so we permit some to grow.
View: DF3_20200705_1059_027+1102_030 Convolvulus flowers mostly in shade and mostly in sunshine 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: These Convolvulus flowers in shade of the northern bridleway hedge are the normal pinkish colour.
Round the end of the hedge where the sun shines on the ground all day
exactly the same species are sun-bleached completely white.
Date: 12 Aug 2020
View: BU8_20200705_2206_809+BU5_2207_385+387+2208_388_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer pair mating by Round Pond 2+4+6+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: We never expected to see a Reeve's Muntjac Deer mating, but here from two
different cameras linked by timestamps we see this couple's
encounter.
Top Left: Male dutifully follows the female past The Duck-shaped pond into the
woodland about 25 metres from Round Pond.
Top Right: A minute later the male is making overtures to the obliging female.
Bottom Left: Consumation.
Bottom Right: Probably 20 seconds later they quietly leave.
View: E62_20200707_2134_068_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn (crop).jpg
Description: A Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn makes another visit to this site,
this time giving us a decent view. What a sweetie.
Date: 11 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200705_1725_139+137+136 Kestrel female perched on old apple tree branch 3-1 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: For a couple of days the local female Kestrel spent hours a day hunting from the dead
branches of an old apple tree 15m from the house
View: DF3_20200705_1736_160+1737_168+170+171 Kestrel female taking Vole to tree branch and eating it 05+07-09 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: Here the female Kestrel has caught a Vole on the grass below, and flies to a
conveniently shaped dead branch of the tree to eat it.
View: D73_20200706_1448_086 Kestrel female hunting from apple tree dead branch.jpg
Description: The female Kestrel spends a lot of the second day hunting from dead branches
in our old apple tree. Her hunts were less successful on this day - we imagine
that the patch of grass was 'voled out'
Date: 10 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200705_0620_046+0621_049 Kestrel female perched on swaying branch with head motionless 1+2 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel flies to a branch (and whole tree) that is swaying in
the strong wind. Just like when hovering, she likes to keep her eyes still, and
here we see her neck accommodates the sway.
View: DF3_20200705_0630_120 Wood Pigeon flock feeding on Wheat crop by hovering into wind 3 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: Just on the other side of the hedge along the northern Bridleway perhaps 100
Wood Pigeons are in the Wheat crop, using the wind to hover by crop seed heads
and peck bits off. Perhaps 20 birds are doing this while the rest circle or
dive into the depth of the crop probably to pick up spilled seed.
Never seen this behaviour before, and likely never will again.
Date: 09 Aug 2020
View: DF3_20200703_1258_019 White-legged Damselfly female immature (crop).jpg
Description: The first sighting here (in 30 years) of a White-legged Damselfly.
This is an immature female flitting around the grass seed heads like a
little delicate ghost.
View: D73_20200706_1048_007+1049_015 Holly Blue Butterfly female second brood (montage).jpg
Description: This second brood female Holly Blue Butterfly was flitting about the hedge along the
West side of the access track.
Date: 08 Aug 2020
View: BU4_20200703_0118_120+0119_124+126 Fox investigates something above then reaches up on hind legs 3+5+7 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: We don't ever remember seeing ourselves, or in a wildlife film, a Fox standing
vertical like this. There is obviously something really interesting 'up there'
at 1 a.m. The Fox was not leaping up - we have another frame between the middle
and right pics in the montage showing a very similar vertical position at least
a second or two earlier.
View: BU4_20200705_2324_882 Fox investigates something above (see also BU4_20200703_0118).jpg
Description: 2 nights later what looks like the same Fox is still highly interested in the tree
above.
Staring up this tree in the daylight there is no visible nest or dray, nor a
splatter of droppings on the ground that might indicate a regularly roosting
bird. One of life's little mysteries will have to stay that
way.
Date: 07 Aug 2020
View: E62_20200630_1809_070_FB5 Rook portrait.jpg
Description: An otherwise confusing pic of 2 Rooks is cropped to show you just this rather nice
face of this immaculate young rook.
Oh dear - we think Rooks look sweet - it's amazing how living with hundred
around you changes your perception
Date: 06 Aug 2020
View: E62_20200629_2139_046_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn (crop).jpg
Description: We have been enjoying dozen of pics of Reeve's Muntjac Deer around the site, but
always in the marginal quality of trail cams even in the day.
So we were really pleased to see this tiny fawn wandering through the meadow site.
View: E62_20200629_2139_046+20200701_2112_126_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn and mother (montage).jpg
Description: 2 Days later at about the same time of day, a female Reeve's Muntjac deer came
in from the other direction. Her Fawn was ahead of her and triggered the camera,
but all we see of the Fawn is a shadow at the edge of the frame.
So we offer this montage to re-create what we MIGHT have got!
The scale of the 2 animals is the same, but Mum is rather closer to the
camera accentuating the size difference a bit.
Date: 05 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200629_1622_029+026+028 Kestrel female perched on steel capped blocked gate post 3+1+2 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: Here the local female Kestrel perched on top of the latch side of the blocked
gate about 40m away. She was tolerant of the cameraman, though has obviously
seen him. After a few pics and walking quietly away, turning round revealed that
she had left anyway.
View: D73_20200629_1623_031 Kestrel female perched on steel capped blocked gate post 5 of 8 (crop).jpg
Description: A Closer look at our favourite Kestrel!
Date: 04 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200627_1328_010 2 Pond snails mating on Iris leaf.jpg
Description: Over the main pond this pair of Pond snails are entwined in a loving embrace.
Snails are hermaphrodites, so both 'hope' to end up 'pregnant'.
Date: 03 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200626_1238_046 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly female with accurately aligned wings showing pseudo-pterostigma clearly.jpg
Description: A female Banded Demoiselle Damselfly with her 4 wings almost perfectly
aligned to make the pseudo-pterostigma (white specks) particularly clear.
Only the female of this species (and of the 'Beautiful Demoiselle') have this
feature. The mark is called 'psuedo...' because almost all other species of Damselfly
and Dragonfly have these marks on both sexes and darker than the wing colour.
View: D73_20200628_1627_122 Common Blue Damselfly male maturing.jpg
Description: A male Common Blue Damselfly starting to change from a drab slightly blue
colour of the juvenile into the vivid blue of the mature adult.
Date: 02 Aug 2020
View: D73_20200628_1105_072 Comma Butterfly (showing bottom of wing comma) perched in hedge.jpg
Description: Perched on a leaf, we see how the Comma Butterfly's corrugated
leaf outline and colour looks so like a dead leaf.
View: D73_20200702_1744_019 Small Skipper Butterfly feeding on Clover flower.jpg
Description: A Small skipper Butterfly feasts on a clover flower.
Date: 01 Aug 2020
View: BU4_20200702_0326_569 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with velvet over Antlers stretched tight.jpg
Description: A good view of the male Reeve's Muntjac Deer's antlers 'in velvet',
clearly stretched tight over the top.
View: BU4_20200628_0331_371+0332_374+376 Muntjac Deer female lying on ground encouraged up (q) by another 2-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This looks like a female Reeve's Muntjac deer laying on the ground,
being approached by another female and being gently encouraged to
get up and walk away together. Female Deer are known to attend one another
during Birthing, and this may be the first stages.
Or something else entirely
View: BU3_20200701_1253_121+122_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer female entering through hole in Pig-net 1+2 of 3 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Here you can see a female Reeve's Muntjac Deer making her way into our patch through
a hole in the pig-net in our west hedge.
This regular activity is rarely caught quite so clearly.
Image Archive arch 2020 jul.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200624_0754_107 Black-tailed skimmer Dragonfly female in wheat crop.jpg
Description: At the corner of the farmer's crop this female Black-tailed skimmer Dragonfly
teased us by landing briefly at various sites.
View: D73_20200624_0755_111 Black-tailed skimmer Dragonfly female in wheat crop (crop).jpg
Description: At the corner of the farmer's crop this female Black-tailed skimmer Dragonfly
teased us by landing briefly at various sites.
Date: 30 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200623_1252_055 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly female (1st female of 2020).jpg
Description: This female Banded Demoiselle Damselfly is the first female seen here this year.
Females don't have a colour band on the wing, and the wings have a rather
clear green tinge, both different to the darker brown of the Beautiful Demoiselle,
now apparently gone for the year.
View: D73_20200624_1022_006 Common Blue Damselfly female blue form.jpg
Description: A female Common Blue Damselfly in the variant that actually IS blue.
We see that this blue becomes richer as the insect ages.
Date: 29 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200623_1110_035 Trefoil Lesser (Trifolium dubium) (q) growing through broken concrete track (crop).jpg
Description: The disused track has some cracks which, without traffic to scatter
the upwelling soil, harbour a variety of 'weeds'.
This one seems to be a rather stunted Lesser Trefoil.
View: D73_20200623_1121_040 Oxeye Daisy clump (orig & final).jpg
Description: The meadow is now awash with Oxeye Daisies. Here is part of one patch.
Date: 28 Jul 2020
View: BU4_20200622_2301_131+132 Roe Deer male antler detail 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Images of a male Roe Deer taken a few seconds apart give a good
indication of the growth and form of the antlers.
View: BU4_20200621_2250_320 Muntjac Reeves Deer juvenile following mother through east hedge (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer is much smaller than the Roe Deer, and we have
at least 3 growing Fawns visiting the site, usually along with Mum as
we show here. The pair are undoubtedly heading for the hole in the bottom
of the East boundary hedge to continue foraging in the farmer's crop.
Date: 27 Jul 2020
View: BU7_20200620_2050_041 Fox leaping out of ditch 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: A lucky moment to catch this Fox's mid-leap out of the (now completely dry) ditch
lit by a mixture of natural and IR flash.
View: E63_20200621_1959_316_FB1 Fox evening visit (crop 2).jpg
Description: At about the same time next evening this pristine Fox gives a baleful glare
as he visits one of the 'known good places' for a feed.
View: BU8_20200621_2005_136 Fox carrying dead Rook past Duck Pond (crop).jpg
Description: 6 minutes later the camera some 30 metres away catches this Fox carrying away
what seems to be a Rook. It is most likely the same Fox - the camera badly
underexposed the image meaning the work-up has left the colours rather dubious.
Date: 26 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200620_1241_056 Red Admiral Butterfly.jpg
Description: A Red Admiral Butterfly warms itself in the afternoon sunshine.
View: D73_20200622_1738_022 Comma Butterfly.jpg
Description: A Comma butterfly warming itself in the evening sun, before it became
so hot they would seek shade instead.
View: D73_20200623_1305_063 Large Skipper Butterfly feeding on Thistle flower.jpg
Description: A Large Skipper Butterfly having a feast on a thistle flower
View: D73_20200624_1503_072 Meadow Brown Butterflies mating.jpg
Description: A pair of Meadow Brown Butterflies mating on a grass seed head.
There are hundreds of this species about at the moment.
Date: 25 Jul 2020
View: D36_20200619_0720_029_FB4 Magpie juvenile begging from top of tree-stump.jpg
Description: There seems to be an endless supply of hungry young Magpies.
View: E64_20200621_0559_137_FB2 3 Magpies at woodland site - begging juveniles left and adult right.jpg
Description: We interpret this as two juvenile Magpies on the left, with long-suffering
parent on the right bringing along another batch of food.
Date: 24 Jul 2020
View: E62_20200618_1652_012_FB5 Grey Squirrel juvenile nibbling food from paws.jpg
Description: A young Grey Squirrel looking so twee in the flowers that it almost hurts to
know it may become a vicious little tree-Rat.
View: E63_20200619_1914_125_FB1 2 Grey Squirrel juveniles feeding at hedge bottom.jpg
Description: A couple of young Grey Squirrels share the evening largess.
Date: 23 Jul 2020
View: D01_20200617_0641_189+190+E62_0649_121+D01_0653_194_FB6+FB5 Green Woodpecker male over 12 minutes on post & ground in rain 1-3+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: 12 minutes of this Green Woodpecker visiting the meadow post as it starts to rain
are interrupted by a pic of the same bird on the ground at the meadow photo site
about 10m away.
View: E62_20200617_0649_121_FB5 Green Woodpecker male probing sodden ground (crop).jpg
Description: A more detailed look at the ground image of the Green Woodpecker, who looks
lovely in Clover and backgrounded by Oxeye Daisies, even if his feathers are
bedraggled in the rain. His beak is covered in mud from probing the loose soil
replenished at this site a couple of days before. The rain will bring worms and
invertebrates to the surface for his probing beak and tongue to locate.
Date: 22 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200617_1740_061 Comma Butterfly (1st new adult of 2020).jpg
Description: Comma Butterflies (named for the white 'comma' underneath the wing you can't see
here) overwinter as adults and then have 2 broods each year - the second brood
overwintering to start the sequence again next year. This is a pristine insect
from the first of this years new broods.
View: D73_20200616_1730_128 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male.jpg
Description: Only a handful of male Banded Demoiselle Damselflies seen so far this year,
and no females at all.
View: DF3_20200613_1546_143 Common Blue Damselfly female brown (aka Drab) form.jpg
Description: When in flight these 'Drab' Common Blue Damselflies look almost like flying ghosts.
Date: 21 Jul 2020
View: BU4_20200614_2241_104 Muntjac Reeves Deer Mother & medium sized Fawn.jpg
Description: This medium sized Reeve's Muntjac Deer seems to be 'learning the ropes'
following Mum around the plot in the night.
View: BU5_20200614_2256_402-2257_424_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer Mother + Father + small Fawn 2+3+5+9 of 9 (montage).jpg
Description: Although only 15 minutes later at Round Pond, this seem to be a different Fawn along
with both his parents.
Top left we think the Fawn is trying to find the 'Milk Bar' under Dad - something we have seen
before when the father's indignance made us laugh.
The family spent a couple of minutes generating impossibly twee images before Dad wandered
off and the other two followed.
Bottom right - Mum licks the Fawn rear to encourage defecation.
View: BU3_20200612_0334_033_SC6 Roe Deer male on access track.jpg
Description: Possibly the same male Roe Deer is caught in this pose around this position
once or twice each week.
The Hoof material (keratin) seems to be particularly 'dark' in Infra-red light.
We have never seen any Roe Deer Fawns, but live in hope
Date: 20 Jul 2020
View: D01_20200614_1033_288_FB6 Magpie landing on Meadow post with blood stained prey in talons (crop).jpg
Description: We don't remember seeing a Magpie with prey in its claws before, but this
one is streaked with fresh blood from some small bird (prey's claws pointing upwards).
View: E62_20200613_1630_205_FB5 2 Magpie juveniles calling for food.jpg
Description: "Feed US!"
View: D01_20200617_0814_198_FB6 Magpie juvenile (right) demanding food from parent.jpg
Description: "Feed ME!"
View: D01_20200615_0858_004_FB6 Magpie feeding youngster (crop 2).jpg
Description: All the juvenile begging finally gets the desired result.
Date: 19 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200614_0822_012 Chaffinch male singing in Oak Tree by access track.jpg
Description: All over the site male Chaffinches continue to proclaim their territory.
View: E63_20200616_0745_087_FB1 Chaffinch female lands next to male on stone.jpg
Description: The female Chaffinch (left) lands next to the male already on the
stone.
Considering how aggressive males can be to their mates when breeding,
this seem to be a masterpiece of self control by the male!
View: DF1_20200618_0714_011 8 Blue Tits (mostly juveniles) using peanut feeder in rain.jpg
Description: This year Blue Tit nesting has gone very well.
Here are 8 mostly juveniles swarming over just this one peanut feeder.
Date: 18 Jul 2020
View: DF3_20200612_1227_101 Fox and Cubs flowers and buds - normal.jpg
Description: Little clumps of 'Fox and Cubs' are glowing around the south and west of the house.
View: DF3_20200612_1227_101 Fox and Cubs flowers and buds - detail of unident insect (crop).jpg
Description: While working up the above we find this amazingly camouflaged insect we
have totally failed to ID. Any suggestions?
View: D73_20200615_1232_084 Spotted Longhorn beetle (Strangalia maculata) on Oxeye daisy flower.jpg
Description: A new Beetle for our species list - a Spotted Longhorn Beetle,
here perched on an Oxeye Daisy flower.
Date: 17 Jul 2020
View: E62_20200612_1105_114_FB5 2 Grey Squirrels fighting.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrels can be really nasty.
We have looked at this several times now, and cringe every time :-(
View: D73_20200617_1549_024 Grey Squirrel courting on top rail of gate.jpg
Description: 2 Grey squirrels getting VERY amorous on the top rail of this decrepit gate.
Date: 16 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200611_1332_069 Kestrel female in flight with unidentified prey in claws.jpg
Description: Out trusty female Kestrel flies past with some obvious prey in her talons, but with no hope
of an ID of the unfortunate creature.
View: D73_20200611_1605_083 Kestrel female on footrest of Telephone pole.jpg
Description: A Few hours later we found her on one of Favourite perches - a footrest on an old
Telephone pole at our south boundary. We passed by as far away as we could, but
she flew off anyway.
View: DF3_20200612_0930_006 Kestrel female launching from footrest of disused telephone pole (crop).jpg
Description: Next morning we again find the female Kestrel perched on the telephone pole
at our south boundary. After failing to out-stare us for about a minute, she decided
to fly off and we caught this moment as she twisted away from the post to make her
launch.
This almost looks like a design for a bronze casting, with the necessary points
of contact to support the weaker element of the design.
Date: 15 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200611_1327_061-065 Little Egret in flight over trees at brook 1-5 of 5 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: We see a Little Egret perhaps once a week. This one was flying about near the
Brook, landed out of sight for a while before re-appearing to provide this view
flying into the gusty east (from the right) wind.
View: D72_20200613_1235_003 Cloud resembling Scottie dog resting on top of tree (orig & final).jpg
Description: OK - its a cloud - but we both immediately thought of a Scottie Dog
sitting on the horizon!
Date: 14 Jul 2020
View: D01_20200611_0934_062_FB6 2 Magpie juveniles waiting on meadow post.jpg
Description: There is a family group of Magpies - these two juveniles, along with 2 adults.
These two juveniles are waiting for their next feed, both hoping to get the
first feed
View: D01_20200611_1717_120_FB6 Magpie feeding juvenile on meadow post (crop).jpg
Description: Mum or Dad Magpie arrives to stuff the youngster with whatever is has found for
the youngster to eat.
View: D01_20200610_1701_557+558_FB6 Magpie juvenile lands on Meadow Post between adult & other juvenile 1+2 of 2 (montage 400ms).jpg
Description: "Hey - I want some of that"
The second juvenile magpie flies between parent and his sibling
in the hope of grabbing the food for themselves.
Date: 13 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200610_1246_010-1251_043 Kestrel female hunting near house 1+3-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Walking back up the access track found the local female Kestrel perched deep in an
overhanging tree to hunt. When she realised that we could not 'go away' she flew to
the top right corner of the front of the house where she perched on the end of the
gutter.
"Those humans just won't stop 'following' me - top of the concrete power pole it is!"
We managed to get indoors without disturbing her again.
Date: 12 Jul 2020
View: DF3_20200609_1257_062 White Satin Moth (Leucoma salicis) Caterpillar (orig).jpg
Description: It took a while to identify this caterpillar as that of the White Satin
Moth.
We met a pair of Imago (i.e. the finished moth) 7 years ago (2013) that you
can see two-thirds of the way down page
arch 2013 sep.htm.
View: DF3_20200609_1307_081 Cinnabar Moth and Buttercup.jpg
Description: A Cinnabar Moth with a contrasting Buttercup which helps to set the scale.
Date: 11 Jul 2020
View: DF3_20200609_0930_015 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly on dead grass.jpg
Description: A Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly warming in the sunshine on some
dead grass along a crop border
View: DF3_20200609_1255_047 Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly feeding on Privet Flower.jpg
Description: The underside of the wings of the Small Tortoiseshell Butterfly is quite
different to the top of the wings, providing camouflage for the resting insect.
Date: 10 Jul 2020
View: E63_20200608_0742_013_FB1 Chaffinch female feeding youngster (crop).jpg
Description: Mum Chaffinch stuffs yet another a beakful of insects into the ever-open gape of her youngster.
View: DF1_20200607_0800_022+0801_085+094 Great Spotted Woodpecker female feeding juvenile at kitchen window 2+6+9 of 9 (montage).jpg
Description: Mum Great Spotted Woodpecker stoking up her beak and crop with peanut fragments,
moves across to her youngster perched on the support pole to cram in the
nutritious slurry she has just collected, before the youngster flies off.
View: D01_20200611_1311_085_FB6 Green Woodpecker male landing on meadow post.jpg
Description: A male Green Woodpecker checking over the Meadow post.
Date: 09 Jul 2020
View: DF3_20200606_1347_052+20200605_1528_012 Thick-legged Flower Beetles (Oedemera nobilis) female (left) + male on Oxeye Daisies (montage).jpg
Description: This montage shows a couple of Oxeye Daisy flowers attracting the attention of
Thick-legged Flower Beetles.
The flower on the right is harbouring the male with the bulges on his rear legs,
while on the left the female has an ordinary pair of legs
View: DF3_20200606_1348_054 Oxeye Daisy deformed flower.jpg
Description: We don't think we have previously noticed a deformed Oxeye Daisy flower.
This year we have noticed several like this with thickened stems and what looks
like multiple tiny flower heads, most likely an insect Gall
View: D73_20200621_1217_099 Oxeye Daisy flower head malformed.jpg
Description: 2 weeks later we spot another deformed Oxeye Daisy flower - the third spotted
this year. This may be something new, or maybe we haven't noticed before.
Date: 08 Jul 2020
View: E60_20200604_0724_004_FB3 Greater Spotted Woodpecker female confronting Wood Pigeon on kitchen bird table (crop).jpg
Description: David and Goliath at the kitchen bird table?
On the Left is an adult female Great Spotted Woodpecker.
On the right one of dozens of Wood Pigeons.
Genuine single frame - GSWs are spunky!
View: E60_20200605_1828_043_FB3 Wood Pigeon dropping down from kitchen perch.jpg
Description: A Wood Pigeon departs the Kitchen window perch by 'falling off' and
catching the fall with the wings.
View: D01_20200604_1357_080_FB6 Great Spotted Woodpecker male perched on top edge of meadow post.jpg
Description: From our Great Spotted Woodpecker family, here is the male perching on the 'meadow post'.
View: DF3_20200606_0723_035 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile in willow tree.jpg
Description: A juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker probably watching us watching them
from a lichen covered willow branch.
Date: 07 Jul 2020
View: DF1_20200603_1048_011 Great Spotted Woodpecker juvenile with tongue in old screw-hole.jpg
Description: Mum, Dad and at least one juvenile Great Spotted Woodpeckers have returned after
a few weeks absence. Here is a juvenile (the red top of head is clearer at the
camera resolution) here 'tonguing' an old screw hole in the hunt for insects.
View: D01_20200603_0640_242+1645_425_FB6 Great Spotted Woodpecker female and Green Woodpecker male (same scale montage).jpg
Description: The Green Woodpeckers are also back.
Here you can compare the comparatively delicate Great Spotted Woodpecker (here a female)
with the more robust male Green Woodpecker.
But the smaller GSW seems to be the generally more aggressive species.
View: D01_20200603_1848_427+1852_429+430_FB6 Green Woodpecker male on meadow post (montage).jpg
Description: Here this male Green Woodpecker provides a little show of his antics.
The top of this post is getting eroded and a split down the length also
reaches the top. There may be useful things to peck for, though Green Woodpeckers
primarily feed of ants, of which our meadow provides a good supply.
You can clearly see the tail used as a 'third leg'
Date: 06 Jul 2020
View: BU3_20200602_1057_040+041_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer female crossing access track (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer leaves our patch through a hole in the netting,
and trots across the concrete and into the crop on the other side.
View: BU2_20200602_1625_208-1631_219_SC7 Muntjac Reeves Deer female 7 minute visit to Round Mound (montage).jpg
Description: This female Reeve's Muntjac Deer spent several minutes picking up food from the side of
the mound. We only 'bait' with corn at this site, so that must be what she wants.
Date: 05 Jul 2020
View: E64_20200530_2318_188_FB2+E63_20200531_0316_221_FB1 Small Badger visits either side of midnight (montage).jpg
Description: After several sightings of small Badgers on Trail cams, this night saw visits
to the high quality cameras at the centre of the woodland (left) and at the hedge bottom 4 hours later.
Date: 04 Jul 2020
View: DF3_20200530_1224_015-019 Emperor Dragonfly female immature in flight @7fps 1-5 of 5 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: At the corner of the Wheat crop this immature female Emperor Hawker Dragonfly
was hunting over the field margin.
View: DF3_20200530_1228_068 Emperor Dragonfly female immature (crop for ID).jpg
Description: From another flight sequence of a female Emperor Hawker Dragonfly that fell off
the edge of frame, this image is more diagnostic for an ID.
Date: 03 Jul 2020
View: BU8_20200530_0451_151 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with light patches after antlers fallen.jpg
Description: A male Reeve's Muntjac Deer walks past one of the trail cams.
The top of the head shows 2 light patches where he has recently shed his tiny antlers.
View: D73_20200602_0730_030 Muntjac Reeves Deer discarded Antler found on crop margin (length 11cm).jpg
Description: After 30 years of looking we finally find a discarded Reeve's Muntjac Deer Antler!
Lying in the rough grass alongside the Wheat, it looks amazingly like a lump of
broken fallen wood. It smells rather nasty, and is 11cms (4.5 inches) long.
View: BU3_20200604_0038_093_SC6 Roe Deer male on access track.jpg
Description: What is probably the only male Roe Deer visiting the site provides a
midnight portrait in the camera Infra Red light.
Compared to a Muntjac Deer the animal is much more substantial, as are
the multi-point Antlers.
Date: 02 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200529_1737_010 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly female.jpg
Description: A female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly catching the vivid metallic glint
at the tail end very well. The number of both sexes have declined steeply in the
last few days from 50 or so to just an occasional sighting.
View: D73_20200531_1501_038 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: As the Beautiful Demoiselle Damselflies decline we see the start of
the Banded Demoiselle Damselflies, named after the striking wing patch on just the males.
View: D73_20200601_1040_010 Banded Demoiselle Damselfly male on curled Iris leaf at main pond.jpg
Description: Another male Banded Demoiselle Damselfly.
The shape of the dark band suggests that we haven't photographed the
same individual twice.
Date: 01 Jul 2020
View: D73_20200529_1558_158 Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly female perched on grass stem (crop).jpg
Description: This immaculate female Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly spent several minutes
fluttering around the 'garden' near the house.
View: D73_20200529_1600_185 Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly female perched on nettle stem.jpg
Description: This immaculate female Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly spent several minutes
fluttering around the 'garden' near the house.
View: D73_20200529_1603_200 Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly female perched on hedging.jpg
Description: This immaculate female Black-tailed Skimmer Dragonfly spent several minutes
fluttering around the 'garden' near the house.
Image Archive arch 2020 jun.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Jun 2020
View: E64_20200526_1828_132_FB2 Grey Squirrel attacking another.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrels can be really N A S T Y !
View: E64_20200528_1818_030_FB2 2 Grey Squirrels encounter.jpg
Description: What seems to us to be an entirely different encounter - an opportunity
to do the 'Squirrel-making thing'?
View: E63_20200603_0602_188_FB1 Grey Squirrel juvenile.jpg
Description: This Squirrel equivalent of 'Bambi' - a juvenile with big eyes and rounded ears.
This seems to be the youngest Grey Squirrel we have ever managed to
photograph.
Cooing is permitted.
Date: 29 Jun 2020
View: E63_20200522_1835_146_FB1 Yellowhammer swallowing single corn grain.jpg
Description: When you watch a bird singing we sort of imagined that both halves
of the beak open and close. But just like human teeth, the top of
the beak is actually formed over part of the skull and only the bottom
half moves. (On a human the top lip moves a bit, but on a bird there
is nothing flexible to move - hence the 'birds don't have expressions idea).
If you look at the beak here you can see that the bottom half has a sharp
cut-off near the hinge that neatly fits the head when the beak is closed.
View: E63_20200528_2020_083+20200529_2021_155_FB1 Yellowhammer male + Chaffinch male (same scale montage).jpg
Description: After the female Yellowhammer, A chance to compare the sizes of a
male Yellowhammer and male Chaffinch.
Date: 28 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200527_1741_120 Nest Box on Ivans Poplar inhabited by Bees (crop 3 with insert).jpg
Description: Things don't always go according to plan.
A 'Woodcrete' nest box on our tallest tree has become a nest for bees.
Next year some birds will probably re-establish possession.
This is the second time we have seen a nest-box converted to a tiny Bee-hive.
View: D73_20200527_1749_137 Robin adult with abnormal feathers over back (sings and flies fine).jpg
Description: Things don't always go according to plan.
We have seen this Robin a few times, with what looks like down feathers
sticking out of his back. He sings well and flies fine and seems likely
to be holding this territory.
Date: 27 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200526_1152_043 Clouds (orig & final).jpg
Description: This amazing sky, looking North East, greeted a lunchtime walk.
View: D73_20200526_0734_004 Cloud formation like scribble (orig & final).jpg
Description: Who's been scribbling on the sky?
Date: 26 Jun 2020
View: D01_20200523_2134_365+20200526_0445_155_FB6 Little Owl short visit to meadow & another visit 3 days later (montage).jpg
Description: A Little Owl (true common name for the species) has made a few visits each
year for the last 5 years. These two images are from the first two visits this year,
3 days apart.
On the right you see the real eye.
On the left you see a facial illusion of the back of the birds head -
whether this is just chance, or a survival development (an attacker might
think it has already seen you so no point in stealthy attack) we don't
know.
Date: 25 Jun 2020
View: BU6_20200523_1937_049+1952_052+1955_055_SC2 Fox carrying off large prey items over 19 minutes 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: 3 separate passages through the Orchard for this Fox, each with something quite
large in its mouth. Intervals left to right are 15 & 3 minutes suggesting that
the Den can't be that far away.
The resolution of the pics doesn't allow a definitive ID, but it seems that
the Fox has found a nest, den or burrow of youngsters to raid.
Be sad for those youngsters, but happy for the Fox Cubs.
Date: 24 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200522_1738_119 Kestrel female perched on footrest of telephone pole.jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel is on one of her favourite perches on the foot-rest
of a disused telephone pole along the south hedge.
View: D73_20200522_1740_154 Kestrel female in shaded Hawthorn tree.jpg
Description: When she decides to leave the South boundary (above) she invariably
flies round the corner to the east. Here she is in shade and even manipulating
the colour to correct for the sky-blue cast she almost look like a different bird.
Don't believe that the camera doesn't lie - but we try not to mislead you.
Date: 23 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200522_1507_093 Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly female perched on nettle leaf (crop 3).jpg
Description: This female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly quietly perched giving us a
view of the intricate wing veins - now strengthening struts but once used to
'pump-up' the wings in the final stage of metamorphosis.
View: D73_20200522_1507_080 Beautiful Demoiselle damselfly female approaching landing on leaf.jpg
Description: A female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly makes final approach to land on this fresh
leaf. Beautiful and Banded Demoiselle Damselflies are the largest UK species at
about 48mm long, while more often seen Damselflies like the Common Blue are about
35mm long and appear much more delicate
These creatures are Midge hunters & have no interest in vegetation apart from
somewhere to perch.
View: D73_20200525_1256_009 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male perched on Blackberry leaf.jpg
Description: A male Beautiful Demoiselle clearly showing his iridescent colour and
details of his tail end clasper he uses to grab the female 'by the neck'.
View: DF3_20200524_1003_022 Common Blue Damselfly male (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: A male common blue Damselfly warming himself in the sunshine.
Date: 22 Jun 2020
View: BU8_20200521_2200_082+085+2201_090 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn & Mum visit Duck pond for Mother to drink 1+2+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Based on sizes relative to Mum, we THINK that we now have THREE
Reeve's Muntjac Fawns (and therefore three mothers) visiting our
patch.
Here Mum, and maybe the youngster, stop by the Duck-shaped pond for a drink.
We rate this Fawn as the 'middle sized' one.
View: BU8_20200522_0136_104+0137_108 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn suckling from mother near Duck pond 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: 3 hours later this obviously smaller Fawn still easily fits under Mum
to access the 'Milk Bar' (Top). A minute later the automatic camera
sees them wandering off together (lower left pair).
View: D73_20200526_0739_021+0740_034+037+046 Muntjac Reeves Deer mother & Fawn startled outside our east hedge 1-4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Here we surprise a Fawn and Mother on the verge outside our patch. This Fawn is
the biggest of the 3 (even allowing for 4 days growth) and much more
independent. Mum took a hard look at us and decided to depart, walking away down
the hedge line until she vanished down the increasing slope. The Fawn watched us
for a few more seconds and then trotted after Mum.
View: BU3_20200528_0123_498_SC6 Roe Deer male with antlers on access track.jpg
Description: A male Roe Deer out on the access track with a clear view of his antlers.
His position suggests that he has just come through the hole cut in the pig-net
at this point, but it just doesn't seem to us that he could fit!
Date: 21 Jun 2020
View: E63_20200517_1645_192_FB1 Chaffinch male with insects in beak.jpg
Description: This male Chaffinch has a beakful of insect(s).
Most likely one of the huge number of Craneflies (Daddy long legs)
has been crammed in the gape to be taken to hungry beaks at the nest.
View: E63_20200524_0530_253_FB1 Robin youngster.jpg
Description: At the hedge bottom this young Robin looks healthy and perky.
His red feathers will appear piecemeal over the next several weeks.
Date: 20 Jun 2020
View: D71_20200522_1030_001 Daisy patch in grass outside east hedge.jpg
Description: As the wonderful show of Dandelions comes to a close, Buttercups, and
here Daisies move in to take their place decorating the mown grass areas.
View: D73_20200526_1239_047 Patch of tall Buttercups as the sun sees them.jpg
Description: The Farmland margins are getting a bit untidy - that's fine with us - perfect wildlife management!
The Buttercups are mostly about 30cm high and carpet large areas.
Here you see them looking down on them 'as the sun sees them - with no
shadows'
Date: 19 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200521_1747_053+065 Brown Argus Butterfly (montage for top & bottom of wings).jpg
Description: This Brown Argus Butterfly is a good deal smaller than the even the Small Tortoiseshell.
We tend to see one every 2 or three years. Here we catch two views perched on a weed
showing the upper and lower surfaces of the wings.
View: D73_20200526_1054_016 Common Blue Butterfly (1st of 2020) (crop).jpg
Description: Our first sighting this year of a Common Blue Butterfly, complete with a
Buttercup providing scale.
This is a male - the upper side of females is brown.
The black bar is not a marking but some sort of damage.
View: DF3_20200525_1050_026+034 Tortoiseshell Butterfly feeding on flower (montage).jpg
Description: While this Tortoiseshell Butterfly is feeding on a Blackberry flower the
photographer has time to move round to get these two different perspectives on
the same event. On the right you can see the proboscis reaching down into the flower.
Date: 18 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200520_1243_013 Damselfly Azure male in flight.jpg
Description: Over the meadow area there are dozens of these Azure Damselflies.
This is a male in flight.
View: D73_20200520_1305_091 Large Red Damselfly female (1st of 2020 not seen since 2015).jpg
Description: A visitor not seen for 5 years - a female large Red Damselfly.
Date: 17 Jun 2020
View: DF3_20200520_0853_010 Long-tailed Tit youngster calling from twig & 11kV cable 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This slightly scruffy bird appears to be a young Long-tailed Tit calling for food.
View: DF3_20200520_0854_014 Long-tailed Tit youngster calling from twig & 11kV cable 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: The young Long-tailed tit flew up to an 11kV cable, which seems to dwarf it.
Date: 16 Jun 2020
View: D72_20200518_1300_074 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly female momentarily opening wings while perched 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: This female Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly spent a minute or two perched
on this leaf, a few times opening her wings as if to take off but not doing so.
The sun is nearly vertically above her providing shadows through the wings.
View: D73_20200520_1248_043 Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly male.jpg
Description: A male Beautiful Demoiselle Damselfly perched elegantly on a leaf.
View: D73_20200521_1101_040 2 Beautiful Demoiselle damselflies males + 1 female together near Round mound (crop).jpg
Description: There are several favourite places to find Beautiful Demoiselle Dragonflies,
typically 10 to 15 insects in each when in sunshine, plus ones and twos in
almost every sheltered sunny patch, so estimate that there are
at least 50 individuals currently in our little haven.
Date: 15 Jun 2020
View: D01_20200518_1456_013_FB6 Kestrel male landing on meadow post.jpg
Description: We don't often see the male Kestrel inside our patch, but here he makes a brief appearance on the meadow post.
View: DF3_20200518_1736_048+1737_049-064 Kestrel female flies from telephone pole to 11kV cable 01+02+06+10+14+17 of 17 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel also made an appearance, initially perched on a disused
telephone pole foot-rest cum hand-hold, she decides to fly across to continue
her hunt from one of the 11kV cables.
We have seen these two bird hunting adjacent area without conflict, the female
recently 'vanished' for a few weeks as the male continued hunting, and
we believe they are a pair breeding away from our patch.
View: D01_20200520_0447_115-116+0448_117_FB6 Kestrel female visit to meadow post 15m before sunrise 1-3 of 3 (montage 2 in b&w).jpg
Description: Two days later our local female Kestrel was out hunting 15 minutes before sunrise.
Left: Landing on the meadow post lit by camera flash.
Middle: about a third of a second later by natural light. Colour was so inaccurate we
decided black and white was more accurate!
Right: One minute later giving the world a good stare.
Date: 14 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200516_1242_214 Kestrel male in flight.jpg
Description: This male Kestrel spent a few minutes in the sky overhead, mostly trying to
ignore the pesky Jackdaw that wanted the Kestrel to go 'anywhere but here'.
View: D73_20200516_1243_235 Kestrel male harassed by Jackdaw (crop).jpg
Description: This male Kestrel shows his claws to the pesky Jackdaw.
View: D73_20200516_1243_372-375 Kestrel male looking down & presenting talons to harassing Jackdaw 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The Jackdaw continues to Harass the male Kestrel.
View: D73_20200516_1244_456 Kestrel male Harassed by Jackdaw.jpg
Description: The male Kestrel finally decided to do what the Jackdaw wanted, and flew into the distance.
Date: 13 Jun 2020
View: DF3_20200515_1300_057+055 Hover-fly (Leucozoma Lucorum) feeding on Garlic Mustard (montage).jpg
Description: Quite a large Hover-fly this, feeding on Garlic Mustard flowers.
Date: 12 Jun 2020
View: E62_20200514_1614_029_FB5 Magpie juvenile.jpg
Description: A young Magpie moulting into his first set of adult plumage.
We hope it isn't as uncomfortable as it looks.
View: E62_20200520_1925_146_FB5 Grey Squirrel eating beetroot stained apple peel.jpg
Description: It's no good, we can't stop thinking that this Grey Squirrel's open mouth is showing
a little smile of anticipation for her food.
View: E64_20200512_0114_065_FB2 Badger running past camera.jpg
Description: We see badgers most nights on the IR lit silent cameras, but it nice to see one in
full colour. This one seems to be genuinely running past the camera with no
visible contact with the ground.
Date: 11 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200513_0723_014-018 Little Egret in flight @10fps 1-5 of 5 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This Little Egret made an extended flight along the line of the brook, starting
a quarter of a mile to our west to disappear to the east towards the M1
motorway. These pics at about 10 frames per second.
View: D73_20200513_0723_028-032 Little Egret in flight @10fps 1-5 of 5 (approx montage).jpg
Description: This Little Egret made an extended flight along the line of the brook, starting
a quarter of a mile to our west to disappear to the east towards the M1
motorway. These pics at about 10 frames per second.
View: D73_20200514_1026_018 Little Egret in flight.jpg
Description: Next day saw another sighting of a Little Egret, not spotted in the days that follow.
Date: 10 Jun 2020
View: E62_20200513_1233_159_FB5 Mallard Duck female looking over male.jpg
Description: A pair of Mallard ducks making a lunchtime visit to the meadow site.
View: DF3_20200520_0718_141-143 Mallard Duck pair in flight 4-6 of 6 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: A pair of Mallard Ducks whizz by.
This is all in less than one third of a second - Ducks fly FAST!
Date: 09 Jun 2020
View: BU6_20200509_1010_196_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn bounding over grass (crop).jpg
Description: A few years ago we found a fawn dead and headless, so we do worry about them in
their first few months. So we are pleased to see them around the photo sites.
This one is tearing round in circles at the end of the orchard.
View: E63_20200518_2001_043_FB1 Muntjac Deer Fawn with adult behind.jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer Fawn ventures onto the hedge bottom camera site
with Mum in close attendance on the path behind.
View: BU5_20200520_1623_434_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer fawn followed by mother.jpg
Description: Here the Reeve's Muntjac Fawn explores the area by the pond, but
Mum behind doesn't let the little one get too far from her protection.
View: BU8_20200520_1646_217+219+220+222 Muntjac Reeves Deer female visits edge of Duck Pond 1-4 of 4 (montage impression).jpg
Description: A Reeve's Muntjac Deer stops by the pond.
She may have stopped for a drink that the camera missed.
Date: 08 Jun 2020
View: DF3_20200512_1459_220 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard 07 of 12 (crop 1).jpg
Description: ... continued
The Photographer and the Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn spent about 5 minutes
watching each other.
View: DF3_20200512_1501_233 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard 08 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: The Photographer and the Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn spent about 5 minutes
watching each other.
View: DF3_20200512_1501_235-238 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard 09-12 of 12 (horizontally stretched montage).jpg
Description: After about 5 minutes the Fawn finally decided to depart in the direction that
Mum had gone. Perhaps Mum called the little creature in a way that we didn't hear.
Date: 07 Jun 2020
View: DF3_20200512_1457_173+177 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard spooking Grey Squirrel 01+02 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: After seeing the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer through the window, the
photographer stepped outdoor to find her fawn just 10 metres away. The Fawn was
apparently only interested in, rather than frightened by, the human. The Grey
Squirrel on the gate just didn't know whether to attack or flee this strange
creature, and seemed frozen to the spot.
View: DF3_20200512_1459_186 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard 03 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn watches the photographer watching them.
View: DF3_20200512_1459_205 Muntjac Reeves Deer Fawn 5 minutes visit to orchard 06 of 12 (crop).jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer fawn watches the photographer watching
them.
Continued tomorrow ...
Date: 06 Jun 2020
View: df3_20200510_0653_016 Robin singing 7m up on Pear tree branch.jpg
Description: High in a partially dead Pear tree this Robin sings to everybody near and far.
View: DF3_20200512_1007_116 Chaffinch male singing to the sky from top of Ash tree (crop).jpg
Description: This male Chaffinch is putting his whole being into making sure
his song carries as far and loud as he can.
Date: 05 Jun 2020
View: d73_20200509_0839_178 Dandelion clock freshly opened (crop).jpg
Description: Dandelion Clocks are just beautiful constructions
View: d73_20200509_0656_095 Groundsel seed heads against dew soaked wheat crop.jpg
Description: With the crop wet with overnight dew, the Groundsel seems to stay dry
View: d73_20200509_0700_101 Buttercups starting to erupt.jpg
Description: As the Dandelions wind down for the year, the Buttercups wind up.
Date: 04 Jun 2020
View: BU4_20200508_2241_165+2038_145+20200509_0438_190 Muntjac Reeves Deer female + Fawn + male (montage).jpg
Description: A montage of 3 moments to get all three members of the Reeve's Muntjac Deer family
in the frame at once, in the positions they actually occupied.
Left to right: Mum, Fawn and a male that we assume must be Dad.
View: BU2_20200513_0337_329_SC7 Fox poised at active Rabbit hole.jpg
Description: This Fox waits hopefully for a Rabbit to appear at the Rabbit
hole under this step. The Fox was out of luck this time.
Date: 03 Jun 2020
View: d73_20200508_1051_044 Sun Halo full 360 degrees (orig).jpg
Description: We rarely see the sun with a complete and consistent Halo when we
have a wide enough angle lens to catch it all.
We have enhanced the colour a bit to show the 'rainbow' effect - red inside.
Date: 02 Jun 2020
View: df3_20200507_1054_004 Orange-tip Butterfly male feeding on Garlic Mustard flower.jpg
Description: A male Orange tip butterfly feeding on the flower of its caterpillar's food plant,
the Garlic Mustard.
View: DF3_20200512_1011_125 Silver Y Moth (Autographa gamma) (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: This moth fluttered past us and landed on this stinging nettle.
It is the fairly common 'Silver Y' Moth that flies both day and night.
The Latin name (Autographa gamma) just seem so apt!
Date: 01 Jun 2020
View: D73_20200507_1728_009 Pineham House field viewed from Farm Road entrance - hawthorn blossom (crop).jpg
Description: Our North boundary at the end of the day, when it sees a bit of sunshine is
about 100 metres long. Several of the Hawthorn plants in the inner hedge have
been allowed to grow into trees, now producing huge splashes of blossom that you
really can't see from anywhere inside our patch :-(
View: d73_20200509_0844_186 Hawthorn trees in blossom above east hedge.jpg
Description: At the unusual double hedges we allow Hawthorn trees to grow on the inner hedge.
It produces this lovely drapery effect as the trees grow over the outer almost
entirely self-set Blackthorn over a barbed wire fence. This closer view is on
the east hedge.
Image Archive arch 2020 may.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 May 2020
View: D01_20200505_1548_101+102+1553_112+155_115_FB6 Kestrel female 10+ minute visit to meadow post 1+2+4+6 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: After a few weeks of absence and then a few fleeting glimpses, hopefully while
incubating eggs, the local female Kestrel makes a much longer visit to the meadow post.
Date: 30 May 2020
View: D73_20200507_0710_096 2 Rook juveniles (left in each pair) + 2 adults (crop 2).jpg
Description: The Rooks seem mostly to have finished making the new generation.
Here we have 2 pairs of Rooks, juvenile on the left in each case.
View: D73_20200507_0707_021 Rook at nest failing to manoeuver long twig so flies off and returns with it 01 of 22 (crop).jpg
Description: But just one pair of Rooks seem to be building a new nest or doing a renovation.
Here one bird (probably the male) has picked up a twig well over twice his
own length. The stick starts above where he is holding it and ends almost at the
bottom of this pic. He spent several minutes trying various way to get it
into the nest, but just couldn't.
View: D73_20200507_0708_070-073 Rook at nest failing to manoeuver long twig flies off & returns with it 06-09 of 22 (acc montage).jpg
Description: He finally just took off with it, and expected him to drop it as 'too big'. But
instead he made a wide circle and flew back to the nesting tree with it still in
his beak.
View: D73_20200507_0708_094 Rook at nest failing to manoeuver long twig so flies off and returns with it 22 of 22 (crop).jpg
Description: Finally he landed well above his nest and his calling mate, and
quickly worked his way down onto the nest with his prize.
Date: 29 May 2020
View: D73_20200504_1508_012 Green-veined White Butterfly feeding on Garlic Mustard flower.jpg
Description: This has been an unusually plentiful year for Green Veined White Butterflies
around our patch. This one is feeding from an also plentiful Garlic Mustard flower.
View: DF3_20200505_1333_013 Green-veined White Butterfly perched on Garlic Mustard leaf.jpg
Description: Next afternoon this Green Veined White butterfly perches on a Garlic Mustard leaf.
Not trying to feed, the Proboscis is neatly rolled.
Date: 28 May 2020
View: BU5_20200504_0436_365_SC1 Roe Deer female (IR).jpg
Description: After entering the site 13 minutes before the female Roe Deer appears at the front of Round Pond.
The huge ears look wonderful.
View: BU3_20200506_2136_360_SC6 Roe Deer male on access track (IR).jpg
Description: 2 nights later the male Roe Deer crosses the concrete track showing
off his antlers and proving an unusually good view of his hooves.
View: BU3_20200504_1020_256+257_SC6 Muntjac Deer female walking across access track 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Hours later, in morning sunshine, the female of the much smaller Reeve's Muntjac Deer
ambles across the concrete track into the adjacent crop field to the left.
Date: 27 May 2020
View: DF3_20200503_1612_104 Red-headed Cardinal Beetle.jpg
Description: This Red-headed Cardinal Beetle was glowing in the sunshine on the
end of some sort of dried up stem.
Date: 26 May 2020
View: DF3_20200501_1746_021+030+031+034 Kestrel female repeatedly opening beak wide while perched 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel, not seen for weeks, flashes by and lands on one of the
apple trees. She proceeded to perch quietly, repeatedly opening her gape and
closing it again repeatedly for a few minutes - most likely something to do with
regurgitating a pellet, but we never saw one.
View: DF3_20200501_1755_079 Kestrel female inspecting cameraman (crop 1).jpg
Description: "I see you, but you seem mostly Harmless."
Shameful mash-up of quotes from Avatar and The Hitch-hikers Guide to the
Galaxy.
View: DF3_20200501_1755_079 Kestrel female inspecting cameraman (crop 2).jpg
Description: I've already said I can see you.
View: DF3_20200501_1757_095-097+099+100 Kestrel female defecating before launching 1-3+5+6 of 6 (montage @7fps).jpg
Description: She finally decided to fly to another perch, still quite close but in a conifer where
she is obscured. As many birds do just before take-off, she evacuates her bowels -
why carry unnecessary weight.
Date: 25 May 2020
View: BU6_20200427_1452_022_SC2+BU4_20200427_1501_025 Fox entering SW corner & leaving East 10 mins later 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A mid-afternoon fox enters the area at the south west corner, spends 10 minutes
on the prowl, and exits through the east passage.
What gets a Fox out in the middle of the day? Most probably hungry youngsters!
View: E62_20200502_0207_124_FB5 Fox.jpg
Description: We see lots of Foxes moving in and out of the site, but they do seem
to avoid the high resolution & flash cameras, so nice to see this one.
View: BU8_20200505_0354_023 Fox scenting air at Duck Pond.jpg
Description: This fox is near the edge of the duck-shaped pond, we think sniffing the air in
search of a meal. If there is a duck nest on the island (right) the Fox will
have to decide whether the eggs are worth a cold swim.
Date: 24 May 2020
View: E62_20200426_0820_195_FB5 Grey Squirrel eating end of fresh carrot.jpg
Description: About time - a piece of FRESH juicy carrot rather than the stale ends.
View: E62_20200504_1817_052_FB5 Grey Squirrel looking up extremely stressed.jpg
Description: Something out of frame top and right seems to have really spooked this Squirrel.
View: E64_20200506_1755_100_FB2 Grey Squirrel female eating fruit peel.jpg
Description: Apple now, STRAWBERRY to come!
Date: 23 May 2020
View: E63_20200426_0758_190_FB1 Wood Pigeon with twig in beak.jpg
Description: A piece of 'Timber' for nest improvements?
View: D01_20200501_1047_177_FB6 Wood Pigeon preening on meadow post.jpg
Description: This Wood Pigeon works along his tail feathers, 'combing' them out.
You can just see the eye's tiny inverted tear drop Iris shape in the bright light.
Date: 22 May 2020
View: DF5_20200426_0646_012-048 Wren singing from sloping twig 02+03+05+06+09+12 of 13 (montage - TL+BL+ML etc).jpg
Description: Outside the living room window over breakfast, this Wren spent a minute or two singing his heart out.
Should it matter the sequence is Upper Left, Lower Left, Upper Middle, Lower Middle etc.
Date: 21 May 2020
View: D01_20200425_1710_092+1712_094_FB6 Wood Pigeon takes off from Meadow Post 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This Wood Pigeon takes off from the post with rather more verve than usual.
Normally they sort of fall off downwards and catch the fall with their wings.
View: DF3_20200426_1752_264 Hover-fly hovering.jpg
Description: This Hover-fly was hovering about a metre away, holding position really
accurately, providing the chance of this in-flight portrait.
Date: 20 May 2020
View: BU6_20200429_2206_432_SC2+BU4_20200429_2204_069 Roe Deer male wandering over site for 7 minutes 4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: A male Roe Deer spent 7 minutes traversing our patch.
View: E64_20200429_2202_084_FB2 Roe Deer male wandering over site for 7 minutes 2 of 5 (orig & final).jpg
Description: The one that got away - none of our hi-resolution flash cameras are
set up to photograph creatures that are this tall.
Date: 19 May 2020
View: D73_20200427_1229_055-1230_061 Pied Wagtail on 11kv cable 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: First sighting here this year of any sort of Wagtail.
This one is a Pied Wagtail spending just a few seconds on an 11kV cable
View: D73_20200427_1232_077+079+080+082 Pied Wagtail seeing & grabbing invertibrate on track verge 2+4+5+7 of 9 (montage @10fps).jpg
Description: The same Pied Wagtail started hunting along the edge of the disused concrete track,
suddenly leaping forward and backing off with a substantial caterpillar in it's beak
View: D73_20200427_1232_081 Pied Wagtail spotting & grabbing invertibrate on track verge 6 of 9 (crop).jpg
Description: The moment of capture between the bottom two images in the montage.
Date: 18 May 2020
View: D73_20200427_1223_012 Orange-tip Butterfly male feeding from Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flower.jpg
Description: Lady's Smock (Cuckoo Flower) is a generous nectar provider, and the
orange-tip Butterflies make the most of it.
View: D73_20200427_1224_022+025+026 Orange-tip Butterfly male around Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flowers (montage).jpg
Description: The insect on the right shows the Proboscis partially coiled.
View: D73_20200427_1225_032 Orange-tip Butterfly male flying to Ladys Smock (Cuckoo Flower) flower with proboscis already uncurled.jpg
Description: Here the male Orange-tip Butterfly is backing away from the flower,
his Proboscis still extended.
Date: 17 May 2020
View: DF3_20200426_1605_235 Rook chick in nest begging from adult (crop 2).jpg
Description: This young Rook is making it very clear that it wants F O O D !
View: D73_20200427_1221_002 Rook by nest containing 2 chicks.jpg
Description: It hard to see what is going on in nests 10 metres above your head, but this is
definitely 2 young Rooks in this nest. One has it's beak at the centre of
the frame, and the other is facing left with beak tip hidden by the branch
around which the nest is constructed.
Date: 16 May 2020
View: DF3_20200424_1737_071-071 Chaffinch male singing from top of conifer 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A male Chaffinch calling his territorial ownership to any other bird in earshot.
Date: 15 May 2020
View: DF3_20200424_1246_041 Bluebell white.jpg
Description: A White Bluebell spike. This robust plant looks like a cultivar or hybrid.
View: DF3_20200425_1249_123 Bluebell flowers.jpg
Description: Next day its the turn of a what looks like the classic British Bluebell in
the 'normal' coloured Blue, and a Pink variety.
View: DF3_20200425_1239_116 Cow Parsley (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: Cow Parsley displays it's delicate flower head along the concrete track boarders -
and a few days later all over the place.
View: DF3_20200426_0923_142 Red Campion flower.jpg
Description: Red Campion is one of the regular wild flowers.
Date: 14 May 2020
View: E60_20200424_0311_019_FB3 Tawny Owl landing on kitchen perch 30 mins after meadow post (crop).jpg
Description: The 'new' Tawny Owl makes a neat landing on the kitchen perch
View: D01_20200424_0654_040+0233_033_FB6 Wren + Tawny Owl on Meadow Post 2 of 3 (montage at same scale).jpg
Description: Little and Large Medium
A surprise appearance by a Wren on the meadow post is contrasted with the much larger Tawny Owl.
But even a Tawny Owl is not a particularly large bird.
Date: 13 May 2020
View: DF3_20200430_0726_015 Streaks of cloud suggesting distant hills 3 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Dark streaks of cloud suggest a rolling landscape off into the distance.
View: E64_20200424_1959_108_FB2 Grey Squirrel watching distant rabbit at sunset.jpg
Description: A Rabbit (background) comes out as the day ends.
The Rabbit may have had some unpleasant encounters with Grey squirrels, and
keeps a safe distance from the Squirrel.
Date: 12 May 2020
View: E60_20200421_2312_031_FB3 Tawny Owl landing.jpg
Description: This Tawny Owl makes a short visit to the kitchen window perch just before midnight.
View: BU2_20200422_2153_285_SC7 Fox looking back from slope of Round Mound (IR).jpg
Description: This Fox looks back as they stop on the climb up the mound.
Date: 11 May 2020
View: BU3_20200418_1957_096_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer female + Fawn + male 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: We are delighted to report that one of the female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has had a Fawn!
Here are left to right are the Dad, Fawn and Mum in the gloom of evening.
Try to imagine their little hard hooves clicking their way along our concrete access track.
View: BU3_20200419_1418_155_SC6 Muntjac Reeves Deer Female + Fawn (crop off edge of frame).jpg
Description: Next day the early afternoon lighting provides a much better pic of
just Mum and her Fawn at the same place.
View: BU4_20200419_1437_073 Muntjac Reeves Deer female and Fawn 2 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: 20 minutes later Mum and Fawn arrive 100m away across the other side of our plot.
View: BU4_20200422_2017_093 Muntjac Reeves Deer female & Fawn.jpg
Description: Three days later, dark enough for the camera to switch to IR illumination,
Mum and Fawn are still roaming the plot.
We think the Fawn may be looking for the 'Milk Bar'
Date: 10 May 2020
View: E62_20200420_0145_275_FB5 Tawny Owl inspecting roadkill Hare (crop).jpg
Description: Story continued from yesterday
This Tawny owl arrived for a look at the roadkill Hare, but didn't stay.
View: E62_20200420_0918_010_FB5 Magpie eating roadkill Hare (crop).jpg
Description: A Magpie samples the increasingly odiferous carcass of the roadkill Hare.
View: E62_20200421_0322_070_FB5 Badger eating and then dragging off Hare roadkill 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: At nearly 3.30 a.m. this Badger turns up to examine the still substantial
roadkill Hare remains.
The Badger may have blocked the beam while
feeding on it, or just wandered away - we don't know which.
View: E62_20200421_0343_071_FB5 Badger eating and then dragging off Hare roadkill 2 of 2 (crop 1).jpg
Description: 20 minutes later this Badger drags away the roadkill Hare remains.
To us this looks like a different individual to the earlier visit.
Next morning, the site now empty, we looked for indications of where the
carcass was dragged, but found no signs.
Date: 09 May 2020
View: DF3_20200415_1351_020 Hare in adjoining field to west (crop).jpg
Description: A sad little tale that starts a few days before the major events. In the middle
of the day we spotted a lone Hare lolloping through the crop on the field across
our access track. Grabbing a picture, and noting to keep an eye out for them in
this field, we just kept this pic 'for the record'.
View: DF3_20200419_0901_009 Hare roadkill placed at FB5 (meadow) (orig).jpg
Description: 4 days later, at the end of our access track at about 8.45 a.m. we spotted a mound of brown fur
lying in the middle of the road. We took a barrow up the road to it and sadly
discovered that it was a Hare which we brought back to the meadow camera site.
We have to assume that this 'lost' Hare got through the pig-net and onto the
road and met it's end under the wheels of a passing vehicle.
View: E62_20200419_1203_195_FB5 Hare roadkill being eaten by Magpie (crop).jpg
Description: In the daytime we saw only Magpies visiting to eat the roadkill Hare - not one
sighting of any other Corvid despite the area being awash with Rooks and a few Jackdaws.
View: PC2_20200419_xxxx_xxx Magpie eating roadkill Hare (crop from 4k video).jpg
Description: This moment of a Magpie pecking at the roadkill Hare is a crop from a Camcorder frame.
Story continues tomorrow ...
Date: 08 May 2020
View: DF3_20200419_1225_014 Bumble Bee approaching White Dead Nettle.jpg
Description: A Bumble Bee flying in to feed on the flower of a White Dead-nettle.
View: D73_20200419_1526_019 Blossom of Red apple tree with Comma Butterfly and fly.jpg
Description: This decades old Apple tree is notable because EVERYTHING is red - flowers, the
wood and sap, the skin of the apple as well as the flesh. It makes a good
cooking apple even if whatever you make comes out pink!
Only when we worked on this photo did we spot the Comma Butterfly at the
top, and a fly just to the Butterfly's left. That crenelated wing edge is
marvellous camouflage.
View: DF3_20200420_1102_020 Speckled Wood Butterfly on emerging beech leaves (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: The first sighting this year of a Speckled Wood Butterfly.
This by far the most numerous Butterfly here, and is about for many months.
View: D73_20200419_1738_026 Lilac Flower head (crop 2 - pollen detail).jpg
Description: Part of a Lilac Flower head, individual flowers from closed to fully open.
Some of the closed flowers seem sprinkled with pollen dust from the already open flowers.
Date: 07 May 2020
View: E62_20200416_2117_032_FB5 Badger (crop 1).jpg
Description: A pristine Badger wanders through the Meadow site.
View: E62_20200416_2117_032_FB5 Badger (crop 2).jpg
Description: A closer look at the badgers face.
View: E62_20200421_2217_035_FB5 Badger.jpg
Description: Hi Brock - hoping to find another Hare for supper?
The same Badger visits the night after we think the same Badger
dragged away a roadkill Hare from this site
Date: 06 May 2020
View: DF3_20200416_1753_018 Mallard Duck female + 2 males landing after extended flight (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: A triplet of Mallard ducks - the 'standard' 1 female and 2 males spent several
minutes circling the area.
Unexpectedly they decided to touch down in the margin of the field to our east.
Here the female is at the left, with one male about to land and the other doing
a rather inelegant bellyflop. Mallard ducks are not very good at landing on
solid ground but 'any landing you can walk away from is good'.
View: DF3_20200416_1755_076-084 Mallard Duck males and female restart group flight chase 01+03+06+09 of 15 (approx montage).jpg
Description: The 3 Duck waddled about quacking, and finally the female launched to the east,
so of course the males quickly followed, and the montage tries to give an
impression of the event.
We see interactions of this sort so often in Spring that we are convinced that
the female is finding out which of the males best handles her 'Assault course'
before she offers to mate with him.
Date: 05 May 2020
View: DF3_20200422_1120_049 Dandelion flower with shadow.jpg
Description: Here is the brilliant yellow flowering Dandelion with the flowers shadowed on a lump of broken concrete.
We were asked how this brilliant flower turns into the white seed head we all know as a Dandelion Clock.
We didn't know so decided to find out ...
View: DF3_20200422_0857_037 Dandelion seed capsule with wilted petals.jpg
Description: Here is a Dandelion that has finished flowering but not yet turned to seed. The withering
leaves are at the top and the recessive green seed capsule is below.
The seeds develop in the capsule for what seems to be 2 or 3 days.
View: PC2_20200423_1058_001-1228_010 Dandelion seed head (clock) opening 01+03+05+06+08+10 of 10 (montage @10mins per frame).jpg
Description: With little warning the seed capsule starts to open from the base to turn the wind-dispersed seeds
into the well known sphere.
Images 1 to 10 are cropped from 90 minutes of 4K video at 10 minute intervals.
All but 05 to 06 (that's top right to bottom left) skip 1 image, so most of the
intervals are 20 minutes. If you look for these events in progress it is hard to
find - the unopened seed capsules are difficult to find among the bright yellow
and white, and the partly open globe looks like a partially wind blown finished head.
View: dandelion seed head (clock) opening over 90 minutes.gif
Description: Here is the same 90 minute sequence of the opening Dandelion seed head animated
in just 10 seconds, here all at about 10 minute intervals
Date: 04 May 2020
View: D73_20200416_0718_022 Groundsel on field margin turning to seed.jpg
Description: Groundsel has gone 'mad' this year, appearing in swathes is various places on the Farm land.
These tiny seed heads (like Dandelions but about a quarter of the diameter) cover a patch
at the edge of the crop.
View: D73_20200416_1234_013 Dandelion seed heads.jpg
Description: On the south side of the house the Dandelions are sheltered from the
wind from the east so these head are still intact.
Two days later heavy rain smashed the seed heads to bits.
View: D73_20200418_1616_001 Dandelion seed head and Groundsel seed head size comparison.jpg
Description: Photographs always seeming to mislead about size, so here is a direct comparison
of Dandelion and Groundsel 'clocks' 'in the hand'..
Date: 03 May 2020
View: DF3_20200415_1739_048+49 Chiffchaff perched in willow tree 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: We struggle identifying 'Little Brown Birds', but from the bird's call
we believe it to be a Chiffchaff
Date: 02 May 2020
View: DF3_20200414_1623_068 Bee-fly hovering.jpg
Description: A Bee-fly hovers in the sunshine
Completely Harmless! - that long probe is NOT a stinger!
View: DF3_20200412_1225_077 Cinnamon bug aka Black and Red Squash Bug (Corizus hyoscyami) (crop).jpg
Description: We believe that this is a 'Cinnamon Bug' with a Vivid orange and Black colouration.
View: DF3_20200409_1514_001 7 Spot Ladybird (1st of 2020).jpg
Description: Several sightings of these 7-Spot Ladybirds so far this year - more than for
the occasional invasive (if now inevitable) Harlequin Ladybird.
Date: 01 May 2020
View: D73_20200412_1617_154+1618_161+175+1620_191 Orang-tip Butterfly pair courting (montage).jpg
Description: Orange-tip Butterflies males fruitlessly looking for females, not yet emerged
from their over-wintered chrysalises, are now rewarded with a female to entice.
Here are 4 moments from an attempted seduction.
The male has the orange tips, but the female doesn't. They both have that wonderful
green and white marbling under the wing.
View: DF3_20200414_1252_047+1251_027 Orange-tip butterflies courting on Blackberry leaves (montage).jpg
Description: 2 days later presumably a different couple of Orange-tip Butterfly 'getting to know each other'.
View: DF3_20200414_1455_060 Orange-tip Butterfly feeding on Ground Ivy flower.jpg
Description: All this chasing girls is hard work.
Here a male Orange-tip Butterfly refuels on what we think is a Ground Ivy flower.
Image Archive arch 2020 apr.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200412_1221_057 Green Veined White Butterflies mating (1st GVW of 2020) (crop).jpg
Description: Our first sighting this year of a green Veined White Butterfly, and
we are lucky enough to catch a pair mating. It is not unusual to see the
female butterfly feeding while the male does his 'thing'.
Date: 29 Apr 2020
View: D01_20200411_0101_089_FB6 Tawny Owl (new individual) landing on meadow post.jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl lands on the post, but this is NOT our normal 'local Tawny' but
another individual with different facial features. Perhaps being startled by
distant (25m away) flashgun the bird hasn't experienced before, this night the
Owl did not stay.
View: D01_20200412_0322_165+0324_169_FB6 Tawny Owl lands on meadow post with Blackbird male in claws 1+3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The next night the same Tawny Owl spent about 3 minutes on the meadow post,
arriving at about 3.30 a.m. with what we are fairly sure is a male Blackbird
in the talons. We assume the prey was to be taken to a nesting female - most
probably our now temporarily vanished 'local Tawny Owl'. Prey is mostly eaten
at the site of capture except when it is needed at the nest in Spring & early
summer.
Perhaps he wanted a snack before delivering the rest!
How do we know it is the same Owl as the previous night?
This montage is of
frames 1 and 3, while the less interesting frame 2 shows some of 'his' facial disc.
Further, his plumage is distinctly lighter than that of our regular Tawny Owl.
'He' appeared again for a single frame the next night.
View: E63_20200413_0646_204_FB1 Blackbird male replaces absent male assumed killed by Tawny Owl 28 hours prior.jpg
Description: The following day saw no male Blackbird sightings at the hedge bottom site, and
one day on this definitely differently plumaged male appears. Most likely the
female will just soldier on by herself, and hopefully raise at least some of the
clutch. But he may help with an eye to future nuptials - we have no idea, but he
has appeared again here on subsequent days.
Date: 28 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200410_0814_016 Crabapple Blossom.jpg
Description: In the hedges the Crabapples are starting to open their delicate flowers.
View: DF3_20200412_1502_100 Apple Blossom.jpg
Description: The exuberant Blossom of a cultivated fruit tree.
View: DF3_20200412_0933_040 Pear Tree Blossom (tree at west of track).jpg
Description: A really old Pear tree opposite the house over the access track has
burst into flower far in excess of anything we remember.
Date: 27 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200403_1626_107 Cloud suggest Anglerfish about to swallow the Moon (orig).jpg
Description: If you have seen wildlife film of the grotesque Anglerfish, you will appreciate the 90
degree open mouth of this cloud wanting to swallow the moon!
View: D73_20200408_0730_240+DF3_20200408_1125_307 Daisies opening during morning (montage).jpg
Description: Many wild flowers 'shut for the night' and re-open next day.
These daisies were photographed at about 7:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m. on the same
day.
Why do they shut at all?
Apparently to protect the delicate reproductive parts from rain
and cold during the times their pollinators are not active.
View: DF3_20200412_1224_070 Forget-me-not flower carpet under Oak tree (orig & final).jpg
Description: This carpet of Forget-me-Not flowers are under the Oak at the side of the Meadow.
Date: 26 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200402_1646_006+1647_018+023 Kestrel female eating Rodent on grass near kitchen window 02+06+08 of 13 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel seems to have made this kill a few metres from the
Kitchen window. It is probably a short-tailed Field vole, but whatever it is,
here she is ripping off pieces to swallow.
View: D5C_20200402_1646_010 Kestrel female eating Rodent on grass near kitchen window 04 of 13 (crop 2).jpg
Description: If she spotted us on the other side of the window, and this pic suggests that
she did, she wasn't deterred from finishing off her meal there and
then.
What a sweetie - if you are not a rodent. She is somewhat tolerant of us, but
far from 'tame'.
View: D73_20200410_1612_008-017 Kestrel female landing momentarily on grass then flying on 1+3+5-7+9+10 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: One of our last few regular sightings for now of the local female Kestrel,
landing on the grass for just a moment, presumably to pick up some morsel she
has spotted, before flying on. We expect she is now incubating eggs somewhere.
The male Kestrel hunts to our north and we can only rarely see him but he is
most probably 'hunting for two' at the moment.
Date: 25 Apr 2020
View: D73_20200408_1618_127+129+131 Kestrel female hunting insects in flight 1+3+5 of 5 (montage impression).jpg
Description: Next day, the same female Kestrel was again hunting insects in flight.
The dot below the Talons of the top bird is the insect, in a claw by the next frame and being
brought forward to the beak in the bottom image.
We photographed about 5 instances on this day, but could only find a convincing insect in this one.
View: DF3_20200407_1446_067-079+1448_106 Kestrel female lands young Lombardy Poplar 03+05+07+10+15+26 of 26 (part acc montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel lands on the tip of one of the young Poplar trees along
the Farm Road, struggling to balance as the wood bends 90 degrees to take her weight.
View: D73_20200408_1604_031+032+34 Kestrel female flying from top of wooden power pole 2+3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The female kestrel quietly launches from our power pole. She had a busy day around our site.
Date: 24 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200407_1450_172-176 Kestrel female catches insect in talons in flight & eats it 01-05 of 10 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Surprise of the week for us was watching the local female Kestrel flying around
jinking in flight as if trying to catch something. Here is the photo evidence of this
Kestrel successfully catching insects (presumably 'bee' sized).
We had expected that the catch would be made in the beak like swifts and swallow.
But no - the insect is grabbed in one of the claws before being swung forward to
the beak to eat.
Yes this bird really was flying backwards as she kept manoeuvring to grab the
evading insect. This is about two thirds of a second of action.
View: DF3_20200407_1450_175 Kestrel female catches insect in talons while in flight & eats it 04 of 10 (crop).jpg
Description: A detail from next to bottom of the above montage.
View: DF3_20200407_1450_181-184 Kestrel female catching insect in talons in flight & eats it 07-10 of 10 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: About 1 second from the end of the first montage her prize is swung forward to eat it,
all in half a second, too quick for the eye (our eyes at least) to catch.
View: DF3_20200407_1450_182 Kestrel female catches insect in talons while in flight & eats it 08 of 10 (crop).jpg
Description: Another detail of the insect held by the tips of the talons
Date: 23 Apr 2020
View: D73_20200406_1606_116 Pineham House field viewed from Farm Road entrance (crop).jpg
Description: A picture of our south boundary taken from the Farm Road entrance.
Its very close to 100 metres across.
View: D73_20200407_1229_124 Dandelions and Grape Hyacinth growing at corner of paving slab outside study.jpg
Description: We avoid chemicals where we can, so 'weeds' have a field day in cracks
between paving slabs. We think this yellow & blue mix is just beautiful.
Date: 22 Apr 2020
View: D73_20200406_1601_039-053 Little Egret flies to thin branch at treetop 01+05+09+10+12+23 of 25 (part acc montage @10fps).jpg
Description: Very occasional sightings of a Little Egrets is here supplemented by an arrival of this one
on the tip of a tree ...
View: D73_20200406_1602_057-067 Little Egret flying from top of tree 01+02+05+-8+11 of 15 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: ... and then launching downwards a minute later.
Date: 21 Apr 2020
View: BU7_20200404_0411_095+BU6_20200404_0413_244-249_SC2 Roe Deer female enters south hedge & leaves 10+12+13+17 of 18 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Roe Deer enters through the south hedge, and wanders into the site.
We didn't see her leave - there are many exits without a camera.
View: BU5_20200407_0535_121-123_SC1 Roe Dear male drinking at Round Pond 1-3 of 3 (impression montage).jpg
Description: This male Roe Deer with impressive antlers stops by the edge of Round Pond for a drink.
View: BU7_20200403_2322_079+20200404_0411_093 Comparison of Muntjac Reeves Deer female & Roe Deer female (right) (montage).jpg
Description: Roe Deer (right) are substantially bigger than Reeve's Muntjac Deer (left) we mostly see,
the former having proportionally much longer legs and taller ears.
Date: 20 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200403_1740_119 Willow Catkins.jpg
Description: Willow Catkins are a riot of Pollen.
"Achoo"
View: D73_20200408_0727_231 Black Poplar tree Catkins.jpg
Description: Black Poplar trees make these attractive maroon and yellow Catkins
weeks before the first leaves appear.
Date: 19 Apr 2020
View: D73_20200402_1556_014 Cherry Blossom against grey cloud (crop).jpg
Description: A tangle of Cherry Blossom against some grey clouds, making them look
almost luminous.
"Loveliest of Trees, the Cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough" ... (A Shropshire Lad, A. E. Houseman)
View: DF3_20200407_1445_021 Peacock Butterfly in Cherry Blossom.jpg
Description: This over-wintered Peacock Butterfly, in remarkably good condition,
feeding of a cherry blossom flower.
View: DF3_20200404_1506_180 Cherry Blossom with Bee.jpg
Description: A Bee feeding on one of thousands of Cherry Blossoms florets.
Date: 18 Apr 2020
View: E62_20200401_0358_191_FB5 Badger on frosty grass.jpg
Description: On a frosty morning this unusually dry and clean Badger takes a selfie.
Date: 17 Apr 2020
View: D36_20200326_0904_003_FB4 Grey Squirrel looking upwards.jpg
Description: This Grey Squirrel looks to us to be really anxious about something in what must
be a cherry tree a few metres away. Probably a rival Squirrel.
View: E62_20200401_1446_207_FB5 Grey Squirrel with half a carrot in mouth.jpg
Description: "Why do I always end up with the stale raw carrot?"
Date: 16 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200331_1754_164+1756_173+1801_183 Kestrel female flying to disused telephone pole and staying there before flying off 01+02+04 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel (the one with a Grey feather in her tail) flies past and
lands on a disused telephone pole for about 6 minutes.
These first images are from 3 different places inside our patch.
View: DF3_20200331_1801_188+190-194 Kestrel female flying to disused telephone pole and staying there before flying off 05-10 of 12 (impression montage).jpg
Description: Walking round the outside of our south hedge found her still perched on the
pole, avidly scanning the ground for some tasty morsel. She took no notice of
the photographer, but eventually decided to move off back into our patch. This
is an 'impression' of her departure, spaced to maximise the appearance and show
all of the frames.
View: DF3_20200331_1801_190+192-194 Kestrel female flying to disused telephone pole and staying there before flying off 06+08-10 of 12 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: Here, skipping frames that overlap, is the departure accurately montaged at 7 fps
Date: 15 Apr 2020
View: E64_20200331_1506_114_FB2 Pheasant male striding across site.jpg
Description: The male Pheasant strides across this photo 'stage'
View: D5C_20200401_1351_001 Pheasant male on north bank of main pond.jpg
Description: Our lovely male pheasant enjoys some hazy sunshine in amongst the Primroses and Daffodils.
View: BU6_20200331_0759_342_SC2 Pheasant male with 2 females.jpg
Description: After months seeing just one female Pheasant on our patch, the male Pheasant
suddenly has 2 ladies to squire. Blonde and Brunette no less!
Date: 14 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200331_0954_032 Sparrowhawk female with bird snatched from peanut feeder in Talons 1 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: From the conservatory we saw this Sparrowhawk lands on the ground between
the Conservatory and Study windows. Our scrambling for a good view from the study
doesn't seem to bother the Sparrowhawk at all.
View: DF3_20200331_0954_034+038 Sparrowhawk female with bird snatched from peanut feeder in Talons 2+4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: As she finally took off we see that her left claw is firmly gripping some small bird
probably just captured from the nearby peanut feeder.
Date: 13 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200330_1234_020+022-024 Magpie taking off from flowering Blackthorn tree 1+3-5 of 5 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A Magpie launches from the blackthorn tree in blossom.
View: E63_20200330_1245_101_FB1 Blue Tit with Catkin pollen yellow-stained feathers around beak.jpg
Description: This Blue Tit's plumage almost glows.
Note the yellow staining of the white feathers at the base of the beak from feasting on Willow Catkins.
Date: 12 Apr 2020
View: E62_20200327_1441_079_FB5 Song Thrush (prob) with claws grasping Chaffinch male at throat (crop).jpg
Description: A skirmish at the meadow site here takes a more serious turn as what we think must
be a Song Thrush has grabbed a male Chaffinch at the throat with the claws
in some sort of territorial squabble.
Date: 11 Apr 2020
View: BU4_20200327_1425_106+108 Muntjac Reeves Deer female entering site in dappled light 1+3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The light seems just right at the moment for creatures in dappled sunlight.
Here this female Reeves Muntjac Deer wanders quietly into our patch
through an opening in the east hedge.
View: BU5_20200331_1413_220+222+1415_223_SC1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female stops at Round Pond for a drink 1+3+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A few days later a female Reeve's Muntjac Deer walks up to Round Pond for an afternoon
drink. The middle image shows her tongue 'licking her chops'.
Date: 10 Apr 2020
View: E64_20200327_0214_039_FB2 Badger.jpg
Description: Here Brock stops by the woodland camera site.
View: BU5_20200329_1604_054+1318_046+20200331_1413_221+20200329_1630_068_SC1 Round Pond (montage).jpg
Description: Come day-time, the sun sweeps around the Round pond, the shadow of the tree on which
this camera is mounted swings around with it.
Not quite the timed sequence it looks like, but you get the idea.
Date: 09 Apr 2020
View: E60_20200326_1715_020_FB3 Sparrowhawk female about to land on kitchen perch (crop 2).jpg
Description: The female Sparrowhawk takes a most satisfying selfie outside the kitchen window.
View: E60_20200326_1715_020_FB3 Sparrowhawk female about to land on kitchen perch (crop 1).jpg
Description: Here is the whole of the bird landing on the kitchen window perch.
Not as spectacular as the crop, but perhaps more informative.
Date: 08 Apr 2020
View: D5C_20200317_0852_103 Mallard pair in main pond Iris bed.jpg
Description: Mallard ducks appear a few times a day in the main pond for a feed and preen.
Away from the unnatural overcrowding and stress inducing public ponds,
you get none of the mass-attacks by heaps of males on any female that
appears.
View: BU7_20200314_1139_050 Mallard Duck male and female feeding in flooded ditch.jpg
Description: We were surprised to see that what is probably the same pair have found the
flooded ditch some 50m away on the other side of the house, and are having a
good feed in it. She is crossing from one mini-pool to the other, soon to be followed by him.
View: BU5_20200317_0340_037_SC1 Mallard Duck pair on water as Fox passes by at night (crop).jpg
Description: The Mallard Ducks seem to prefer the Round Pond for their night-time roost.
At the limit of the camera IR light's reach, here are the Ducks on the water
(brightness enhanced for clarity) as the Fox passes by on the bank.
The Fox can probably smell them but knows that ducks on the water are out of his reach.
View: BU5_20200318_0019_053_SC1 Mallard Duck pair on water as Fox passes by at night (crop).jpg
Description: The next night we again see the Mallard Duck pair safe from the passing fox.
Date: 07 Apr 2020
View: BU7_20200314_0815_041 Muntjac Reeves Deer female leaving ditch in dappled sunlight.jpg
Description: The female Reeve's Muntjac Deer has presumably jumped over the ditch,
and takes a delicate selfie in the dappled light.
View: BU2_20200314_0058_155+156_SC7 Fox and female Muntjac Reeves Deer sharing site 1+2 of 2 (montage over about 2 seconds).jpg
Description: You would think that a Fox and a Reeve's Muntjac Deer would be mortal enemies,
but we have now 'seen' this juxtaposition 4 times now since 13 July 2016,
always on this mound or at the nearby edge of Round Pond.
This montage shows moments a second or two apart - the left and right frames are as the original.
Date: 06 Apr 2020
View: BU7_20200317_0153_105-0315_124 Rodents using log over flooded ditch 1+2+4+6+8+9 of 9 (accurate montage in IR).jpg
Description: The new log at the ditch generated an unusually high number of pics over this one night.
It turns out to be a Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) (or perhaps more than one) scampering about on the log.
Here accurately montaged are 6 moments from the visits.
View: BU2_20200315_0634_235+236_SC7 2 Rabbits tumbling down slope of mound 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage over about 2 seconds).jpg
Description: Rabbits can be both territorial and hierarchical.
Here it looks like a little squabble gets out of hand, and the two combatants end
up rolling at some speed down the quite steep mound still locked together.
Probably about 2 seconds between these two frames.
Date: 05 Apr 2020
View: DF5_20200314_0930_058 Wood Pigeon eating Ash tree buds 6 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: This Wood Pigeon lands on very long Ash tree branch which drops half a metre
under their weight. Once the branch has stopped bouncing the Pigeon proceeds
to eat every bud conveniently within reach.
View: E62_20200318_1234_007_FB5 Wood Pigeon collecting twig.jpg
Description: This Wood Pigeon picks up a twig for the nest.
"This will match the current decor nicely".
Date: 04 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200309_1043_022 Kestrel female on conifer branch.jpg
Description: The 'local' female Kestrel tolerates our presence down to about 15m away.
Here she is in a Conifer watching us intently as we passed.
View: D01_20200313_1306_111+112_FB6 Kestrel female with worm at Meadow Post after bonfire 01+02 of 12 (montage over 400mS).jpg
Description: The automatic camera on the 'Meadow Post' captures this image of the female Kestrel
arriving with a worm in her left claws. These two images taken about 0.4 seconds apart.
View: D01_20200313_1309_126-1313_154_FB6 Kestrel female makes 9 min visit to Meadow Post 04+06+07+11 of 12 (montage).jpg
Description: After eating the worm the female Kestrel spends another 8 minutes intensively
studying the ground in the hope that a second helping is on offer.
Date: 03 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200306_1051_256 2 Rooks near nest.jpg
Description: Togetherness - Rook Style.
Two pairs of Rook near the nest guarding their temporary domicile.
View: D73_20200309_0722_005 Rook pair perched together 1 metre above nest.jpg
Description: Togetherness - Rook Style.
This Rook pair are perched about 1 metre above their nest.
View: D5C_20200311_0908_019 Mallard Duck pair visiting Main pond island.jpg
Description: Togetherness - Mallard Duck style.
Mallard ducks are visiting both the Round Pond (no good pics) and here the main pond.
After a good feed this pair have hauled out onto the island.
Date: 02 Apr 2020
View: D01_20200308_1628_023+024_FB6 Magpie with long thorn covered twig 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: This Magpie has picked up a thorn covered twig (probably last years Blackthorn)
but seems to have the right wing temporarily tangled in the thorns.
View: E62_20200308_1447_165_FB5 Magpie with beak smothered in mud (edge of frame).jpg
Description: At the edge of the frame we see this Magpie has a cargo of mud completely
smothering the beak.
Date: 01 Apr 2020
View: DF3_20200308_0704_021 Kestrel female sheltering in conifer (crop).jpg
Description: In some sunshine, but strong wind, we find this female Kestrel sheltering
in the Lee of this conifer at the South East corner of our patch.
View: DF3_20200308_0705_023-032 Kestrel female flying into leylandii 01+03+05+07+09+10 of 10 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel decides to fly past us down the East hedge and vanish into
this Leylandii. Accurately montaged at 7 fps but skipping some frames as you can
see from the numbering. The sunrise adds a warm glow.
Image Archive arch 2020 mar.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Mar 2020
View: E63_20200311_1650_098+1655_099_FB1 Pheasant male & female (accurate montage).jpg
Description: 5 minutes apart we catch a female Pheasant (right),
and the male in a quirky posture
View: BU4_20200307_0624_055-0624_057 Pheasant male making display call 1-4 of 4 (right to left spread montage).jpg
Description: The male pheasant, re-entering our patch at around dawn, makes one
of his characteristic display wing flaps to nobody in particular.
The 3 images to the left were originally all in the same place -
spread here to see the action.
Date: 30 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200306_1018_168-191 Rook carrying beakful of leaves to nest before breaking up clump & dropping some 2+4+6+7+9 of 9 (montage).jpg
Description: On the left this Rook returns to the nest with his beak overflowing with dry leaves.
He perches above the nest (middle) and procedes to 'massage' the heap until it
about a third of the original size (top right). Several of the discarded leaves
drift down, and this one lands in a vehicle rut right in front of us (bottom right).
View: DF3_20200306_1057_317+328+331 Rook flying to nest with several small twigs in beak 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This nest is getting a delivery of several small twigs as one beakful.
The bird bottom left, what we assume is the female, is watching the arrival.
View: E64_20200308_1438_092_FB2 Rook picking up beakful of assorted twigs.jpg
Description: This Rook picks up an assortment of twigs.
Date: 29 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200306_1237_404 Chaffinch male with blue coated beak perched in cherry blossom.jpg
Description: This male Chaffinch, complete with blue coated beak, find it hard
to compete with the glowing white of the Cherry Blossom
View: DF3_20200312_0937_031 Robin perched on hedge twig.jpg
Description: One of the many Robins, each in their own patch, perched on a really
old hedge covered in lichen opposite the front door.
View: E62_20200309_0556_192_FB5 Song Thrush (ID only).jpg
Description: A Song Thrush takes it's selfie with elegantly arched back.
Date: 28 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200306_0657_004 Rook carrying beakful of leaves to nest.jpg
Description: Another load of Autumn's leaves to line the nest, lit by the sun's early glow.
View: DF3_20200306_0658_010 Rook carrying twig to nest.jpg
Description: This bird's nest would appear to still require more reinforcement
before it gets it's lining of leaves
View: DF3_20200306_0727_092-110 Rook breaks off willow twig and flies off with it 1+2+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Despite the amount of broken twigs carpeting the woodland,
this Rook wants fresh springy wood from this Willow Tree.
Right to Left: waggle until it break, position it so you can fly
with it, and then head for the nest (hidden from us by the house).
Date: 27 Mar 2020
View: D73_20200305_1104_041+046 Kestrel female landing on mains wire connectors near concrete post 1+6 of 6 (approx montage).jpg
Description: While watching the local female Kestrel for about 25 minutes, we caught
this moment when she flew to the mains cable next to the concrete pole,
showing a wonderful spread of her feathers before she landed.
View: DF5_20200305_1044_036-D73_20200305_1108_074 Kestrel female 25 minute hunt in back garden 1-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel spent 25 minutes hunting around the south of the house.
She starts at the top of the concrete power pole, makes a dive down to the ground
out of view but returned 'empty taloned'. 15 minutes later she moves to hunt at the
front of the house, perching on a dead branch of an old pear tree.
She took off and we expect her to fly away, but she flies back to the cable next
to the top of the power pole. After a few minutes she flies down the wire about
10 metres, before finally flying off we know not where.
Date: 26 Mar 2020
View: E63_20200311_1713_102+1728_105_FB1 Yellowhammer male flying to and perched on stone (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A quarter of an hour apart, this male Yellowhammer is caught flying to the stone
and then perching on it.
View: DF3_20200302_0922_096 Yellowhammer female.jpg
Description: A dainty female Yellowhammer, no where near as bright as 'hubby', pecks around in the wet grass.
We have seen this bird and her male 'playing' together in the hedges, and hope they can find
somewhere good to nest.
Date: 25 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200302_1546_167 Rook in flight carrying twig 5 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: Another stick for the Rook nest.
The abnormal conditions have produced what seems to us an enormous amount
of dead branches and twigs lying all over the woodland.
The Corvids are treating the place as a 'click and collect builder's merchant'
View: D01_20200303_1737_095_FB6 Carrion Crow carrying short thick twig in beak landing on Meadow Post.jpg
Description: A Carrion crow touches down with a short but substantial stick.
So there must a be Crow's nest on our patch but we haven't found it yet.
This pair of Crows habitually build in evergreen trees, and it is
hard to spot from the ground with them high in the canopy.
View: E62_20200301_0856_133_FB5 Magpie collecting mud for nest.jpg
Description: The Magpies started nest building earlier than the Rooks or Carrion Crows.
This magpie is collecting mud to 'glue' the nest into shape.
Date: 24 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200302_0911_011 Rooks courtship feeding over just started nest 1 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: The Rooks have gone mad this week!
They are building nests in 3 of the 5 Black Poplars down the access track,
and 4 more nests in trees inside our plot.
These two are 'cementing' the pair bond with a little courtship feeding
over their just started nest.
View: DF3_20200302_0912_034-037 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 09-12 of 41 (approx montage @7fps).jpg
Description: At first we mainly saw twigs being transported to the nests which over 3 to 4 days grew
from 'nothing' to large enough to hide the birds inside.
View: DF3_20200302_0912_049-053 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 22-26 of 41 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: The flight continued to 'home tree' where the bird was hidden by all the twigs ...
View: DF3_20200302_0912_074 Rook flying to nest with twig in beak 41 of 41 (crop).jpg
Description: ... until landing on one of the thick branches and walking down to the beginnings of the nest,
still with the twig in the beak.
Date: 23 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200227_1555_003+013+108 Robin singing (montage).jpg
Description: This Robin sings 'at us' from a branch near the house.
Sadly, most of the song is lost to our ageing ears.
View: DF5_20200302_1024_001 Grey Squirrel on Pollarded willow.jpg
Description: A few years back we had to cut this Willow back because it was shading
out everything around. It responded with dozens of shoots while the old
wood just rots to the delight of the local insectivores.
This Grey Squirrel likes this spot to sunbathe in the mornings.
Date: 22 Mar 2020
View: E64_20200303_1547_190_FB2 Pheasant pair.jpg
Description: Several sightings of a pair of Pheasants this week, here at the hedge bottom site.
View: E64_20200226_1645_023_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: The male Pheasant nicely positioning himself in the camera frame.
His tail is longer than the rest of the bird.
Date: 21 Mar 2020
View: BU6_20200226_1331_073_SC2 2 Rooks landing in orchard.jpg
Description: 2 Rooks fly in together to see what the departing humans have left.
View: E62_20200226_1338_008_FB5 Rook pair feeding together.jpg
Description: 7 minutes later this pair of Rooks look over the just baited site in the meadow.
Date: 20 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200227_1226_034-036 Sparrowhawk male taking off from grass with prey in Talons 2-4 of 4 (approx montage @7 fps).jpg
Description: The Sparrowhawk flashed by the conservatory window but did not reappear on the
other side of the (once) 'miniature' conifer. Venturing quietly out with a
camera to see if he was still about, the bird spotted the cameraman
before the cameraman spotted him! The camera managed to catch these three
moments of the bird making his exit in front of the phone pole. A little
calculation based on the birds size and frame rate (about 7 fps) suggests about 15
mph - not bad for a standing start with a load in your Talons.
View: DF3_20200227_1226_036 Sparrowhawk male taking off from grass with prey in Talons 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: So what did the make Sparrowhawk catch? This is an enhanced version of the bird on
the right of the montage, and is certainly a small bird of some kind,
the bird's face between the orange specks and the white feathers.
Most likely it is one of our many Blue Tits, but it looks like it might be our
currently arrived Tree Sparrow.
Date: 19 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200227_1103_013 Kestrel female on telephone pole footrest.jpg
Description: The fairly tolerant female Kestrel watches us walking along the track some 15m away.
View: DF3_20200227_1104_020-023 Kestrel female launching from telephone pole footrest 1-4 of 4 (mixed exposure accurate montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel decided to depart - here is her departure in this accurate montage.
Date: 18 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200225_0956_146-152 Red Kite eating prey in Talons while banking in flight 1+3+5+7 of 8 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: Having escaped an annoying Rook, this Red Kite brings the prey
forwards in the Talons to have a bit of it as an in-flight snack.
This is about half a second of action.
View: DF3_20200225_0956_154+156+158 Red Kite eating prey in Talons flying past Contrail 01+03+05 of 12 (close space montage).jpg
Description: The bird completes their turn, and we get a profile view of the bird pulling off
a bit of the unlucky prey.
View: DF3_20200225_0956_161-164 Red Kite eating prey in Talons flying past Contrail 08-11 of 12 (approx montage).jpg
Description: As the Red Kite flew upwards and away, the birds head is just going down for
another peck, as the bird serendipitously passes against an airliner contrail.
Date: 17 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200225_0814_002 Tree Sparrow.jpg
Description: Out first sighting of a Tree Sparrow since the middle of last year.
We normally first spot them on Peanut feeders but spotted this one
in a tree near the front door.
View: DF3_20200225_1307_184 Yellowhammer male.jpg
Description: This male Yellowhammer has suddenly become a regular sighting at this concrete
block where we often leave a scattering of corn.
Date: 16 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200225_0816_006 Cherry Blossom against dark-blue sky (crop 2).jpg
Description: For a short time there is not a cloud in the sky to disturb this
Cherry Blossom providing a flourish of Spring.
View: DF3_20200223_1100_062 Primrose flowering on north facing shaded bank.jpg
Description: Primroses can be found at many sites over the plot - here on the North face of a
mound in constant shade, but otherwise sheltered, wet with dew.
Date: 15 Mar 2020
View: E64_20200222_1426_085_FB2 Pheasant male leaping to avoid Grey Squirrel attack 1 of 2 (crop 1).jpg
Description: Teeth and claws vs. beak and spur. The next image (not shown)
surprisingly shows us that the Pheasant 'won' this contest.
View: E64_20200222_1426_085_FB2 Pheasant male leaping to avoid Grey Squirrel attack 1 of 2 (crop 2).jpg
Description: A different crop shows just the male Pheasant leap.
Oh for more image at the top!
View: E64_20200223_1630_114_FB2 Pheasant male leaping to avoid Grey Squirrel attack (crop).jpg
Description: Next day we get a repeat performance probably between the same individuals.
View: E64_20200223_1345_105_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: The male Pheasant is apparently undamaged from his encounters with the Grey Squirrel.
Date: 14 Mar 2020
View: BU7_20200218_0236_029+0237_036 Muntjac Reeves Deer female & then male by ditch (montage 1 minute apart).jpg
Description: Inside one minute female and then male Reeves Muntjac Deer pass over the same
point by the ditch. Undoubtedly the male was 'following' as they do!
View: BU7_20200218_0237_038+039 Muntjac Reeves Deer male leaping over ditch 2+3 of 3 (accurate montage over 1 to 2 seconds).jpg
Description: A minute later the male Reeve's Muntjac deer leaps over the water.
It seems likely that the female crossed over out of frame to the left.
The positions here do look a bit odd, but this is a genuine accurate
montage taken at most 2 seconds apart.
Date: 13 Mar 2020
View: E60_20200217_1811_007_FB3+D01_20200217_1756_029_FB6 Tawny Owl landing on Meadow Post & Kitchen perch (montage 15mins apart).jpg
Description: The local Tawny Owl visited the Meadow post for a couple of minutes (right),
then went hunting away from the cameras before arriving 15 minutes later
at the Kitchen Window perch for an unknown length of stay.
View: BU7_20200217_1815_016 Owl Flying over flooded ditch.jpg
Description: About 5 minutes later, the camera at the ditch entrance catches this Owl
flying along the ditch. We have to assume that it is the same Tawny Owl.
Date: 12 Mar 2020
View: E60_20200217_1126_002_FB3 Sparrowhawk female flying over kitchen feeder (crop).jpg
Description: This female Sparrowhawk has established an interesting hunting regime where
several times a day she flashes by the south of the house past the feeder outside
the study, loops round the east of the house and, as you see here, does a similar
pass over (sometimes under) the bird table and peanut feeder outside the kitchen.
Once in a while she goes in the opposite direction.
Now that 'Sparrows' are not 'as common as muck' perhaps we ought to rename
'Sparrowhawks' as 'Tit-hawks'.
Date: 11 Mar 2020
View: D73_20200216_0820_323-331 Kestrel female flying over waterlogged crop 01-09 of 17 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel initially flew away over the waterlogged fields.
This 17 frames sequence is accurately montaged at 10 fps, here cut in two to make the
bird images more than specks.
View: D73_20200216_0820_332-339 Kestrel female flying over waterlogged crop 10-17 of 17 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel initially flew away over the waterlogged fields.
This 17 frames sequence is accurately montaged at 10 fps, here cut in two to make the
bird images more than specks.
View: D73_20200216_0820_336-339 Kestrel female flying over waterlogged crop 14-17 of 17 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: The last 4 images from the above montage for more satisfying detail of the female Kestrel.
View: D73_20200216_0822_512 Kestrel female on footrest of disused Telephone pole.jpg
Description: We thought that would be 'bye-bye', but she circled round and finally landed on one of her
favourite perches on a disused telephone pole. We decided to leave her in peace.
Date: 10 Mar 2020
View: D01_20200215_1304_129+130_FB6 Kestrel female short visit to meadow post into light rain 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel made several appearances over a couple of days.
This is always the same individual - we can always find the single grey
feather in her otherwise brown tail.
View: D73_20200216_0817_227 Kestrel female hanging in strong headwind with Alulae pronounced.jpg
Description: The bird flew past us and we caught this view with the Alulae (Alula plural) - the birds
'Thumb' with a few feathers on it - deployed to the same effect as a aeroplanes flaps.
Her head was motionless as she hung in the wind, continuously adjusting the angles of her
wings and tail. You can see the Grey tail feather quite well here.
View: D73_20200216_0819_293-295+0820_297+298 Kestrel female pouncing on prey at crop margin 1-3+5+6 of 6 (spread montage @10fps).jpg
Description: From a 'hang in the wind' hover the female Kestrel dived down onto the gully
at the edge of the crop - only 10m away but just out of our view. Darn!
View: D73_20200216_0820_311+312 Kestrel female flying over waterlogged crop 1+2 of 2 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: We didn't move, but the Kestrel launched out of the mud and started to fly away.
Date: 09 Mar 2020
View: D01_20200215_0834_124+0931+126_FB6 Magpie collecting mud and twigs for nest 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: More stuff for the Magpie nest - a sort of wattle and daub in corvid style.
View: BU7_20200215_0942_033 Magpie picking up fallen twig on edge of ditch.jpg
Description: Down in the ditch another twig is selected to build the Magpies' really
substantial nest
Date: 08 Mar 2020
View: BU7_20200214_2157_025-027 Badger walking through flooded ditch (repeated 2hrs later) 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: This badger decided to walk across the flooded ditch.
Maybe it was so wet already that a paddle wasn't going to make things worse.
View: BU2_20200217_0110_235+237+0112_244_SC7 2 Badgers courting on Round Mound 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Amorous Badgers: First a chase up the mound, a circle around the tree,
before getting entwined on the lower shallow slope.
View: BU5_20200217_2148_046_SC1 Badger pair at edge of Round Pond.jpg
Description: The following night most probably the same pair of badgers foraging together.
Date: 07 Mar 2020
View: E62_20200213_1642_044_FB5 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: The male Pheasant walks past the camera like he owns the place - in his way he does.
View: E64_20200216_1527_143_FB2 Pheasant male.jpg
Description: "I think my other side is even more magnificent"
View: E64_20200218_0723_052_FB2 Pheasant pair.jpg
Description: One of the first sightings of our male Pheasant with one of his wives.
She is casting a shadow across his chest, but undoubtedly not over his ardour.
Date: 06 Mar 2020
View: E64_20200211_1552_059_FB2 Grey Squirrel collecting dry leaves for Drey.jpg
Description: As much dry leaf as can be crammed into the mouth of this Grey Squirrel
on its way to reinforce the Drey.
View: BU7_20200212_0840_026 Magpie with twig in beak.jpg
Description: This Magpie pauses with yet another twig to add to the nest.
View: DF3_20200212_1326_042 Snowdrop clumps in orchard showing tree trunk shaded part not yet open (orig & final).jpg
Description: Snowdrops love a bit of sunshine!
In this clump those in the shade of the tree trunk have not yet opened their flowers.
Date: 05 Mar 2020
View: D01_20200209_1913_101_FB6 Barn Owl landing on Meadow post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Despite strong winds, this Barn Owl stopped by on the Meadow post for
less than a minute, though we had sighting of the bird continuing to hunt
from a more sheltered perch.
View: D01_20200213_2352_061_FB6 Barn Owl landing on meadow post face partly hidden by wings (crop).jpg
Description: The 'slightly coy' midnight Barn Owl stops by for a brief visit.
Date: 04 Mar 2020
View: D01_20200211_0440_007-0509-029_FB6 Tawny Owl 3 visits to meadow post over 30 minutes 1-6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: Over half an hour this Tawny Owl made 3 visits to the meadow post.
The bird didn't bring back any successful catches, but may have eaten
any where caught.
View: E62_20200211_2016_094_FB5 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice).jpg
Description: 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at an Owl feeding site?
Actually, when we see Owls with a catch it is usually a Vole rather than a
mouse, whilst Volves are only occasionally seen at these photo sites.
Date: 03 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200207_1526_061-072 Kestrel female landing on 11kV crossbar 03-05+07+11+14 of 14 (approx montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel has been a regular sighting for a few weeks.
Despite being only 20m away from us she landed on this crossbar.
Enjoy her shadows moving up the post (accurately montaged along with the bird).
View: DF3_20200207_1530_097-1531_119 Kestrel female pounces on Prey in grass & flies off 01-05+08-10 of 17 (hor spread montage).jpg
Description: 5 minutes later the female Kestrel has moved about 150m east and we watched her
pouncing on some unsuspecting creature in the grass by the hedge.
She only spent a few seconds on the ground, so we think she missed her target.
Date: 02 Mar 2020
View: E60_20200213_1613_006_FB3 Sparrowhawk female on kitchen bird table (crop).jpg
Description: A female Sparrowhawk takes an elegant selfie outside the kitchen.
View: E60_20200206_1448_003_FB3 Sparrowhawk male flying over kitchen feeder (crop).jpg
Description: This male Sparrowhawk flashes by over the bird table.
This week we had 3 sightings of a Sparrowhawk flashing past the windows,
but too quick to gender, but we know that both male and female quarter our patch.
Date: 01 Mar 2020
View: DF3_20200203_1230_097-101 Kestrel female taking off from grass 1-5 of 6 (20pc stretched montage).jpg
Description: From the top of the old telephone pole the female Kestrel flew over the farm road, landed in a hedge
tree, then dived down onto the grass below, out of our view.
She shortly re-emerged, and here caught her departure,
seeing (unusually) mainly the top of the bird when in flight.
View: D01_20200203_1656_027_FB6 Kestrel female with single grey tail feather landing back to camera on meadow post.jpg
Description: In the above montage, and more clearly here, you can see that this female has
a single Grey tail feather to the left - a tail with the female markings but male colour.
Gender just isn't simple is it!
Image Archive arch 2020 feb.htm (view it Here)
Date: 29 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200203_1004_013+014+018+022 Kestrel female lands on 11kV cable spots human and flies off 01-04 of 27 (spread montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel flew up to the 11kV cables to make a delicate landing facing into the wind ...
View: DF3_20200203_1005_028-037 Kestrel female lands on 11kV cable spots human and flies off 05-14 of 27 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: ... but after just a second or two she noticed our presence and quietly launched back into flight.
View: DF3_20200203_1229_056+074 Kestrel female on step on disused Telephone pole footrest then flies to top (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A couple of hours later presumably the same bird was perched on the top
rung of the disused telephone pole (bottom).
For some reason, she took off but immediately landed back on the top of the pole.
Date: 28 Feb 2020
View: BU7_20200202_0152_018-0153_027 Muntjac Reeves Deer female crossing ditch 1+2+6+8 of 8 (approx montage).jpg
Description: The temporarily flooded ditch is now firm enough to allow the Reeve's Muntjac Deer to walk across.
View: BU7_20200205_2203_043-045 Badger crossing ditch 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: The now fairly dry ditch is now no longer an obstacle for the badger
who trundles quietly through the night.
View: BU7_20200203_2219_010 Polecat streaking across ditch.jpg
Description: The Polecat is also happy to cross the ditch, but at such a speed that
the one frame each second or two is too slow to catch more than one image.
Date: 27 Feb 2020
View: BU7_20200205_0959_030 Magpie on tree bole carrying twig in beak.jpg
Description: Each year a pair of Magpies make a nest in a tree near to the
south edge of our patch. Here a Magpie tries to pick up an awkwardly shaped
twig to add to one of the nests 'under construction'.
View: E64_20200105_2242_169+20200203_1854_047_FB2 Rabbit with Myxomatosis recovers with scars (montage 1 month apart).jpg
Description: The picture on the left (taken 5 Jan 2020) show a Rabbit stricken with
Myxomatosis.
A month later we see the same rabbit (confirmed by ear damage detail) apparently
recovered save for the few scars showing in the facial fur.
Date: 26 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200201_1505_091 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind 009 of 106 (crop).jpg
Description: The Red Kite circling the patch provided some good opportunities for photos.
View: DF3_20200201_1506_234-238 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind 047-051 of 106 (montage).jpg
Description: The Red Kite circling the patch provided some good opportunities for photos.
View: DF3_20200201_1506_283-316 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind 054-061 of 106 (montage).jpg
Description: The Red Kite circling the patch provided some good opportunities for photos.
View: DF3_20200201_1507_406-416 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind 094-104 of 106 (montage alt frames).jpg
Description: And away the Red Kite flies to the south.
Date: 25 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200201_1505_106 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind 014 of 106 (crop).jpg
Description: Stepping out of the house revealed this Red Kite hanging close by in the sky,
facing into the wind and sun.
The bird proceeded to make 3 slow circles over about 3 minutes.
The enforced slow progress provided
a rare opportunity here for lots of Red Kite Photos.
View: DF3_20200201_1505_127 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind top view 015 of 106 (crop).jpg
Description: A chance for the view of the top of the Red Kite's wings properly lit.
View: DF3_20200201_1505_077+082 Red Kite 3 minutes circling in strong wind comparing iris 006+008 of 106 (montage).jpg
Description: Sun in you eye, or not, changes the size of your, or this Red Kite's, Iris.
Date: 24 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200131_1032_071-1039_085_FB6 Kestrel female lands on post with Vole in talons & eats it 01+03+11+15 of 20 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel arrives at the meadow post with a Vole in her
talons, then rips it to bits and eats it over about 8 minutes.
View: D01_20200131_1040_088_FB6 Kestrel female lands on post with Vole in talons & eats it 18 of 20 (crop).jpg
Description: After her meal she did a short circle round the post and landed again
for reasons we can only guess.
Date: 23 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200130_0944_003_FB6 Wood Pigeon landing on meadow post.jpg
Description: A Wood Pigeon aerobrakes for touchdown.
View: D01_20200201_1321_109_FB6 Rook landing on meadow post.jpg
Description: A Rook makes an accurate landing on the Meadow post.
View: D01_20200203_0549_167-0552_171_FB6 Barn Owl 3 minute visit to Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl lands on the Meadow Post and stays for a few minutes.
Date: 22 Feb 2020
View: BU7_20200101_0351_028 Otter running along ditch end (crop).jpg
Description: The new year 2020 was ushered in by this image of an Otter running along
a soggy ditch along our south hedge just before 4 a.m on 1 Jan 2020.
This is the first sighting we have of an Otter on our site, taken by a
temporarily installed Trail-cam to see what was using an obvious ingress
through the hedge.
View: 20160409_163822+163901 Otter found dead at edge of Haversham Road (via John Marshall) (montage).jpg
Description: A search of our archive found that 4 years ago the then farmer across the road
had sent us pics of an Otter he found dead near the roadside.
So they have been in the area for a few years, but not visiting our previous photo sites.
Date: 21 Feb 2020
View: E60_20200129_1131_024_FB3 Sparrowhawk male in flight.jpg
Description: The Day Shift:
The male Sparrowhawk (with his 'mad yellow eye') - photographs himself as he fails
in yet another pass over the bird table and peanut feeder.
View: D01_20200127_2024_050_FB6 Barn Owl landing.jpg
Description: The Night Shift:
A Snowy Ghost in the night, this (ringless) Barn Owl takes just this one
pic of themselves in the whole week.
Date: 20 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200127_0947_001-006 Kestrel female flying across meadow (montage @7fps).jpg
Description: On stepping out of the back door, this female Kestrel goes whizzing across the meadow
and out of sight. Accurate spacing at about 7fps.
View: DF3_20200127_0953_009 Kestrel female perched in conifer at SE corner.jpg
Description: Just 6 minutes later, walking around the outside of our patch, we find
her (presumably the same individual) perched in a conifer at our South East
corner. Eventually our walk along the paths (about 20m away) got just that bit
too close for her comfort, and she flew North ...
View: DF3_20200127_0956_035 Kestrel female perched in Cherry tree at NE corner.jpg
Description: ... to land in a Cherry Tree at out North East corner where she let us walk
by about 30m away without a fuss.
Date: 19 Feb 2020
View: E64_20200127_0409_190_FB2 Badger on rainy night.jpg
Description: A pristine Badger stops by at the Woodland site.It was raining, but this site is
sheltered by a large conifer tree that helps keep it dry.
View: BU7_20200129_0406_061+062 Badger walking across ditch 1+2 of 6 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This ditch has recently been flooded enough to encourage Badgers to find a better place
to cross, but now that the water has subsided the Badgers can walk across again.
View: DF3_20200129_1303_066 Badger digging near Round Mound (orig & final).jpg
Description: All over the site we find these Badger scrapes where they have been
looking for worms and other invertebrates.
Date: 18 Feb 2020
View: D5C_20200126_0912_082 Grey Squirrel wrapped around peanut feeder.jpg
Description: The comfy way to eat peanuts from this feeder - wrap yourself
around it and scrape away at the nuts.
For a couple of years we have been unable to use these feeders because
all 'wildlife' peanut supplies have been so small that the Squirrels would empty
the feeders in a day, simply pulling the nuts out through the holes.
View: D5C_20200126_1347_086 Grey Squirrel reaching for peanuts with tail gripping post.jpg
Description: Grey Squirrels are amazingly limber, assisted by their '5th limb' - their tail.
Here the back of the squirrel is resting on the top of the right hand post,
and the tail is bent over the side of the post to stop them sliding off.
View: D5C_20200128_1415_068-1416_090 Grey Squirrel circling peanut feeder 2-4+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: When we have put out this type of large un-caged Peanut feeder Grey Squirrels
often work their way around the bottom, scraping out fragments of
peanut. This series over a couple of minutes.
Date: 17 Feb 2020
View: E63_20200123_1247_044_FB1 Blue Tit taking off from stone with seed in beak.jpg
Description: Seed in beak (and probably several more in the crop), the Blue Tit
launches to find a safe place to digest his 'winnings'.
View: E63_20200129_1233_190_FB1 Blackbird male landing on stone 2 days apart.jpg
Description: This male Blackbird lands elegantly on the stone.
Date: 16 Feb 2020
View: E63_20200123_0918_015_FB1 Grey Squirrel standing upright on stone.jpg
Description: This Grey Squirrel stands upright on the stone for a better view
of the overcast surroundings.
View: D5C_20200124_1409_031 Grey Squirrel juvenile nervously waiting on grass outside kitchen.jpg
Description: Outside the Kitchen window this small (presumably juvenile) Grey Squirrel
watches the world nervously from the ground.
View: E64_20200125_1325_127_FB2 Grey Squirrel shaking head (200th Sec + flash).jpg
Description: A Grey squirrel having a good 'shake out' defeats both the high-speed
camera flash and the 1/200 Sec camera shutter to produce this unusual rendition.
Date: 15 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200122_1056_056+059+061 Kestrel female preening on 11kV cable 2-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel was preening on an 11kV cable near the blocked gate. After a
few minutes she flew off and we continued walking along the farm paths and Road.
View: DF3_20200122_1101_065+066+069+076 Kestrel male dives to ground from 11kV cable & flies away 1-4 of 4 (acc montage + insert).jpg
Description: 250m along we see a Kestrel also on 11kV cable, this time clearly scanning the
ground for a meal. More distant, and difficult to make out in the overcast conditions,
we assumed that it was the same bird, but we now see that this is the male!
After a couple of minutes the bird plunges to the ground, stays for several
seconds, mostly hidden in the crop, before flying away through a thin bit of hedge.
Date: 14 Feb 2020
View: E62_20200122_0153_075_FB5 Fox at meadow site (crop).jpg
Description: This apparently solitary fox fits nicely into the camera frame for this portrait.
View: BU6_20200122_0215_313+314+316_SC2 2 Foxes in Orchard 1-3 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Less than an hour later these 2 foxes spend a minute or two quartering the
orchard 'grass'. Probably just looking out for a snack, but perhaps with
'romance' on their minds.
View: BU5_20200116_1928_123_SC1 Fox walking on edge of Round Pond with Rabbit (q) in mouth.jpg
Description: This Fox walking along the edge of Round Pond appears to have a young Rabbit in
their mouth.
Date: 13 Feb 2020
View: E60_20200120_0918_002_FB3 Sparrowhawk male catching Blue Tit (crop).jpg
Description: This image is the first close up and clear image we have of a predator in the
act of a kill. The fact that the camera was triggered despite the male
Sparrowhawk being well above the sense beam suggests that the Blue Tit saw the
threat coming and took off, but the Sparrowhawk was too quick.
View: E60_20200120_0936_003_FB3 Sparrowhawk male flying over kitchen bird table (crop).jpg
Description: "That was good - lets try for another"
15 minutes later the male Sparrowhawk makes another pass you see
here, and yet another 5 hours later, and then no more for days.
Date: 12 Feb 2020
View: E62_20200118_1737_146_FB5+D01_1707_079_FB6 Tawny Owl pouncing on Prey at meadow site (crop + mirror insert on post).jpg
Description: This Tawny Owl has to be pouncing on some unfortunate rodent, but we can't see
whether or what it catches. 30 minutes before, what was almost certainly the
same bird was watching this site from the top of the meadow post.
View: E63_20200122_2021_167_FB1 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) inspecting fir cone.jpg
Description: A pristine little Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) investigates a still closed fir-cone in
the dark of the night. Watch out for Owls!
Date: 11 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200117_0727_003+0731_005+0734_009_FB6 Kestrel female on meadow post 1+2+4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel spends a few minutes grooming on the meadow post
half an hour before sunrise.
View: DF3_20200118_1353_050 Kestrel female on foot bracket on disused Phone pole by south hedge 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Next day this female Kestrel is on the lowest 'step' (perhaps 3.5m high) of
disused telephone pole. She was quite tolerant as we walked down the path 20m
away, but eventually she flew off back into our patch.
Date: 10 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200116_1130_056_FB6 Kestrel female 6 minute visit after eating rodent - launching 09 of 10 (crop).jpg
Description: Here the photographer caught the moment of this female Kestrel
crouching down about to spring into the air.
View: D01_20200116_1130_055-057_FB6 Kestrel female 6 minute visit after eating rodent 8-10 of 10 (montage).jpg
Description: Here is a little more of the sequence - unfortunately only
'two-and-a-half' birds!
Date: 09 Feb 2020
View: BU7_20200115_0106_004+005 Badger arrives at flooded ditch and turns back 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Badgers are stolid animals with short but powerful legs that
undoubtedly can't jump very far. So rather than get a soaking crossing the
ditch this Badger turns back to look for a better crossing place (there are plenty).
View: BU7_20200115_2021_015+20200116_0705_019 Muntjac Reeves Deer leaping over flooded ditch (montage).jpg
Description: The following day we see the different approach taken by the much
more lithe Reeve's Muntjac Deer - just jump over the water!
Admission - these two taken 10 hours apart at each end of the same
night, but we don't think a misrepresentation.
Date: 08 Feb 2020
View: E64_20200113_1419_061_FB2 Grey Squirrel looking over log (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: An almost posed Grey squirrel, paws resting on the log as she looks over.
Date: 07 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200116_1122_015+016+1123_017_FB6 Kestrel female lands on meadow post rodent in talons & eats it 1-3 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: Here this female Kestrel arrives on the meadow post with some sort of rodent in
her Talons, and proceeds to break it up to eat in pieces.
View: D01_20200116_1123_018_FB6 Kestrel female lands on meadow post with rodent in talons and eats it 4 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This is a detailed version of the image following the 3 above, complete with the gruesome
remains of the partially consumed Rodent.
View: D01_20200116_1125_022-1128_046_FB6 Kestrel female 6 minute visit after eating rodent 01+02+04+05 of 10 (montage).jpg
Description: After eating the rodent the female Kestrel left momentarily and
then returned for a few minutes. She is digesting her lunch,
occasionally pecking at a talon with her beak - cleaning the
utensils? Bottom left is a rather quirky angle to catch.
Date: 06 Feb 2020
View: E63_20200111_1311_193_FB1 Magpie with beak full of dried fruits.jpg
Description: Raisins and other dried fruit crammed into the beak before somebody else
comes and grabs it!
View: E63_20200114_1509_161_FB1 Blue Tit and Blackbird female feeding together.jpg
Description: A Blue Tit and female Blackbird share the recently arrived offerings.
They had better get on with it - the Squirrels and Corvids will soon arrive!
NOT a montage.
View: E63_20200109_1326_053-20200110_1134_113_FB1 Yellowhammer male + Blue Tit (twice) + Chaffinch male + Great Tit (montage).jpg
Description: An opportunity to compare four of our small bird species in a single montage.
Date: 05 Feb 2020
View: E60_20200111_0943_016_FB3 Sparrowhawk flying above kitchen perch (crop 1).jpg
Description: This female Sparrowhawk takes an atypically sharp photo of
herself flying over the kitchen window perch and bird table.
View: DF5_20200116_1203_006+010+011+1204_016 Sparrowhawk female perched on sunny willow stump 1-3+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: We spotted this female Sparrowhawk on the stump of the Willow
tree on the other side of the main pond, staying for a few
minutes. On one occasion (top right and bottom left) she gets
knocked off balance by an unexpected gust of wind.
Date: 04 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200114_2326_063+2330_071+2332_075_FB6 Tawny Owl 11 minute visit and departure in rain 3+5+7 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: What looks like the 'local' Tawny Owl pays a midnight visit which includes the
departure. It was pouring with rain ...
View: D01_20200114_2329_069_FB6 Tawny Owl 11 minute visit and departure in rain 4 of 7 (crop).jpg
Description: ... as you see here in a frame between the two leftmost images above
View: D01_20200109_1818_025-1827_039_FB6 Tawny Owl 21 minute visit to meadow post in heavy rain 1+3-5 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: Heavy rain on this night does not seem to discourage this Tawny Owl, who spends
over 20 minutes getting visibly wetter as the bird stands in the rain.
Date: 03 Feb 2020
View: E62_20200104_1231_109_FB5 Blackbird female with worm in beak.jpg
Description: "OK - the worm is out of the ground.
How do I swallow it when it wraps itself around my beak?"
View: DF5_20200105_1008_018 Long-tailed Tits at peanut feeder.jpg
Description: Long-tailed Tits are nervous birds we get to see only intermittently.
Here are 4 inside, and one on the top of a peanut feeder that is Squirrel-resistant
so long as we remember to fit the clip and cable-tie to hold on the top!
View: E63_20200108_1535_111_FB1 Magpie + Grey Squirrel + Pheasant female (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: It's Tea Time!
NOT a montage, though reduced width.
Date: 02 Feb 2020
View: D01_20200102_1942_031_FB6 Barn owl landing on Meadow Post (crop).jpg
Description: The Barn Owl visits occasionally, but at the moment we see the
landing but the bird moves on within a minute.
View: D01_20200104_0122_049_FB6 Barn owl landing on Meadow Post (crop).jpg
Description: The Barn Owl visits occasionally, but at the moment we see the
landing but the bird moves on within a minute.
View: D01_20200108_0217_041_FB6 Barn Owl rising up to land on meadow post.jpg
Description: The Barn Owl visits occasionally, but at the moment we see the
landing but the bird moves on within a minute.
Same text 3 times? Well it is Groundhog Day!
Date: 01 Feb 2020
View: DF3_20200103_1533_058 Muntjac Reeves Deer female watching photographer along path 3 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: The female Reeve's Muntjac Deer and photographer eye each other before
she trots down the path to the right and, as usual, vanishes.
View: E62_20200109_0552_187_FB5 Polecat (crop).jpg
Description: This Polecat speeds through the Meadow camera's field of view for this portrait.
Parts of the face are so white that they are 'burned out' in the original.
View: BU7_20200104_0456_016 Fox entering through south hedge about to cross water in ditch.jpg
Description: A temporary camera placed near the SW corner of our patch catches this lovely fox
just about to tackle the perhaps 20cm deep water in the ditch.
Image Archive arch 2020 jan.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Jan 2020
View: D01_20200102_1710_023-1712_027_FB6 Tawny owl 8 minute visit to meadow post 1+3+2 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: There are nearly nightly Tawny Owl visits in the last few days.
Date: 30 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191229_1044_071-084 Kestrel female hovering + diving + pulling upward 01-14 of 14 (montage accurate 03-14).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel has been hunting intensively over the farm's fields.
Here she turns a hover into a dive to the ground, but presumably her
prey 'did a runner' and the bird pulls out of her dive.
Unfortunately photographer has already 'lost' her against the hedge and carried
on panning downwards to the landing that didn't happen, so losing focus on the bird
as she flies away.
View: DF3_20200101_1221_055-057+064 Rook flying to 11kV pole top then joined by another 01-03+10 of 13 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A Rook makes an elegant landing on the coupling cable of a rather complex 'T-junction'
on the 11kV overhead cabling.
This bird was soon joined by their 'spouse' on the other side of the top insulator.
Date: 29 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191228_1844_041_FB6 Barn Owl (no ring) 7 minute visit to meadow post 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Oh what a gorgeous bird is the Barn Owl!
This species of owl just must not let the delicate feathers get drenched, so hunting
over the past few weeks has been very restricted by the endless rain.
View: D01_20200101_0245_070+0354_076+0353_074_FB6 Barn Owl 2 3 minute visits over 1 hour (montage).jpg
Description: After new-years midnight this Barn Owl makes a couple of 3 minute
visits to the meadow post a bit over an hour apart.
Date: 28 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191228_1226_009 Groundsel near farm entrance 28 Dec 2019 (orig & final).jpg
Description: Its the silly season for plants this year - here is a small carpet of freshly
flowering Groundsel along the crop edge 3 days before the end of the year.
There are also a few Red Campion and Dandelion flowers to be found
in not particularly sheltered spots.
View: DF3_20200101_0905_031 Green Alkanet flowering on New-years day.jpg
Description: Flowering Green Alkanet on the first day of the year along our access track.
Crazy - a whole line of fresh growth in winter.
Date: 27 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191227_2241_025+2245_033_FB6+E62_2246_118_FB5 Tawny Owl 5 min visit to post then flyby Meadow 1+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: This Tawny Owl spends 5 minutes on the meadow post, and is last seen there
crouching low and facing the Meadow camera site ... at which he promptly makes
a flyby catching his image (but apparently NOT any prey) as the bird passes.
The right edge of this montage is the edge of what we got.
View: D01_20191231_1837_028-1844_058_FB6 Tawny Owl 2 visits and flyby in 2 hours 1+5+6+flyby of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A couple of hours after dark this Tawny Owl makes two visits to the post, and
a couple of hours later flies by the post without landing.
Date: 26 Jan 2020
View: E62_20191221_1254_142_FB5 Magpie manoeuvering food in tip of beak with tongue.jpg
Description: This Magpie has picked up something in the tip of the beak, and is using their
tongue to manoeuvre it down the beak.
Bird tongues are generally rather inflexible compared to mammals, but
they do the job.
View: E63_20191222_1300_220_FB1 Magpie picking kernel from corn cob.jpg
Description: This Magpie seems quite happy to just peck off the remaining fragments
of Kernel from this cooked corn cob as pieces 'in-situ' ...
View: E64_20191221_1251_126_FB2 Grey squirrel carrying away eaten half corn-cob.jpg
Description: ... while this Grey Squirrel has decided to carry off the whole half-corn
cob to finish the bits the humans teeth can't reach, without risk of interruption.
Date: 25 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191224_1225_003+004+006+013 Buzzard flying up to land in tree at brook 1+2+4+6 of 6 (approx montage @ 7fps).jpg
Description: Sometimes when we arrive just north of the farm entrance a Buzzard appears from
a perch we have not yet identified and flies 100 metres along the line of the brook
to perch in this tree.
Date: 24 Jan 2020
View: E62_20191220_1401_109_FB5 Rook pair whole birds.jpg
Description: This pair of Rooks reminded us of a wedding photo.
Perhaps not, but they are together by choice.
View: E62_20191220_1401_109_FB5 Rook pair head detail.jpg
Description: A detail from the above. We think Rooks have 'lovely' interesting faces.
View: E62_20191222_1316_191_FB5 Rook landing on grass.jpg
Description: A Rook landing on the grass at the meadow site.
The woodland behind is now mostly leafless and allows in quite
a lot of sunlight, so it doesn't look 'black' as it does in summer.
Date: 23 Jan 2020
View: BU6_20191219_1758_409+410_SC2 Tawny Owl apparently carrying prey 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl catching what we think was a small bird (see below) at the end of
the orchard after dark when small birds are roosting.
The frame on the right is the same area perhaps 2 seconds later
so you can differentiate bird and prey from ground detail.
View: BU6_20191220_2104_586-588_SC2 Tawny Owl landing and standing at end of orchard 1-3 of 3 (IR montage over a few seconds).jpg
Description: Next night the Tawny owl turns up again at the end of the orchard.
This time there is no prey obviously showing.
These pics over 'a few seconds', arrival at the left.
View: D01_20191224_1642_045-1651_063_FB6 Tawny Owl 10+ minute visit 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: 4 days later this Tawny Owl is really active, landing on the Meadow post at the
left in the usual 'rising up' flight pattern.
Date: 22 Jan 2020
View: E60_20191219_1359_012_FB3 Sparrowhawk female flyby and later perch at kitchen window 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: Following several visual fleeting sightings, the female Sparrowhawk landed on
the 'bird table' part of the kitchen perch for this lovely portrait.
The legs and claws look incredibly 'lightweight' for the killing
they have to do. The claws look almost needle-like stilettos.
Date: 21 Jan 2020
View: E60_20191215_1646_033_FB3 Tawny Owl on Kitchen perch.jpg
Description: The local Tawny Owl lands on the kitchen perch.
This bird also visited the Meadow Post but this is the best pic on this day.
View: D01_20191216_2307_031_FB6 Tawny Owl 3 minute visit 1 of 3 (crop).jpg
Description: Next day this Tawny Owl visits the meadow post for just 3 minutes.
Here is the talons-forward landing, rising up from just below the level
of the top of the post for a perfect landing.
View: D01_20191219_0452_003-0458_015_FB6 Tawny Owl 10+ minute visit to meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: An early morning visit by the local Tawny Owl lasted at least 10 minutes.
Date: 20 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191213_1424_026-1431_040_FB6 Rook 10+ minute visit to meadow post 4+1-3 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A Rook spends at least 10 minutes on the meadow post.
View: D01_20191213_1449_055+056+1450_058_FB6 Jackdaw short visit to meadow post 1-3 of 3 (mirror montage).jpg
Description: Half an hour later a Jackdaw makes a similar stop-over.
Date: 19 Jan 2020
View: E63_20191213_1352_060_FB1 Blue Tit reaching down on stone.jpg
Description: As this Blue Tit appeared on our PC screen it looked almost luminous.
We haven't 'wound up' the colour of this lovely little creature.
View: E64_20191216_1513_046_FB2 Pheasant male foraging.jpg
Description: At the other end of the size scale, the now established male Pheasant on our
patch quietly steps across the site.
Date: 18 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191213_1221_021+1222_023_FB6 Kestrel female 6 minute visit to meadow post and departure 3+4 of 4 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This female Kestrel spent a few minutes on the Meadow post, with a
fortunately timed second frame catching the bird departing exactly a minute later.
View: DF3_20191214_1108_100+104+106 Kestrel female hovering in strong wind without flapping wings 1+5+7 of 7 (offset montage).jpg
Description: Next day we watched her hunting over the farm crop. She took up a series of
hover positions, as always facing into the wind, but the wind was so strong that
she hardly ever flapped her wings, keeping station by endless adjustments of the
wing angles, tail position and the Alulae (the wing's 'thumbs'). Wonderful to
watch such accomplished flight.
Date: 17 Jan 2020
View: E62_20191212_1146_025_FB5 Blackbird female in heavy rain.jpg
Description: A drenched female Blackbird has to come out to feed regardless of the rain.
Small birds don't have great reserved to sit out bad weather.
View: E63_20191214_1003_107_FB1 Blackbird female in heavy rain.jpg
Description: Did we mention it's been raining?
Date: 16 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191210_1359_073+074+1400_079_FB6 Kestrel female 4 minute visit to meadow post 1+2+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel stops on the Meadow post for a few minutes.
Date: 15 Jan 2020
View: d01_20191208_1823_136+1824_138+1827_144_fb6 barn owl (no ring) 6 mins @ meadow post blustery wind 1+2+5 of 6 (R-L montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl with no leg ring makes several visits to the meadow post over one night.
The feathers look very scruffy, most likely from one of many gusty winds overnight this week.
View: d01_20191209_0243_148+0308_174+0439_176_fb6 barn owl (no ring) 13 minute visit & 2 landings at meadow post 1 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: The landing bird (left) is aiming at the post in the same position as the perched bird at the centre.
The second landing (right) occurs 2 hours later.
Date: 14 Jan 2020
View: D73_20191208_0839_012 Vertical shaft of light from sun hidden by cloud (orig & final).jpg
Description: A strange lighting effect from the sun hidden by the clouds.
A vertical shaft of light rises from behind the cloud and seems to illuminate
the clouds above.
View: E63_20191205_0756_012_FB1 Muntjac Reeves Deer female on path behind feeding site.jpg
Description: One of those serendipitous moments - a Magpie triggers the camera as a female
Reeve's Muntjac Deer quietly browses on the path behind.
This bit of hedge used to have several woody stems obscuring the path behind,
but intense animal activity has damaged and killed them all.
Date: 13 Jan 2020
View: DF1_20191207_1102_010 Sparrow female with Great Tit (q) just taken from inside of caged peanut feeder 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: On the CCTV we saw a Sparrowhawk grabbing a bird from inside the
kitchen window Peanut feeder and flying off with it.
Later the same day this bird was perched on the grass outside the kitchen with what
we think is a Great Tit clasped firmly in the talons.
View: E60_20191207_1534_037_FB3 Sparrowhawk flying over kitchen perch (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: This is a different pass by the female Sparrowhawk on the same day as the kill.
Most of the bird is movement blurred even in a camera flash, but you can see those
impressive claws catching the light from the flash.
View: E60_20191209_1428_010+20191210_0833_014_FB3 Sparrowhawk male flights over kitchen perch afternoon & next morning (montage).jpg
Description: We only occasionally see a male Sparrowhawk here, but over 2 days the camera
catches these two images around the kitchen feeder/perch, both triggering the
camera shutter a good deal further away than the woodwork so smaller and not
well focussed. But the male Sparrowhawk is in any case about 80% of the size
of the female.
Date: 12 Jan 2020
View: d01_20191207_1953_102-1955_106_fb6 barn owl (ring on right leg) 10+ minute visit to meadow post 1-3 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl with a leg ring makes another appearance on the meadow Pole, this
time for a couple of really active stays on the post.
View: d01_20191207_2014_126+2012_122+2013_124_fb6 barn owl (ring on right leg) 3 minute visit to meadow post 3+1+2 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl with a leg ring makes another appearance on the meadow Pole, this
time for a couple of really active stays on the post.
View: D01_20191212_0612_001+0433_107_FB6 Barn Owl landings (montage).jpg
Description: Two Barn Owl landings a couple of hours apart.
This is the Owl with no leg ring.
Date: 11 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191205_1408_011_FB6 Green Woodpecker male on meadow post.jpg
Description: A Green Woodpecker stops briefly on the meadow post.
View: E60_20191210_1521_019_FB3 Great Spotted Woodpecker female in flight (ID).jpg
Description: A female Great Spotted Woodpecker flies from the kitchen feeder/perch.
View: DF3_20191206_1229_011+012 Bark pecked from dead Willow branch 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: This mat of fallen leaves to the rear of 'Round Mound' was where we first
spotted this scatter of wood particles, and looked around to find the source -
a dead Willow branch thoroughly pecked over by woodpecker(s).
Green Woodpecker are mostly ground feeders, so most likely this damage
was caused by Great Spotted Woodpeckers.
Date: 10 Jan 2020
View: E60_20191206_0242_009_FB3 Tawny Owl take-off from kitchen perch (adjusted crop).jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl flies from the kitchen perch having managed to land on the
right hand end without triggering a photo.
View: D01_20191207_1650_088+1652_092_FB6 Tawny Owl 6 minute visit to meadow post 1+3 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: What looks like the 'local' Tawny Owl arrives for a few minutes hunt.
This bird always seems to fly 'up' to the perch.
View: E62_20191129_1944_131-20191130_1916_264_FB5 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) from 6 of 12 frames (accurate montage).jpg
Description: 12 frames of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) frolicking at the meadow site gave us 6 frames from
which we built this fun (but also accurately positioned) montage.
Judging by the almost nightly Tawny and Barn Owl visits,
we guess our 'meadow' is heaving with these little creatures & voles!
Date: 09 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191204_0948_008-010 Redwing eating Hawthorn Berries (Haws) on roadside tree 1-3 of 3 (montage over a few seconds).jpg
Description: This Redwing was some 20m away across the road in a Hawthorn bush/tree.
The 3 images (separated by a re-focus each time so over a few seconds)
caught the bird perched by a Haw, pulling the Haw off, and then beak open to swallow it!
View: DF5_20191202_1056_002 Green Woodpecker female on side of raptor post.jpg
Description: The Green Woodpecker has made a few visits lately.
Here she is wonderfully disguised as some mould-coated wood.
Suddenly the green colour makes sense!
Date: 08 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191203_2215_087+2216_089+2217_091_FB6 Tawny Owl landing + perching + takeoff at meadow post 1-3 of 3 (mirror montage).jpg
Description: 3 successive frames at 1 minute intervals are lucky to catch the arrival,
a short look about, and then departure of this Tawny Owl in natural sequence.
Date: 07 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191203_1103_130+1105_132-136 Kestrel male takeoff from 11kV cable 1+3-7 of 7 (horizontally stretched montage).jpg
Description: The male Kestrel disappeared from site and we wandered home, only to find him
perched on one of the 11kV cables near our house.
We watched each other for a couple of minutes before he took off.
View: DF3_20191203_1114_189+1110_182 Kestrel male hunting from roadside tree and hedge 5+1 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The male Kestrel flew off North-west so we walked that way and across the main road and there
he was hunting from the hedge along the main road, first from a Hawthorn bush/tree,
and then moved to the top of the cut hedge only a few metres from the mid-morning
traffic. You can see the top of a red car just gone past him - the resting sheep is on
the other side of the road. He was hunting in the sprouting crop, and leapt down
a couple of times out of sight. We guess he was eating worms or insects.
Date: 06 Jan 2020
View: DF3_20191203_1049_013-015 Kestrel male hovering 1-3 of 3 (vertical separated montage).jpg
Description: This male Kestrel was intensively hunting over the surrounding fields.
Here he was hovering, so we have spread the images downwards in natural order.
View: DF3_20191203_1049_054-059 Kestrel male hovering 1-6 of 6 (montage spread downwards).jpg
Description: This male Kestrel was intensively hunting over the surrounding fields.
Here he was hovering, so we have spread the images downwards in natural order.
View: DF3_20191203_1049_026-032 Kestrel male controlled descent @ 7fps 1-7 of 7 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: This montage of the male Kestrel is NOT a static hover, but an accurate montage
of just over a second as the male Kestrel makes a controlled drop towards a
target hidden from us by the roadside hedge.
Date: 05 Jan 2020
View: E63_20191201_1444_227_FB1 Pheasant male displaying to female.jpg
Description: The male pheasant (left) is displaying to the female on the
right.
It's never too soon to butter up the girls!
View: BU5_20191201_1557_627_SC1 Pheasant male displaying to female (IR crop).jpg
Description: Only an hour later as darkness falls, and 70m away at the Round pond, we see what we believe
is the same male trying the uncannily similar move on what looks like the same
female.
She will succumb to his charms when she is good and ready :-)
Date: 04 Jan 2020
View: E64_20191130_1511_110_FB2 Grey Squirrel attacking Pheasant male leaping into flight.jpg
Description: Grey squirrels vary widely in their behaviour. Some are content to feed
alongside other harmless creatures, while here this Grey Squirrel at the woodland site chases away a male Pheasant.
You can see that the Pheasant's tail is still curled from the takeoff.
View: E64_20191204_1614_153+1617_154_FB2 Pheasant male resisting repeated attacks by Grey Squirrel 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Usually the Grey Squirrels can simply shoo away male or female Pheasants,
but here the Squirrel is getting faced-off by the male Pheasant who
is standing his ground against the pesky not-so-little rodent.
These are at the same scale but different distances from the camera.
Date: 03 Jan 2020
View: DF5_20191130_1151_028 Sparrowhawk female sunbathing on branch for 11 minutes 07 of 13 (crop).jpg
Description: This female Sparrowhawk arrived in the tree across the pond, spread the wings and tail
and spent 11 minutes 'sunbathing'. Air temperature was barely about freezing,
so the bird may have been enjoying a warm glow from the sun as well as
collecting his dose of UV light to make Vitamin D.
View: DF5_20191130_1150_010-1158_045 Sparrowhawk female sunbathing on branch for 11 minutes 03+04+-9+11 of 13 (montage).jpg
Description: Tits and other small birds regularly passed quite close to the sunbathing
Sparrowhawk who reacted in various ways.
Date: 02 Jan 2020
View: E62_20191128_1827_052_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) fleeing as Fox walks by on path behind (crop).jpg
Description: A Red Fox saunters along the path up the meadow, causing this Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) to leap
to safety & triggering the camera to catch them both in the frame. The Fox
was apparently unaware of the mouse, or once it heard it knew the alerted rodent
would now be impossible to catch.
Date: 01 Jan 2020
View: D01_20191205_0126_005_FB6 Barn owl (ring on right leg) short visit 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: This Barn Owl makes a spectacular landing on the Meadow post an hour and a half
after midnight.
This Barn Owl carries a ring on the right leg, the first time we have spotted a
ringed bird of any sort here for some years.
View: D01_20191203_2342_093_FB6 Barn Owl landing on meadow post (crop).jpg
Description: This Barn Owl makes a flamboyant landing on the Meadow post.
Note that this bird has no ring on the right leg, so we are seeing at least two
different Barn Owls visiting.
View: D01_20191204_0330_095-0333_101_FB6 Barn Owl landing 5 minute visit to meadow post 1+4+3 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Several hours later on the same night, a Barn Owl visits again.
Eye plumage detail suggests that this is the same bird as the previous visit.
The ringed Barn Owl appears two days later.
Image Archive arch 2019 dec.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Dec 2019
View: E63_20191126_1436_102+1440_105_FB1 Blue Tit + Great Tit (accurate montage).jpg
Description: On the left is a Blue Tit, on the right a Great Tit photographed just 4 minutes apart.
The word 'Great' does seem an exaggeration, but it IS more sturdy than the Blue Tit.
View: E63_20191126_1332_087_FB1 Grey Squirrel with piece of banana skin.jpg
Description: Ever since we started cutting up the banana skins, instead of
making a horrid mess all over the place, or just needing to be
composted, it all now gets eaten, mainly by Grey Squirrels!
Date: 30 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191124_1134_223_FB5 Green Woodpecker female (crop).jpg
Description: This female Green Woodpecker pays a mid-day visit to the meadow camera.
We notice that the lower bill colours don't match the upper, although both the
light and dark appearance of BOTH bills appears variously in our different
reference books. The only image we have showing this asymmetric colouring
is in an RSBP guide 50 years old.
The appearance is consistent on different days so unlikely to be mud smeared on the beak.
View: E62_20191126_0813_078_FB5 Green Woodpecker female in drizzle 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: This female Green Woodpecker is standing in the drizzle on a desperately grey
morning. The feet barely touching the ground suggest she is just landing.
View: E62_20191126_0813_079-0926_091_FB5 Green Woodpecker female and male visits to meadow site over 75m 1-4 of 4 (approx montage).jpg
Description: Over 75 minutes we find 4 pics of Green Woodpeckers at this site.
Only when we build this montage do we notice that the birds at the two ends are females,
and the third from the left is a male. We choose 'don't know' for the last!
The male has the same asymmetric coloured beak that we noted earlier in the female.
The image on the right is the same as the one above, but at the smaller scale the raindrops
are too small to more than glimpse.
Date: 29 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191124_0830_066+067 Rook pair courtship feeding at nest in Black poplar 1+2 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: On 24th November and this pair of Rooks have already started refurbishing a last-years nest, and observation
suggests that they have already started courtship feeding in the Black Poplar nearest the house.
This is over a month before our reference books mention earliest attempt at breeding.
Most likely the female is on the nest at the left and male arrived on the right to make
his courtship offering of some disgusting morsel.
Date: 28 Dec 2019
View: E60_20191128_0119_030_FB3 Tawny Owl visits kitchen perch and meadow post over 40 min 1 of 8 (crop 2).jpg
Description: The local Tawny Owl takes this one frame of himself at the kitchen window.
View: D01_20191124_0357_115-0404_129_FB6 Tawny Owl 10+ minute visit to meadow post 1+3+2+4 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The Tawny Owl pays a 10 or more minute visit to the meadow post.
Date: 27 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191122_1134_125_FB5 Blackbird male leaping up to use claws to defend aerial attack (crop).jpg
Description: A Blackbird does gymnastics to defend against the aerial attack.
Date: 26 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191121_1138_024_FB6 Sparrowhawk on meadow post 2 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: A brief glimpse as she flies by the house is later supplemented by
this moment as the female Sparrowhawk lands on the meadow post.
Date: 25 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191113_1820_019-20191114_2249_177_FB5 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) over 28 Hour (montage from 4 frames).jpg
Description: Lots of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) at the meadow camera over a day and a bit.
This montage was selected from four originals to capture some of the action.
View: E62_20191118_1645_069_FB5 Robin pulling worm from ground.jpg
Description: This robin has caught another worm - a rather small one this time, but
obviously worth the effort to pull out of the ground.
Date: 24 Dec 2019
View: E64_20191119_0117_046_FB2 Badger splattered with mud (crop 3).jpg
Description: A Badger visits one of the high resolution cameras, complete with
mud splattered face and mud encrusted nose.
Date: 23 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191115_0833_027-0857_053_FB6 Kestrel female visits meadow post for 10mins then 3mins 1 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel is visiting several days a week.
This montage starts an hour after a really dingy 'sunrise' lightens over the
next half hour. A visit of 10 minutes (first 3 images) is followed by a short
visit (last 2 images).
View: D01_20191120_1306_057+058_FB6 Kestrel female landing on meadow post 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel makes another brief visit to the meadow post.
Date: 22 Dec 2019
View: BU5_20191116_2158_413+415+416_SC1 Roe Deer female visit to Round pond 2+4+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Roe Deer visits the Round Pond.
View: BU6_20191116_0914_407_SC2 7 Pheasant females (crop).jpg
Description: Having seen only 1 or 2 female Pheasant wandering the plot for weeks, suddenly
there are a group of 7 wandering quietly through the orchard. Not a montage.
Date: 21 Dec 2019
View: E63_20191113_0334_206_FB1 Badger.jpg
Description: In the small hours of the morning this Badger is attracted to the smells
left on the stone under the hedge.
On many weeks we see dozens of photos taken by silent camera without
visible light, but the quality for portraits is just inadequate.
View: BU6_20191111_1829_086+1831_090+1907_105+2153_129_SC2 Muntjac Deer fem + foxes + Muntjac male inspecting apples (montage).jpg
Description: Apples are still occasionally falling from the orchard trees, and the nighttime
denizens come to enjoy the bounty. Here we have a female Reeve's
Muntjac Deer, what looks like 2 different Foxes, and then a male
Muntjac, all sampling these hard and bitter apples over a few hours.
Date: 20 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191110_1015_028-030 Kestrel female hovering 1-3 of 3 (vertically separated montage).jpg
Description: Several sightings of Kestrels this week have been mostly whoosh and gone.
But this bird is intent on a hunt over the sprouting crop.
View: DF3_20191110_1016_047+1020_58+59+65 Kestrel female taking Rodent kill to hedge top to eat 2 + insert 3-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel's hunt is successful - she pounces on a Rodent, probably a
Mouse or Vole, and flies to the top of the hedge with to devour her prize.
Date: 19 Dec 2019
View: E60_20191111_1741_013_FB3 Tawny Owl hunting from kitchen perch (crop 2).jpg
Description: A local Tawny Owl drops by shortly after dark.
The bird is having a really hard stare at the ground outside the kitchen.
View: D01_20191108_1901_033+1710_023+1713_029_FB6 2 Tawny Owl visits over 2 hours 5+1+4 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: The local Tawny owl has been visiting again - here 2 visits to the meadow
post in 2 hours
Date: 18 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191107_1352_075+076+079 White Wagtail walking down slate roof to perch on gutter (impression montage).jpg
Description: On some years Wagtails hunt over our slate roof looking for insects.
This White Wagtail in the sunlight takes up a new vantage point -
they often hunt by diving down from the edge to catch insects close to the sun-warned wall.
View: DF3_20191107_1353_092-094 White Wagtail in flight hunting insect on slate roof 1-3 of 3 (approx montage).jpg
Description: Wagtails also hunt over the roof to catch insects emerging from under the
sun warmed slates. We couldn't find the insect in any of the 3 original frames.
View: DF3_20191107_1355_105+106 Pied Wagtail of slate roof (montage).jpg
Description: Along with the White Wagtail was this Pied Wagtail behaving
similarly.
One of our ID books lists White and Pied as separate species, but our more
recent books lists the white as a variant of the pied that can interbreed.
No wonder we often have trouble differentiating the two!
Date: 17 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191105_1646_105_FB5 Robin pulling earthworm from ground (crop).jpg
Description: "Heave-Ho - I want my Teatime worm!"
View: DF5_20191107_1014_007 Blue Tit eating seeds from fallen weeds 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: This Blue Tit spends a few minutes pecking seeds from this fallen 'weed'.
It is most likely a withered Great Willow Herb stem.
Date: 16 Dec 2019
View: E60_20191105_0130_005_FB3 Tawny Owl 20 minute visit to kitchen perch 1 of 4 (crop).jpg
Description: Here a Tawny Owl makes a visit to the Kitchen Perch as they tour the site
in search of rodents.
View: D01_20191105_0040_021-2351_067_FB6 Tawny Owl makes 3 visits between midnights1of4+3of8+1of3+2of4 (montage).jpg
Description: The Tawny Owl's tour of the site started just after one midnight to just before the next,
paying 3 visits to the meadow post, plus probably many more to other perches during the 24 hours.
View: D01_20191107_2349_005-20191108-0553_019_FB6 3 Barn owl visits to meadow post over one night 3+1+6+5+4 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A Barn Owl made (at least) 3 visits to our site from just before midnight until dawn.
Here is a little celebration of this lovely bird.
Date: 15 Dec 2019
View: P10_20191103_0912_368+371 Juniper Shieldbug (Cyphostethus tristriatus) with raindrops comatose on rain gauge (montage).jpg
Description: A few metres from the house we have a simple little conical rain gauge from
which we record the last days rain every morning. On this morning the edge
glowed with a green speck which close inspection turned out to be a Juniper
Shieldbug. The morning was cold and wet and the insect was comatose with several
raindrops on their back (very clear in the bottom image) and in the top image
one at the centre magnifying the underlying pattern.
We managed to read and empty the gauge without disturbing the 'sleeping' insect!
Date: 14 Dec 2019
View: E60_20191030_1755_030+1804_031_FB3+1816_033_FB6+1858_032_FB3 Tawny owl visiting Meadow post and Kitchen perch over 1 hour 1+2+4+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: This Tawny Owl spends at least an hour probably touring various hunting posts
around the site. Our cameras catch the bird making 4 visits - 3 to the kitchen
window perch, and one to the meadow post. Here they are in order of appearance
at 5:55 p.m., 6:04 p.m., 6:16 p.m. (meadow post) & 6:58 p.m.
View: E60_20191030_1755_030+1804_031_FB3 Tawny owl visiting Meadow post and Kitchen perch over 1 hour 1+2 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: The first 2 Tawny Owl visits differently montaged to show more detail
View: E60_20191030_1858_032_FB3 Tawny owl visiting Meadow post and Kitchen perch over 1 hour 6 of 6 (crop).jpg
Description: Our final pic of the Tawny Owl landing on the kitchen perch.
You can see the birds nictitating membranes at the top inner corner of
both of the Owls eyes.
Date: 13 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191029_1015_057 Clouds.jpg
Description: An Autumn morning shows this 'comet and tail' effect in Cirrus clouds.
Such ice clouds are said to be 6 to 12 km high.
View: D73_20191025_1436_128 Red Kite mobbed by some of about 50 Rooks (crop).jpg
Description: A Red Kite being pursued by 50 Rooks when venturing too near the Rookery.
Not a chance moment - every time the Kite changed direction so did the Rooks!
Ever felt unwelcome?
Date: 12 Dec 2019
View: E64_20191029_1612_104_FB2 Rabbit youngster leaping above Grey Squirrel (crop).jpg
Description: Crouching Squirrel, Leaping Rabbit
Totally genuine single frame.
View: D5C_20191029_1223_003 Grey Squirrel hanging by single rear foot.jpg
Description: Look Mum - one Foot!
Grey Squirrels sometimes seem indestructible, but their luck sometimes run out
View: E60_20191027_1257_008_FB3 Grey Squirrel climbing up to attack another on table.jpg
Description: The Grey Squirrel on the right appears to have decided to see off the
Squirrel already at the top, but the top Squirrel seems to have other ideas.
Date: 11 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191025_1807_017_FB6 Kestrel female landing on Meadow Post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: A local female kestrel lands on the Meadow post in the gathering gloom of evening.
View: DF3_20191028_1037_002 Rook calling from 11kV cable linkage.jpg
Description: A Rook using the tip of an 11kV power pole to cast his call far and wide.
Date: 10 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191027_1219_008-020 Sparrowhawk male in flight 01+06+10+13 of 13 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: Sparrowhawk sightings are usually Whizz-by events, but this one hung
in the air for minute of so to allow this little sequence.
View: DF3_20191027_1230_045+049+053+057 Buzzard turning in flight @7fps (selected) 1-4 of 4 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: 10 minutes later the much bigger Buzzard made a similar pass at a greater height.
Date: 09 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191023_1040_031-044 Little Egret in flight 11+14+09+02+15 of 15 (close spaced montage of upstroke).jpg
Description: The camera's 7 fps doesn't match the Little Egret's wing-beats, so here we assemble
images in an order to show a complete wing-beat cycle.
First the 'upstroke where the wing is partially folded to minimise the negative
lift effect of the upward movement.
View: DF3_20191023_1040_036-030 Little Egret in flight 07+05+03+01 of 15 (close spaced montage of downstroke).jpg
Description: And now the Little Egret's powerful Downstroke for both forward motion and lift.
View: DF3_20191023_1040_038+039 Little Egret in flight - upstroke and downstroke @ 7fps 09+10 of 15 (montage).jpg
Description: The difference between the mid wing positions on the upstroke and downstroke
is worth comparing.
Date: 08 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191023_0343_206_FB5 Badger (crop 2).jpg
Description: Badger faces look rather nice - unless you are their next meal.
View: BU6_20191022_1321_268_SC2 Fox running across orchard.jpg
Description: Our 'favourite' fox with lovely bushy tail, streaks through the orchard
past this camera in the lovely dappled light.
Date: 07 Dec 2019
View: D73_20191020_1752_003-011 Muntjac Reeves Deer male foraging along hedge towards camera (impression montage).jpg
Description: A few minutes before sunset - if the sun had been visible anyway - this male Reeve's Muntjac Deer
was wandering quietly down the hedge to our east foraging as he went.
Standing still behind our hedge he didn't spot the photographer.
View: D73_20191020_1753_023 Muntjac Reeves Deer male walking up to Farm Road.jpg
Description: The Reeve's Muntjac Deer reached the edge of the Farm Road and stopped for a moment ...
View: D73_20191020_1753_028-051 Muntjac Reeves Deer male walking over Farm Road (impression montage).jpg
Description: ... before stepping up onto the concrete, walking across, and finally disappearing
from view at the bottom of the hedge only a couple of metres away.
But standing right in front of the cut section of the pignet that lets
animals through, the human legs were finally spotted and the Deer 'scarpered'.
Date: 06 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191020_1845_095+1851_105+1852_107_FB6 Tawny Owl 8 minute visit to meadow post 1+5+6 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl visits for a few minutes.
This Owl closes their eyes as they land.
We don't remember ever seeing an Owl with nictitating membrane across
the eye, and went on the web search to find if they had one.
The answer is YES as you can see in this fascinating YouTube short video
of tame owls 'blinking' in slow motion at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THdThDeyLu4.
Date: 05 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191019_0312_051+0313_053+0322_065_FB6 Barn Owl 13 minute visit to meadow post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: After a few weeks absence a Barn Owl stops by for nearly a quarter of
an hour at 3 a.m.
View: D01_20191019_0313_053_FB6 Barn Owl 13 minute visit to meadow post 2 of 3 (detail crop).jpg
Description: Owls are normally photographed as tame animals with beaks hidden in the feathers
as they contentedly stand on their 'pets' arm, undoubtedly already replete with
a mouse or two. Here this hunting bird shows us the upper and lower bills as
they alertly scan the ground for the next meal.
View: D01_20191021_0135_111-145_129_FB6 Barn Owl 10+ minute visit to meadow post 1+2+5+6 of 6 (montage 2).jpg
Description: Two days after the first Barn Owl visit we get another, this time at 1.30 a.m.
The bird spent at least 10 minutes on the post, first having a little hunt and
then settling down to a preen.
Date: 04 Dec 2019
View: D01_20191018_0744_015_FB6 Buzzard 2 minute visit to meadow post with mud on claws (crop).jpg
Description: On a gloomy day, at around the time for a sunrise, this Buzzard makes a
short stay on the Meadow post.
View: D01_20191018_0744_015_FB6 Buzzard 2 minute visit to meadow post with mud on claws (detail crop).jpg
Description: A closer look highlights the talons caked in mud.
Being a 'predator' has some down sides.
View: D01_20191019_1010_071+073+1011_078_FB6 Buzzard 2 minute visit to meadow post 1-3 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Next day the Buzzard lands in some sunshine
View: D01_20191019_1010_071+073_FB6 Buzzard 2 minute visit to meadow post 1+2 of 5 (montage of nictitating membrane).jpg
Description: Bird's nictitating membranes (an extra semi-transparent eyelid) makes birds eyes look cloudy.
Here are the eyes of the landing bird - protecting the eyeball with his membrane
as many birds do as they land, and a little later perched normally with the eye
uncovered.
Date: 03 Dec 2019
View: DF3_20191017_1548_005 Pampas grass seeds heads (crop).jpg
Description: Pampas Grass next to the main pond shows wonderful graduated colours
as the seed heads emerge each year despite the heavy winter cut-backs.
Date: 02 Dec 2019
View: E62_20191014_1729_081+1731_082_FB5 Magpie taking off from ground in rain making cloud of spray 1 of 2 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: In the rain, a foraging Magpie decides to fly off making a spray of water droplets.
Date: 01 Dec 2019
View: E64_20191014_0013_325_FB2 Badger with muddy snout.jpg
Description: Just after midnight this Badger snuffles his way across the woodland site.
The land has changed from desiccated clay to soft and slushy leaf litter,
spattering the muzzle with mud as it roots around for worms.
View: BU6_20191016_0315_257_SC2 Badger spending 5 minutes tackling apple 3 of 5 (crop).jpg
Description: Yet another fallen apple gets the Badger treatment.
View: BU6_20191016_2357_376+377+2358_378_SC2 Polecat crossing orchard 1-3 of 3 (approx montage).jpg
Description: The Polecat made a midnight voyage across the orchard.
Image Archive arch 2019 nov.htm (view it Here)
Date: 30 Nov 2019
View: E60_20191012_1202_022_FB3 Jay about to land on Kitchen perch (crop).jpg
Description: Our first sighting of a Jay since June this year, and only single visit last
year also in June.
The vivid blue patches are mostly hidden on the hidden top of the bird,
but you get a hint along the top edges of the wings.
View: D01_20191016_1125_050_FB6 Jay on meadow post.jpg
Description: Another sighting of a Jay this month, this time on the more distant meadow post.
Date: 29 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20191010_1243_046-049 Buzzard in flight @7fps 3-6 of 9 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: This Buzzard slowly circled overhead making the most of what little
thermal updraft this bird could find.
View: DF3_20191010_1243_064-066 Buzzard in flight @7fps 1-3 of 8 (close spaced montage).jpg
Description: This Buzzard slowly circled overhead making the most of what little
thermal updraft this bird could find.
View: D01_20191012_0822_065+0824_078_FB6 Buzzard 4 minute visit to meadow post 1+3 of 7 (montage).jpg
Description: One of the local Buzzards lands on the meadow post for a few minutes.
We think the bird spotted movement at the window and had this hard stare,
but stayed for a couple more minutes.
Date: 28 Nov 2019
View: BU2_20191009_2002_440+441+2004_442_SC7 Fox on Mound as Muntjac Reeves Deer arrives 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: A fox on the Mound turns his head to watch a Reeve's Muntjac Deer
walk up to a couple of metres behind the Fox.
We had always assumed these creates to be 'mortal enemies' but we have
seen this kind of behaviour several times now - 2 other events in August 2019
are show as images for 24 Sep 2019
Date: 27 Nov 2019
View: E62_20191009_2030_209_FB5 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice) sparring.jpg
Description: A couple of Fieldmice (Wood Mice) fighting or loving - we fancy the latter.
View: E63_20191008_0930_085_FB1 Grey Squirrel with sprig of Sloe berries in mouth.jpg
Description: The un-withered leaves on this 'bunch of Sloe berries' suggests that the Grey
Squirrel has broken this off itself.
View: BU6_20191008_0302_154_SC2 2 Badgers rubbing faces.jpg
Description: In the hours after midnight 2 Badgers keep a tryst.
Date: 26 Nov 2019
View: D01_20191006_1925_097-1928_103_FB6 Tawny Owl 4 minute visit to Meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: A Tawny Owl spends a few minutes on the meadow post, undoubtedly hoping for
supper to scamper by on the recently cleared meadow area.
View: D01_20191010_0156_047+0157_049+0411_055_FB6 Tawny Owl 4 minute visit + another landing 2hrs later 1+2+5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: Over a single night, 2 visits from what looks like the same Tawny Owl.
Firstly a few minutes stay, and then a couple of hours later a touchdown but not a stay.
Date: 25 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20191008_0723_002-0727_041 Sunrise over hedge to south-east 1-8 of 8 (aligned montage).jpg
Description: The hazy sky let us photograph the sun rising behind a hedge to the South-east.
The montage is aligned to hold the hedge stationary so you can see how the sun
rises at a substantial slant at this time of year.
The sequence is over about 4 minutes. The last 2 pics were taken closer together
than the rest.
Exposure is awfully difficult to control - we took dozens of pics
at varying exposures and picked those that made some sort of sense.
View: DF3_20191006_1001_129 Water drops on horizontal twig (crop 1).jpg
Description: Shortly after a rain shower these glistening water drops caught the light all
the way along a half-metre long twig (only part of it here).
View: DF3_20191006_1001_129 Water drops on horizontal twig (crop 2).jpg
Description: Each drop acts as a little lens showing an inverted and distorted view of the
world behind.
Early 'microscopes' used water drops as the lens, and later
'glass' droplets became the norm.
Date: 24 Nov 2019
View: D01_20191004_0809_017_FB6 Buzzard 7 minute visit to Meadow post 1 of 8 (crop).jpg
Description: A Buzzard makes a magnificent landing as big as we can show you.
View: D01_20191004_0809_017-0813_026_FB6 Buzzard 7 minute visit to Meadow post 1+2+4+6 of 8 (montage).jpg
Description: After landing on the post the Buzzard stayed for several minutes.
View: D01_20191006_1717_093_FB6 Buzzard landing on Meadow post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The Buzzard visits again - here just about to make first contact with the post.
View: D01_20191006_1717_094_FB6 Buzzard landing on Meadow post 2 of 2 (crop 1).jpg
Description: The Buzzard visits again - landing complete buy yet to settle the feathers.
Date: 23 Nov 2019
View: D01_20191003_1327_009_FB6 Kestrel female landing on Meadow post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The local female Kestrel has been gracing our patch.
View: DF3_20191004_1543_004 Kestrel male fleeing as human appears.jpg
Description: We have a regular male Kestrel who is at least as nervous of humans as the
female. We caught this glimpse outside our South boundary.
View: D01_20191004_1657_045-1701_051_FB6 Kestrel female 5 minute visit to Meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel spends a few minutes on the meadow post.
Date: 22 Nov 2019
View: D01_20190927_0322_017+20191003_0115_081-0120_091_FB6 Barn and Tawny Owls landing on Meadow post (same scale montage).jpg
Description: About a week apart we notice that the landing positions of these
Barn and Tawny Owls are so similar that we couldn't
resist this same-scale montage for you to compare them.
Date: 21 Nov 2019
View: D72_20191001_0916_002 Hornbeam seed cluster ready to disperse (crop).jpg
Description: A Hornbeam seed cluster nicely dried ready for a gust of wind or
clumsy bird to set the winged seeds into 'flight'.
View: DF3_20190927_0756_015 Seed with 2 wings each 25mm long - found on ground unidentified.jpg
Description: The solitary winged seed was lying on a concrete slab. Moved onto a wooden table
to photograph we have finally concluded that this must have come from the
a Hornbeam tree some 25m away.
View: D73_20190922_1452_050 Raindrop on Pampas grass magnifying leaf ridges (crop).jpg
Description: After a short but heavy shower, raindrops were beading the Pampas Grass stems.
On closer inspection (here looking downwards) we see the drops magnifying the
ridges on the grass leaves, and the drops at the edge imaging the surroundings.
Date: 20 Nov 2019
View: E62_20190930_1644_038_FB5 Magpie with iridescent wings and tail.jpg
Description: A Magpie shows off the wonderful iridescence - it seems always blue on the wings,
but basically Green with a rainbow of colours on the tail.
View: E63_20191001_1326_149_FB1 Grey Squirrel with front paws together facing apple.jpg
Description: "Let us say Grace".
Not likely - head down before anybody else snaffles it.
View: E63_20191002_2339_358_FB1 2 Fieldmice (Wood Mice).jpg
Description: "Come on Sweetie"
Date: 19 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190930_0654_007 Threatening sunrise with cloud textured by oblique sunlight.jpg
Description: Red Sky in morning - and lo - 12mm of rain descended by next morning.
The sun still below the horizon is lighting the bottom of the clouds and
highlighting their structure.
View: D73_20191003_0715_007 Sunrise through distant trees.jpg
Description: A glowing sunrise ...
View: D73_20191003_0716_013-016 Red Kite in flight at sunrise 1-4 of 4 (accurate montage @10fps).jpg
Description: ... underlights this Red Kite ...
View: D73_20191003_0716_018 Sunrise through distant trees.jpg
Description: ... as the sun 'climbs' through the trees.
Date: 18 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190929_0908_087-093 Red Kite flying low over field to south @7fps 1-7 of 7 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Across the field to the south this Red Kite flew low over the tilled field, on his way ...
View: DF3_20190929_0908_101-105+107 Red Kite calling as it lands on recently flailed hedge @7fps 4-8+10 of 11 (montage).jpg
Description: ... to land in the top of this recently flailed really broad hedge.
The appearance of the talons strongly suggests that they are carrying a mouse or
vole size prey item up to the hedge top to eat it.
Date: 17 Nov 2019
View: D01_20190924_1649_060+1650_061+062_FB6 Wood Pigeon dozing on Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: Just editing this Wood Pigeon montage on the screen is enough to make us yawn.
View: D01_20190924_1649_060+1650_061+062_FB6 Wood Pigeon dozing on Meadow Post 1-3 of 3 (montage detail).jpg
Description: Even at the largest size we allow for web images you couldn't see the details
of the sleepy bird, so we did another montage to give you a better look.
Date: 16 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190923_0911_013 Galls each about 2cm across on miniature conifer outside conservatory.jpg
Description: We first saw Galls on this Conifer in Mid July.
Some hundreds of Galls now smother just the South-West
side of this miniature conifer (2m tall if you can call that miniature).
GALLS IS WRONG - we discover 2 months later that these are forming seed cases.
View: DF3_20191211_0932_078 Miniature conifer seed pods opening.jpg
Description: 2 Months on we discover that growths we thought were galls are simply a type of
conifer seed case we have never seen before. Here they are showing some
of the un-fallen seeds inside their 'pods'.
The wild world is a continuous exploration, and we sometimes get it wrong.
View: DF3_20190923_1537_030 Robins Pin-cushion gall 3cm across on cut-back rose.jpg
Description: Another sort of Gall on a self propagated wild Rose at the front of the house.
These Robins Pin-cushion Galls are really rather attractive, and don't seem to
degrade the plants too much.
Date: 15 Nov 2019
View: E63_20190922_1200_181_FB1 Grey Squirrel with stick in mouth & carried away.jpg
Description: We don't remember seeing a Grey Squirrel collecting sticks before.
This stick was gone from the site in the next frame.
Their Dreys are made of twigs interwoven with soft materials, so they
must collect twigs. Its just we have never caught it on camera before.
View: E63_20190922_1521_193_FB1 2 Grey Squirrels nuzzling.jpg
Description: This pair of Grey Squirrels are undoubtedly enjoying each other's company.
View: E63_20190922_1523_194_FB1 Grey Squirrel eating carrot.jpg
Description: Petting over, it's time to eat!
Date: 14 Nov 2019
View: E63_20190924_1705_149_FB1 Grey Squirrel eating banana skin coated in Blackberry strainings.jpg
Description: The Blackberry fruit season is upon us with enough to make a batch of Blackberry Jelly.
So the pips and skins get strained out and offered to the wildlife that just LOVES it.
It's no good - we think this Grey Squirrel has a grin of delight on the little face for
the sweet and sticky coating on the banana skin.
View: E62_20190924_2219_127_FB5 Fieldmouse (Wood Mouse) eating Blackberry strainings.jpg
Description: The Blackberry fruit season is upon us with enough to make a batch of Blackberry Jelly.
So the pips and skins get strained out and offered to the wildlife that just LOVES it.
View: D36_20190924_1250_015_FB4 Grey Squirrel carrying Crab Apple up tree-stump.jpg
Description: If the Grey Squirrel puts the apple down before clambering up the tree-stump
maybe something else will steal it.
So to check the top of the tree stump the apple goes with the Squirrel.
Date: 13 Nov 2019
View: D01_20190921_1519_109_FB6 Kestrel female landing on Meadow Post 1 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: The female Kestrel flew to the Meadow post.
What a fantastic bird!
View: D01_20190921_1519_110_FB6 Kestrel female landing on Meadow Post 2 of 2 (crop).jpg
Description: A third of a second after the previous frame the female Kestrel is already
poised on the top of the post.
Date: 12 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190920_1230_117 Comma Butterfly on Mint flower.jpg
Description: Comma Butterflies seem to have been about since Spring.
These will overwinter as Adults in some protected spot (like a shed!) to appear
next April to lay the eggs for the new 2020 generation. This one is on a Mint flower.
View: DF3_20190920_1234_121 Comma Butterfly on Ivy flower viewed from below but top lit.jpg
Description: This view through the underside of the wing just shows the 'comma' of the
Butterfly showing through from the 'top' side. This one is on an Ivy flower.
View: DF3_20190920_1433_153 Comma Butterfly on Mint flower.jpg
Description: Back on a Mint flowers, the underside of this Comma Butterfly emphasises the
wonderful scalloped edge and the white 'comma' mark.
Date: 11 Nov 2019
View: D73_20190919_1312_020 Green-veined White Butterfly feeding on Mint flowers.jpg
Description: Green Veined White Butterflies have been seen here regularly this year.
This one is on the seemingly never ending supply of Mint flowers
Now in their second brood, eggs laid now overwinter as Chrysalises.
View: D73_20190919_1312_028 Green-veined White Butterfly feeding on Mint flowers.jpg
Description: Green Veined White Butterflies have been seen here regularly this year.
This one is on the seemingly never ending supply of Mint flowers
Now in their second brood, eggs laid now overwinter as Chrysalises.
Date: 10 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190917_0715_002+003 Moon slightly Gibbous setting against autumn leaves (montage for focus).jpg
Description: As the rising sun in the east glows orange on the leaves,
the moon nears setting in the west.
View: D73_20190919_0634_117 Moon in waning Gibbous phase.jpg
Description: 2 mornings later we catch the moon against a darker sky.
Notice how the line of shadow (the 'terminator') accentuates the craters.
Date: 09 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190915_1557_032-036 Migrant Hawker Dragonfly male in flight @7fps 4-7 of 7 (accurate montage) + 3 of 7 insert.jpg
Description: A few Migrant Hawker Dragonflies hunt over the meadow during the warmer
parts of the day. Here is one in an accurate montage (so slowing down)
with a larger scale portrait from what would have been on the right.
Date: 08 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190914_1740_091 Common Darter Dragonfly male.jpg
Description: This is a male Common Darter Dragonfly perched on a cut hedge twig
View: D73_20190915_1232_010 Common Darter Dragonfly female (crop 1).jpg
Description: In the mid-day sunshine a female Common Darter Dragonfly waits for lunch to fly by.
View: D73_20190915_1232_010 Common Darter Dragonfly female (crop 2).jpg
Description: Detail of a head and legs of this female Common Darter Dragonfly.
Note the yellow stripe down the leg - a characteristic of this species.
View: D73_20190918_1624_044 Common Darter Dragonfly female perched on cardboard packing with detailed shadow (crop).jpg
Description: This female Common Darter Dragonfly decided that this side of a cardboard box
would be a good place to perch in the sun, and perhaps make an even better shadow.
Date: 07 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190914_0952_038 Prickly Sow-thistle (Sonchus asper).jpg
Description: In a field margin the Prickly Sow-Thistle pops up it's head after the recent cut.
Its a rather smaller flower than the familiar dandelion.
View: DF3_20190914_1553_064 Mallow Flowers.jpg
Description: In front of the house (in something you might call a flower bed) Mallow flowers
continue to bloom.
View: DF3_20190914_1006_041 Hawthorn Berries.jpg
Description: All around, and in our patch, the Hawthorn hedges are producing their bounty.
Date: 06 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190914_0716_028+031+0717_032 Fox near brook 1-3 of 3 (montage).jpg
Description: For a couple of mornings we have found a fox down by the brook apparently dozing
in the morning sunshine. He gave us a good hard stare, apparently classified us as
'mostly harmless', went back to dozing.
Date: 05 Nov 2019
View: D01_20190914_0304_135-0313_153_FB6 Tawny Owl 10 minute visit to Meadow Post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: After a weeks absence, we are pleased to again see the Tawny Owl come
to check out our patch.
View: D01_20190916_2008_087-20190918_1937_169_FB6 Tawny Owl short visits 2 nights apart with moth (4 of 5) 1-5 of 5 (montage).jpg
Description: 2 short visits by obviously the same Tawny Owl 2 days apart.
The 1st & 3rd, and 2nd & 4th (from the left) images are uncannily almost
identical despite quite definitely being 2 days apart - notice the new damage to
the post at the top right hand edge occurring in the intervening 2 days.
Date: 04 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190917_1247_131+138+143 Red Kite glancing upwards for half a second @7fps 1+3+4 of 4 (impression montage).jpg
Description: This Red Kite flew overhead spending about half a second peering upwards
at something we never did see.
View: DF3_20190913_1800_009+011+015 Buzzard landing on 11kV crossbar 1+3+7 of 9 (accurate montage @7fps).jpg
Description: We missed the take-off from the crossbar 100m left, but guessing the
destination had the camera focussed and running to catch this landing
at the next one along.
We sometimes cringe at how close these birds come to an explosive death
on the 11kV cables, once seen and described to us by a local farmer.
View: DF3_20190917_1248_182-186 Buzzard in flight @7fps 1-5 of 5 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Here we see a Buzzard flying by, disappearing behind a poplar that also provided
the reference for this accurately spaced montage. Just over half a second of flight.
View: DF2_20190918_0904_020-029 Rook in flight @7fps 01-10 of 10 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: A Rook flies by the west side of the house, photographed through an upstairs window.
Date: 03 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190913_0648_125 60 Canada Geese in flight to South.jpg
Description: Groups of 10 or 15 Canada Geese, flying over in the early morning, has
progressed to this group of about 60, seen here against the morning sky.
View: DF3_20190913_0649_128 60 Canada Geese in flight to South.jpg
Description: A minute later the Canada Geese have formed into a long skein for their couple of minutes
or so journey west.
Date: 02 Nov 2019
View: DF3_20190912_1248_102 Honey Bee collecting Pollen from Ivy Flowers.jpg
Description: After a sad lack of Honey Bees in the last few weeks, a few were feasting on now flowering Ivy,
this Bee is well loaded with Pollen.
View: DF3_20190913_1110_347 Sunflower in pot.jpg
Description: A dazzling Sunflower has almost finished offering it's pollen ready to
get down to the business of making Sunflower seeds.
Date: 01 Nov 2019
View: E62_20190910_1656_110_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with budding antlers (crop 1).jpg
Description: This male Reeve's Muntjac Deer has arrived to investigate whatever food is left
at the meadow site.
View: E62_20190910_1656_110_FB5 Muntjac Reeves Deer male with budding antlers (crop 2).jpg
Description: Much more detail of the male Reeve's Muntjac Deer face, with Antlers still barely buds.
View: D73_20190912_0722_092 Muntjac Reeves Deer male at north end of east inner path.jpg
Description: Looking down our site's eastern path we catch this lovely male
Reeve's Muntjac Deer staring at us from about 70m away. He
sauntered off down the path on the left where we left him in peace.
With the fully grown antlers now showing as bone means we have at least two
males visiting our patch.
Image Archive arch 2019 oct.htm (view it Here)
Date: 31 Oct 2019
View: DF3_20190910_1211_005 Woodpigeon juvenile on roof ridge.jpg
Description: One end of a Roof ridge has made a perch for this juvenile Wood Pigeon.
This scruffy mess exactly matches the description in the ID book!
Sorry about the pile of guano in front of the bird.
"It was like this when I arrived!"
Date: 30 Oct 2019
View: BU6_20190906_1751_585+1752_592_SC2 Muntjac reeves Deer male in dappled evening light 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: In the dappled sunlight of late evening a male Reeve's Muntjac Deer walks
quietly through the orchard, we assume deciding which apple to pick up.
View: BU6_20190906_1753_597+598+1754_601_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer eating large Windfall Apple 1-3 of 6 (montage).jpg
Description: Two minutes later this Reeves Muntjac Deer is crunching away at an apple.
Reeve's Muntjac Deer usually take the small apples into the mouth whole
and then crush and chew it.
This one took about a minute to finish this apple.
View: BU6_20190911_0535_656+657_SC2 Muntjac Reeves Deer biting lump out of windfall apple 1+2 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: But really big apples get lumps bitten off just like a human might.
Date: 29 Oct 2019
View: D01_20190904_0813_003+004+0815_007+0816_009_FB6 Kestrel juvenile 4 minute visit to meadow post 1-4 of 4 (montage).jpg
Description: What we think must be a juvenile Kestrel has made several appearances while
establishing a hunting territory.
View: D01_20190904_1844_054+1849_096_FB6 Kestrel juvenile (q) displaced by Sparrowhawk harassed by Kestrel 19 of 26 (montage).jpg
Description: The (probably) juvenile Kestrel looking for places to hunt has made a
number of visits to us, here including the meadow Post.
On this occasion a single image of the Kestrel was replaced (while the
camera was re-cycling) by this gorgeous male Sparrowhawk.
View: D01_20190904_1847_079-1851_106_FB6 Sparrowhawk male harassed by Kestrel 7 min visit to post 08+14+18+23 of 26 (montage).jpg
Description: The male Sparrowhawk spent about 7 minutes on the post, being 'buzzed'
repeatedly by the Kestrel it had displaced, although we never got lucky with her
in flight on the camera. But the Sparrowhawk assumed some fascinating positions
while following the Kestrels path.
View: D01_20190904_1848_087-1851_110_FB6 Sparrowhawk male harassed by Kestrel 7 min visit to post 12+13+20+25 of 26 (montage).jpg
Description: Whether the out-of-frame Kestrel's antics, or just finished his visit, we don't
know, the Sparrowhawk decided to leave.
Date: 28 Oct 2019
View: DF3_20190903_1020_719 Ruddy Darter mature female.jpg
Description: A mature female Ruddy Darter Dragonfly on the tip of a cut Blackberry stem shows
the sun shining through the orange pterostigma - the
coloured patches near the tips of the wings - that are present but takes many
forms in the various Odonata species.
View: DF3_20190903_1226_008 Common Darter Dragonfly female (crop).jpg
Description: In the fitful midday sun female Common Darter Dragonfly rests on a twig waiting for a
meal to fly by.
View: DF3_20190903_1226_008 Common Darter Dragonfly female (crop detail).jpg
Description: The intricacy of Dragonflies is incredible - this is a zoom on the female
Common Darter Dragonfly to relish her complicated form. Note the yellow stripe
down each leg that (among other things) differentiates this species from the 'Ruddy'.
Date: 27 Oct 2019
View: D71_20190901_1733_009 Green Shieldbug (Palomena prasina).jpg
Description: Found on the drying washing was this Green Shieldbug who stayed put long enough for his portrait.
View: D73_20190915_1233_025 Green Shieldbug in the hand.jpg
Description: Two weeks later we see our third Green Shieldbug of this season,
here in the hand. Looks like this species is having a 'good year'.
View: DF3_20190903_1015_707+1014_693 Red Admiral Butterfly on Yellow Buddleia flowers shows both sides of wing 2+1 of 2 (montage).jpg
Description: Two views of a Red Admiral Butterfly feeding on the flower of the moment -
a Yellow Buddleia that we expect to flower until the first serious frost.
Date: 26 Oct 2019
View: DF3_20190902_1221_026 Tortoiseshell Butterfly on small Sunflower petal tip.jpg
Description: What used to be seen by the hundred here, this lone Tortoiseshell Butterfly
perches on the edge of a small sunflower.
View: DF3_20190903_1000_552 Comma Butterfly (new emergence).jpg
Description: The next generation of Comma Butterflies has emerged, and will be making
the most of nectar, juice from rotting fruit, and the like, ready to survive
the coming winter.
View: DF3_20190903_1001_562 Comma Butterfly (new emergence).jpg
Description: Here you see the white 'comma' that appears only on the bottom of the rear wings
of the Comma Butterfly.
Date: 25 Oct 2019
View: D73_20190901_0658_006-024 Rabbit running across grass margin @10fps 01-19 of 19 (accurate montage).jpg
Description: Whoosh - 2 seconds of a Rabbit streaking across the grass margin to gain the
safety of our plot at the left. The Rabbit started running upon seeing us about
70m away to the right and reached 'peak speed' on the 'level' grass. Rabbit
shooters have been about for the last few weeks and by now any tolerance of
humans will be long gone.
View: D73_20190901_0658_009-012 Rabbit runnin