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