Couple of nest cams

It's Friday, so I thought I'd pop a couple of links onto the blog for weekend viewing.

Shirl's Garden is a blog I regularly dip into and a microcosm of wildlife gardening ephemera. Not least the antics of her blue tits as caught on Nest-Cam. First egg now laid, so if you are interested have a look at;

http://blog.shirlsgardenwatch.co.uk/2008/05/let-count-begin.html

Also, moving up the food chain slightly, the RSPB have a Goshawk Cam installed in the New Forest, 4 eggs are in the nest;

http://www.newforestgateway.org/Nestcam/Live/tabid/117/Default.aspx

Have a good weekend

I knew I'd do this one day

Having 3 Blogs has it's disadvantages. Namely my wildlife posting for today has been put in my gardening blog. So as the thought of deleting this and then re-writing it doesn't appeal to me, please have a look at

http://quicksilverjack.blogspot.com/

Normal service will resume, unless I'm getting senile of course when postings may be anywhere and everywhere from now on!!!!

Hobbies, every man needs one....

Saturday

With reports of Hobby’s now hoovering up the local insect populous on the Somerset Levels, I headed off there on Saturday for what became a whole day birding, rather then the brief visit planned. Good job I’d had a Full English in Sainsbury’s at 7.30 on the way down (saves washing up, and cooking), as didn’t get home until 5.30.

Via a brief stop at Catcott Bridge, which lifted up 29 Whimbrel from the banks, plus a Little Egret. I was at Catcott Heath by 8.30am. Walking the track to the hide, 3 Little Egret, 33 Mute Swan, and a Lapwing hassling a Buzzard were a highlight. From the hide, notable birds were small numbers of calling Reed (133), Sedge and Willow Warblers, plus all too briefly a Grasshopper Warbler (134) providing it’s weird metallic call. A Common Sandpiper by the main drain was a good find. Walking back down the track and into the Heath, first Cuckoo (135) of the year, 4-5 Cetti’s warblers singing close by including one in full view which was nice, plus female Sparrowhawk overhead, single Goldfinch, 20+ Swift (136), numerous Swallow, 3 Whitethroat, 3-4 Skylark singing their hearts out, a single Jay and a Roe Deer. A good number of Orange-Tip butterflies as well.

Then headed to Shapwick, via a quick stop at Birtle Long Pools. Buzzard being hassled by Carrion Crow, 2 Kestrel, more Cetti’s and 2 more Cuckoos. Strangely though no Hirundines, which was the reason I stopped there.

Prize winning photo of a Hobby !!

At Shapwick, I spied 2 Buzzards being set upon by about 50 Corvids in the field. A cracking bit of behaviour which left the Buzzard looking a little rattled and fleeing the mob. At the car park though a sign proclaimed “Hobby Watch”, run by Natural England, place was packed, so headed off in the opposite direction to Ham Wall, the RSPB part of the reserve. And glad I did, a Lesser Whitethroat (137) was a very welcome addition to the year list, and more Whitethroat and Cetti’s.

Another prize winning photo...Whitethroat!!

Sensing the crowds were beginning to lessen by early afternoon, ventured into the Heath itself. At Meare scrape, a very colourful Black Tailed Godwit (138) in its summer finery shone out like a beacon. Also in the scrape, 3 Greenshank (139), summer plumage Dunlin, 2 Redshank, about 50+ Swift overhead, a Pair of Shovler and Teal and then a threesome of Gargany (140).

No Hobby’s though, until I looked the other way where 6 were in view. In total I guess I saw a dozen Hobby’s (141), which later I read were mainly second year birds. Tried to take a photograph, which was pointless. As a guy said I met, if you get a photo of a Hobby, it’s probably a Kestrel…. Good advice that.

Other highlights were a Treecreeper, male Bullfinch. On the insect front hundreds of damselflies, a Green Veined White butterfly, Brimstone and Peacock.

Sunday

Not planning any more birding this weekend, saw me at 6am down at Sand Bay. The weather was overcast but not a breath of wind, lovely. Walking along the beach just the usual suspects were seen, before I noticed 12 Dunlin in summer plumage (below). While watching these, a Ring Plover caught my eye in the stones. Scanning back and forward revealed another 8 and in the middle what I initially thought was a 1st year Dunlin in non breeding plumage, but wasn’t. But I wasn’t sure exactly what it was, but though I had inkling. Anyway took some notes and rang top birder mate who confirmed (without seeing it obviously) as an almost probable Curlew Sandpiper (142), which is a first for me.

Went back in the evening to see if it was still there but as Sand Bay was host to “bikers” or more correctly The Bridgwater Chapter, Cider Rally, it was a bit busy down there. So as no sign of it went back on Monday morning briefly, still no sign, but a White Wagtail (143) was almost overlooked. Plus, good numbers of Swallows migrating in off the sea and 9 Whimbrel and a single Curlew.

Also clocked 5 Wheatears, one of which may have been a Greenland version but not entirely convinced. Plenty of Skylark singing, plus a very showy Reed Bunting and a couple of Whitethroats were the highlights, oh and a pair of Canada Geese flew over.

Away from birds, the hedgehog is now a regular visitor to his feed, no new photo’s as I’m trying not to disturb it too much and get the dish nearer the house. Management took this photo of a slow worm as it worked its way up the garden path after a rain storm. Where it was heading is anyone’s guess. And finally a single Holly Blue butterfly flitting around the garden was a pleasant splash of colour.

All in all a very relaxing weekend which had the added advantage of increasing my year count to 143. This is the first year I’ve ever kept decent records, mainly as this Blog forces me to be organised, so not bad seeing as I haven’t got any seabirds yet. Methinks a trip to Skomer soon is needed for a Gannet, Puffin Razorbill or two, but before that down in Devon tomorrow.

Beltain Birds

May Day, Beltain, Ascension Day, whatever you call it, I hope you have a wonderful day. And right on cue the Hawthorn (May) blossom is coming out down here.

Beltain, one of the Cross Quarter days in the Pagan Calendar is a favourite festival of mine. As such a candle burned all night and I was up with the dawn this morning. No I wasn't dancing about some sacred site, but at Sand Bay by 5.30 for a spot of birding and solitude. The whole Bay was deserted, so while waiting for the birds to pop along, composed a poem for the day (don't worry I'll get the the wildlife soon)

Glisten sunlight on still wet rocks
Evaporating before others will view
Watching billowing clouds, light passes
I'm running with the Hares

Which brings me to Tuesday night. Spot of birding on way home at Chew Valley and this Hare was out in the open, with another behind. Picture isn't great but they were at the end of a field, so a digiscope shot for the record.

Back to the birds. Yesterday was a painting and birding day off. In the morning after a trip to Weston super Mud, a half hour at Sand Bay kicked off 5 Whimbrel (133), 5 Wheatear, a Little Egret and a cracking Kestrel which spent most of the time I was there hovering nearby.

In the evening after "doing" a painting (see Art blog), spent a bit of time down there with the scope. This time 17 Whimbrel, 3 Little Egret and that was about it other than a probable 40+ Dulin out on the mud, but at such a distance could have been something else as not that common here in April/May. The Whimbrell were very active though and gave some good clear views through the scope. Sadly though the Curlew have now left so no chance of comparing size etc.

Then this morning's early visit to Bay before all the dog walkers emerged provides some useful numbers of; Carrion Crow (35), Starling (40+), Shelduck (3 pairs), Male House Sparrows (13), Herring Gull (23), Whimbrel (11), Lesser BB Gull (5), Linnet (5), Little Egret (1), Skylark (7). And 2 very obliging Meadow Pippits, one of which was using a bit of drift wood to launch himself off into song and back again a number of times. Very nice piece of behaviour to herald May Day.

..... but the star of the day has to be the Peregrine. I was watching the Mippit doing it's stuff through the binoculars and on the skyline over the Point, "thought what's that"?. Ignoring the Mippit's for a moment, great views of it climbing and then attacking Woodpigeons which live around the point. My guess by the size it was a female, and three or 4 times it had a go at a kill. Although unsuccessful each time, watching the change of speed between flap flap searching and gaining height and then hell-for-leather chase was breathtaking. A Beltin' bird for a Beltain Day...ha ha ha

And finally what about this cracking piece of habitat management? The reed beds at Sand Bay are tiny, so my guess is the reed stems have been tied together to provide suitable nesting sites for Reed Buntings. By whom is unknown. But any thoughts or comments welcome.

+++++

And a postscript. Earlier today sent this article about "Birds can tell if you're watching them". thought it was interesting enough to add as a amended entry for today.

http://www.bris.ac.uk/news/2008/212017945290.html

Inspiration....

It's hard to say what inspires me to paint. Or why. All of my paintings are completely unplanned and occur out of my mind.... as someone once said to me, no pencils were harmed in the creation of this artwork, as I never ever draw out a painting. If I need direction I just use the brush.

Last week I was watching this Mallard duckling in a chalk stream and just loved the colours and the movement of the water. Replicating this without it becoming a photo-painting, or something lacking movement is always a risk.

One of my favourite ways of painting with acrylics is using a rubber roller, as it produces absolutely stunning marbling effects close up, and texture. The paint is literally squirted onto the paper or canvas and then more is added depending on what I'm trying to adjust to get the tone and feel of the painting right. It's a bit of a delicate procedure as it has to be fast, but because the paint is being mixed on the paper, knowing when to stop before it all becomes muddy brown is the trick.

And so here's my chalk stream, done with rollers. As you can see it's in portrait view, why? well because streams generally are horizontal in aspect, so being an abstract, I like the thought of having a vertical painting of water. Below the painting is detail of the marbling. Click to enlarge.

It must be spring...

WHY?

Well this morning I was to be found in the studio (sorry Shed) before work. I haven't picked up a brush in over 6 months. I can't explain it really but in the winter I tend to go birdwatching and in the spring, my attention turns to gardening and art. I've often thought it was because of lack of daylight, but I think it's temperature. I'm a cold weather person and love being out when it's harsh. In the summer I become a bit torpid and so maybe that's why my mind creates.

Obviously I don't give up birdwatching completely, but something stirs in me around March (usually the arrival of the first application for a Fair and panic sets in) and the old twitch returns. So this morning spent a bit of time getting my eye in again with watercolour, a medium I love, but struggle with. Not because of the technique, but because I like bold colours, and watercolour struggles to be bold and fresh. I got there last year, lets hope it remains. No photo's yet of today's effort, but two of the studio taken last year, top one is the external view funnily enough, the the other one is the view from inside I have. I love these glass pieces, which are inside, they just inspire me while sitting trying to get up some creative flair.

Yellow Wagtail

On a visit today to Springhead Gardens, more detail on the garden blog, a real surprise was a Yellow Wagtail (132) by the mill race. At first I thought it was a Grey Wagtail given the setting, but no, on closer inspection a Yellow, sadly no photo though.

Superb garden surrounded by farmland, so bird life was everywhere. Mallard and Coot chicks already hatched and this fella, guarding his missus on a nest in the lake.

After the gardens we went for a walk along a bridleway. All of a sudden a pair of Wrens set up one heck of a racket, both flew off but the male perched in some ivy not 3 feet away and sang to us. Oh to have the camera ready and primed, as it was a stunning display, the wren face on to us for 20 seconds or so, Mrs BR was most impressed, then it was gone. The bridleway also lifted a fair few Orange Tip butterflies. Cow Parsley, Red Campion and a whole host of other wild flowers are now out.

On way home Little Egret in a field by West Orchard, a couple of Kestrels, and swallows everywhere, including one skimming the Stour at Kings Mill.

Today felt like summer at last, first day I've been out just in short sleeves. Bliss.