tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-55861931050456823012024-03-21T14:59:27.617-01:00Great Northern Diarytwintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.comBlogger121125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-4232568644426021832024-03-14T10:17:00.061-01:002024-03-14T18:28:51.036-01:00Mayhem, moschatel and lunch with the ladies. <p>I live in a Housing Association house, and thanks to my landlord we are getting a new kitchen, bathroom and a re-wiring of the house. We are still living there while this happens. It means I sometimes need to stay in, waiting for workmen and sometimes get out of their way when they are doing electrical work. Here is the state of my kitchen after the first two days. You can see why getting out is a neccessity</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrOonOfezQy47EDjK-dZb1a-4loz0WumUw4TYQsxHaMjq2mkSorwEI6uWh-C4RGeFvmzejHKPbtlJfVVkCuJXKhGGFtMDIyMVu3Fbittj-X8BIQ-Qd1Q-5SkwrRj59mqyKelhgneSfoFWyD5CtXmYV7_idNeRpGNznY9-BPSlXcz29KALwgoDEAVyXMg/s2048/kitchen.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="947" data-original-width="2048" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFrOonOfezQy47EDjK-dZb1a-4loz0WumUw4TYQsxHaMjq2mkSorwEI6uWh-C4RGeFvmzejHKPbtlJfVVkCuJXKhGGFtMDIyMVu3Fbittj-X8BIQ-Qd1Q-5SkwrRj59mqyKelhgneSfoFWyD5CtXmYV7_idNeRpGNznY9-BPSlXcz29KALwgoDEAVyXMg/s320/kitchen.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><p> On one of the first escape efforts I had a look round Cuerden Valley Park on my regular check for the signs of spring. The herons were continuing their nest re-build, still about a dozen Goosanders fishing the reservoir and I found several more groups of primroses on the reservoir wall. Lesser Celandine and Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage were by now in abundance, but I was searching to find another early flower. Moschatel is a very small flower with a green floret usually well hidded under its leaves. After about thirty five minutes, there it was. For me it is the confirmation that spring has arrived. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_xRm58jAABnhu9SC3zHVeuIKnkUoJN9emxwkX7HlsVBpvgiacvd8t8bV9rMdDqvf0hLya3W3inss6LCTAc_MJLZe4ZkbsZXm5l3O-AMdwQkgt0sUYeDkA0fuBTYauSybkjL3C2nBw1O9-AiNRlJspejPoZYoLDFJg3pME8EgrFpFZdMWVW_ai9Ay35w/s2017/20240306_130150.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2017" data-original-width="1908" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid_xRm58jAABnhu9SC3zHVeuIKnkUoJN9emxwkX7HlsVBpvgiacvd8t8bV9rMdDqvf0hLya3W3inss6LCTAc_MJLZe4ZkbsZXm5l3O-AMdwQkgt0sUYeDkA0fuBTYauSybkjL3C2nBw1O9-AiNRlJspejPoZYoLDFJg3pME8EgrFpFZdMWVW_ai9Ay35w/w189-h200/20240306_130150.jpg" width="189" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I was able to have two more days "escaping", one of which I showed a good friend from the Forest of Bowland team where to find more signs of spring. We did notice that the amount of frog spawn was increasing. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The second day was spent showing a group from one of the local WI's round the Park. We started by having a quick look in our Walled Orchard. and a distant look at Cuerden Hall. It meant that I was able to give a condensed chat about the history of the estate and of Cuerden Valley Park Trust.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ddxX81odW2OEn7m_4zloKHYCRHgoDL6DQK1ytXbAU8W6yAjT69I5F9BNN0r0voad_cvwtbNIdvNqwl6rc-0mgxKssw8gkqwVZNnezDwVKL4faziA2JxN_7GGKTLKSeUUFThaiOjbb73__uSfflW3muKOBCCFRsP7ntqaIt3bUuG3V6CLReuWuMcicXY/s960/Cuerden%20Hall%20from%20south.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5ddxX81odW2OEn7m_4zloKHYCRHgoDL6DQK1ytXbAU8W6yAjT69I5F9BNN0r0voad_cvwtbNIdvNqwl6rc-0mgxKssw8gkqwVZNnezDwVKL4faziA2JxN_7GGKTLKSeUUFThaiOjbb73__uSfflW3muKOBCCFRsP7ntqaIt3bUuG3V6CLReuWuMcicXY/w200-h150/Cuerden%20Hall%20from%20south.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Continuing our journey, I took them past the reservoir to see some waterfowl as well as the Herons starting their nests. By taking them through Dog Kennel Wood, I ensured their walk took in our WI bridge.Their appreciation to me was an excellent lunch in Cuerden View cafe. This is not my photo, but gives a good illustration of their superb menu.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y_JKqQdrNp5x3M3__xPijynscjgMcaddB7aQfDL82RfjyXc80ecCVOshzQ-DJRr-BsrWtbkgU7fsF_iRzPQ-DtRGlIRjlZuU3bJE_kVOJEWkntsLRu2VKpNR1IVU_AqQyC0meHyhcOcn4U-TMA12_9KW0AWvWuuNwAfjwb92KTqZqoHtYy65S9a_YvY/s1360/2022-03-02.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="765" data-original-width="1360" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Y_JKqQdrNp5x3M3__xPijynscjgMcaddB7aQfDL82RfjyXc80ecCVOshzQ-DJRr-BsrWtbkgU7fsF_iRzPQ-DtRGlIRjlZuU3bJE_kVOJEWkntsLRu2VKpNR1IVU_AqQyC0meHyhcOcn4U-TMA12_9KW0AWvWuuNwAfjwb92KTqZqoHtYy65S9a_YvY/w200-h113/2022-03-02.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><br /> The following day I went to see if another spring flower had started to bloom. As we set off from the car park we met one of the people who rents an allotment from Cuerden Valley Park. As we chatted he mentioned he was a forager and had found Velvet Shank fungus, not one with which I am familiar. He also said it made excellent soup. We left him and continued our walk passing carpets of crocus and daffodils. It wasn't until we nearly finished our walk that we saw the yellow splash of our prize, Colt's Foot. Nearby was a dead branch with lots of Scarlet Elfcup growing on it. Another satisfying day of escaping the chaos in my house. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedL22gK_Bh1lKBt4aev2hHFAQKk6bVd4nJys7gI4QrY-2PSeYA-lP97aznPBYBozBVK7clC2odjyxK0IX9RvfPBpgl8TlZmbNNQyVWBoUtvwDrEoQ1_ID2bqRxvwtuIcLylKoEJ4LLhSpiNpfdk7D1RdVIrUgq_Mi2KLnsCimTt_OfgWQBXsE4dupwRM/s1660/colt'sfoot.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1098" data-original-width="1660" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgedL22gK_Bh1lKBt4aev2hHFAQKk6bVd4nJys7gI4QrY-2PSeYA-lP97aznPBYBozBVK7clC2odjyxK0IX9RvfPBpgl8TlZmbNNQyVWBoUtvwDrEoQ1_ID2bqRxvwtuIcLylKoEJ4LLhSpiNpfdk7D1RdVIrUgq_Mi2KLnsCimTt_OfgWQBXsE4dupwRM/w200-h133/colt'sfoot.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-43867864983291582982024-02-27T19:21:00.009-01:002024-02-27T19:23:13.510-01:00Frogs and Feeders; Bullhead and Butterbur<p> Spring really seems to have got underway. Already I noted Opposite-leaved Golden Saxifrage in flower and not too far away a frog orgy producing lots of frog spawn</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAceBp3yqKrrRj_KC440dX1LL1atCRwwpafccEVyIMdwu8N2KABZRMZUUWuhMLsQB5ydmAmCVzhHUaYB5pjF9Jy-2vkT4rHw8ECzLwsnCpT4bvO9rFufpWK1U-H_z954ST5oLc6_7btc3T1dIfiV9ZsPMILJoLkUUl4YXUYlPmMjVH6OjWdPGS8ZT5zQ/s4032/Spawn%20time.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEAceBp3yqKrrRj_KC440dX1LL1atCRwwpafccEVyIMdwu8N2KABZRMZUUWuhMLsQB5ydmAmCVzhHUaYB5pjF9Jy-2vkT4rHw8ECzLwsnCpT4bvO9rFufpWK1U-H_z954ST5oLc6_7btc3T1dIfiV9ZsPMILJoLkUUl4YXUYlPmMjVH6OjWdPGS8ZT5zQ/w200-h150/Spawn%20time.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I usually start reducing the bird food I put out once spring begins. I checked one of the bird feeders and found after six years it was no longer fit for purpose. I will need to buy a new one in September.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Still on Cuerden Valley Park, we had our first education visit of the year delivering river studies. Our Education officer covers the river geography and I don wellies to help the school children search for river invertibrates. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdYC1WBnRUmBBql2SYkFypSOrcV-gjYFMobUt8kpMggu8ZKtx3qWj2wF3GRQzolVMoeNcSoh7u0B6iBB_0_VxKDDIdxkyWE_MYebRHSwbB_vs0LwlRhXuiUecEbk7XWG-qU4L6auMfnaH4L8M79iuBygYpV5oZ2MwaIKGRDK8UA1EWgV81L8alkjeh-k/s625/panning%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="456" data-original-width="625" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQdYC1WBnRUmBBql2SYkFypSOrcV-gjYFMobUt8kpMggu8ZKtx3qWj2wF3GRQzolVMoeNcSoh7u0B6iBB_0_VxKDDIdxkyWE_MYebRHSwbB_vs0LwlRhXuiUecEbk7XWG-qU4L6auMfnaH4L8M79iuBygYpV5oZ2MwaIKGRDK8UA1EWgV81L8alkjeh-k/w200-h146/panning%202.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfaVgzn4sNrHTlUv5zAJ7nunHPp3LRnQF-nmEjbKoo2dl6NXwbPZtpQExUR8KG5JXmXTcfI2A26UgABaEIFaukhygsNeV2aIHq-yCI_6WVnfP-c8aIpP_zaWTNdg8tOv-ZKEUZwsHkcR2Pti4I4QAA0ITptlcarZpNZHmowHtzEuYSGhq-vpSfyRa33w/s628/River%20sampling.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="489" data-original-width="628" height="156" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKfaVgzn4sNrHTlUv5zAJ7nunHPp3LRnQF-nmEjbKoo2dl6NXwbPZtpQExUR8KG5JXmXTcfI2A26UgABaEIFaukhygsNeV2aIHq-yCI_6WVnfP-c8aIpP_zaWTNdg8tOv-ZKEUZwsHkcR2Pti4I4QAA0ITptlcarZpNZHmowHtzEuYSGhq-vpSfyRa33w/w200-h156/River%20sampling.jpg" width="200" /></a><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">It was a nice dry day, except for those who forgot they only had short wellies and had the river come over the top of them despite our several warnings. Good job they brought spare dry socks. Lots of Mayfly nymphs and a rather gorgeous Bullhead fish. It's an indicator of a clean river and was returned back to the water once the photo was taken.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi669rEw3WR4G547CP05DiAi9fz4m2SgN-_1FQdb5YZcaMibMBREgRg9GDea7xsJBhGOR4YaPSPjJC_4i4l-V-VIqhhSvFJh5hrU-npgjeSBo4VKApQ_egdNQStCSpHWBtIZ3ogLdRX4hiK1VOZE8-dV90gIAuaIbhmVfbi2lOaXqMr8WVqMDpqdR4Zeww/s1200/Bullhead%202.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1031" data-original-width="1200" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi669rEw3WR4G547CP05DiAi9fz4m2SgN-_1FQdb5YZcaMibMBREgRg9GDea7xsJBhGOR4YaPSPjJC_4i4l-V-VIqhhSvFJh5hrU-npgjeSBo4VKApQ_egdNQStCSpHWBtIZ3ogLdRX4hiK1VOZE8-dV90gIAuaIbhmVfbi2lOaXqMr8WVqMDpqdR4Zeww/w200-h172/Bullhead%202.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I decided to walk home and spotted some Butterbur just in flower at the bottom of our Meadow Path.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJBa1MDYpycI4uCAg0egNXk_WMeGmHTDplKnQwj56DcMKf8G2j_siJ2efSUX1Ykjg_Xxsk9FBQr5FVFNJi6j5oGVRchX5x0aOvWHEq3L3m1pqI7UvDbAMQN5aXst3FKZUda8IhLM2C2HIHIGJPInvoFT3urQn21eF0VNJ_O3plNj5571MwDUwwRGH8sE/s2439/20240227_142416.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1814" data-original-width="2439" height="149" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSJBa1MDYpycI4uCAg0egNXk_WMeGmHTDplKnQwj56DcMKf8G2j_siJ2efSUX1Ykjg_Xxsk9FBQr5FVFNJi6j5oGVRchX5x0aOvWHEq3L3m1pqI7UvDbAMQN5aXst3FKZUda8IhLM2C2HIHIGJPInvoFT3urQn21eF0VNJ_O3plNj5571MwDUwwRGH8sE/w200-h149/20240227_142416.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-32697959754909591272024-02-23T16:31:00.006-01:002024-02-23T16:36:21.117-01:00Tyto, Toads and other critters<p> A colleague mentioned they had seen a Barn Owl emerging from a nearby building. Enthused, I went to see if I could discover any owl pellets. This serves two purposes. First confirmation of the bird's presence and second, examination of the pellets helps us to see what prey the owl has been eating. We found at least three pellets plus the farmer kindly allowed us to have a camera installed temporarily to try to obtain more evidence of the bird. Here is a photo of the pellets. They may look disgusting to some, but remember the owl ejects them from its mouth, not its backside.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9TyXXXM2kFVZrLxTOZuL88yfC8tiMreOtkFA4xn-ACrzO8Isbdi7ZuRDxrLBCs73xuEhmZOwxVie9qG2CQZb8rBvKcG_FQNxCQHsUimdEGofrsaxthcJ4s4pY9Srj1vIIz89ZvFFxEY6wcX-cHYAmJkgUBRgeMhfa0oP10wXzoUWUASNa53ZMuU5gtM/s2493/20240216_095237.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2493" data-original-width="1908" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD9TyXXXM2kFVZrLxTOZuL88yfC8tiMreOtkFA4xn-ACrzO8Isbdi7ZuRDxrLBCs73xuEhmZOwxVie9qG2CQZb8rBvKcG_FQNxCQHsUimdEGofrsaxthcJ4s4pY9Srj1vIIz89ZvFFxEY6wcX-cHYAmJkgUBRgeMhfa0oP10wXzoUWUASNa53ZMuU5gtM/w153-h200/20240216_095237.jpg" width="153" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I had a good week in the middle of February with a few surprises. At a meeting of the Lancashie Wildlife Trust Speaker Team, I was given a special certificate in recognition of 35 years volunteering for LWT. Only a few of those were on the speaker team. In the afternoon, the Friends of Cuerden Valley Park gave me a Lifetime membership for the work I do for them over the year. Finally when I arrived home, I checked the mail and saw that someone had sent me a Valentine. It is a Leap Year after all.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the weekend I went to say a sad farewell to one of the Watch Leaders who has felt it right to retire after 30+ years of running the group. It was a great session. She had asked https://crittersinteractive.co.uk/ to bring some of their animals. There were snakes, stick insects, toads and a slow worm. My favourite was this large frog. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE4TQqgIpieVImGO8zDuNSqclfDJYIdeVBerDgIwxsSzhUBcRwUQ-KMLRIQMl_vGdnYwLTFAI8vGMTMU5zejZfe6j7UDTA0-La72MvBcpd6w2s1i5wIcT5zvyLltChDjLqTGcxefogNSA-SkjWV9kEyt7qJh_duMgWxeBrIdwyXG0ntVjmmI-A5wgO0c/s843/428409384_10161549332387359_7174598491420624991_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE4TQqgIpieVImGO8zDuNSqclfDJYIdeVBerDgIwxsSzhUBcRwUQ-KMLRIQMl_vGdnYwLTFAI8vGMTMU5zejZfe6j7UDTA0-La72MvBcpd6w2s1i5wIcT5zvyLltChDjLqTGcxefogNSA-SkjWV9kEyt7qJh_duMgWxeBrIdwyXG0ntVjmmI-A5wgO0c/w200-h200/428409384_10161549332387359_7174598491420624991_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The day after this I went checking round Cuerden valley Park and found Lenten Rose flowering and also Lungwort. Spring seems to be getting earlier.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LWrfI382uFjLRzD2hY-tXGyT5xq3fIstmvMRXF62H_5jLgiyV07OdhRDpIUyA9HjxC2NrCCPIqWQRxQzoBOzO0kgqfRLehhiF3EkUVhB0lxOxlyMBh-dR31uKTyrdoilNMPRDLR8V-PlFtPHIT1OlrXj-2pWJ-6gYImR_tn98M-DWc8yq6qtv2Pgmjk/s1968/LR.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1092" data-original-width="1968" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2LWrfI382uFjLRzD2hY-tXGyT5xq3fIstmvMRXF62H_5jLgiyV07OdhRDpIUyA9HjxC2NrCCPIqWQRxQzoBOzO0kgqfRLehhiF3EkUVhB0lxOxlyMBh-dR31uKTyrdoilNMPRDLR8V-PlFtPHIT1OlrXj-2pWJ-6gYImR_tn98M-DWc8yq6qtv2Pgmjk/w200-h111/LR.jpg" width="200" /></a></div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk1glzF3QRHrlJkIYmllpP1xMr-ySEnuXIeJP6Aw0mdmbKhVHB6v970-IwpOkT61o2dSkWLzXJDO-Mm3ogtDEzzef1cuqEROsluYgh0CE5Ok2VwJF4CRCcwz4tZIcTRrtqHc-aYRwgOKa1wC7JJ2qigC22kTXqXCKxjBv1xtz1uZjIsUGM-Ms-6x_Jrs/s720/lung.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="720" height="124" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqk1glzF3QRHrlJkIYmllpP1xMr-ySEnuXIeJP6Aw0mdmbKhVHB6v970-IwpOkT61o2dSkWLzXJDO-Mm3ogtDEzzef1cuqEROsluYgh0CE5Ok2VwJF4CRCcwz4tZIcTRrtqHc-aYRwgOKa1wC7JJ2qigC22kTXqXCKxjBv1xtz1uZjIsUGM-Ms-6x_Jrs/w167-h124/lung.jpg" width="167" /></a> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> A visitor to Cuerden had noticed some bees going to and coming from a tree that had recently been blown down in a storm. She asked if she could contact a bee expert to see what they could do. As a result a lady from the Bee Centre, which is based not too far away came to rescue the bees and take them to a place for TLC and placed in a new hive. We are very grateful for their involvement. I believe caring for creation involves insects as well as cuddly creatures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9iqe2ImY3xMYi5xqOyACAxeF1WSLY07TkGnA2Dwmg0pDqz9Flt69fQxjKGuH54rSFl4Svkzucfvyz09xIXZGcW94FVujt8DbvvV7qaXrVJMHJdW9JqrofKAxthW2t0gT8hFXErUv5g4fKoc2fDtzMaLCojEyATHsMwFLXVQL7q09lDFAwTa7ZSdpjm0/s890/Screenshot%20(82).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="890" data-original-width="516" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9iqe2ImY3xMYi5xqOyACAxeF1WSLY07TkGnA2Dwmg0pDqz9Flt69fQxjKGuH54rSFl4Svkzucfvyz09xIXZGcW94FVujt8DbvvV7qaXrVJMHJdW9JqrofKAxthW2t0gT8hFXErUv5g4fKoc2fDtzMaLCojEyATHsMwFLXVQL7q09lDFAwTa7ZSdpjm0/w116-h200/Screenshot%20(82).png" width="116" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-77573334105847777562024-02-18T21:06:00.002-01:002024-02-23T13:29:05.022-01:00Mammal Checks and moving cameras.<p> It has been a frustrating couple of weeks with incessant rain and a poorly laptop meaning my blog writing has been curtailed. On the earliest drier day I went away from my local patch on Cuerden Valley Park to check out reports of badger acivity. Some supposed paths were only tracks made by dogs entering a bramble patch in a ditch, and snuffle holes on careful examination, proved to be roe deer slots. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOfi9bqonYLPSekzpMZYMd6wjUzdtSOHf-_ov9V1J7mUuKnerzsabFsYTU9oOfBDp0OQ9BI3WeId1YRxuKF0-rEtpYk9pIAFYiMFvuxX-eNySak5yeu7HJHXkN7W7o_9UONd8l6WmfAfT8MP3s__CfTtmrqMY988XQvkrNAISl6eS2z9VmdXRutnMve0/s2694/doe2%20print.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2149" data-original-width="2694" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOfi9bqonYLPSekzpMZYMd6wjUzdtSOHf-_ov9V1J7mUuKnerzsabFsYTU9oOfBDp0OQ9BI3WeId1YRxuKF0-rEtpYk9pIAFYiMFvuxX-eNySak5yeu7HJHXkN7W7o_9UONd8l6WmfAfT8MP3s__CfTtmrqMY988XQvkrNAISl6eS2z9VmdXRutnMve0/w200-h159/doe2%20print.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><p>We did find some King Alfred Cakes fungi and some Yellow Brain fungus, so our trip was beneficial.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-tiVRDx7RyK2IDcTaZ8cVbItPWBKz-k_xJUB3-jjPCDWfmtR9332pKPsB6PKIK56yB1aVCs5bAM1nPLpZLO_w-U5LP0l4qgTJS_lka75hQ0nK0N-chXro9lMqDPV_WKzy20VLaUu0qNY0HhBMh3OalZihOPV1145NVtlZ8cquqpbgI46YBCvrlQJipM/s1372/kac.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1372" data-original-width="1222" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU-tiVRDx7RyK2IDcTaZ8cVbItPWBKz-k_xJUB3-jjPCDWfmtR9332pKPsB6PKIK56yB1aVCs5bAM1nPLpZLO_w-U5LP0l4qgTJS_lka75hQ0nK0N-chXro9lMqDPV_WKzy20VLaUu0qNY0HhBMh3OalZihOPV1145NVtlZ8cquqpbgI46YBCvrlQJipM/w178-h200/kac.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9wq0TnBzS3stJdjPBwwMEH_s6TMFO5bomCvRpSTkyPgNDcI2aJJjw5gFV3GmSvC1LizqQ2MvYWIqPsUpGh1uzEfp18vJL7oqU7A1Q7aR7mIk7FkxL86-xZw4czyt9DU0Dsh5A4dFEYy96vqFxEH-YSaRfiPWvqee4h0CE2vuvMzxJhAjQBGVwaWWfyg/s600/brain%20fungus%20(1).jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="600" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic9wq0TnBzS3stJdjPBwwMEH_s6TMFO5bomCvRpSTkyPgNDcI2aJJjw5gFV3GmSvC1LizqQ2MvYWIqPsUpGh1uzEfp18vJL7oqU7A1Q7aR7mIk7FkxL86-xZw4czyt9DU0Dsh5A4dFEYy96vqFxEH-YSaRfiPWvqee4h0CE2vuvMzxJhAjQBGVwaWWfyg/w200-h150/brain%20fungus%20(1).jpg" width="200" /></a></div><br /><p>We returned to Cuerden Valley Park so that I could change the position of one of our trail cameras. During winter I have it over the reservoir to monitor winter visiting birds such as these sleeping wigeon and often a Goosander. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGIYChDrxryVKSmn64YbnHdz4GGnG6bOmBpKTjHgOvBF7vV9VCGAfUBJD1aDs56N1KgvApK2sa7fuKwTYnoFcpPNm3ygh0iJOpES2GxlQzGkEPzqyDhNXdkbFZafvT7xnXJ6dZGKDwTqE0er_yp9mxwu7IPR8hKk4ijoZmTgWRdSvsPfGYhBb7ZQP-Do/s2048/413819510_10229332240423916_7976276053533297971_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpGIYChDrxryVKSmn64YbnHdz4GGnG6bOmBpKTjHgOvBF7vV9VCGAfUBJD1aDs56N1KgvApK2sa7fuKwTYnoFcpPNm3ygh0iJOpES2GxlQzGkEPzqyDhNXdkbFZafvT7xnXJ6dZGKDwTqE0er_yp9mxwu7IPR8hKk4ijoZmTgWRdSvsPfGYhBb7ZQP-Do/w200-h133/413819510_10229332240423916_7976276053533297971_n.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTTDwjHPRPgV-jvs0XkOBGU-JAx65I6BdEskE28FH_lHzE_hViaylMpV_ybzZT6tyaYEIKsqp4Qnji4BZKL8nBjvrXQrwRflzfGQIhM8cu_XNQCDGcUSSFNh98NkZOd_uhJKIDE-hvKJJ7hpj6PktEkHRVgQhjLxnPawFKd2ApbvZA_bgqpVtShUSgGI/s786/Goosander.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="548" data-original-width="786" height="139" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkTTDwjHPRPgV-jvs0XkOBGU-JAx65I6BdEskE28FH_lHzE_hViaylMpV_ybzZT6tyaYEIKsqp4Qnji4BZKL8nBjvrXQrwRflzfGQIhM8cu_XNQCDGcUSSFNh98NkZOd_uhJKIDE-hvKJJ7hpj6PktEkHRVgQhjLxnPawFKd2ApbvZA_bgqpVtShUSgGI/w200-h139/Goosander.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I move it once the bluebell shoots start to show so I do not cause any disturbance for these gorgeous flowers. The camera then goes to our hedgehog feeding station to monitor their emergence from hibernation. This means we can then increase our provision of food when applicable for these <br />wonderful creatures.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tqoFcueaPUpdq7CEWYApyEq6hL5i-ABMd2zpByjr4BxR1sYC6dDHAorf3mbyfUmtgI04QRA7GTWdnWOwREEhg4sllQVcCn4VDJqoD-qWhRTNZwrWaVc9xMPFjv0N5y94K1po4GTGxcurNCVXapnyh5P05d995IwP8WkBPS9V0Ecq5UkTphdrxWCxDdw/s517/Screenshot%20(77).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="517" data-original-width="510" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5tqoFcueaPUpdq7CEWYApyEq6hL5i-ABMd2zpByjr4BxR1sYC6dDHAorf3mbyfUmtgI04QRA7GTWdnWOwREEhg4sllQVcCn4VDJqoD-qWhRTNZwrWaVc9xMPFjv0N5y94K1po4GTGxcurNCVXapnyh5P05d995IwP8WkBPS9V0Ecq5UkTphdrxWCxDdw/s320/Screenshot%20(77).png" width="316" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-61689792803431536152024-01-31T09:57:00.001-01:002024-02-05T06:54:13.761-01:00Bearded Tits, Bitterns and Big Garden Birdwatch.<p> For the third time this winter some friends and I decided to go to rspb Leighton Moss to search for Bearded Tits, our previous visits having been unsuccessful. The first part of our walk took us past the moth trap which was still in its winter quarters. Scanning the trees there enabled us to note Siskins, Bullfinch, Blue Tits, Robins and a solitary Greenfinch. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt6nG73Kdn-MeGlBIOMps2khxM4TabKq5cJdFUxHKykMpM0ygfo3CU_8vhX2_LD2GBt_3zUH_SgEGL4MVU3hyPxs0IXHdsAd8sifQpkpKrmqVbMv6rxJwd1TTjon4vV1XwILQyRA6dsyNAo6V64KNOKMXptrdx25JeZL5DwLWQxNroqZoNpi4KwlRIQE/s1247/gf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="963" data-original-width="1247" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMt6nG73Kdn-MeGlBIOMps2khxM4TabKq5cJdFUxHKykMpM0ygfo3CU_8vhX2_LD2GBt_3zUH_SgEGL4MVU3hyPxs0IXHdsAd8sifQpkpKrmqVbMv6rxJwd1TTjon4vV1XwILQyRA6dsyNAo6V64KNOKMXptrdx25JeZL5DwLWQxNroqZoNpi4KwlRIQE/w204-h157/gf.jpg" width="204" /></a> </div><p>We continued towards the Causeway and were pleased to see two Marsh Harriers gracefully hunting over the reeds. Two of us then took a quick look for Sweet Violets near where the Causeway meets the road. They are one of the early flowering plants but not yet visible. I suspect it was a little too early for them. We walked down towards the Public Hide, pausing at the grit trays hoping for Bearded Tit. None arrived while we were looking. A glimpse of a Great White Egret gave us the motivaation to carry on to the hide until I heard the "ping" of a Bearded Tit. Everyone was suddenly quiet listening for more. Then there it was right in front of us. A lifer for many in our group. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wUCkyx9FLXvqsov6jvJ_JWetfm6kupyo6gNTyXcBdVV9OXANgUA2g6KN58kIsjDDsVtcaZkcZCo-i0qO-adDOHTtbDZNXwq3JoQ_T_-tbahfxBzw0c8WErmxEaUvtKVNcWu6AVCn-YeHJ1iKgEY3y-kRsIUUyNbnBCt2SgAZshVIEyRP87G1jvh6ppk/s842/Bearded%20tit%204%20(1).JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="629" data-original-width="842" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3wUCkyx9FLXvqsov6jvJ_JWetfm6kupyo6gNTyXcBdVV9OXANgUA2g6KN58kIsjDDsVtcaZkcZCo-i0qO-adDOHTtbDZNXwq3JoQ_T_-tbahfxBzw0c8WErmxEaUvtKVNcWu6AVCn-YeHJ1iKgEY3y-kRsIUUyNbnBCt2SgAZshVIEyRP87G1jvh6ppk/w244-h182/Bearded%20tit%204%20(1).JPG" width="244" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">At the hide we noted Mute Swan, Cormorant, lots of Coots with a couple of Gadwall amongst them. Two more birds which we didn't see but were able to recognise the calls were Little Grebe, and the squeal of a Water Rail. We had planned on going to Lower Hide but for some of us, our footwear was lower than the water level on the path. We decided to return to the Centre for lunch. After lunch to the feeding station and enjoyed watching Goldfinches, Blackbirds, Blue Tit, Great Tit, Chaffinch, Marsh Tit (pictured) and Coal Tit.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe2__8mjzrHoDBrqzdisgjQi69gaRhMzaavRimYDtlVGyOzGq8EvtxFYeltOavNWKhpMhqb7Vubh2-6-P0DlOivdOoJ5TEb35_H2Fao6sfu8re1XMvLKOEGyiPeeVKasiR_PnDazIeliBhVa1siXbEpFUa1zunJ6BARmtzlt6hwcTGcNm3uxKJB7yG08/s438/marsh%20tit.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="436" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZe2__8mjzrHoDBrqzdisgjQi69gaRhMzaavRimYDtlVGyOzGq8EvtxFYeltOavNWKhpMhqb7Vubh2-6-P0DlOivdOoJ5TEb35_H2Fao6sfu8re1XMvLKOEGyiPeeVKasiR_PnDazIeliBhVa1siXbEpFUa1zunJ6BARmtzlt6hwcTGcNm3uxKJB7yG08/w156-h157/marsh%20tit.jpg" width="156" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> Straight on then to Lilian's Hide to search for the reported female Ringed Neck Duck. In this we were unsuccessful. More sightings of Marsh Harrier, plus Snipe, Goldeneye, Wigeon,( pictured) Teal, Shoveler and Lapwing still made us very happy.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQD1CCwjcKnh1Bf70MRJUPMpa0TVUOnvrDNkGiVNJwb9OXvOXOoduQglK2TpvJqY3Cf_oNFs2C-UR3m1511nCkfgHpydZP6woRP4Hk0QrBaNty6eTaCxgqwZyG5j-K124uthCke7VyAM8h0d8xrEOXy9LV15zVxwRTgEYWKea7DpsVMjtfAXmWGeWGZk/s2048/Wigeon.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxQD1CCwjcKnh1Bf70MRJUPMpa0TVUOnvrDNkGiVNJwb9OXvOXOoduQglK2TpvJqY3Cf_oNFs2C-UR3m1511nCkfgHpydZP6woRP4Hk0QrBaNty6eTaCxgqwZyG5j-K124uthCke7VyAM8h0d8xrEOXy9LV15zVxwRTgEYWKea7DpsVMjtfAXmWGeWGZk/w180-h120/Wigeon.JPG" width="180" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Eager for more delights we then carried on to Grisedale Hide. A Marsh Harrier was flying slowly in front of us with Shovelers, Canada Geese and the ubiquitous Mallards. We were about to leave when suddenly there it was, almost invisible, a Bittern. It had dropped in almost unnoticed. I am so glad that some of the younger members of our party have much better eyes than I. Then to cap it all the Great White Egret flew over our heads just as we left the hide. All together a wonderful day. </div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D2mNje1nziiFPXxSNmoojnYhAtDikEEbWrWG7NnewwA-_sovFEWXtr-szugE1ofAwM9WXxmC0v3CjfNRyYsBkN_rvzbB4g1M43xTLKc-mMeAkahH1xfPCdl-NmPpfjabiWzKcRhRo75ju_PoCwDeq_4y2LbfLuIq0qEwQCIbu47YNiBPOl8ofBB7mh4/s2048/Bittern%20at%20Brockholes.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-D2mNje1nziiFPXxSNmoojnYhAtDikEEbWrWG7NnewwA-_sovFEWXtr-szugE1ofAwM9WXxmC0v3CjfNRyYsBkN_rvzbB4g1M43xTLKc-mMeAkahH1xfPCdl-NmPpfjabiWzKcRhRo75ju_PoCwDeq_4y2LbfLuIq0qEwQCIbu47YNiBPOl8ofBB7mh4/w190-h142/Bittern%20at%20Brockholes.jpg" width="190" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The following day I helped to lead a Bird walk on Cuerden Valley Park, to coincide with the rspb National Big Garden Birdwatch </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfjzLRdceTWTd-6WnhebdxC27MJhSvitjq4GLgh-p8bjeQ0PkburWdFlqqYBB7Vv3NlXsl0vB9fCUUwQ5yCIpn1iHJNuYkiZN8rXxswMt13809mGQ8g4OLShnIh5Omvc-O_E4ZRHO8ZzN711AIDZyO8sV52JzgdpajrDoVyHUPr1KZENiFdagALPYiCs/s886/gsw.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="886" data-original-width="886" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfjzLRdceTWTd-6WnhebdxC27MJhSvitjq4GLgh-p8bjeQ0PkburWdFlqqYBB7Vv3NlXsl0vB9fCUUwQ5yCIpn1iHJNuYkiZN8rXxswMt13809mGQ8g4OLShnIh5Omvc-O_E4ZRHO8ZzN711AIDZyO8sV52JzgdpajrDoVyHUPr1KZENiFdagALPYiCs/w128-h128/gsw.jpg" width="128" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we were setting off we could already hear a Great Spotted Wood Pecker drumming and a Song Thrush starting to practise his courtship performance. Suddenly in the wood nearby, we saw the white flash of a Jay's rump </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1swhSx33fd_YV0N5E3M1tJidMW_hh0MvLRTv28posDDGGu61RuLNP1xcvzE53gJtOIL8zfVEFZk8mQxJrkiiuCNkbQUrVtWm7T9WUxb4_NhwwI_yWnIQFgp_n4RPd8bylpgCQZh1h7RQRTHV03yPbcb5j992TgYf2XHUAJ2uscBr_v3w4UWtvNIWhyck/s913/J.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="763" data-original-width="913" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1swhSx33fd_YV0N5E3M1tJidMW_hh0MvLRTv28posDDGGu61RuLNP1xcvzE53gJtOIL8zfVEFZk8mQxJrkiiuCNkbQUrVtWm7T9WUxb4_NhwwI_yWnIQFgp_n4RPd8bylpgCQZh1h7RQRTHV03yPbcb5j992TgYf2XHUAJ2uscBr_v3w4UWtvNIWhyck/w158-h132/J.JPG" width="158" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The bird stayed for about two minutes then departed allowing the Song Thrush to occupy the same spot. On the nearby bird feeder were Blue Tits, Great Tits, Coal Tits, Chaffinches and Nuthatches all busily consuming the sunflower seed. Continuing down the hill towards the river we noted a few Wood Pigeons and Carrion Crows in the field along side us. A Robin seemed to think that we might have some food and followed us for about ten minutes. We climbed the steps to the reservoir where I set up my telescope. This enabled us to have good views of Mallards, Canada Geese, Coots, a couple of Moorhens , a single Lesser Black-backed Gull and several Black Headed Gulls. One of the latter already had its head starting to turn to summer plumage. At the far side of the reservoir we noted both male and female Goosanders. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucjaZ9ZKYtH2GFdxr-EkE6qTLs4amOM9nVJYTpa_EmN049LXPSWNL-RMLxyqPFPXvVx8JVTX169l7-ZnM4Vdyb8PzQdRBXoLekJzvEGQCUX_z4sMO0v0H_zLIsZEhYNqU8ZPiyiK_JcUZBffRYRfIUBMIGIZ3QOEw6f96yAqfx2wTGcN0YuQGL2xvpgM/s1086/lbbg.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucjaZ9ZKYtH2GFdxr-EkE6qTLs4amOM9nVJYTpa_EmN049LXPSWNL-RMLxyqPFPXvVx8JVTX169l7-ZnM4Vdyb8PzQdRBXoLekJzvEGQCUX_z4sMO0v0H_zLIsZEhYNqU8ZPiyiK_JcUZBffRYRfIUBMIGIZ3QOEw6f96yAqfx2wTGcN0YuQGL2xvpgM/w140-h93/lbbg.jpg" width="140" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGApWiQnWXrNtb8brfgYENnpaQM5_ckNxdXNHUKA_2rnOF2SHk3LH0IJUuxt7wZBUMzdMc49PdVYrr4DZYRN6OHMNWDyd9pZorbfZqGp8wBRpoaRbAPrLnR1gmqqmJAPXtfsLRXGDYiprfdPB7fJmC5reBBVi-_6sxcnmq96dg4WVarwatwwTQAhp1RTU/s855/gosand.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="368" data-original-width="855" height="85" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGApWiQnWXrNtb8brfgYENnpaQM5_ckNxdXNHUKA_2rnOF2SHk3LH0IJUuxt7wZBUMzdMc49PdVYrr4DZYRN6OHMNWDyd9pZorbfZqGp8wBRpoaRbAPrLnR1gmqqmJAPXtfsLRXGDYiprfdPB7fJmC5reBBVi-_6sxcnmq96dg4WVarwatwwTQAhp1RTU/w197-h85/gosand.jpg" width="197" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> In the trees on the island one Grey Heron was easily seen and a second one that was alittle more difficult. Returning to the stone bridge we went up the hill to the pine woodland. It was here I heard some Siskins and the unmistakable call of Long Tailed Tits. Another Robin, a Wren and a few Blue tits maintained their alarm calls as we continued our walk towards Cock Cabin Wood. I checked the Nuthatch holebut there was no activity there.A couple of Moorhens on the pond, a Blackbird and a few more Wood Pigeons were the only birds I noted. Back to the main path southwards with more raucus calls from a couple of Magpies and a good view of couple of Redwings. We speeded up a little as time was going far too quickly. I did hear a Mistle Thrush making its "rattle" call. We then climbed the winding path through our Wildflower Meadow and back to Cuerden View Cafe.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRbLE-ca_HYNMePtGSSP3VKrdaGFhDt9XjYtkU_Kl0QCIw__axZ8lDOGENdtLUZTyfPvJvRXyAWXFCTOd_cOuOAyHQ8_6iF6tUz10Ev7m2sigPBzJS71O6hV9ondWe37CN9ikvPZjWtVfkTsCMvjfXiR1aIiUawrJEEFI38Juf8gDI0yxopPCp7sQHFA/s934/Bullfinch%20Leighton%20Moss.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="869" data-original-width="934" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirRbLE-ca_HYNMePtGSSP3VKrdaGFhDt9XjYtkU_Kl0QCIw__axZ8lDOGENdtLUZTyfPvJvRXyAWXFCTOd_cOuOAyHQ8_6iF6tUz10Ev7m2sigPBzJS71O6hV9ondWe37CN9ikvPZjWtVfkTsCMvjfXiR1aIiUawrJEEFI38Juf8gDI0yxopPCp7sQHFA/w124-h115/Bullfinch%20Leighton%20Moss.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> To finish our walk, I checked the large feeder near the Walled Orchard and noted Dunnock, Bullfinch and Stock Dove. A hot chocolate drink was the perfect ending to a lovely morning. </div>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-22245227538755107042024-01-28T10:29:00.001-01:002024-01-30T17:11:21.756-01:00Snow, songs and snowdrops<p> I have a couple of trail cameras in remote locations on Cuerden to monitor any wildlife that may visit when I am not there. This fox is a regular in one of the woodlands especially as it checks out the rabbit holes. You will see at the bottom right of the photo that the temperature reached -7 C. It is a still photo taken from a video clip.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-TIQtrIYMUt5BCe3HY6klZk-apGxiRTmAuYitGYMaa3z3Of6G0JRG7XXCLg7_gJe2bSRqqbn4qvUYgMtk9JX4rHpnK0tav_a5blRpwSQnZRh-dayaG-jugwqKHCsZigfFoQhwGmV9YKa-i2meta3C_6UIGi9-RuW70BxwtXhdcLQVyzKS8dfd0GnRbs/s1240/Screenshot%20(70).png" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="920" data-original-width="1240" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-TIQtrIYMUt5BCe3HY6klZk-apGxiRTmAuYitGYMaa3z3Of6G0JRG7XXCLg7_gJe2bSRqqbn4qvUYgMtk9JX4rHpnK0tav_a5blRpwSQnZRh-dayaG-jugwqKHCsZigfFoQhwGmV9YKa-i2meta3C_6UIGi9-RuW70BxwtXhdcLQVyzKS8dfd0GnRbs/w225-h167/Screenshot%20(70).png" width="225" /></a> </div><p>The day after this we had more snow. The first day I stayed in mainly because I coukdn't get my vehicle out of the road in which I live. I managed to walk onto Cuerden Valley Park with the help of "YakTrax" on the bottom of my boots. I can assure you that though the fox clip was taken in black and white, the photo below of the stone bridge was taken in colour.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdvhUBRJRSosftn-MtuNyx3YepbleE0WCfDW5L1UPkTn06-kd25-RPBbHJI_Vwd7HGp2NIMyxTwQiwKr401MMTUPMJn0NVYzUkv8-SCOxEwOZhxDMP1nOsz4YKFHfhQr5c6pYmWxYyUUKQwOPLeEU66EkH2IrXRSRknvWfy091Qz2e7WdCmarFRK48M8/s604/snow%20on%20cvp.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="403" data-original-width="604" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipdvhUBRJRSosftn-MtuNyx3YepbleE0WCfDW5L1UPkTn06-kd25-RPBbHJI_Vwd7HGp2NIMyxTwQiwKr401MMTUPMJn0NVYzUkv8-SCOxEwOZhxDMP1nOsz4YKFHfhQr5c6pYmWxYyUUKQwOPLeEU66EkH2IrXRSRknvWfy091Qz2e7WdCmarFRK48M8/s320/snow%20on%20cvp.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The main reason for my expedition was to fill the bird feeders we have in a number of locations on the Park. It took some birds as long as 4 seconds to get back to the seed.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of the charities for which I volunteer, Cuerden Valley Park, has had help from the National Lottery. Beacuse of this the charity recieve tickets to the Lottery's "Big Night of Musicals" at the AO Arena in Manchester. I was one of those who went this year. It was superb with Beverly Night singing with a youth theatre. This was followed later in the evening by four tenors sharing the song "Bring him home", the fourth one being Alfie Boe. They did bring a couple of tears to my eyes Brilliant!! The girls you see in this poor photo are not part of our group. Because we drove there I made a donation to https://www.climatestewards.org in order to offset the carbon. My colleague's good driving also made it a stress free journey both ways.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEmejG-sqapH61qNBCbMRJbQ8k9LYQnKfOt0DiDYQN54JHPw9xnx4_6nyh84unV6X74xAEBUkXyLsOSrYEH0G8BJ14wuvexz8XQj2Rj9dE_5tRwddrL2lnjt8dv0iYCtIHrCSCuyxQnkkzxPRHHCduoC7dbJT39c_MdI-rDgyv4Dcb4hhf_CnlttsAoU/s864/950001-BNOM-Email_864x540_v2-54ced78b1c.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="540" data-original-width="864" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzEmejG-sqapH61qNBCbMRJbQ8k9LYQnKfOt0DiDYQN54JHPw9xnx4_6nyh84unV6X74xAEBUkXyLsOSrYEH0G8BJ14wuvexz8XQj2Rj9dE_5tRwddrL2lnjt8dv0iYCtIHrCSCuyxQnkkzxPRHHCduoC7dbJT39c_MdI-rDgyv4Dcb4hhf_CnlttsAoU/w171-h108/950001-BNOM-Email_864x540_v2-54ced78b1c.jpg" width="171" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10vOqJgv6GQZhlxoihlr3PqxuTuvkdmX4h7pYkkTnBR7eV0DuhJmikC8yYqATfsprorz-JTKBuPAL5LPpWzO_4stAo0tgmwF7BdBzPOcYB6ajNkYxe6uEI2kX8MthBcwEWt4szGPb_uwxGxPEBWEsMbPO8rH0NNuE2EfPxnAE6MueBTSaSvARMqhGxHM/s745/Screenshot%20(74).png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="476" data-original-width="745" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi10vOqJgv6GQZhlxoihlr3PqxuTuvkdmX4h7pYkkTnBR7eV0DuhJmikC8yYqATfsprorz-JTKBuPAL5LPpWzO_4stAo0tgmwF7BdBzPOcYB6ajNkYxe6uEI2kX8MthBcwEWt4szGPb_uwxGxPEBWEsMbPO8rH0NNuE2EfPxnAE6MueBTSaSvARMqhGxHM/w169-h108/Screenshot%20(74).png" width="169" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Most of the following week was wet and windy, but I had a short walk in the Kem Mill area of Cuerden Valley Park. Very few birds around and even fewer people. What did brighten my day was the sight of several snowdrops and crocus in flower. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw1g4apDvDY5AHlanR2pWuSuNlio_4AIfP-BSCLARzuLubC9-0uxpqwe8zxPBMtOvNnPNEwtw_IeLy_E5EIdgFVvu2gz6UQcnYNx7X1y8jx6ZMGFPWchGYKlrwa-GBFXkVCOeVu6VzYmEJHR67FxPUj2gllGrt2TAlyhsplfORAGxfDe4cWcGFg51SHM/s1980/Snowdrop.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1708" data-original-width="1980" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYw1g4apDvDY5AHlanR2pWuSuNlio_4AIfP-BSCLARzuLubC9-0uxpqwe8zxPBMtOvNnPNEwtw_IeLy_E5EIdgFVvu2gz6UQcnYNx7X1y8jx6ZMGFPWchGYKlrwa-GBFXkVCOeVu6VzYmEJHR67FxPUj2gllGrt2TAlyhsplfORAGxfDe4cWcGFg51SHM/s320/Snowdrop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapOQ6NiKnf0GTsGBsf_DdVwnPXvIq4i3VDycuM1n_gkhUvQK_nhn2QhuhS2-lxog1PXYZcGiglwb_aVHMleQUNIPsYIq1lQEkyDRT8F3HAHjPud0qT55vzYCqOAaEIKQvCPNzDWm3MJSfFTAwrfwOMtIHQuT3g2endEJy-a6AuNoBBsR-yknEeH857mA/s4320/Crocus.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3240" data-original-width="4320" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiapOQ6NiKnf0GTsGBsf_DdVwnPXvIq4i3VDycuM1n_gkhUvQK_nhn2QhuhS2-lxog1PXYZcGiglwb_aVHMleQUNIPsYIq1lQEkyDRT8F3HAHjPud0qT55vzYCqOAaEIKQvCPNzDWm3MJSfFTAwrfwOMtIHQuT3g2endEJy-a6AuNoBBsR-yknEeH857mA/s320/Crocus.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The flowers seem to think spring is on the way but my moth trap hasn't caught anything for about two weeks. This means my January Moth Challenge stands at 1. I will probably now wait until March before trying again</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-56833438950024975742024-01-16T11:28:00.006-01:002024-01-17T06:40:11.286-01:00Little bit of mothing, Lots of planting<p>Sunday Jan 7 was an exciting day for me as I presented my local church with a Silver Eco-Church Award. Several members had put a lot of effort into achieving this. As part of the service we also planted some wildflower seeds from Cuerden Valley Park into some small pots. When they are a little more advanced we should then replant them back on the Park.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYGXf5NdBlepia4WVTJLp1ko-UUhASL4neS5kOBvZOo5FZMpENHb1Bia2pdr8vNFmd5DXqPCmuifv-vQqdNj7VrbZu9JRHxBmwU4fjniY10U1YpXIoJQEGZThik_hE6sLNOERnNQDe60gj_UAhvj2zmD32OOOOyLkACoQPOLE4FWhKmFq6HFKSSEzn1Q/s744/IMG-20240107-WA0003.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="521" data-original-width="744" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGYGXf5NdBlepia4WVTJLp1ko-UUhASL4neS5kOBvZOo5FZMpENHb1Bia2pdr8vNFmd5DXqPCmuifv-vQqdNj7VrbZu9JRHxBmwU4fjniY10U1YpXIoJQEGZThik_hE6sLNOERnNQDe60gj_UAhvj2zmD32OOOOyLkACoQPOLE4FWhKmFq6HFKSSEzn1Q/w194-h136/IMG-20240107-WA0003.jpg" width="194" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLxE6mVkVoip9Vvk8TfAh7qFpHK7BnVjKk1gcmnxEvoThIiFd6Vk81r-hRx6_GCZLTxwzkCU2dG3pt-Rv4J0CJLlImdveIxuYRsKsgfh5eDG3U1u57a0y1CLEqkdRYIklKJehZhMz1m-dFm_9P_Y0Y1zqWO63LooW_TNLK_SicSRUbfG7p-DcSnckL1U/s4128/20240107_114037.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4128" height="136" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCLxE6mVkVoip9Vvk8TfAh7qFpHK7BnVjKk1gcmnxEvoThIiFd6Vk81r-hRx6_GCZLTxwzkCU2dG3pt-Rv4J0CJLlImdveIxuYRsKsgfh5eDG3U1u57a0y1CLEqkdRYIklKJehZhMz1m-dFm_9P_Y0Y1zqWO63LooW_TNLK_SicSRUbfG7p-DcSnckL1U/w295-h136/20240107_114037.jpg" width="295" /></a> </div></div><p> I continued my January Moth Challenge during the following week. On the way to Cuerden Valley Park, I noticed daffodills in flower at the entrance to Clayton Brook village. I went straight to the moth trap and was delighted to spot my first of the year. Not only that, it was the first Pale Bordered Brindle for the Park. I also spotted my first butterfly of the year, a Peacock had been disturbed from hibernation.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF2m1V_vujNPwVGYui9G99BpJ7mSzuZO84_TXNm2YtaUqkZThZIw2LTaCssw3GQoP27OjK7kZiBwfoVZjW6wLNiV38AOtor4PC6OSAW4kdQM10FTVdv-GAxIbkKt0S3PsEHMwOPrCo_vVx_lQyCGg87msTDcKXxxZ0H6C8rBJMeGAvu_G06kZ8BxIS6M/s743/pbb.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="743" data-original-width="740" height="173" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMF2m1V_vujNPwVGYui9G99BpJ7mSzuZO84_TXNm2YtaUqkZThZIw2LTaCssw3GQoP27OjK7kZiBwfoVZjW6wLNiV38AOtor4PC6OSAW4kdQM10FTVdv-GAxIbkKt0S3PsEHMwOPrCo_vVx_lQyCGg87msTDcKXxxZ0H6C8rBJMeGAvu_G06kZ8BxIS6M/w172-h173/pbb.jpg" width="172" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLTYGH9k_CM3KT5UNm8FDomfNjXCk75hGQ5ZtCMEbwoAlmymqmmbN_oVxnEhMT3_nm8Y7vJgQM0mbBkuUvO5fgZyye0xhKtZjGiII2HH4EKcNRAocubCD9iiKSmvf-ZmoCWvzEji0D0C5TpGoGy9zsb-ZOpZOGHohUjX8-yW782CwNmqPLIjtFubm5gs/s843/Peacock.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="843" height="166" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPLTYGH9k_CM3KT5UNm8FDomfNjXCk75hGQ5ZtCMEbwoAlmymqmmbN_oVxnEhMT3_nm8Y7vJgQM0mbBkuUvO5fgZyye0xhKtZjGiII2HH4EKcNRAocubCD9iiKSmvf-ZmoCWvzEji0D0C5TpGoGy9zsb-ZOpZOGHohUjX8-yW782CwNmqPLIjtFubm5gs/w175-h166/Peacock.jpg" width="175" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> It is turning out to be a busy January. I then had to speak at a local WI about the Wildlife of Cuerden Valley Park. I think they were more impressed by my singing of "Jerusalem" than my talk. I did point out to them that I had been part of the choir for the "Preston Passion" a few years ago. I was impressed by the parkin offered with my cup of Redbush tea.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On Sunday the 14th Jan I went to speak on behalf of A Rocha UK at St Barnabas Church in Heapy, a village north of Chorley. They are Eco-Church Bronze Award holders and it didn't surprise me at all when after the service we planted some "whips" to complete a hedge which borders the church building. These young ones were ably assisted by their fathers. What was a pleasant surprise was a gift of a banana and sultana loaf. Was I supposed to inform the Inland Revenue?</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQYg_c7g6V4VJhX3a4HLhxy2faK2tAbaFn5ESkfAsknQh5IDNRo7rJ90JJFJRJklje4CPJqtqoHt7pCrUwwi71Pt05Ku8949NDGJGMqt_AFvuTMfEBm5bQ2U-P3vBlmK48agN8kDL8uLGIZBA5tS3mBvn5_EUnGOwDXJgVkjNEj2IoXI7YzbPCwE3Qc/s2454/20240114_111613.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2454" data-original-width="1908" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJxQYg_c7g6V4VJhX3a4HLhxy2faK2tAbaFn5ESkfAsknQh5IDNRo7rJ90JJFJRJklje4CPJqtqoHt7pCrUwwi71Pt05Ku8949NDGJGMqt_AFvuTMfEBm5bQ2U-P3vBlmK48agN8kDL8uLGIZBA5tS3mBvn5_EUnGOwDXJgVkjNEj2IoXI7YzbPCwE3Qc/w188-h241/20240114_111613.jpg" width="188" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> The final act of planting was more of a scattering than planting. I took some Foxglove seeds and put them into one of our woodlands on Cuerden Valley Park.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8veA_Z8nL-inuaQVvb8NBjCL949Fb2NvVjNBIlF5YA27fh6bOiHRGIGXeO28vZ9exxapERaqf0KQD5Zy9DhPEdvRamqTQREBlPffrOHsHbK7P5U-UNyFAy1iZ-XnfnKHwmKWpSFmuPJYGyN0WgqX-BXW4Y1iPFSZtlnlzoUJwmMkxhQzBq3STPs76T0/s4128/20240115_112202.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1908" data-original-width="4128" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs8veA_Z8nL-inuaQVvb8NBjCL949Fb2NvVjNBIlF5YA27fh6bOiHRGIGXeO28vZ9exxapERaqf0KQD5Zy9DhPEdvRamqTQREBlPffrOHsHbK7P5U-UNyFAy1iZ-XnfnKHwmKWpSFmuPJYGyN0WgqX-BXW4Y1iPFSZtlnlzoUJwmMkxhQzBq3STPs76T0/s320/20240115_112202.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-58875239577523443012024-01-06T09:48:00.002-01:002024-01-06T09:54:01.028-01:00New Year re-start the blog.<p> New Years Day meant the start of the New Year Plant Hunt. Organised by the BSBI we look for any plants in flower from December 30 to Jan 2nd. I chose to search my local patch which is Cuerden Valley Park. The first plants to note were some that I expected, Daisy, Groundsel, Gorse and Hazel. So many Hazel trees had large catkins which amazed us. Then approaching the river Lostock we startled a kingfisher which flew off quickly. This photo by Alan Graves one of our team</p><p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzwsiCdrf3klNnRdpYuI8gznKWWOfjY3KpxVaMrq9Qp1NPylTQSNQFgQGaxp3-XphD1z9thcUZoptmO9nrQ-JOME-zfA1oGYSw6iLLYaVqWHtlcHvI0_Lvasn2kBv2MktfjFpwA9cBjCOHG3zuro6YINtEutaVvRYvUYHXQaOmOQI3IXRTEZ30CvUT3M/s463/kkf.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="450" data-original-width="463" height="172" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikzwsiCdrf3klNnRdpYuI8gznKWWOfjY3KpxVaMrq9Qp1NPylTQSNQFgQGaxp3-XphD1z9thcUZoptmO9nrQ-JOME-zfA1oGYSw6iLLYaVqWHtlcHvI0_Lvasn2kBv2MktfjFpwA9cBjCOHG3zuro6YINtEutaVvRYvUYHXQaOmOQI3IXRTEZ30CvUT3M/w177-h172/kkf.jpg" width="177" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">More surprises delighted us as we continued in the woodland, Scarlet Elfcup, a fungus and Goat willow with catkins showing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB7FYnCG7ESLE4NCVhknsBDTn72NZt5hkxbOUTwjQBnOrp1IgZRfJQAljDZ5Q1HJRimytmc0XoTwcMT-pPqwWBHPvoSpWjxnh5k3kC7j75T8eBmVgu04LPujNvwY1V-2-SJK8v1UBvJsv53lAwQbzNt-JqznsNQJqtjYnxrSrY__6FiCsgkhlUp92B9o/s2048/sec.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="2048" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsB7FYnCG7ESLE4NCVhknsBDTn72NZt5hkxbOUTwjQBnOrp1IgZRfJQAljDZ5Q1HJRimytmc0XoTwcMT-pPqwWBHPvoSpWjxnh5k3kC7j75T8eBmVgu04LPujNvwY1V-2-SJK8v1UBvJsv53lAwQbzNt-JqznsNQJqtjYnxrSrY__6FiCsgkhlUp92B9o/w168-h168/sec.jpg" width="168" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7ymzVt-PAeJzZzdXDC2mnUCJzUf6zncdRwaHY6fXzF2ZBEofwuAa2imr4GMVlN9_VmR5reWvozyT0efG-YIxjp426oDXewYWSpF8HFoChyphenhyphenQDFEwIvTQid5Jtoui_n-Zrx20DYTxA1GcQKTdK6tTWxaeM6bZIE6i6l82msMn2aVsdtEFAmknsSq2zL4U/s891/gwill.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="812" data-original-width="891" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS7ymzVt-PAeJzZzdXDC2mnUCJzUf6zncdRwaHY6fXzF2ZBEofwuAa2imr4GMVlN9_VmR5reWvozyT0efG-YIxjp426oDXewYWSpF8HFoChyphenhyphenQDFEwIvTQid5Jtoui_n-Zrx20DYTxA1GcQKTdK6tTWxaeM6bZIE6i6l82msMn2aVsdtEFAmknsSq2zL4U/w183-h167/gwill.jpg" width="183" /></a><br /><br /></div><div><br /></div>We returned to the cafe area to look inside the Walled Orchard. The bird feeders were very busy with blue tits, great tits, coal tits, dunnock, bullfinches, nuthatches flitting back and forward. A mistle thrush was practising his song and a stock dove declared its presence nearby. At the Walled Orchard the outside wall hosted Ivy-leaved Toadflax in flower but inside we were surprised again by a primrose in full flower.<div> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5sf8Yc_ydGGLqbREqUVVQF_nMEbtivUULJnZICSeUTak9iHuIJ-uv1pr0nKuYb-3Kmy8WGPHXdzJsJt7v1Rj9aidg0Bf_WvjbipEh45F_12-H4jncbUUpzuTPZJZG70JvNfBQZ6PhyyjyBPCBbPr6XIhiO9iY_FCAeI83Hcw-9EyU7OmpMzOT9Zmbg0/s1086/416434618_10161475358607359_566865172105870617_n.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="724" data-original-width="1086" height="126" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5sf8Yc_ydGGLqbREqUVVQF_nMEbtivUULJnZICSeUTak9iHuIJ-uv1pr0nKuYb-3Kmy8WGPHXdzJsJt7v1Rj9aidg0Bf_WvjbipEh45F_12-H4jncbUUpzuTPZJZG70JvNfBQZ6PhyyjyBPCBbPr6XIhiO9iY_FCAeI83Hcw-9EyU7OmpMzOT9Zmbg0/w190-h126/416434618_10161475358607359_566865172105870617_n.jpg" width="190" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">As we were finishing it started to rain, but only gently so we decided to call it a day. In total we had 12 plants in flower. There were some locations in the south of England that had 70+ and one had an astonishung 100. It shows how quickly our climate is changing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On January 4th I started another project - The January Moth Challenge. We'd had a couple of wet nights so I waited for the first dry..ish one. My experience was similar to that of the the disciples of Jesus in the period after the resurrection - Simon Peter announced, "I'm going fishing."They went out and got in the boat. They caught nothing that night .</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There will be more nights in January, so I will let you know how I got on.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> </div><br /><br /><p><br /></p></div>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-22871075638695787322022-06-12T16:51:00.000+00:002022-06-12T16:51:24.781+00:0030 Days Wild #7<p>Moth trap was checked and I found a new one for me, <b>Tawny Brown Angle</b>. We then decided ti visit the River Stour. At the entrance to the Kingfisher Barn was a wildflower area where I noted <b>Hottentot-Fig</b> <b>Wild Carrot </b>and <b>Heath Groundsel</b>. The river was fairly quiet though noting a wren going to feed young was exciting. Several male Banded Demoiselles were flying among the reeds. </p><p>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 <b>Dartford Warbler</b> on the heath. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZUaP8gMfMvqIqq6uvghR9ivtEB2D7BqlDZ0MiHZW8KGd3qv-qZyv0R0A5u35G-ORhu7Ns3YqayOlkmC6XIMyuUUW8tN02gtRdHyoZi7T-ROq2Kd9xYUtTFWD1xUBdTBs22oFWmWJID_YbVAjFOFl553Xi0j-2Dp50ENYgtq-rh7o6yOweZbbzbnS/s1569/20220609_084106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="1023" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVZUaP8gMfMvqIqq6uvghR9ivtEB2D7BqlDZ0MiHZW8KGd3qv-qZyv0R0A5u35G-ORhu7Ns3YqayOlkmC6XIMyuUUW8tN02gtRdHyoZi7T-ROq2Kd9xYUtTFWD1xUBdTBs22oFWmWJID_YbVAjFOFl553Xi0j-2Dp50ENYgtq-rh7o6yOweZbbzbnS/w126-h192/20220609_084106.jpg" width="126" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaNwu8iT-To3jESck5tO5eRPGcx9-3nMhb-en_HcqBDR13a06Ayw-z0Uz1dmNuUxVxHYiJ85afLuJ2UD8hnGuzz3rDLFFfWJFRcM-lBb0csiuhBmaCL2FbC1VQ8Vf65weEHoMY9CqXcMMeO8Zm4MsAqTA0heX2weZN700umRuMEsNPXzX6dgnXhYQ/s1946/1J1A1452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1297" data-original-width="1946" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaNwu8iT-To3jESck5tO5eRPGcx9-3nMhb-en_HcqBDR13a06Ayw-z0Uz1dmNuUxVxHYiJ85afLuJ2UD8hnGuzz3rDLFFfWJFRcM-lBb0csiuhBmaCL2FbC1VQ8Vf65weEHoMY9CqXcMMeO8Zm4MsAqTA0heX2weZN700umRuMEsNPXzX6dgnXhYQ/w152-h101/1J1A1452.JPG" width="152" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Monthly total 82 <br /><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-29014842778531862412022-06-11T10:21:00.001+00:002022-06-11T10:21:14.812+00:0030 Days Wild 6 <p> Visiting friends in Bournemouth for a few days so I surveyed their wild area in the garden. I noted <b>Imperforate St John's wort, Corn Cockle </b>and <b>Scarlet Pimpernel. </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VrI-MiiPel1-HqaPpcNigmKVpfHFpDRCdhc_R4E6yPT1tyqW6TNFJjLrH_3AENdoGYHidl-SY5f_Q24ETL7yDvrskngj-miYykAe5S2qhHwJAeWN3EZSmkRWi6PioHigvDL20biqnE43rFFfYbTNKACdAsBu0Tblhi1QciPvaDZRvA2FVzwhcGVA/s2136/Corncockle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2136" data-original-width="1751" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9VrI-MiiPel1-HqaPpcNigmKVpfHFpDRCdhc_R4E6yPT1tyqW6TNFJjLrH_3AENdoGYHidl-SY5f_Q24ETL7yDvrskngj-miYykAe5S2qhHwJAeWN3EZSmkRWi6PioHigvDL20biqnE43rFFfYbTNKACdAsBu0Tblhi1QciPvaDZRvA2FVzwhcGVA/w120-h146/Corncockle.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><span style="text-align: left;">The afternoon was spent at Arne RSPB reserve, noting <b>Vipers Bugloss </b>and more Scarlet Pimpernel. We checked a small pool not too far from the information point and I was excited to see <b>Raft Spider</b>. 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 <b>Wood Ants.</b> As we crossed the heath we then saw and heard <b>Dartford Warbler</b> and Common Whitethroat. This brought us to two viewpoints enabling us to get good views of <b>Spoonbill,</b></span><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRxjgdKbHw0O3SaDO_e6S9IFGkGLQ9BCin9LhwzJxdLq7PYso4fJ8KPaT7Xl3UvBUUZXVoae4ZIi51k_RppbWqfqJVLynq1yzQ3iL4LKnqjqa-Ud1w-remDd9iEd6gJupzZF715HlX-YCJLKlw0vng5kJeDUkBVTlnqlgK7VW-1VAoKiI51ojI-i_/s1404/spoonbill.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="932" data-original-width="1404" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglRxjgdKbHw0O3SaDO_e6S9IFGkGLQ9BCin9LhwzJxdLq7PYso4fJ8KPaT7Xl3UvBUUZXVoae4ZIi51k_RppbWqfqJVLynq1yzQ3iL4LKnqjqa-Ud1w-remDd9iEd6gJupzZF715HlX-YCJLKlw0vng5kJeDUkBVTlnqlgK7VW-1VAoKiI51ojI-i_/w186-h123/spoonbill.jpg" width="186" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">30 Day total now 72 species of Flora/Fauna. Bold names are those new to me this year</div><br /><b><br /></b><p></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-7475914085040280742022-06-05T10:14:00.004+00:002022-06-05T10:16:45.257+00:0030 Days Wild #5<p> 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.</p><p>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.</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sAQoMUx5LQj3h_hlQlSSOasmiiqkx7x6eSSfQx1zF-Xgbg9hGIlfPAXYzEENKgpYTH0LckGnSdA6SKuY8ptxn4VxtU3BPw2rklNdRqPxeutdwfkEafmJPfGPyDwEZaixeT7Hniqevl8ehN8SivRV8zA-Wu5TdC-n7kmgbjvz5nuGabvg2XJFTRWF/s3345/20220604_181902.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3345" data-original-width="1908" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8sAQoMUx5LQj3h_hlQlSSOasmiiqkx7x6eSSfQx1zF-Xgbg9hGIlfPAXYzEENKgpYTH0LckGnSdA6SKuY8ptxn4VxtU3BPw2rklNdRqPxeutdwfkEafmJPfGPyDwEZaixeT7Hniqevl8ehN8SivRV8zA-Wu5TdC-n7kmgbjvz5nuGabvg2XJFTRWF/s320/20220604_181902.jpg" width="183" /></a></div><br /><p></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-61733862005591996172022-06-04T17:13:00.001+00:002022-06-04T17:17:30.850+00:00Day Four 30 Days Wild<p> 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. </p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OGY4QgH_yMUbFCZvctXCftp2bbhPH31mXA3AjWxoLkRIn6CJonvojb9tat-Hc0g3Kd6650SsWvNyvADwS5kJVgdUXvPYzhoudm6L_wb_wQgnTHUXA_u7Fese55IQtOYu7Z04cnx5FBy3cmzVy-vin672Th_ctSoT-u0IpVAAuEiOkt__qS1mH4fC/s1365/20220604_084830.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="1307" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7OGY4QgH_yMUbFCZvctXCftp2bbhPH31mXA3AjWxoLkRIn6CJonvojb9tat-Hc0g3Kd6650SsWvNyvADwS5kJVgdUXvPYzhoudm6L_wb_wQgnTHUXA_u7Fese55IQtOYu7Z04cnx5FBy3cmzVy-vin672Th_ctSoT-u0IpVAAuEiOkt__qS1mH4fC/w155-h162/20220604_084830.jpg" width="155" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1_atMT_vmuDI7Dxfy-QO-L2TyKoYEHyh9UsGPlX9upiZ4M133fT3DcdUapk8l-YfGcBdatjOPylGu8xWsKRzCArlSk5-IyjJajhOBwTZtbNHwCTE1AEArM647J31p9chxVc81YM-qyHsrMDSaT65tqpfrzJcy-vaLjXOFYIbygEzvxVSy6vUont4/s1682/20220604_084740.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1682" data-original-width="1539" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEge1_atMT_vmuDI7Dxfy-QO-L2TyKoYEHyh9UsGPlX9upiZ4M133fT3DcdUapk8l-YfGcBdatjOPylGu8xWsKRzCArlSk5-IyjJajhOBwTZtbNHwCTE1AEArM647J31p9chxVc81YM-qyHsrMDSaT65tqpfrzJcy-vaLjXOFYIbygEzvxVSy6vUont4/w170-h186/20220604_084740.jpg" width="170" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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</div><br /> <p></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-23947371459241603242022-06-04T17:06:00.002+00:002022-06-04T17:06:10.456+00:00Day Three 30 Days Wild<p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUawXRZx7ijU5R962veNk7rFmMvjcutwncwJrPk44F3FYrMqqEtONiV6GM5tS8OTXZYEg9wlTYEhYUK_rPmbzpk3iB-4DnFmvad4INbtmZBali_1C8XifAz5xMCzE8lPomI5bgIaSQkvUgotNw0Sov16k9NaON-OBPgAY1zKN32bCmBAc0S9TwvZo/s2518/20220603_211047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2518" data-original-width="1908" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguUawXRZx7ijU5R962veNk7rFmMvjcutwncwJrPk44F3FYrMqqEtONiV6GM5tS8OTXZYEg9wlTYEhYUK_rPmbzpk3iB-4DnFmvad4INbtmZBali_1C8XifAz5xMCzE8lPomI5bgIaSQkvUgotNw0Sov16k9NaON-OBPgAY1zKN32bCmBAc0S9TwvZo/w122-h162/20220603_211047.jpg" width="122" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-15832011032905611412022-06-02T16:13:00.001+00:002022-06-02T16:16:25.823+00:00Day two of 30 Days Wild<p> 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</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbp77t9oDBCXyl52NK1CIJX-gA9E8ut7AjMyxKTZ12vTZts1w0DJOl0ap6xZn3Yd6RXHn8KtX5BgwmwRWJiQ3nhWc1yPbkNKuPHRGDHzS63MNlp7_eAkVnAnsXet_j544oNy8ebLuMaHVYiu_YCalgKrsYLM0Le0gYXA2bQXW_5ThPxofa4nouvUS/s1669/P1140405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1396" data-original-width="1669" height="137" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCbp77t9oDBCXyl52NK1CIJX-gA9E8ut7AjMyxKTZ12vTZts1w0DJOl0ap6xZn3Yd6RXHn8KtX5BgwmwRWJiQ3nhWc1yPbkNKuPHRGDHzS63MNlp7_eAkVnAnsXet_j544oNy8ebLuMaHVYiu_YCalgKrsYLM0Le0gYXA2bQXW_5ThPxofa4nouvUS/w164-h137/P1140405.JPG" width="164" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtQJ6vIYOUnk_zqsRfl1mKxy5IdvIXzAD-qGE65h2LXTeVshDAFzZ0pBTGueOubo-dUTOtQ2JPa7Rr3UC3k62gqvQ7IvMVv2C6kRu2Q_VjWzYlZGHBovMWWbbYPfz6xVIOF7Zpyer0m1MXMV7kJ-nqWsf6gNi_4ASOzn-Ixzk66rCGBfD6cBNhcin/s2618/P1140417.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1757" data-original-width="2618" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtQJ6vIYOUnk_zqsRfl1mKxy5IdvIXzAD-qGE65h2LXTeVshDAFzZ0pBTGueOubo-dUTOtQ2JPa7Rr3UC3k62gqvQ7IvMVv2C6kRu2Q_VjWzYlZGHBovMWWbbYPfz6xVIOF7Zpyer0m1MXMV7kJ-nqWsf6gNi_4ASOzn-Ixzk66rCGBfD6cBNhcin/w168-h113/P1140417.JPG" width="168" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsmGrF1bVUg4BUjgHgBhMgfxeQoPW094nE_XzBsC2708ouoGOmASh7ZsNjf4gAxyfEqOHNlezoGx2Gi_c_DuxmWWL2wx3ZU6i1V8Qu938R99DXCKSja3q29eYQpxExzOi1rjLzoPUDrl69sNECY9orh0eA28BPvDnBZCG9lzjRZuBse0cvmsp27Fvk/s1669/P1140405.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-91022544949052707182022-06-01T16:11:00.001+00:002022-06-01T16:11:32.089+00:0030 Days Wild - 1<p> 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.</p><p>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. .</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCFeyKLsCRE-jPhYFPpsgi_DDXuViH_48e1ThbhPEpmEMCFLy6rvrPPYQh4pBw1Kdtkj9dvH55Y8U8kn8-FWqXUWGRsYRUNz3E4LlgRGlArU_8LP1szWDMwunDhyLWVvd9l6XJefGvTDhW5VyCV1AHwp6BwbII4mmEcFOsPytKzxixxSk50CvlNYZ/s1725/P1140404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1725" data-original-width="1683" height="146" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCFeyKLsCRE-jPhYFPpsgi_DDXuViH_48e1ThbhPEpmEMCFLy6rvrPPYQh4pBw1Kdtkj9dvH55Y8U8kn8-FWqXUWGRsYRUNz3E4LlgRGlArU_8LP1szWDMwunDhyLWVvd9l6XJefGvTDhW5VyCV1AHwp6BwbII4mmEcFOsPytKzxixxSk50CvlNYZ/w142-h146/P1140404.JPG" width="142" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn-EPfowHCiRF2YsO-hW7qy5cYtS9uUwW61hcfKVf9LeYpIPZK3QBB9nqhQ8wBcaRMFRV7ij4fg0Wz5_6jW8iMukYBu5yo9aS9q-ndE-L-4sRtCywZtunme1sar8zBly_G69iWMx1v93We9Roxq1i4057IV9G8r_GZskbcGLFZ2EOUupIf_kch9bl/s2160/P1140410.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1500" data-original-width="2160" height="106" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLn-EPfowHCiRF2YsO-hW7qy5cYtS9uUwW61hcfKVf9LeYpIPZK3QBB9nqhQ8wBcaRMFRV7ij4fg0Wz5_6jW8iMukYBu5yo9aS9q-ndE-L-4sRtCywZtunme1sar8zBly_G69iWMx1v93We9Roxq1i4057IV9G8r_GZskbcGLFZ2EOUupIf_kch9bl/w153-h106/P1140410.JPG" width="153" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYMU7lnxnYJ80sQtdGC5BpQzkUGQitN3NjNWHPdkSwr4PaeyuSzOXwkyk-Nk7aNrg7du_eow-jKmkHYiyO3f6NPASO1TpGFqpy_TuWnqf5XK8GtPLqcKFya_zVwl0KfWISf1REjmzm1rOLtzeatGuXhD67dpjwxFRdeCbFgmv88u2E7VUvcxnpHd9/s3013/P1140416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2140" data-original-width="3013" height="129" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcYMU7lnxnYJ80sQtdGC5BpQzkUGQitN3NjNWHPdkSwr4PaeyuSzOXwkyk-Nk7aNrg7du_eow-jKmkHYiyO3f6NPASO1TpGFqpy_TuWnqf5XK8GtPLqcKFya_zVwl0KfWISf1REjmzm1rOLtzeatGuXhD67dpjwxFRdeCbFgmv88u2E7VUvcxnpHd9/w182-h129/P1140416.JPG" width="182" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFCFeyKLsCRE-jPhYFPpsgi_DDXuViH_48e1ThbhPEpmEMCFLy6rvrPPYQh4pBw1Kdtkj9dvH55Y8U8kn8-FWqXUWGRsYRUNz3E4LlgRGlArU_8LP1szWDMwunDhyLWVvd9l6XJefGvTDhW5VyCV1AHwp6BwbII4mmEcFOsPytKzxixxSk50CvlNYZ/s1725/P1140404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></div> We also spotted this Gothic Moth. Moth Trap out tonight methinks <p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaduAkqPsInmuAmKZ0iSRzyl1fGhVBLiH8pFKojROy14ch-S_MgwacvPU-46H3PkBl8dL9rT-I1rOUrjmruPJHDGyQ86GJe-7I2oTM4pyWkUnUZsbMr3jDLeX46UVsr-4yidUZpXxmKZty0J_y_r0trqXG1NLmD3MMJGFWuYrxzXFPkGkoiboA8u0N/s912/285616147_10160238970272359_7573799851656403122_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="912" data-original-width="843" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaduAkqPsInmuAmKZ0iSRzyl1fGhVBLiH8pFKojROy14ch-S_MgwacvPU-46H3PkBl8dL9rT-I1rOUrjmruPJHDGyQ86GJe-7I2oTM4pyWkUnUZsbMr3jDLeX46UVsr-4yidUZpXxmKZty0J_y_r0trqXG1NLmD3MMJGFWuYrxzXFPkGkoiboA8u0N/w178-h192/285616147_10160238970272359_7573799851656403122_n.jpg" width="178" /></a></div><br /> <p></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-86857851316408738872022-02-13T11:02:00.035-01:002022-02-15T06:58:20.280-01:00Snow Geese and Scaup<p> 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. </p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Lohx5swTEnVgGB-2zP5FcUUEYJasExV3Nxj5fdLuVWBHDfgo-diedHJknhdrhlyyvdD5baDNPGfHNitaDaQ9daSLP5gy6tv0cqmw89w8m5BN94qoMvYmom7XnV5DL6kC4Ft-P0_azabrFconvI5RkF8i36azVK-HAuQAeTlgdC4-XmavdpvV-wO7=s1437" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="984" data-original-width="1437" height="108" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi9Lohx5swTEnVgGB-2zP5FcUUEYJasExV3Nxj5fdLuVWBHDfgo-diedHJknhdrhlyyvdD5baDNPGfHNitaDaQ9daSLP5gy6tv0cqmw89w8m5BN94qoMvYmom7XnV5DL6kC4Ft-P0_azabrFconvI5RkF8i36azVK-HAuQAeTlgdC4-XmavdpvV-wO7=w158-h108" width="158" /></a> </p><p>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.</p><p>Shag. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOCSQqmndtJqcTV14qJBSTl8C0MB__79PI9yASND6sfOvPmBf0zIzV6wdCj_Kf8AR2r9U0ERrDBL3lYUBFMT7FeKqqieC7tK7r9uL8UFdtVhBDU-RjAQKd1qxGLiH2v44Ky8t8glbiuQQJzg4nWgp_cBfHOnMo1qtVurCg3AbHIpXfMXXWoWEwcHPW=s2128" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1418" data-original-width="2128" height="80" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiOCSQqmndtJqcTV14qJBSTl8C0MB__79PI9yASND6sfOvPmBf0zIzV6wdCj_Kf8AR2r9U0ERrDBL3lYUBFMT7FeKqqieC7tK7r9uL8UFdtVhBDU-RjAQKd1qxGLiH2v44Ky8t8glbiuQQJzg4nWgp_cBfHOnMo1qtVurCg3AbHIpXfMXXWoWEwcHPW=w120-h80" width="120" /></a> Turnstone <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWBcqCtZ6acvhS9PCyqqjCmKEM8bCpBZwlrF-BN5XMpo7NLUxZ1LUy3ovHv2MLs96RVd3hBff7_Mneo9KQZPHQ2qAnyVXh5x_CdgK-hpTJQ78xRYlgiI64uzIEnFlVaj0fBN_R_ukx9kYr45kMWQglgXypfh4h0TvDTJ61QOSb3Q99HbeSpJdNmvL0=s2259" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1506" data-original-width="2259" height="81" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWBcqCtZ6acvhS9PCyqqjCmKEM8bCpBZwlrF-BN5XMpo7NLUxZ1LUy3ovHv2MLs96RVd3hBff7_Mneo9KQZPHQ2qAnyVXh5x_CdgK-hpTJQ78xRYlgiI64uzIEnFlVaj0fBN_R_ukx9kYr45kMWQglgXypfh4h0TvDTJ61QOSb3Q99HbeSpJdNmvL0=w122-h81" width="122" /></a></p><p> Purple Sandpiper <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD8mmWCtSRdn6xDRzMM0N7pyG1mlEdCle_D5zl-reyBISNWdGrBXkrpOKpEw43G9LPcWcozwuFDSxwMNnmbb2ERyl5PuZDqDqo8bmZNhGi8_SQ2FWzJRO3n6sZC6rxYJhyg6ETa3PvhoVAQwP67vF9GJqWWYzyv_Zg0Du8kEWt3K4y0It792RYmTGV=s1494" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="1494" height="96" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiD8mmWCtSRdn6xDRzMM0N7pyG1mlEdCle_D5zl-reyBISNWdGrBXkrpOKpEw43G9LPcWcozwuFDSxwMNnmbb2ERyl5PuZDqDqo8bmZNhGi8_SQ2FWzJRO3n6sZC6rxYJhyg6ETa3PvhoVAQwP67vF9GJqWWYzyv_Zg0Du8kEWt3K4y0It792RYmTGV=w144-h96" width="144" /></a> </p><p>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.</p><p> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZhTf_LtYgk3P4BMxmISoRaezD86q86xSek-5QVqUKVd-Ip2s1TdLZPBERc5XJNWPjbomTeJFMLEmCMwlH5OIscPy9FDK5UiFh5o1wiiN0Yr2BenzhPTOXSux2ibi__5vbJfixi3ID1XX-1P5k_qePodD0c1cSIXN0lWgLKdIIfYS1vmfAdzyNW00X=s1442" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1035" data-original-width="1442" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhZhTf_LtYgk3P4BMxmISoRaezD86q86xSek-5QVqUKVd-Ip2s1TdLZPBERc5XJNWPjbomTeJFMLEmCMwlH5OIscPy9FDK5UiFh5o1wiiN0Yr2BenzhPTOXSux2ibi__5vbJfixi3ID1XX-1P5k_qePodD0c1cSIXN0lWgLKdIIfYS1vmfAdzyNW00X=w162-h117" width="162" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz94ao5t4QqHO8fHWIV6ntvP_hY2ramV4YtoB1U2dgp2ge949IdteBnmCHKNiX5TF9E9RdtJzkOiW-KjSQi-ih_vvRVwxpLYoOPssnk__LP3AI3fuPdy8wbLYrhh4hGCJPT1T5paDnld9Mvd0BT5mgJK5do6ScMdQ9iVP-NqcpIGqTZKPgN2uABe8G=s995" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="995" data-original-width="816" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjz94ao5t4QqHO8fHWIV6ntvP_hY2ramV4YtoB1U2dgp2ge949IdteBnmCHKNiX5TF9E9RdtJzkOiW-KjSQi-ih_vvRVwxpLYoOPssnk__LP3AI3fuPdy8wbLYrhh4hGCJPT1T5paDnld9Mvd0BT5mgJK5do6ScMdQ9iVP-NqcpIGqTZKPgN2uABe8G=w93-h114" width="93" /></a></p><p>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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnV4a7vkkx4KgtI0AKPcqWGH7EG_wPqQuvUPiFy1ru0gYHhg1V_25n5UhfpVPvD1RUZdPsvtJPQWiAaeQBjJlM_Ats8BXak9_j_fbD0Jmsl2y3_7DeeWmt7lL8RF08sM-aVW2pGQw0dtFWDT7j_PHf42_5YaiBJOuQtUvrfkuOIHWMQ9jqRBsTkqq2=s1884" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1265" data-original-width="1884" height="143" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhnV4a7vkkx4KgtI0AKPcqWGH7EG_wPqQuvUPiFy1ru0gYHhg1V_25n5UhfpVPvD1RUZdPsvtJPQWiAaeQBjJlM_Ats8BXak9_j_fbD0Jmsl2y3_7DeeWmt7lL8RF08sM-aVW2pGQw0dtFWDT7j_PHf42_5YaiBJOuQtUvrfkuOIHWMQ9jqRBsTkqq2=w213-h143" width="213" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj77nF0fvIZ1ZBhT5XyYs47MD5ZnwGIbxZkWnSpfg9A-o6LCN0XV0g56vJ32NW9BvM0_1ZbPKXnH2HSNAZDFP0DzSJxg6vpTDTE_kvxCKK67CdtG2EPdBrY6UDGTGspNY1G2WIuzQmScRE0jpRla8TPQDwUy_mIzyuVSipLQT9p7rNGAohUk_M9hiCY=s1223" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1115" data-original-width="1223" height="152" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj77nF0fvIZ1ZBhT5XyYs47MD5ZnwGIbxZkWnSpfg9A-o6LCN0XV0g56vJ32NW9BvM0_1ZbPKXnH2HSNAZDFP0DzSJxg6vpTDTE_kvxCKK67CdtG2EPdBrY6UDGTGspNY1G2WIuzQmScRE0jpRla8TPQDwUy_mIzyuVSipLQT9p7rNGAohUk_M9hiCY=w166-h152" width="166" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDZcy-rCp-KzgLzxWCiFNIr7mcBPyviTSH9Wd1X6PHQs2OwAmTPSvTz4Btj5Q8d24Go7gOkJEX_2rOOeh_24MUAL4xyjiL2CaWLjzZs_9UY_Dk9AvL6D3RRgWxFoj-IKBlJMZiB0uPc2RvFyd8aNkr51M4HaZ-lg2W479xAU-gQxiBUG0rJaMn550I=s406" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="356" data-original-width="406" height="167" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiDZcy-rCp-KzgLzxWCiFNIr7mcBPyviTSH9Wd1X6PHQs2OwAmTPSvTz4Btj5Q8d24Go7gOkJEX_2rOOeh_24MUAL4xyjiL2CaWLjzZs_9UY_Dk9AvL6D3RRgWxFoj-IKBlJMZiB0uPc2RvFyd8aNkr51M4HaZ-lg2W479xAU-gQxiBUG0rJaMn550I=w190-h167" width="190" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /><br /><br /><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><br /><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-90747253021553392942022-02-11T08:52:00.006-01:002022-02-14T08:26:35.085-01:00A Tale of Two Bridges.<p> 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. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTldZtYYBeCkVjY25KNbsy_44yUlv4yEk2IDYbAxi7UfNlcV4Z4F-uN2LHTUm_d5MUxpLcpO31NSKWHEa74jXFwMZDgFxgyuE4cj-lIicbIfC_CTpqshdHuZTF_x1PvIgS5vrQPx4f9qLtd3yXw00jcf_3HdIyjqBMBNtxH8PxvleBCE-ZXH2WEtIw=s843" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="843" data-original-width="843" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgTldZtYYBeCkVjY25KNbsy_44yUlv4yEk2IDYbAxi7UfNlcV4Z4F-uN2LHTUm_d5MUxpLcpO31NSKWHEa74jXFwMZDgFxgyuE4cj-lIicbIfC_CTpqshdHuZTF_x1PvIgS5vrQPx4f9qLtd3yXw00jcf_3HdIyjqBMBNtxH8PxvleBCE-ZXH2WEtIw=w159-h159" width="159" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiacDmZp-pkYFWqXcsu9BNr8We2TP_mdvcAUHfldcxzML3fnSfQ8y6aHGwnOEgWzA6XQLnA3xqLXy_h1qlBm5n__-CnrYKVZVKfOd1Kq449WSj87K7dU467LRW6Q4eHtDY7vmcNsXNOvMCO9I48Oie5ACBPAONIIn2kWk_Q2xSk7UxFMNSmIFC5kQvl=s1908" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1791" data-original-width="1908" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiacDmZp-pkYFWqXcsu9BNr8We2TP_mdvcAUHfldcxzML3fnSfQ8y6aHGwnOEgWzA6XQLnA3xqLXy_h1qlBm5n__-CnrYKVZVKfOd1Kq449WSj87K7dU467LRW6Q4eHtDY7vmcNsXNOvMCO9I48Oie5ACBPAONIIn2kWk_Q2xSk7UxFMNSmIFC5kQvl=w172-h162" width="172" /></a><br /><br /></div> 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.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARMRzpK_DFqaIzBGNwBPaAP1PnpeodxpPDMHkoSA86hyhW7YkLjItMHJiSvWlhpprHhYDmsx7fB2zHXrDRtKY79fqp5IakZW0HGR3dcALcf3BultJdXCP44JBTz-ja2UgcolVdq6-o4qYS8Tj-wnfWfiTJ7Gguwa_ejDUHv-cufQGNp3T5CHkOgOH=s720" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="644" data-original-width="720" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgARMRzpK_DFqaIzBGNwBPaAP1PnpeodxpPDMHkoSA86hyhW7YkLjItMHJiSvWlhpprHhYDmsx7fB2zHXrDRtKY79fqp5IakZW0HGR3dcALcf3BultJdXCP44JBTz-ja2UgcolVdq6-o4qYS8Tj-wnfWfiTJ7Gguwa_ejDUHv-cufQGNp3T5CHkOgOH=w237-h211" width="237" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJwaakG_pufp0EvWd0fVMeeF4Zi_ppvrDsUZIoNJdVbRI6lSavSENe7r0m7fPHW5xxTWsCZ1HPneYMvfxYYtOyqfbaImW1v2gRqgnPsR4WRSua501Qvk3HTCHArgL0KJw97S6bT1r6vzeQSM2xA68dW97GhhRw6ZkBzksasn5TYp5eZLC6Ao2-OsBV=s916" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="797" data-original-width="916" height="175" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhJwaakG_pufp0EvWd0fVMeeF4Zi_ppvrDsUZIoNJdVbRI6lSavSENe7r0m7fPHW5xxTWsCZ1HPneYMvfxYYtOyqfbaImW1v2gRqgnPsR4WRSua501Qvk3HTCHArgL0KJw97S6bT1r6vzeQSM2xA68dW97GhhRw6ZkBzksasn5TYp5eZLC6Ao2-OsBV=w201-h175" width="201" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Year total for flora and fauna now 204</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p></div>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-55276108713147502252022-01-23T09:38:00.009-01:002022-01-29T09:35:50.139-01:00The Mere and the Moss<p> 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. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkHgHwH0DeUhdkXf0Gwlobsv31zJVB7X48brPAPyAYL2ig-lKdoIyNbcdcHKWcXWC0Iit4S5h7MZOmBVg_dRh4xtRPAf38wgmnNWFVppRTH9SbCFnrjI3nnG0QEVhoymqisdhdAPgdWs3SeVEja5xhHjVl993eGhudqVpI-hqSQTnElxKfqJ9rE8BZ=s1632" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1556" data-original-width="1632" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjkHgHwH0DeUhdkXf0Gwlobsv31zJVB7X48brPAPyAYL2ig-lKdoIyNbcdcHKWcXWC0Iit4S5h7MZOmBVg_dRh4xtRPAf38wgmnNWFVppRTH9SbCFnrjI3nnG0QEVhoymqisdhdAPgdWs3SeVEja5xhHjVl993eGhudqVpI-hqSQTnElxKfqJ9rE8BZ=w194-h185" width="194" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzXPBwc-xDGzvy5MHebJoKNEyUcVhgNKd5jZYAzevgB1uRwfkDFDyxkEOGPvLA9T8hvPfcSidsGP7U-GDfVKabT5DTtsovCyTTGOD1DSBs8g3GQ6lGfqouxipwCZ7HT9bu13Lt5u7H29ndCC4gOakHeih3U9h0YhNIdynIloRbFltWCy-DU2kBoSZj=s2048" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1518" data-original-width="2048" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjzXPBwc-xDGzvy5MHebJoKNEyUcVhgNKd5jZYAzevgB1uRwfkDFDyxkEOGPvLA9T8hvPfcSidsGP7U-GDfVKabT5DTtsovCyTTGOD1DSBs8g3GQ6lGfqouxipwCZ7HT9bu13Lt5u7H29ndCC4gOakHeih3U9h0YhNIdynIloRbFltWCy-DU2kBoSZj=w183-h135" width="183" /></a><br /><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqYqWw7Cpg_bFFECPCg4Z8s7xkYv5K0PX51kjS1jJ-lxok4NJti8aLntJ5tUeKuoLpqcwAfvnC62c4IWkjv2Ix4JtFKulshceWn65DJ_r2Dpkp0ZMZRj-1cW390HMoezOcSJmF3l-JMr0D_epGQKIJBYYvbm-Z9CGcVtolP1LiveU29ByhIIqT7az=s960" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="643" data-original-width="960" height="109" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgZqYqWw7Cpg_bFFECPCg4Z8s7xkYv5K0PX51kjS1jJ-lxok4NJti8aLntJ5tUeKuoLpqcwAfvnC62c4IWkjv2Ix4JtFKulshceWn65DJ_r2Dpkp0ZMZRj-1cW390HMoezOcSJmF3l-JMr0D_epGQKIJBYYvbm-Z9CGcVtolP1LiveU29ByhIIqT7az=w163-h109" width="163" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQt_OSsKGmh2-vH80UeE5dH_P8DZ_LCu7S4PdH2oOBfE5WEimYH2uyQespQ-2xRWmPN4wh89C1h502oVLx0tvHMRZ8JL_KaEW9pIIDFetn_LRsihpxj3agohAM4YC3-Dkuv22IMEiB8e0lutHmAl47Cj0JpARbvs-UrkiIWr9jE88LVj9KP4xhOSwe=s438" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="438" data-original-width="436" height="104" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiQt_OSsKGmh2-vH80UeE5dH_P8DZ_LCu7S4PdH2oOBfE5WEimYH2uyQespQ-2xRWmPN4wh89C1h502oVLx0tvHMRZ8JL_KaEW9pIIDFetn_LRsihpxj3agohAM4YC3-Dkuv22IMEiB8e0lutHmAl47Cj0JpARbvs-UrkiIWr9jE88LVj9KP4xhOSwe=w103-h104" width="103" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyukqICxcQo1GGNWCVCtDTlSTXPks-AjtY3iqnzYLzMA0yyPBJzuJ1j0hRPZYjMCyjmX2F9s1li82K2nFpp5Ha02IxR6rGDWStG4eE4rCcIEYfxHIEYp_yDXUWebuNKR8NTFFqamXjMo3CvFAY-aeqUgwYPqKwL7jwAlxAtAeJBgJMShG0-GVw0jHB=s628" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="523" data-original-width="628" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyukqICxcQo1GGNWCVCtDTlSTXPks-AjtY3iqnzYLzMA0yyPBJzuJ1j0hRPZYjMCyjmX2F9s1li82K2nFpp5Ha02IxR6rGDWStG4eE4rCcIEYfxHIEYp_yDXUWebuNKR8NTFFqamXjMo3CvFAY-aeqUgwYPqKwL7jwAlxAtAeJBgJMShG0-GVw0jHB=w216-h180" width="216" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> </p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-51730234617054042792022-01-10T15:18:00.001-01:002022-01-10T16:39:02.720-01:00The Eyes have it!<div class="separator"><div class="separator" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"> <span style="text-align: left;"> 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. </span></div></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo9t5dFwOYYfAK-JMRb5hSVZalPc3rgudNrRlN9llRkFX1MNKMRye0o6a9uSReK9sKxkhj6yW4nA7ohNYTRBkT009Yf5jPIdVH3lOfUDnZOtJvjv9Cc_NKO-bCMDBB1aqi2dzCr2vUUraeTgW48zVWCbzZad88JCjQ4y36ak83p_4N1GAHW4EnQZN9=s663" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="455" data-original-width="663" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgo9t5dFwOYYfAK-JMRb5hSVZalPc3rgudNrRlN9llRkFX1MNKMRye0o6a9uSReK9sKxkhj6yW4nA7ohNYTRBkT009Yf5jPIdVH3lOfUDnZOtJvjv9Cc_NKO-bCMDBB1aqi2dzCr2vUUraeTgW48zVWCbzZad88JCjQ4y36ak83p_4N1GAHW4EnQZN9=w231-h159" width="231" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi57kIJ0uvsf2LZ-WLQv18nLjbooE3gdXgayFRuAe-0qATTraOHVQva8BJjPNhBy-jMLmop0xDPjVyrh1QO6iwInVN2ulBKAS8HMZpSohN4O9nx92BVgmy8cN7fLFsVO_kO80bAni38uEXIJmqEukfJ9506TS72lLJL4PoEO3yASJmwAA2iFdcEtneG=s628" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="465" data-original-width="628" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEi57kIJ0uvsf2LZ-WLQv18nLjbooE3gdXgayFRuAe-0qATTraOHVQva8BJjPNhBy-jMLmop0xDPjVyrh1QO6iwInVN2ulBKAS8HMZpSohN4O9nx92BVgmy8cN7fLFsVO_kO80bAni38uEXIJmqEukfJ9506TS72lLJL4PoEO3yASJmwAA2iFdcEtneG=w242-h179" width="242" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqsaLwgLJRGuXzIuEXKve6vg-f_wOlQnpNgbOaOj1K8isAIRYNw1uAhDUaqM2181nWcCM5YKtHu9TSXvv6Ncrii9EC_67YC1l7UriENHhLTQe-8rvMWyD6BKVRezJ_MK_qUz2p8vF0pN_MidFV7zFLhAfYjTMhpGjn3PaTtFaJ_PmJVWVgUjtSgUU=s1012" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1012" height="230" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjmqsaLwgLJRGuXzIuEXKve6vg-f_wOlQnpNgbOaOj1K8isAIRYNw1uAhDUaqM2181nWcCM5YKtHu9TSXvv6Ncrii9EC_67YC1l7UriENHhLTQe-8rvMWyD6BKVRezJ_MK_qUz2p8vF0pN_MidFV7zFLhAfYjTMhpGjn3PaTtFaJ_PmJVWVgUjtSgUU=w233-h230" width="233" /></a></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkpWLCsbPvDcnjQYVBBHSnxwBJlA2-IcckhNFyncmZTjp5N22gg3GgKbIZIi2JJFuWG11DZZjzRGiEcYeoD9ZCw-Trtks3FLB9dzjjstczDoZxG3YIGyNhBxbLs6B25kQXME1XZfNQUY9JIKViWqd0aOkNihpMCX_qDgG4T51R909XtIoc04km-V5f=s2584" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1903" data-original-width="2584" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhkpWLCsbPvDcnjQYVBBHSnxwBJlA2-IcckhNFyncmZTjp5N22gg3GgKbIZIi2JJFuWG11DZZjzRGiEcYeoD9ZCw-Trtks3FLB9dzjjstczDoZxG3YIGyNhBxbLs6B25kQXME1XZfNQUY9JIKViWqd0aOkNihpMCX_qDgG4T51R909XtIoc04km-V5f=w220-h162" width="220" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br />twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-57215354030913255902022-01-04T06:16:00.071-01:002022-02-13T11:59:27.442-01:00The First Hundred.<p> 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.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQA589Ygt6JobZH7SeIgJqRBX509zxPsL_Do80X2YVELpmDA8YeDP-WuuusL4pE772c0psM5zyl4n7mN56A6AeKmJKZTpY4Qfx_ChDhCneZ_5hDE-SnGqJMQrf8T3BiBjLrho3wEA3E5Ji_JJTDCtPLvTuTXqSv7nzh6WUdeSIxA4uKGlg4OixaR6d=s1687" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1125" data-original-width="1687" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQA589Ygt6JobZH7SeIgJqRBX509zxPsL_Do80X2YVELpmDA8YeDP-WuuusL4pE772c0psM5zyl4n7mN56A6AeKmJKZTpY4Qfx_ChDhCneZ_5hDE-SnGqJMQrf8T3BiBjLrho3wEA3E5Ji_JJTDCtPLvTuTXqSv7nzh6WUdeSIxA4uKGlg4OixaR6d=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />wigeon <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn_lQN6MdHJc31toHoYCU2DYOCNOc2q3M20rOd8xf9uaoSHPieWTjDNJ1K7qOi1EFdl6XSlULlEiwhdogqFu6g4vFpCfWnqZ95027UgAA8hz_VjTqxYLDUXfr9u-l8gYCZ-OcXGaPdZBoyEA-lAAYYRK6wQqcMCgw0GpU9GsQVhHNJh6P8bsZDiNXl=s2048" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1366" data-original-width="2048" height="159" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjn_lQN6MdHJc31toHoYCU2DYOCNOc2q3M20rOd8xf9uaoSHPieWTjDNJ1K7qOi1EFdl6XSlULlEiwhdogqFu6g4vFpCfWnqZ95027UgAA8hz_VjTqxYLDUXfr9u-l8gYCZ-OcXGaPdZBoyEA-lAAYYRK6wQqcMCgw0GpU9GsQVhHNJh6P8bsZDiNXl=w240-h159" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Golden Plover <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5iDpUwLeYQaFw4PzMkgBqWxVje1VlSY0VKH-p6vJKsSOVWtAKtcCeQINZr9tlEXiAt5BR2e3LdKXR8DDnmT64c1pe7EsAFbUn6k6AtYSuAAkZQj6gJlOqYTZF8B_kn5NYvFuUxsOMy4-I3CSd9_iUx8gdRMAuAhWbvLufCes5f8UqHB02U8rYIS5=s1024" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1024" height="161" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiz5iDpUwLeYQaFw4PzMkgBqWxVje1VlSY0VKH-p6vJKsSOVWtAKtcCeQINZr9tlEXiAt5BR2e3LdKXR8DDnmT64c1pe7EsAFbUn6k6AtYSuAAkZQj6gJlOqYTZF8B_kn5NYvFuUxsOMy4-I3CSd9_iUx8gdRMAuAhWbvLufCes5f8UqHB02U8rYIS5=w215-h161" width="215" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> 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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPiD2GEtJeZuqQWx16NKs61B3I_bTbdp2XLvR7ATtNC1yCp-s8V5qTzN1v__uhMYh1v8_43t41SJV7tKND0go_QOKROI-kNRrkQ34_wLqvJdPdAnzx1jdzKMyTWm3HZ5SGHqKh_G3FWFYb2DbsoZ7vbU9khuifKgAUTl3z-QsKyyNtgeirBxv6tLuB=s453" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="317" data-original-width="453" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhPiD2GEtJeZuqQWx16NKs61B3I_bTbdp2XLvR7ATtNC1yCp-s8V5qTzN1v__uhMYh1v8_43t41SJV7tKND0go_QOKROI-kNRrkQ34_wLqvJdPdAnzx1jdzKMyTWm3HZ5SGHqKh_G3FWFYb2DbsoZ7vbU9khuifKgAUTl3z-QsKyyNtgeirBxv6tLuB=s320" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Total now at 101</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><br /><p><br /></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-67713024867501002162022-01-01T16:06:00.004-01:002022-01-01T16:11:46.816-01:00Day 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, <div><br /><div> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1QzUrMCd1jFSJEasSyE9b7V-9N-D2naeBv618HsmxPKObS1Nw3k5k6-OKDyIXR_FsZwC2wpmZ4yuIbSclHRowdAW5g_1krgHargMWqsmXRvfiMtgpFb-jzcqKbEXY9CZjGJ8ytzbRvANGGRsJW_hegq-hyU63hG2SY4L_WfZ9H0geO86qRx_tTA5H=s1691" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1495" data-original-width="1691" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg1QzUrMCd1jFSJEasSyE9b7V-9N-D2naeBv618HsmxPKObS1Nw3k5k6-OKDyIXR_FsZwC2wpmZ4yuIbSclHRowdAW5g_1krgHargMWqsmXRvfiMtgpFb-jzcqKbEXY9CZjGJ8ytzbRvANGGRsJW_hegq-hyU63hG2SY4L_WfZ9H0geO86qRx_tTA5H=w152-h134" width="152" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiziwm6wrHWbIufyKMJDu9zUF2UcWD_ErII4ZLZQlrsDy4Pn1JMrtA7PLcOhesc_WjH3uWV4gAL3knJ0iin4GuF6RF944a31u7ecOF41N9RgtMXFlwbsWhVF3dR_mFVq-bbgRE7byQ-7OwLN6B1tDn-7LlN_fxdIVaTQae-itTLT-2Yr6ujOPWl2tg-=s750" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="750" data-original-width="735" height="134" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiziwm6wrHWbIufyKMJDu9zUF2UcWD_ErII4ZLZQlrsDy4Pn1JMrtA7PLcOhesc_WjH3uWV4gAL3knJ0iin4GuF6RF944a31u7ecOF41N9RgtMXFlwbsWhVF3dR_mFVq-bbgRE7byQ-7OwLN6B1tDn-7LlN_fxdIVaTQae-itTLT-2Yr6ujOPWl2tg-=w130-h134" width="130" /></a><span style="text-align: center;"><br /><br /></span><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBCo943h02ldbNnEv7AxaNHbhJkvMLt3Sn9Bg8W5jHCd8GqLcMs0jyOCobQWSiJ0cFOCtWWAY74yf2fWEizASraaX3LK2kDmQ1sNbU2rerCDsFdBBJutaC-CgLzQcfirYIj-rb1_UqRTO8XhZ60nZpkx0xEMJiX0csXQ8vMjhjp5CyBan-_ffLVFuO=s2198" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeQnkNo6WndBGf6tauHwAz8Ok6qjyZBOXPvLxovgV2FbiOF_TpmOrvbDUM46VvqHsyh_B6Whzumhooe7b5Ek_CHXOZZYrbMw7ge9WBzJ4cunWAojqyTzhNc3iSxy_dQVWSt5Rp3L2dJzQtXtLSlqT0aQm72rqWQbTLz2tt7UrbzPh71HnVZiQhrGBB=s4128" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4128" data-original-width="1908" height="119" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjeQnkNo6WndBGf6tauHwAz8Ok6qjyZBOXPvLxovgV2FbiOF_TpmOrvbDUM46VvqHsyh_B6Whzumhooe7b5Ek_CHXOZZYrbMw7ge9WBzJ4cunWAojqyTzhNc3iSxy_dQVWSt5Rp3L2dJzQtXtLSlqT0aQm72rqWQbTLz2tt7UrbzPh71HnVZiQhrGBB=w54-h119" width="54" /></a> <img border="0" data-original-height="2198" data-original-width="1821" height="121" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhBCo943h02ldbNnEv7AxaNHbhJkvMLt3Sn9Bg8W5jHCd8GqLcMs0jyOCobQWSiJ0cFOCtWWAY74yf2fWEizASraaX3LK2kDmQ1sNbU2rerCDsFdBBJutaC-CgLzQcfirYIj-rb1_UqRTO8XhZ60nZpkx0xEMJiX0csXQ8vMjhjp5CyBan-_ffLVFuO=w100-h121" width="100" /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC2iKDBIKb5mSV6lmIHQvAhrPLI-eEbQqbBrJ_k1RVDL7jAm2qEth-seeZwbqJ7kuZRSv-WRPqCZlBMuxPBV5YjprmSu0a_T4QtAu041_4Fhwfn9cwmekGP5CO4Azl-zHXSbVQQnLBgG5W-c45AkmqCE_uV5MMCqY7p7PTljA97u8r2_jO1dP9dTdT=s1908" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1573" data-original-width="1908" height="114" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhC2iKDBIKb5mSV6lmIHQvAhrPLI-eEbQqbBrJ_k1RVDL7jAm2qEth-seeZwbqJ7kuZRSv-WRPqCZlBMuxPBV5YjprmSu0a_T4QtAu041_4Fhwfn9cwmekGP5CO4Azl-zHXSbVQQnLBgG5W-c45AkmqCE_uV5MMCqY7p7PTljA97u8r2_jO1dP9dTdT=w138-h114" width="138" /></a><br /> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">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.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div><br /></div></div></div></div>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-32532642551729567792021-12-18T09:40:00.002-01:002021-12-18T10:17:26.653-01:00Challenge Twenty Twenty Two<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyFXHXIRMwqeIH8duufZkwD621iBmo2KaqrMp-7DpRiiiFmpetCXgfvoMzVqCmaBroH4j4MPbyJTKG5502P94eArdctyS9A0_jNX8xDqmvK7ujlMEJJoXMzLOIAGzOU3-3pTnQs8SX4Tc4CbSWdtYhKRY49vE7sq403g_Wat1d67LOfHhC_lkhGk4m=s493" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="493" data-original-width="489" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhyFXHXIRMwqeIH8duufZkwD621iBmo2KaqrMp-7DpRiiiFmpetCXgfvoMzVqCmaBroH4j4MPbyJTKG5502P94eArdctyS9A0_jNX8xDqmvK7ujlMEJJoXMzLOIAGzOU3-3pTnQs8SX4Tc4CbSWdtYhKRY49vE7sq403g_Wat1d67LOfHhC_lkhGk4m=s320" width="317" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p> 2022 is the year I reach a significant birthday. To celebrate this I am trying to see ten times my age of different taxa, which means 800 birds, insects, mammals, fish amphibians etc. This will be in the year 2022 and within UK. <span style="text-align: center;">Please keep following my progress on this blog. </span></p><p><span style="text-align: center;"><br /></span></p>twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-20075736337944345922018-09-01T11:30:00.000+00:002018-09-06T11:32:36.028+00:00Enlli am byth .. Enchanting Enlli continued<br />
<b>Tuesday</b>: The weather was good enough at 0600 for the nets to be opened at Nant Plantation. I went to see if there were any birds passing off the North West corner and to see if there were any more spikes of Autumn Lady's tresses. Sadly there were very few shearwaters and gulls and no more spikes of my favourite orchid. I walked to Nant to see how the ringers were doing. They had ringed a Robin, a Scouple of Spotted Flycatchers and a Wren. Some birds get expert at avoiding the nets, which meant we saw but didn't catch Tree Pipit and Pied Flycatcher. Managed a photo of the Flycatcher There were also some chough feeding not too far away. I saw one on the roof of one of the buildings<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC54jlj3HJ5Ge9yjbL77uG3v4p_UduK2J9478_ODvOx289Y7U-3vREIXf5lksoYM2_hvWyANto_LZHEg0o2MtdRJvMrCrcRwbyYEW24z_H18GcUUTudcnBUjEeCTsz0NUJjKEx-_nJ-k/s1600/pied+flycatcher+f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="832" data-original-width="892" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihC54jlj3HJ5Ge9yjbL77uG3v4p_UduK2J9478_ODvOx289Y7U-3vREIXf5lksoYM2_hvWyANto_LZHEg0o2MtdRJvMrCrcRwbyYEW24z_H18GcUUTudcnBUjEeCTsz0NUJjKEx-_nJ-k/s200/pied+flycatcher+f.jpg" width="200" /> </a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFStkFuWQCz_TjNZ_ERVxxYQLCElUAXrM_98Ehm70Vf0o92uDvo13iwLtkWco9QTCBa7MAgiiWbo8uk0LHMQ4UP7ZpNPvt84RjWu5p4DS-br_SNCcyJ1yVsqpb0TZYgnX16jIY1N7fRAw/s1600/Chough+on+roof.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="795" data-original-width="768" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFStkFuWQCz_TjNZ_ERVxxYQLCElUAXrM_98Ehm70Vf0o92uDvo13iwLtkWco9QTCBa7MAgiiWbo8uk0LHMQ4UP7ZpNPvt84RjWu5p4DS-br_SNCcyJ1yVsqpb0TZYgnX16jIY1N7fRAw/s200/Chough+on+roof.jpg" width="193" /></a></div>
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Back to Cristin for 9.00 am and toast and then checking the moth trap. This year I seem to be developing a knack of seeing moths away from the trap. The first one seen below is another Orange Swift I noted in the small shop. The second one is what I thought was a piece of white stone in the banking. It was right next to Lady's Bedstraw, so no surprise that it was Galium Carpet.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQJTH1k0ZH-W6Yz1e7mseRkOgJ3QMplQ8jBFbbE0Gxh1poDTo2-UizfSGZwjVJOes1TYv-gkvxfzeU5p9b5yENr4spQiW3azTHZZt_Z76sI4oXDXBe1QJEoPIFcGrf0ScA_OHdRN7i80/s1600/20180820_193435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1270" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQJTH1k0ZH-W6Yz1e7mseRkOgJ3QMplQ8jBFbbE0Gxh1poDTo2-UizfSGZwjVJOes1TYv-gkvxfzeU5p9b5yENr4spQiW3azTHZZt_Z76sI4oXDXBe1QJEoPIFcGrf0ScA_OHdRN7i80/s200/20180820_193435.jpg" width="158" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWNWhMn-vrC9MWOI2TBsNhaCYPr2FFFA6-KC0Vc4NfXMx3zBQW3tgVUhI-74b_OfDKWe42XuDKQIMf-z2onaH20wt1iUcLXk_5Els-cq8CPCK19NnxLGQFGJhqoNNeMAH6qKg_othAEE/s1600/20180821_105242.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1481" data-original-width="1600" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMWNWhMn-vrC9MWOI2TBsNhaCYPr2FFFA6-KC0Vc4NfXMx3zBQW3tgVUhI-74b_OfDKWe42XuDKQIMf-z2onaH20wt1iUcLXk_5Els-cq8CPCK19NnxLGQFGJhqoNNeMAH6qKg_othAEE/s200/20180821_105242.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Walked round to the south end where I passed a Silver Y moth which would not keep still, so no photo. Fortunately many of the seals did not move around so energetically.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70hxjF7hcI5eTHqMbmb7TKKDXTf3g9CItSaaQSpPE6KR0IPAH6oe7KYZKzcg4pLp5RYyQUmOZH7A8gLS-xnR0A6VCe9fI9MMUdruM16N95E29KuEhmhakSjim7ANA0vf24CsxVoESKXw/s1600/Grey+seal+Farnes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="584" data-original-width="916" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh70hxjF7hcI5eTHqMbmb7TKKDXTf3g9CItSaaQSpPE6KR0IPAH6oe7KYZKzcg4pLp5RYyQUmOZH7A8gLS-xnR0A6VCe9fI9MMUdruM16N95E29KuEhmhakSjim7ANA0vf24CsxVoESKXw/s320/Grey+seal+Farnes.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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On Tuesday evening the Whale and Dolphin Conservation used a power point to inform us of their research about Risso's Dolphins in the waters around Bardsey.</div>
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<b>Wednesday</b> - After breakfast I walked through the fields to Solvach to look for more waders. I had decent views of Manx Shearwaters and Gannets as well as the Turnstones, a Dunlin and this Ringed Plover.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6jK2Fqt81GvOoVAWE1VRg_T-1j_Yz9trX3Vz_DYrGuf49vnPCe7BqXQqk-Cb4poXFmMKbbMHJxQoipUmMlr-C4zGFloS6bYzCiyu-LoIPFEVNcv0WCZ_T4eMmbjRWWxPj5gT7EfZA9I/s1600/IMG_0063.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="772" data-original-width="1013" height="243" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_6jK2Fqt81GvOoVAWE1VRg_T-1j_Yz9trX3Vz_DYrGuf49vnPCe7BqXQqk-Cb4poXFmMKbbMHJxQoipUmMlr-C4zGFloS6bYzCiyu-LoIPFEVNcv0WCZ_T4eMmbjRWWxPj5gT7EfZA9I/s320/IMG_0063.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
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I then had a little doze on the beach listening to Sandwich Terns, Redshank and the inevitable Chough. Back to Cristin for tea and at long last seeing a couple of wheatears, as well as a Small Copper butterfly</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB7qu-7RHS2KNgvUZX7vTD4JQ5jTFNg5kogZZwa4Xq5VChOaJTIlmUdvR9ifsa8WWCrlfCsc2vF6whNNJaBtcy5bOXb92AxyWNP4biNLMAvS7AGYoFwFOCZkaF4b1nDuBjH8qMYnqrSQ/s1600/wheatear+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="382" height="196" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgB7qu-7RHS2KNgvUZX7vTD4JQ5jTFNg5kogZZwa4Xq5VChOaJTIlmUdvR9ifsa8WWCrlfCsc2vF6whNNJaBtcy5bOXb92AxyWNP4biNLMAvS7AGYoFwFOCZkaF4b1nDuBjH8qMYnqrSQ/s200/wheatear+2.jpg" width="200" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsqKrbQVfpmJaW5Tffz9R2289_mOqwkdE83upYl36WM9WlPwL6HKA9t0M9y-GLm_0wQ7QhxZQBnnxn74pl1EveInzNIHFYCIfg5s2IXD-wOgL-Vw_qpIXfd1hdn9Hhm8k23a1FEMZ0eY/s1600/Small+Copper+on+Bardsey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1072" data-original-width="1071" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYsqKrbQVfpmJaW5Tffz9R2289_mOqwkdE83upYl36WM9WlPwL6HKA9t0M9y-GLm_0wQ7QhxZQBnnxn74pl1EveInzNIHFYCIfg5s2IXD-wOgL-Vw_qpIXfd1hdn9Hhm8k23a1FEMZ0eY/s200/Small+Copper+on+Bardsey.jpg" width="199" /></a></div>
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<b>Thursday</b> was my day to walk up the mountain. I went via the farm so I could get a view of the large number of Autumn Lady's Tresses. One of the other reasons for making the climb is from this point I can get a signal on my phone to let my family know I am stll around</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldkgs_o1EG4mO3dQEcRzo2Xlde0ZExq8N38UnZpVSTruoABFUV0KvQDNwbx1U6soHpWsD_IzfnihWpJ6n3BuZ8OzXaRlm_qxWq0P8l_h4GZ2WNFQk5L0aDIKklsCKdIQi-FFgB1OYWCs/s1600/20180823_105610.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjldkgs_o1EG4mO3dQEcRzo2Xlde0ZExq8N38UnZpVSTruoABFUV0KvQDNwbx1U6soHpWsD_IzfnihWpJ6n3BuZ8OzXaRlm_qxWq0P8l_h4GZ2WNFQk5L0aDIKklsCKdIQi-FFgB1OYWCs/s320/20180823_105610.jpg" width="320" /></a> </div>
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It's also close to a rare lichen that is found on Bardsey, the Golden Hair Lichen. <i>teloschistes flavicans.</i></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIafC6R4qxc15HyaS0fg4jKvxxXA8DrkQvryVSd1yFAHiQbRNPJqaSMZfTYn8XmM5OJ0H8B7XStDQpGxf2ESOshoVNWdGkPkSyi1gIitEPcdFxQUKytRi4R2Yi3CQAzHJ6xOL4-iz54KU/s1600/Golden+Haired+Lichen+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1063" data-original-width="1600" height="132" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIafC6R4qxc15HyaS0fg4jKvxxXA8DrkQvryVSd1yFAHiQbRNPJqaSMZfTYn8XmM5OJ0H8B7XStDQpGxf2ESOshoVNWdGkPkSyi1gIitEPcdFxQUKytRi4R2Yi3CQAzHJ6xOL4-iz54KU/s200/Golden+Haired+Lichen+2.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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I also went on a search for one of the slow worms that live here. I always think it is wrongly named. Not only is it not a worm, In my experience it's not slow either. It's actually a legless lizard.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOI3geuPb7AJu0Qw_kdZ5VhCsUVdyyyiTsxij4P3eQofPH9FfkS8Te5UlELFJ6LZU95cruQQ3xRbnnAQ08Hj4HIoUeOYSMrzBQ296BwGhMrto8wJ9gZ07E_Oh1_TayChPlpWq-LesLRI/s1600/20180824_162832.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1467" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXOI3geuPb7AJu0Qw_kdZ5VhCsUVdyyyiTsxij4P3eQofPH9FfkS8Te5UlELFJ6LZU95cruQQ3xRbnnAQ08Hj4HIoUeOYSMrzBQ296BwGhMrto8wJ9gZ07E_Oh1_TayChPlpWq-LesLRI/s200/20180824_162832.jpg" width="183" /></a> </div>
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Not my best photo, but I didn't want to disturb him too much. After tea, many of us gathered in the schoolroom for a time of music. We had guitars, a banjo, a saxophone, a drum solo, some lovely singing from some of the young folk on the island, a solo dance, a reading of " The Battle of Hastings" written by Marriot Edgar, an Irish song performed by the Island Chaplain and a rendition by all present of " Ilkley Moor ". </div>
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<b>Friday</b> started off windy again so off to the North West corner for some sea watching. We did see a teal on Nant pond which is the first time I've seen this duck on Bardsey.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecYY4nqYjPHOqZcX0pRcp10etB_-5RShQY_m36sfdu6Gyj1jM44mb7VzIspLQ8oSgrAobrd1T_lztubkk_m0AmYL3keKqYkynkFef1sZ-m0TO9JJYNS7k8-Q0mljdCjQuvC1-nh0aQ-k/s1600/IMG_5029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiecYY4nqYjPHOqZcX0pRcp10etB_-5RShQY_m36sfdu6Gyj1jM44mb7VzIspLQ8oSgrAobrd1T_lztubkk_m0AmYL3keKqYkynkFef1sZ-m0TO9JJYNS7k8-Q0mljdCjQuvC1-nh0aQ-k/s320/IMG_5029.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We don't just watch the sea, but note the birds that are hugging the coast as they fly past. Lots of Gannets, Kittywakes, Manx Shearwaters, Arctic and Sandwich Terns, the occasional Guillemot and a close view of a Great Skua. It was however much easier to photograph this linnet on nearby vegetation. I do include a photo of a bonxie with kind permission of Ben Porter</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bVEfd1ocdcXMv_ZV36wqJqCbHOqNll1xEye2CgNSMdP2vaNVKBCanA1K4tPYNDpNyOgC5k2oV5Sko1-DgV_6BXtcV5s1PprDgwtrSo2m4kmEkJh-07JTSOO68t3RWb01s4vyiMt-2jk/s1600/Linnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="347" data-original-width="298" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0bVEfd1ocdcXMv_ZV36wqJqCbHOqNll1xEye2CgNSMdP2vaNVKBCanA1K4tPYNDpNyOgC5k2oV5Sko1-DgV_6BXtcV5s1PprDgwtrSo2m4kmEkJh-07JTSOO68t3RWb01s4vyiMt-2jk/s200/Linnet.jpg" width="171" /> </a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWl8qjeCMnTvDKxis6A9kE_wWx_Hjj6Bdwq8iHxAJH-qkWwCzsirxi7TpRDFXHCpnxNZKggXWRxsYm8J89YOEjuFqHNObnhyphenhyphenY8lFbGZrhBH_oTwHsW4LsBUPFbC0zUUwg2K7X-Q9UvPf4/s1600/ben+p+bonxie.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="1600" height="125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWl8qjeCMnTvDKxis6A9kE_wWx_Hjj6Bdwq8iHxAJH-qkWwCzsirxi7TpRDFXHCpnxNZKggXWRxsYm8J89YOEjuFqHNObnhyphenhyphenY8lFbGZrhBH_oTwHsW4LsBUPFbC0zUUwg2K7X-Q9UvPf4/s200/ben+p+bonxie.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
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On my return to Cristin, I noted that the single spike of Autumn Lady's Tresses had been grazed by sheep. Moth trap checked again with this good example of a Flame Shoulder moth. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxxvV1JJPBTcdXN3znX-IDJ0b51AAxaJXy6Q38vyZ0kAB6eH2d5S0Kc9S_d74yd7KDrlRhqr4yxQb1wkxsVR5Nq7gUJVHexO_AImZWLxLfHH2LP8lMP5BDM6j5Lgc81cHqk_mxB6jiGE/s1600/20180824_100606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1569" data-original-width="1518" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoxxvV1JJPBTcdXN3znX-IDJ0b51AAxaJXy6Q38vyZ0kAB6eH2d5S0Kc9S_d74yd7KDrlRhqr4yxQb1wkxsVR5Nq7gUJVHexO_AImZWLxLfHH2LP8lMP5BDM6j5Lgc81cHqk_mxB6jiGE/s200/20180824_100606.jpg" width="193" /></a> </div>
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By afternoon the wind had subsided and the sun was out. Time for more lazing around on the beach. On my walk back to Cristin I had a final check on any flowers I had not recorded for this visit. The ones I always look for, apart from the orchids and samphire are Heath Groundsel and Scarlet Pimpernel. The latter, picture below, often as elusive as Sir Percy. After tea, Kevin, another of the Observatory volunteers showed me a creature I hadn't seen ever. It was a psuedo scorpion <i>neobisium maritimum </i>which had not been recorded on Bardsey before.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecNbKTlLdJ4bGLz6xz4QaKOGLXKid4peDES7DOppA-U8kvx2E8TGib2G7UvregZjqupjNweX99v8wT0bMqYPeTCu4Wg8zg_saF6M095rOwWpx4yKlrqAj0YuYIOwPP1X0AQSTMkS0Bk0/s1600/2018-08-20+15.22.42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1139" data-original-width="1600" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgecNbKTlLdJ4bGLz6xz4QaKOGLXKid4peDES7DOppA-U8kvx2E8TGib2G7UvregZjqupjNweX99v8wT0bMqYPeTCu4Wg8zg_saF6M095rOwWpx4yKlrqAj0YuYIOwPP1X0AQSTMkS0Bk0/s200/2018-08-20+15.22.42.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Some people ask me what I do on Bardsey. As you have seen, with birds, butterlies, moths, marine mammals, lichens, flowers and fantastic sunsets, it is my island paradise. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk4PLQbTf9Pab8CRXYbBUzf0Ep98Ff6wqi7LTYDV2-sZM5KPFZKpdnWmS00YxzvdBoPkmQaFDRGgx2t_ug2fFCgPxwXMa4M-5Zm4Ji9paQSI56t2RGgrP12ukWREDJJx5ATfqk1W-vx8/s1600/20180824_202459+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="1600" height="186" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlk4PLQbTf9Pab8CRXYbBUzf0Ep98Ff6wqi7LTYDV2-sZM5KPFZKpdnWmS00YxzvdBoPkmQaFDRGgx2t_ug2fFCgPxwXMa4M-5Zm4Ji9paQSI56t2RGgrP12ukWREDJJx5ATfqk1W-vx8/s320/20180824_202459+%25281%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-26524445321804856852018-08-28T05:49:00.000+00:002018-09-02T09:00:31.864+00:00Enchanting Enlli - August 2018My visits to Bardsey always start at Aberdaron on the<b> Friday</b>, smelling the salt from the sea, hearing gulls and chough and meeting friends with whom I'll be spending the week. We gathered at the fish and chip shop for a hearty tea ( not dinner) to find out what time the boat will be the following morning. Colin the boatman has said 0700 at Cwrt, the farm where we leave our vehicles. The early start meant we had to collect the groceries from the Spar shop that evening. On our way we had the usual heron nearby. This is a juvenile, so probably an offspring of the one that often sits on the Spar roof.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqYLAg-6eeGxNpKrK13eS-JcQMrZaXwePG4ZZHqKsroK2OpDa93G_-a5nzVcBr_yBmE0kDFXtYFs9UW2g8ZEQOND1VpBVF-GZzdVth2Pjr7c1uPozt6wJruHjiHC6lJ-SIfLc0t9als/s1600/20180818_120728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1351" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFhqYLAg-6eeGxNpKrK13eS-JcQMrZaXwePG4ZZHqKsroK2OpDa93G_-a5nzVcBr_yBmE0kDFXtYFs9UW2g8ZEQOND1VpBVF-GZzdVth2Pjr7c1uPozt6wJruHjiHC6lJ-SIfLc0t9als/s200/20180818_120728.jpg" width="168" /></a></div>
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Once loaded I went off to the campsite for an early night. I asked the next family if they wouldn't mind my pitching there. There response was " We aren't using one of our tents so if you wanted, you could save time and energy and use that one!" That meant at least a half hour earlier to bed and sleep.</div>
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<b>Saturday</b>: Up and breakfasted by 6.30, at the boat by 0700 and on the island by 0800. There was also a group from Whale and Dolphin Conservation who were there to see if the could photograph Risso's dolphins for identification purposes. I went straight to the Nort West corner for a short seawatch. Gannets, Manx Shearwaters, a few Kittiwakes and some of the larger gulls were very close to the shore. On my walk back for picnic at Cristin ( the Observatory) I noted choughs and a raven. The afternoon was spent visiting the beach at Solvach.</div>
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Watching Ringed Plover, Sanderling, Turnstones in breeding plumage and this Dunlin made for a pleasant afternoon. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFHvpyytEaHwxFABSizY3D5JvYvF3QcnaG3G_6Nw0NzDuJJE-6Jeids6ApL6I1g9gfKKXjvXKDH44DQquYBR5Y0C6P_iWef9QL6kvJ22btMuW_D5Gp5K_who6txKRSAniDo-rqKwSt84/s1600/Dunlin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="607" data-original-width="663" height="182" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhFHvpyytEaHwxFABSizY3D5JvYvF3QcnaG3G_6Nw0NzDuJJE-6Jeids6ApL6I1g9gfKKXjvXKDH44DQquYBR5Y0C6P_iWef9QL6kvJ22btMuW_D5Gp5K_who6txKRSAniDo-rqKwSt84/s200/Dunlin.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div>
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On my return to Cristin for the evening meal I had a quick look for Autumn Lady's Tresses without success. This view of Rock Samphire was good but I needed more searching if I wanted to locate the orchids.</div>
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<b>Sunday</b>: Strong breeze means North West corner. New sightings included Balearic shearwater, Whimbrel and Arctic Skua. Some of us had arranged to go to the chapel for a Sunday service and on the way from the NW corner I looked down at my feet and saw a single spike of Autumn Lady's Tresses.</div>
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When we arrived at Chapel, the chaplain had not managed to get to Bardsey so we ended up with several of us contributing. Best of all, prayers were conducted by Emma Hughes, a lovely little five year old. Picnic on Solvach followed the service, especially as the wind had subsided. Sandwich, Arctic and Common Terns flew past. A young family who were staying in another cottage on the island, caught some crabs and limpets whilst rock pooling.</div>
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Back to Cristin for evening meal and a good view of Risso's while waiting for the chicken to roast. It was also a good time noting lepidoptera. Painted Lady, Peacock, Meadow Brown and Small tortoiseshell seen in the garden but I was excited to spot an Orange Swift moth on the wall in the Gent's loo. The assistants working with the Observatory caught and ringed this handsome Common Whitethroat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrarl9IlrZrZHreYG3lbpOOMKYOqIhSdvKJFR5tuCjW3i2ktJDMqh7o4DfKoXFc-VqZvCWmDXs52VCKtIqnmLO3XbYtLFGUlmoV4hKILL_Q_mM013i2_ytwjxndeRTRs_PB7EYH41LBHo/s1600/2018-08-19+18.30.55.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1326" data-original-width="1600" height="165" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrarl9IlrZrZHreYG3lbpOOMKYOqIhSdvKJFR5tuCjW3i2ktJDMqh7o4DfKoXFc-VqZvCWmDXs52VCKtIqnmLO3XbYtLFGUlmoV4hKILL_Q_mM013i2_ytwjxndeRTRs_PB7EYH41LBHo/s200/2018-08-19+18.30.55.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<b>Monday</b>: Misty morning at sea made sea watching impossible so some of the bird ringers amongst us went to Nant Plantation to see what they could catch. Not being a ringer, I wanted to check the moth trap so was a little later joining the group. The delay meant not only did I see more butterflies, but I was able to photograph a handsome Wood Warbler caught at Cristin and ringed by Steve Stansfield the Warden of Bardsey Observatory.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAKldj6A5KzzW5RGNcRz-lLSi9cxIPhD1l96CGMgIu5PqR2zor5VPPwQcMROcRpFaKMTRucClpaZj_vvL6b76GQP2lFV0VbPohBTOJRJ-B0WFg7ondeBfscVsuHKWNfSeKcrZAmaYFH4/s1600/20180820_180713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1174" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLAKldj6A5KzzW5RGNcRz-lLSi9cxIPhD1l96CGMgIu5PqR2zor5VPPwQcMROcRpFaKMTRucClpaZj_vvL6b76GQP2lFV0VbPohBTOJRJ-B0WFg7ondeBfscVsuHKWNfSeKcrZAmaYFH4/s200/20180820_180713.jpg" width="146" /></a> </div>
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The team at Nant had a fruitful morning being able to ring Willow Warbler, Spotted Fly Catcher, Wrens and a Robin. The photos are of Spotted Flycatcher and Willow Warbler.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0-i6Buw4P0jFM7rd-AyOeEFSxoogO1PsCqkW9OM6q4mgE4uzwHWEKWFnFD5VKK8q7_9uLDBz4NMVT_NwXV-gDLjFT5bMhGxaBE4dx5iUa6ofAIljHdwfx2uwuMqZQpU5pg-YJ70NwOs/s1600/20180820_183227.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1492" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf0-i6Buw4P0jFM7rd-AyOeEFSxoogO1PsCqkW9OM6q4mgE4uzwHWEKWFnFD5VKK8q7_9uLDBz4NMVT_NwXV-gDLjFT5bMhGxaBE4dx5iUa6ofAIljHdwfx2uwuMqZQpU5pg-YJ70NwOs/s200/20180820_183227.jpg" width="186" /></a></div>
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Lunch again was a picnic as I walked down the west coast to Solvach. Activity at sea was quiet but I still enjoyed Sandwich Terns, Rock Pipits, Meadow Pipits, Manx Shearwaters and the diving Gannets. Solvach again was busy with waders on the tide line and seals howling and snorting in the bay. There was a black- headed gull that seemed to be there all week and a Turnstone. It was exhibiting good camouflage, so see if you can spot the bird.<br />
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The first half of the week had been superb and I looked forward to the second being just as good.<br />
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twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5586193105045682301.post-42115877683256769492018-06-19T11:49:00.002+00:002018-09-06T22:30:44.973+00:00Mammals, Moths and Minibeasts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb_IG4tx27etEep4R5f7WAxY-QaQJ7fODncnuwUZZ8P9QcY3yZ6w7xdwXNQMbsYzy04NjazlsK7TrTo-WBBGRJtyGL4XGG_IQFIM5Ea2U2kTgEWssjOsksooeWnCPCeAGIT-2Dd8ez8I/s1600/20180605_105759.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTb_IG4tx27etEep4R5f7WAxY-QaQJ7fODncnuwUZZ8P9QcY3yZ6w7xdwXNQMbsYzy04NjazlsK7TrTo-WBBGRJtyGL4XGG_IQFIM5Ea2U2kTgEWssjOsksooeWnCPCeAGIT-2Dd8ez8I/s320/20180605_105759.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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St John's Church in Hurst Green was the location for a Bioblitz held at the start of Cherishing Churchyards' Week which ran from June 9 to June 17. With help from staff and volunteers from Lancashire Wildlife Trust, members of the congegation and A Rocha UK, we started on the Friday evening in lovely late spring weather. The first task was setting humane mammal traps in the grassland then moth traps around the church itself.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJke5vx727uv8Yd3c2Bdq111JwgtFbVdWS76vLRXdaFMhpk7t_LnVwpkOFPQlvxFjxHiv4-xAM7lBXJ5SofV6FxRykdK32NuYYFrKwG-6xQJn8MRrUdF1iN7mIFWn4khQr5lsWrZoj_Q/s1600/Moth+traps+set+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKJke5vx727uv8Yd3c2Bdq111JwgtFbVdWS76vLRXdaFMhpk7t_LnVwpkOFPQlvxFjxHiv4-xAM7lBXJ5SofV6FxRykdK32NuYYFrKwG-6xQJn8MRrUdF1iN7mIFWn4khQr5lsWrZoj_Q/s320/Moth+traps+set+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At sunset we held a bat walk with several church members there, using bat detectors. John Hyde, a member of the congregation led us round part of the village. It was an exciting evening with at least three species, Common Pipistrelle, Soprano Pipistrelle and Noctule easily noticed. David from A Rocha UK helped with the identification. We also heard a male Tawny Owl.<br />
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Saturday morning starting early with bacon butties at eight as Rob Yates and Bob Pyefinch checked the moth traps and Joan Hunter opened the small mammal traps. There were only two mammals caught, a Wood Mouse and this Bank Vole<br />
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Several species of moth were identified even before opening the traps.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzumHywsHod_NAPPQoQ-EkFp5rz0JPATMzSwKPyjSyl10kq_rq5-qmf9CTljjOIxtsBNxviZYtAl5IlFjr-7ISBb7rWH4XZz2lQrW4jshHBwjqQfm0eB016bI-Mq8gpZbFUpoH-ZaWiw/s1600/Opening+the+traps+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSzumHywsHod_NAPPQoQ-EkFp5rz0JPATMzSwKPyjSyl10kq_rq5-qmf9CTljjOIxtsBNxviZYtAl5IlFjr-7ISBb7rWH4XZz2lQrW4jshHBwjqQfm0eB016bI-Mq8gpZbFUpoH-ZaWiw/s320/Opening+the+traps+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Some on the outside of the trap, and in one case on the wall of the church. It is the moth pictured on the left, a Peach Blossom. We walked past it twice before spotting it. Camouflage is a wonderful adaptation as demonstrated by the Buff Tip in the photograph on the right. The other moth pictured is a Beautiful Golden Y </div>
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Surveying had a slight break when Joe Wilson, a reporter from Radio Lancashire turned up to interview some of the organisers. Activities for younger folk were available including checking owl pellets, finding minibeasts and making the life cycle of a moth from pasta<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PIOQqZVIV17mHgOBsBZb4mu6pxMPD5XIQTZuSW3fahvjHPrflNq7rlkK49LBZYvieQKo-9Rqp5FFYN-X2rPm-r3tlkW2r5ObWiknPL_eDn3npisDGsNzLaKubJJL3yvKmc0E6ZO_7KA/s1600/Owl+pellets+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="480" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6PIOQqZVIV17mHgOBsBZb4mu6pxMPD5XIQTZuSW3fahvjHPrflNq7rlkK49LBZYvieQKo-9Rqp5FFYN-X2rPm-r3tlkW2r5ObWiknPL_eDn3npisDGsNzLaKubJJL3yvKmc0E6ZO_7KA/s320/Owl+pellets+%2528c%2529+Julia+Simons+%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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As the morning progressed, Phil and Elspeth came to record flies and hoverflies, but botany we left to the County recorder, David Earle. Phil is in the foreground and David to the right of the group surveying the plants. Some of the flowers included Common Dog Violet, Greater Stitchwort and Eyebright. John Wright, ably assisted by his son surveyed hoverflies.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFRsO_XMHbatYVlie4jGLes5HuhwGDpOC86Da9UKcoF1tElI-YK_61BSNv2z7sLbGeJVwQqyuSbgCLfmTI-auRv08JyWOnws51I_jZzKB560dIvnSKB1YiLzylPjUGcwg4cTcz01Xu7s/s1600/20180609_141920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1192" data-original-width="1600" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwFRsO_XMHbatYVlie4jGLes5HuhwGDpOC86Da9UKcoF1tElI-YK_61BSNv2z7sLbGeJVwQqyuSbgCLfmTI-auRv08JyWOnws51I_jZzKB560dIvnSKB1YiLzylPjUGcwg4cTcz01Xu7s/s320/20180609_141920.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Refreshments were in constant supply which helped us keep going all morning. As usual for this time of year, birds were difficult to spot. The one exception being a Barn Owl that had perched in a tree in the other part of the church grounds across the road.<br />
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Thanking all those mentioned above involved in the two days especially Julia Simonds from The Wildlife Trust, Clare Hyde from St John's, and David Beattie from A Rocha UK. At the end of the day, all the records were sent via iRecord to the various County Recorders.</div>
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<br />twintalhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14646201412902427362noreply@blogger.com0