30 Days Wild #7

Moth trap was checked and I found a new one for me, Tawny Brown Angle. We then decided ti visit the River Stour. At the entrance to the Kingfisher Barn was a wildflower area where I noted Hottentot-Fig Wild Carrot and Heath Groundsel. The river was fairly quiet though noting a wren going to feed young was exciting. Several male Banded Demoiselles were flying among the reeds. 

After lunch I went exploring on Hengistbury Head. It was quite windy but the threatened rain kept away. I noted Gannets out to sea and both Stonechats and Dartford Warbler on the heath.  

                                                                        

Monthly total 82 

30 Days Wild 6

 Visiting friends in Bournemouth for a few days so I surveyed their wild area in the garden. I noted Imperforate St John's wort, Corn Cockle and Scarlet Pimpernel. 

The afternoon was spent at Arne RSPB reserve, noting Vipers Bugloss and more Scarlet Pimpernel. We checked a small pool not too far from the information point and I was excited to see Raft Spider. An Emperor dargonfly was having an arial battle with a four spotted chaser, but Blue tailed and Large Red damselflies kept low in the vegetation. The path back to the  heath, containing Cross Leaved Heath, had a small colony of Wood Ants. As we crossed the heath we then saw and heard Dartford Warbler and Common Whitethroat. This brought us to two viewpoints enabling us to get good views of Spoonbill,

30 Day total now 72 species of Flora/Fauna. Bold names are those new to me this year

30 Days Wild #5

 Today is Environment Sunday, so this morning I thanked God for Creating such an amazing world, then asked forgiveness for the way we humans have trashed it up with plastics, pesticides, fracking and de-forestation.

Later this afternoon I will be travelling by train to Bournemouth to visit friends, avoid the rain and hopefully see some butterflies and dragonflies we don't get here in the North. It will give me the opportunity to observe our beautiful country through the window and read this magazine to learn more about what we have.

Day Four 30 Days Wild

 Moth Trap was checked and I found two moths which fitted in to the Royal occasion. Both were Ermines. There was a White one and a Buff one. 

 

Then back home to watch Castleford Tigers vsWigan Warriors. If you don't think that's wild, you've never seen a Rugby League match. My total for the four days now stands at 41

 

Day Three 30 Days Wild

 A miserable wet morning changed at lunchtime enabling me to collect some SD cards from my cameras on Cuerden Valley Park. More videos of Roe Deer, Foxes, and Woodmouse. The evening was dry and cool, so I went to help North Lancs Bat Group count Common Pipistrelles emerging from their roost in a bunfalow in Garstang. It was an amazing spectacle.

Day two of 30 Days Wild

 A sunny day prompted me to go to search for damselflies in the southern part of Cuerden Valley Park. Being 70+ has the added bonus of having a bus pass which keeps my carbon footprint down. It also meant I spotted Hedge Woundwort by the bus stop. I walked over the stone  road bridge and had a glance for our resident dipper, but to no avail. The lodge at Kem Mill was my destination and the sight of a Grey Heron lifted my spirit. Azure damselflies aplenty were flying on the edge of the water, on the vegetation emerging from the water and some ovipositing in the water. Just behind where I was standing I noted a Common Whitethroat and a Reed Bunting. I took a few photos of the heron and the damselflies until my stomach reminded me lunch was imminent. This time as I crossed over the river, a Grey Wagtail flew over my head. A  five minutes wait for the bus and back home for lunch

30 Days Wild - 1

 I have been doing a challenge to see how many species of Flora/Fauna I could see in 2022. This gives me an opportunity to see how many in 30 Days.

A nice sunny day afforded me the chance to check some ponds and the River Lostock on Cuerden Valley Park. No Dragonflies but these Banded Demoiselle and Male + Female Large Reds gave me a good start. Marsh Cinquefoil was a good addition to my grand total. .

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    We also spotted this Gothic Moth. Moth Trap out tonight methinks  

                           

Snow Geese and Scaup

 The second half of my trip to Speyside was as great as the first. Saturday morning we set off for the east side of the Buchan coast starting at Lossiemouth East beach . Before we got there we had a slight detour to view some Snow Geese in a field with some Pink Footed Geese. There were also good numbers and views of Fieldfare. Arriving at the beach, lots of waders and ducks were gathered not too far away. Those on view included Dunlin,  Ringed Plover, Curlew, Oystercatcher, Bar Tailed Godwit, Red Breasted Merganser, Eider, Common Gull, Herring Gull and Redshank. 

                                                         

Going to Lossiemouth harbour brought back great memories of my time in the Fisherman's Mission. Scanning from the harbour wall we were thrilled to have really good views of Long Tailed Duck, Shag, Red Throated Diver, Eider and on the sea wall were Rock Pipit, Turnstone and Purple Sandpiper.

Shag.  Turnstone 

                                   Purple Sandpiper  

Then on to Loch Spynie RSPB reserve via the Coltfield Loop. This was to look for and find Grey Partridge, but the added bonus of a Brown Hare was great. The feeders at the RSPB reserve proved very productive with Tree Sparrow, Brambling, Yellowhammer, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Great Tit and Blue Tit. We stopped by the Leisure Centre at Nairn hoping for a King Eider, but without success. I was impressed by the driving of our two guides coping with almost a blizzard on our homeward journey.

                

Sunday we went on a twitch but since it was on our way to the Black Isle it wasn't out of our way. I hadn't seen waxwings for a number of years so to photograph these was great. I wasn't able to get a photo of nearby crossbills though.

 A Red Kite flying over our transport was a lovely welcome to the Black Isle, where we paused at Munlochy Bay for packed lunch. Pink Footed Geese, Shelduck, Redshank and  Godwits, though distant were easily identified. One of our sharp eyed guides noticed a Merlin on the ground and the other guide found at least two Greenshanks at a safe distance from this magical raptor. A timely comfort break at Rosemarkie beach gave us delightful views of Sanderling, Black Guillemot and another Red Throated Diver.

 

Our final sites were Jemimaville and Udale Bay. Our finding of two more target species, Slavonian Grebe and Scaup was a great ending to our long weekend. Special thanks to Holly and Jenna from Heatherlea for their expertise. Photo of a Scaup below. I'll have to return in summer if only to see the grebe in summer plumage. The train home wasn't until 11.30 so we had a quick walk up the river in Nethy Bridge. Seeing and hearing Dipper, Grey Wagtail and Long-Tailed Tits was our reward. My running total for my challenge is now at 230

A Tale of Two Bridges.

 I start in Bamber Bridge where I went on Cuerden Valley Park to collect an SD card from one of our camera traps. On the way there, I saw two fungi, Dead Man's Fingers and Blushing Bracket.    

                   

   I actually got excited when I saw the results of my camera trapping. A dog fox being very interested in a vixen. Sadly I couldn't download it here. My day got a bit more colourfull when I spotted a bullfinch on the feeders by the cafe on the Park.

 

The following day I visited Wymott pools to try to spot a Little Owl. I was unsuccessful, but did manage to add Meadow Pipit and Heart's Tongue Fern. Which brought my list for the year to 183.

Then north to another "Bridge" This time Nethy Bridge where I spent a few days with Heatherlea, the bird watching group. Friday had an excellent start where we saw Black Grouse males on the hillside. Our attempt at finding Red Grouse was unsuccessful, but at least I added Juniper and Bilberry to my list.. We decided to go to Loch Garten RSPB reserve. Here we had good views of Crested Tits, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Brambling, Treecreeper, Siskins, a Red Squirrel and Chaffinch. I must confess the best thing was a Coal Tit sitting on my finger eating food from my hand. Crested tit pictured.

 

Travelling south past Kincraig we viewed Loch Insh where Pintail were a surprise. Other ducks included Teal, Mallard and Goldeneye. From here a loop anticlockwise via Kingussie took us to the viewpoint looking over Insh Marsh. Photos here were hard since most of the birds were over the hills and distant. Using our telescopes we were able to identify Golden Eagle, White Tailed Eagle, Goshawk, Hen Harrier and Raven. A little closer were Grey Heron, Greylag Geese, a mixed tit flock feeding, Brambling and a Great Spotted Woodpecker.

Year total for flora and fauna now 204

The Mere and the Moss

 I decided to visit Martin Mere on Jan 19 with the weather being mild and dry. Walked down to Janet Kear hide and suitably masked up stayed for a good while. It was much quieter with fewer human visitors but thankfully lots of birds coming to the feeders. Several Goldfinch, Chaffinch, Greenfinch, Tree Sparrow, the ubiquitous Robin. Long Tailed Tit then a really good view of a male Brambling. I saw some Mallards on the water and then regular visits from Blue tit, Great Tit and Moorhen. 

Returned to look over the main mere which had views of Pintail, Shelduck, Pink Footed Geese, Shoveler, Bar-tailed Godwit, Pintail, Whooper Swan, Lapwing and Wigeon. The appearance of a Marsh Harrier made them all fly around.

I checked the weather forecast and saw the next day was to be dry and sunny, so I booked a ticket to visit Leighton Moss by train. The station at Silverdale is only a short walk from the reserve and for me the price of £8 return, impossible to ignore. I couldn't spend long in Lilian's hide since there was going to be a wedding there within ten minutes. The one thing of note there was the legend that is John Wilson, the former manager of the site. 

Brisk walk from here to Lower hide. Snipe, Jack Snipe, Wigeon, Shoveler, Teal, Greylag Geese, Mallards, Cormorant and Mute Swans were visible from the main windows. A female Marsh Harrier flew casually over scattering flocks as it did so. I then decided to have a more casual stroll back to Lilians hide. I noted Bullfinch, a few cormorants, a calling Cetti's Warbler, Tufted Ducks, a Water Rail, Reed Bunting and some Wrens.

                  

The feeders back at the centre provided excellent views of Marsh Tit, Greenfinch, Chaffinch, Bullfinch, Pheasant, Mallard, I then decided to climb up the Tower which is near to Lilians hide. There was a Grey Heron, a flypast of Greylag Geese, Tutted Ducks, more Snipe which you may spot in the (poor) photo and then finally wonderful views of a male Marsh Harrier. By the end of the day my yearly total of flora/fauna was frustratingly at 169. This is still about 140 more than this time last year, but were were in Lockdown then.

 

The Eyes have it!

  

  Sunday Jan 9th I went on a walk with Chorley Natural History Society along Eyes Lane Bretherton. I arrived a little earlier than the starting time of 9.00am and was welcomed by a Tawny Owl in the avenue of trees nearby. There were also the usual dunnocks, various tits, a Great Spotted Woodpecker and a Robin. As the other members were arriving, they were greeted by a flypast of about 50 Pink Footed Geese. Once everyone was assembled we set off down the wooded lane with chaffinch, nuthatch and coal tits managing to ensure we didn't see them. It's a good job they are so noisy. One of the wild flowers that was surviving the mild winter caught our eye. It was White Dead Nettle. Pausing to take a photo we also spotted Skylarks and some Pheasants in the nearby field. I couldn't believe it had taken me 9 days before being able to add this common bird to my list. Continuing down the lane it became less wooded but had hedgerows on either side. Linnets, Chaffinches and Yellowhammer showed themselves, though the latter's yellow plumage does make it easier to spot. The bridge over the River Douglas was the next place to scan for other birds. Teal, Mallard and Moorhen scurried or flew away so we carried on to the west of the river. The field to the north had a hedge about 100 yards away from us and as I scanned I noticed several thrushes. Flying from field to trees and the hedge were Fieldfare, Redwing and a single Mistle Thrush. I also noted a large black corvid and was delighted when it's cronk confirmed it was a raven. 

       

The next field contained a small group of Whooper Swans. Two adults and three young. More flowers were noted on this part of the lane, these were Ivy leaved speedwell, Pineapple weed and more White Dead Nettle. The house where Tree Sparrows used to be reliable had been demolished and a new build was nearing completion. Fortunately the Tree Sparrows had not moved too far down our oute and we were delighted to observe them as well as corn buntings. I decided to leave for home at this point and manages to count more Mallards and Teal by the Baily Bridge. As I approached my vehicle I saw a fungus on some birch. It was a new one for me and I understand it is Worlock's Butter. A great end to a good day. List now stands at 143

The First Hundred.

 Thank goodness the dry weather continues. I started by going to fill up the bird feeders on Cuerden Valley Park and then went to collect the SD cards in the two trail cameras I have in different areas of the Park. We surprised four roe deer that hadn't noticed us until we were about 20 yards away. We paused to allow them to go to a quieter part of the wood. This photo was taken by Bev Redman.

We left the lake which was fairly quiet. It only had some black headed gulls and two coot. On arriving at Stock Pond I saw a kingfisher, a Grey Heron and three Goosanders. This brought my list up to 62.

The following day I took a friend to check the high tide at Southport which was said to be thirty one feet. First we checked out the Sandgrounders hide the RSPB have and saw a plethora of birds. Little Egret and Little Grebe were the first ones to note. Scanning the pools and marsh we then noted Wigeon, Snipe, Teal, Gadwall, Lapwing, Black Tailed Godwit, Canada Goose, Mallards and Golden Plover.

wigeon 

Golden Plover 

 Since high tide time was approaching, we crossed the road to watch the sea come in. Pink Footed Geese, more Little Egrets, Skylark, Snipe, Shelducks a couple of Stonechat, a Peregrine and several waders trying to evade being the Peregrine's lunch. It was getting a little cool so we decided to move towards the pier. Someone had suggested we may see something exciting there. A short walk proved them to be correct. About four Snow Buntings feeding on the beach were a delight to see.

We then called in at Martin Mere on our way home hoping to spot the Brambling at Janet Kear hide. This time we were unsuccessful, but Pintail, Pochard, Whooper Swans and a Hen Harrier did give us a superb end to our day out.

Total now at 101

Day One - Home Turf.

The first day of my challenge was dry and warm for January (11 degrees C) The first on my list was the oak tree right outside my front door and then as I set off for Cuerden Valley Park a song thrush started practicing his repetitive song. I had set my moth trap up with it being a warm evening but sadly on opening, I had only caught a Harvestman,                                       

                               

I then went to fill up the bird feeders, noting blue tit, great tit, coal tit, nuthatch, robin, grey squirrel and a Harlequin ladybird on the cafe window. Several goldfinches were using a feeder near the Walled Orchard and a blackbird was searching in the leaf litter for her breakfast. Not too far away a tree-creeper, oblivious to my presence was doing the same, but on an oak tree trunk.  Nearer to the workshop I heard a goldcrest and was able to spot it as well. I didn't see the bullfinch that was calling nearby.

Time to go to Kem Mill. Though my search for dipper was unsuccessful, I did spot a grey wagtail and some white dead-nettle in flower. There was also some jelly ear fungus and a fungus I didn't know.

         
  

Walked to the lodge and saw three mallards and five moorhens. At that point my heart started beating faster. On top of a bullrush there was a kingfisher. Its body was swaying with the plant but the head perfectly still. It then made a successful dive for its lunch. It was getting near my lunchtime so I headed towards the car park. As I did a mixed flock of finches flew from the hedge to the horse chestnut trees. I was delighted to note some chaffinches, more goldfinches, three bullfinches and a couple of greenfinches. A very pleasant morning.

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