Garden Birds Midsummer Day

Posted on 23rd June 2020 by Richard

Garden Bird Visitors in Waltham Chase

Now living in a Flat, it was great to be asked to feed an acquaintances Garden Birds for a week. Knowing they have a high number of birds turning up daily I obviously took my Camera along. Highlight was this nicely posed Bullfinch, the best photo I have yet of this magnificent bird.

Another more unusual visitor turning up were a pair of Nuthatches toing and froing from the trees in the fields behind and the Feeders in their characteristic acrobatic style.

The Nuthatch jumping from tree to feeder

Female Great Spotted Woodpecker – Whitethroat

The longest day of the year but the shortest time I’ve ever had to wait for a Bullfinch to appear !

One thing the worry of Coronavirus has given us is the situation to explore what’s around us and to soak in the beauty of nature and wildlife.
On my way home I passed quite a few walkers out and about walking to the fields, the woods and maybe beyond.

It was a good day.

__________________________________________

Wildlife – Magnificent May

Posted on 23rd May 2020 by Richard

Nature springs to life in Bishop’s Waltham

I say magnificent May for the reason the weather got warmer, wildlife very active and some hope after the Lockdown ending to a certain extent.
To get to the more tranquil places around here you first have to walk through more the Dog walker, Cyclists and Jogger parts of the countryside and through the past few weeks I’ve got to meet same faces daily and have a quick chat. What’s very noticeable is the amount of people speaking about what’s around them. I guess that not going to work so much and the need to get out more has brought about the will to appreciate and learn and indeed I still have a lot to learn !

Two of many Swallows Bishop’s Waltham

After weeks of walking around the locale I’m getting further afield now with trips to Titchfield Haven, Hook-with-Warsash on Southampton Water. Of the two, the latter is better, to get to the Beach and the protected area means a 400 meter walk from the car thus avoiding the crowds on the more popular beaches and Ice Cream Vans !

Green Woodpecker – Sedge Warbler – Skylark (Hook-with-Warsash

The Garden here is also very active, especially with the young Starlings from their nest in the Gutter above plus occasional visits from Long Tailed Tits, Goldfinches and the Great Spotted Woodpecker which for some reason loves the tree in the neighbours garden at the back, there every day without fail !

Young Starling causing havoc on the feeders

Blackcap – Hook-with-Warsash

Hopefully the rush of people going to the surrounding popular beaches won’t be the start of another Virus surge and life can get back to normal, Nature has moved ‘onwards and upwards’ over 5 or so weeks of partial rest.
The air is cleaner, the importance of nature has come to light. Long may it be so !

Winchester Green Party

Tweets by WinGreenParty

center>

Barn Owl at Titchfield Canal

Posted on 28th February 2019 by Richard

Without a doubt, the nicest spot of the month was the Barn Owl seen in a large tree alongside Titchfield Canal Locals say they often nest there but after a couple of weeks it had moved on.
The Canal path is quite a gem for spots, from north to south it’s around two and a half miles consisting of Water, Fields, Reed, Woodland and the Posbrook Flood. The main visitors are Dog Walkers and Birders, but with the path is well fenced so a good deterrent for wandering unruly pets and the odd Birder who doesn’t necessarily always keep to the proper places !

Titchfield Haven was still showing how well it is populated by birds through the Winter. The Avocets started to arrive, the Marsh Harriers did their usual daily hunt around the Reserve and on the shore a number of Gannets were seen flying up and down Southampton Water. I also made a first visit to the Forest of Bere and was amazed at the number of Goldcrests I saw, it seemed that almost every tree had them. Another nice thing about it the Food Van they have there, one of the best Burgers I’ve had for a long time and garnished with various vegeatbles all locally produced.

Forest of Bere – Curlew – Goldcrest

Avocet – Common Buzzard – Curlew flying at Warsash

Good weather also allowed quite a few walks around my two Patches, basically north of my Flats and south of my flats ! Great Spotted Woodpeckers were out in numbers as were Green Woodpeckers, but heard but not seen.
Bishops Waltham is never short of Common Buzzards and almost every walk produces a good view.

Overall, February gave a hint of things to come, relatively dry weather gave the odd hint of Spring, but all in all, birds were busy and awaiting the longer days for nest building and mating.

[fblike]

Small Birds stocking up for the colder days

Posted on 11th December 2017 by Richard

It’s a joy coming downstairs in the morning, opening the Kitchen Curtains to be given the view of 15 plus birds around the Feeders; House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Coal, Great, Long Tailed Tits, the regular as clockwork Great Spotted Woodpecker and occasional visits of Goldfinches and Chaffinches.
Needless to say this also attracts the odd Rat and Squirrel, but with ample woodland for the Squirrels and a Stream opposite, neither can be successfully shooed off. They are wildlife as well of course !

Three Buzzards make an appearance almost daily and the Sparrowhawk is never too far away, although he or she is more interested in the large amount of Pigeons we have in the derelict Mill opposite.
Four legged wise I’m pretty sure the Hedgehog (or Hedgehogs) has gone into hibernation. I’m hoping it’s in the House I built for them under the Laurel bush, one hibernated there last winter but I’m inclined not to look as it may disturb things and don’t want them wandering off anywhere in this cold snap.

Firecrests at Chilham

I’ve only seen Firecrests at Dungeness. Whilst visiting someone in Chilham I happened to look out of the window and saw two flitting around a rather dense bush.
I only had my little Digital Camera so not the best of photos, plus they don’t sit still for more than about two seconds !

Due to a sudden appearance of a Hernia which is giving jip plus somewhat troublesome hips through my herniated disc I’m confining myself to Barracks more than I usually do.
So birds, if you want a photograph taken, you know where my Garden is !!
[fblike]

A walk from Conningbrook to Home

Posted on 18th September 2017 by Richard

When fully fit and motivated I can walk from home to the furthest lake at Conningbrook and back with no problem, a distance of some 5 miles.
On Saturday I was lucky enough to get a lift to the Julie Rose Stadium where I did the one way route alongside main, eco and northern Lakes then over the fields next to the Great Stour and home.

Some Fungi in a small copse close to home

Due to some Canoeists on the main lake, beside a group of nine Egyptian Geese and some Coots, it was very quiet, as were both the Eco and Northern Lakes.
No small birds visible but the northern field came to the rescue with a Great Spotted Woodpecker sitting on the tallest twig of a tree and about 50 plus Starlings.

Greater Spotted Woodpecker – Yellowhammer

Alongside the Great Stour some 30 Swallows were active weaving and skimming the water and surrounding fields…and me ! Some coming within six feet. Taking a photo was an impossibility !

The best sighting of the day though was in the hedgerows of the fields just below my house, some 20 plus Yellowhammers, easily the most I’ve seen at any one time in the 18 years I’ve been here.
Being of res status,, very encouraging indeed.

The Nuthatch saw me coming!!

Eastwell Lake

Needing to go down town on Sunday I made a detour on my return journey to Eastwell Lake. Here well over 300 Greylag and Canada Geese all mixing in.
Beside some Mallards, just a parent and juvenile Great Crested Grebe spotted.

Mother-and-juvenile-Great-Crested-Grebes

Parent and juvenile Great Crested Grebe

No shortage of Geese!

As usual, the Graveyard produced some Nuthatches but little else about.

Tomorrow I’m off to Godmersham for the Launch of the Stour Project, for which I have volunteered as a River Warden.
The river being just a few hundred meters away, this will be a joy to do and I’m sure I will be learning a lot more.
News to follow!
[fblike]

More Butterflies and Dragons in the Garden

Posted on 9th July 2017 by Richard

Being not quite yet my usual finely tuned Olympic Triathlon self (!!) once again I’m pretty much confined to the Garden and the 100 meters or so down to the fields.
There’s always something to see though and again, the beauty of Nature’s Wildlife comes to you if you allow it and sit patiently enough of course.

A young male Green Woodpecker
Once more the Butterlies are the stars of the Lane with countless numbers flying around the Nettles and Thistles on the wasteland at the back of my Garden.

Large White – Gatekeeper – Common Blue
One thing that is worrying me, I shall do a very unusual rare thing of mine and talk politics !
With the United Kingdom leaving the EU in two years or whenever, all Policies will be taken on by our Government.
In itself that sounds good, but the small print is saying they are and will change anything after the take over has taken place.

Wide Bodied Chaser
With all extra spending in other areas I fear the environmental budget will be cut to pay for what is seen as more important things.
Will the Stewardship Scheme go? At presnt Farmers have the choice of joining the Scheme which in it’s basic terms is being substidized for leaving a 12 meter buffer around their fields, restrictions on when hedgerows are cut and in some cases more such as leaving gaps in Crops for Skylarks etc.

Common Chaser
When Michael Gove was appointed as Environmental Minister in June, the Guardian an announced it was like ‘putting a Fox in charge of a hen house’.
I hope they are proved wrong, but…………………??
[fblike]

Garden Wildlife early June

Posted on 11th June 2017 by Richard

I’m unsure how much wildlife and nature watching I’ll be doing in June. On the 13th (hopefully not unlucky) I’m in Hospital for an operation and by what I hear, June will be a month where I’m confined to Barracks.
However, a good opportunity to really watch what’s what around the Garden, so all is not lost.

Painted LadyAt present it’s the time of new birth; Sparrows, Tits, Wrens and Blackbirds, the Garden is heaving with youngsters getting to know the ropes of survival, busying themselves fetching food with the occasional punch up on the way!

Fledged Wren – Young Blue Tit – Young Long Tailed TitHighlights thus far have been finding a Grass Snake under one of the rubber mats I put down plus an enormous Painted Lady which sat and posed rather nicely for me.
Last year I only saw one Painted Lady, that being at Samphire Hoe, so I’m hoping for more. Magical Butterflies and a wonder they fly from North Africa to here.

Parent and young Greater Spotted Woodpecker

Parent and recently fledged Greater Spotted WoodpeckersOur Fox is still visiting daily and has had four Cubs. Regretably she hasn’t brought them up to show us yet, but they have been observed playing on the field below early mornings.
Being she has had a dodgy rear leg for quite some time we’re still feeding her. The Jam Sandwiches and Cat Food seem to be the winners for her, she’ll pick up a few and march off to give to her young, returning some minutes later for some more.
Interestingly, she feeds them first.

Speckled Wood – Ladybird Larvae – SparrowhawkA bit worrying when I was just outside the door and a huge pannicky rustle came from the nearby Laurel Bush, a Sparrowhawk.
Always a pity when a small bird gets snatched but it’s the old ‘I know an old lady who swallowed a fly’ scenario. Every creature has to live and all part of the chain.

The only other slightly worrying thing is the Invasive Ladybird and there’s quite a few Larvae in amongst the Stinging Nettles. The only good thing I suppose is they may eat any Aphids around my Vegetable Plants !

[fblike]

Fox and Hedgehog both doing well

Posted on 13th April 2017 by Richard

Our Resident Fox

The Derelict Windmill beside my place is at present a Maternity Ward for some Fox Cubs.
As I think I’ve said before, due to a fight or the mating process, the Vixen is only using 3 legs. The affected leg doesn’t seem to have any wounds so I’d guess it’s a sprain or strain, doesn’t seem broken..
With this in mind and knowing she has young ones I’ve been feeding her up also leaving food which she can take back to the youngsters whom I believe to be about 5 / 6 weeks old now.

She’s a lucky lady; Cat Food Sachets and a daily Jam Sandwich.
This has to be set times though, as the Video shows, put the Sandwich out too soon and something else gets it !

The Hedgehog

He or she is now well over her hibernation, sleeping either in the Shed or the Hedgehog House I built. Certainly hibernated there through Winter.

Luckily there’s an old ‘cat hole’ in the side of the Shed and it’s quite happy going through it for food.
Saying that, I’ve had to devisee a way to stop the Fox to get in, which was doing so a couple of weeks back. There is now an entrance zig-zag to prevent this !

More welcome Visitors down the Lane

The Stream seems to have attracted a resident Moorhen, the ones who, like Pheasants, wait until the last second before you’re right next to it, then gives you a missed beat leaping up and flapping along the Stream for cover!

It was also nice to see the Green Woodpeckers back again. The Greater Spotteds visit daily, but the Greenies haven’t been around for quite while.

The sounds of the Lane are good, laughing Green Woodpeckers, the Chiffchaffs going at it all day, Blackbirds and Robins loud and clear and quiet tweets of the Goldcrests.

Birdsong in the Garden again

Posted on 3rd February 2017 by Richard

Birdsong around the Feeders

It was as if the Birds around here knew it was February, the end of Winter is nigh and in the garden we have birdsong and much activity. Already the Blackbirds are pretty frisky and busy flirting with each other in combat style all over the place !

Blue Tit

With rain expected within a couple of hours of getting up I decided not to go out anywhere but just put a chair in the Lan-To and watch out for what came along.
Needless to say nothing special did, but I was entertained for a good hour by our regular visitors such as the Tit family, Blackbirds, House Sparrows, Dunnocks, Collared Doves, Greater Spotted Woodpecker, Wrens, the sound of an unseen Chiffchaff and a quick glimpse of a female Chaffinch.

Great Tit

It’s when you find time to actually observe rather than seeing something, taking a photo and moving on that you notice more the characters and personalities of them.
It seems to me that Robins aren’t always fighting claiming their territories, I’ve seen as many as six quite happily mixing together. I guess I put enough out for everyone!

With the Tit family it would appear to be the Great Tit at the top of the pecking order and Coal Tits at the bottom. Many a time I’ve seen a poor little Coal Tit trying to get as much food in the mouth before a Blue or Great Tit comes and pushes it off.

Male House Sparrow – Coal Tit – Great Spotted Woodpecker

Dunnocks are all pretty much ‘street cred’, they seem to never care what else is about and if they can’t get space on the Feeders they’re quite happy to forage around below for all the bits and pieces.

An hour just watching is a delight.

Great White and Little Egret at Conningbrook

Little and Great White Egret

I did venture out for an hour, a quick drive around to Conningbrook Lakes to see what was happening.
Luckily it seemed I was about the first person there as the Great White and a Little Egret were in a good position on the main Lake.

As it happened, nothing much else was around, 70 or so Greylags with a few Canada’s mixed in plus the usual Gadwalls, Tufted Ducks, Coots, Shovelers and Great Crested Grebes.
But they were all sufficient for a good few hours, especially the wonderful sound of birdsong.

Wildlife Diary

Recording wild life through the year around Hampshire, Kent and elsewhere

Tag Archives: Woodpeckers