20th May 2012.

On Friday Brian and I went to Brandon Marsh, It's still not very warm at the moment no butterflies about. We did manage to see the pair of visiting Red Crested Pochards which remained a good distance away. We also heard a Cuckoo and I managed to walk straight past a basking Grass snake, which Brain tried to pint out as it disappeared into the grass.

Male Red Crested Pochard (One I prepared earlier)

12th May 2012.

It's the first time in three weeks that the weather on a Friday has been good enough to go out. Brian and I went to Ryton to see if any Green Hairstreaks were out. It must be the wettest drought on record, waders would have been useful. Lots of St Marks Flies about but very little in the way of butterflies. Brian spotted this lone Green Hairstreak clinging on for dear life in the wind, he was just about to take it's picture when it was whisked away on the wind. 1 Peacock and 1 Green veined white.

21st April 2012.

Brian and I wenrt to Ryton yesterday in the hope of finding some butterflies, unfortunately the recent cold spell hasn't helped, we didn't see one butterfly. We did see a Kingfisher and this Little Grebe started to show in front of the hide just as the sun went in.

Here is an unusual shot of a Chiffchaff I had taken along the canal a couple of weeks ago.

15th April 2012.

On Friday we stayed local and visited Snitterfield Bushes, it was a cold and foggy start and my camera stayed in the bag. We did find a very small snail which I have never seen before and some common Groundhopper's, Brian managed to get some pictures Brian

Matilda came round on Saturday to watch the Grand National along with Kate, Kenny and Great Grandma.

We also had a Male Orange-Tip butterfly in the garden.

7th April 2012.

Despite the drop in temperature over the last couple of days, the first Swallow and ducklings (Mallard) of the year were seen at Brandon Marsh yesterday. Earlier in the week Lesley and I went to Wales for a couple of days with the intention of visiting Gigrin Farm, Rhayader. This is a Red Kite feeding station where feeding takes place every day. I must admit I have never seen anything like it before, Red Kites appearing from every direction. It was very difficult trying to photograph fast moving birds flying in to snatch the meat with their feet and then eating it in flight. BRILLIANT! We had to go back for a second visit.

Rare White ( Leucistic ) Red Kite

We also saw Crossbills for the first time (distant view on a wet and windy hillside)

31st March 2012.

After a gloriously warm and sunny week Friday dawned cold and gloomy. It was Brandon Marsh this week with Sand Martins flying high over the main pool and several Oystercatchers flying about with their loud piping call, also Redshank and a fly past by a Woodcock. My photos were nothing to shout about so here is another Chiffchaff from along the canal earlier in the week.

25th March 2012.

Typical Friday weather, nice all week and then cool and cloudy for our visit to Ryton Pools. Not too much about, Great crested grebe on the main pool and just one Little Grebe on Pagetts Pool. I took a walk along the canal on Saturday and saw several Chiffchaffs and also Small Tortoiseshell, Comma and Brimstone butterflies.

Long tailed Tit at Ryton.

Chiffchaff Stratford canal.

11th March 2012.

It was Ryton Pools this week, it didn't start out too promising, colder than the forecast. There was also some work being undertaken with the main pool being roped off. Then it started to rain so we headed for the only hide and then spent the rest of the morning being entertained by several pairs of Little Grebes.

Male, in his breeding finery.

Female.

25th February 2012.

It was Brandon again on Friday, very pleasant in the sunshine, we had a brief sighting of a Bittern in flight over the redbeds before it disappeared into the reeds. Also Kingfisher, male & female Pintail and Goldeneye and several Golden Plover. The warm weather has encouraged the frogs into action in the garden.

18th February 2012.

School half term so Lesley was able to accompany Brian and myself to Brandon Marsh. The ponds have thawed out, large numbers of Lapwing and Black headed gulls, several Kingfishers and a lone male Pintail on the main pool. On a previous visit Brian had found some Scarlet Elf Cup fungi, we checked the same area and found several fruiting bodies. It grows on dead deciduous wood and is relatively rare.

Dunnock.

5th February 2012.

Here is the latest addition to the family.

One week old Matilda Anne Hirst.

4th February 2012.

Cold and frosty at Brandon on Friday morning with all of the ponds frozen over. Word must get around that there are handouts available, every time you turned around there was a Robin.

Blue Tit.

14th January 2012.

The weather on Friday was kind to us cold but clear, it was Brandon Marsh again. Its not often that you see Sparrowhawk,Kestrel and Buzzard in the same tree, too far away to photograph. This immature Goldeneye was being put in his place by a mature male.

Great Tit

7th January 2012.

First outing of the year on Friday for Brian and I, destination Brandon Marsh, although a little on the chilly side it was nice and bright. Two pairs of Goldeneye and a fly past by a Kingfisher and Water Rail of note.

A few years ago Gadwall would have been an unusual duck to see now they are quite numerous, it is slightly smaller than a Mallard with the male being delicately patterned.

Male Gadwall

11th December 2011.

On Friday we went to Brandon Marsh, quite a few birds about for a change with Goldcrest, Water Rail, Redpoll, Great Spotted Woodpecker, Reed Bunting and male and female Goldeneye of note.

Water voles have recently been introduced at Brandon much to the delight of the Herons.

Female Pochard.

Always a friendly Robin to meet you.

27th November 2011.

It was Hampton Wood on Friday the conditions favourably for fungi, lots of different species emerging. I am without my tripod at the moment which is away for repair and I have discarded most of the pictures that I took, here are a couple that survived the cut. Check out Brians website he has some excellent pictures.

Fly Agaric

Shaggy parasol

20th November 2011.

On Friday Brian and I went to Ryton Pools there was not much about. Fungi are starting to emerge, with lots of Shaggy Inkcaps (Lawyers Wig) about. Apparently these are edible, the young fruiting bodies described as delicious, I think I will give them a miss.

13th November 2011.

Not to be thwarted by the weather this week Brian and I went to the Stratford Butterfly House, here are a few examples. The guide that they provide is not that helpful in identifying the butterflies when the wings are closed.

Malachite.

Scarlet Swallowtail

Queensland Birdwing, this is one of the worlds largest butterflies with a wingspan of just over 8 inches.

29th October 2011.

Lesley and I have just returned from a weeks holiday in Norfolk, we were very fortunate with the weather if anything it was better than our summer holiday. Unusual sightings of the week included Peregrine Falcon which gave us an exciting display trying to catch a meal at Cley, Snow Buntings,Bearded Tit,Jack Snipe,Yellow Browed Warbler, Wheatear, Stonechats and Goldcrests.

The following pictures were all taken at Cley.

Distant shot of the Peregrine.

Dabchick.

Black tailed Godwit.

1st October 2011.

Mad dogs, Englishmen,Brian and Chris go out in the mid day sun. We decided to go to Ryton Woods to try and get some macro shots of the Brown Hairstreak eggs, not that successful trying to photograph something that is 0.7mm wide. Considering how warm it was there was not much insect life about, although there were several mating Common Darters.

Brown Haistreak Egg.

25th September 2011.

On Friday it was Hampton Wood for Brian and I, the Comma butterflies were taking advantage of the ripe blackberries and there were several Hornets flying about, this one was quite obliging.

Later in the afternoon Lesley and I went for a walk along the canal, Lesley took this photograph of a Chiffchaff, flying without wings.

18th September 2011.

I took Thursday off as the weather didn't look promising for Friday. Brian and I went to Draycote Water, it was disappointing to find the water level so low which resulted in the birds being a long way from the camera.

Crow.

10th September 2011.

Yesterday Brian and I went to Brandon Marsh to try out my new lens a Sigma 120-300mm, f2.8. Unfortunately there was not much about, I did manage to get a couple of shots of a Wren which was flitting about in a log pile next to one of the hides.

4th September 2011.

It's been a bit quiet the last couple of weeks, on Friday we went to Clowes Wood near Earlswood. Clowes Wood is a large ancient woodland near Earslwood and was the first reserve owned by the Warwickshire Wildlife Trust in 1975. The reason for the visit was that we haven't been to this reserve before and also to check out the information boards which Alice has designed whilst carrying out volunteer work for the trust, the Nuthatch is one of Brians pictures.

20th August 2011.

Yesterday Alice,Lesley,Brian and I went to Grafton Woods, just over the border into Worcestershire to look for Brown Hairstreaks. Alice managed to find one for us, high up in the hedgerow. The second photograph is of a female with wings open, which is something you don't often see. We were also lucky to see a Little Owl and Spotted Flycatcher.

16th August 2011.

Yesterday it was a trip to the Chilterns for Lesley, Brian and myself in search of Silver-spotted Skipper, Chalkhill Blue and Red Kites.

Silver-spotted Skipper Male.

Female.

Chalkhill Blue Female.

13th August 2011.

Lesley and I have just returned from holiday in Norfolk, we had a mixed bag of weather. It was very windy during the week which didn't help when taking photographs. We decided to visit to the Broads this time as there had been reports of a second emergence of the Swallowtail Butterfly, this is the only place in Britain that you will see this butterfly. Strumpshaw Fen was the destination, what a wonderful Reserve, in the first half hour we had Bittern flying over the reeds, three Kingfisher's and a Grass Snake swimming across the front of the hide. We were not lucky enough to locate the Butterfly, however, Lesley found one of the caterpillars, which is just as impressive as the butterfly.

Several Common Lizards basking.

We have never seen Spoonbill's in the wild before, so to see 16 together at Cley was an impressive sight, it's a pity there were so far away from the hide. We did see several more when we visited Holkham, they have also bred at this location.

Holkam was also the location for a new butterfly for us, the Grayling, this butterfly is found around the coast. Lesley found it, I dismissed it at first thinking that it was a Red Admiral with it's wings closed, it's a good job that I took a second look. It only shows the wing spot for a brief moment.

Water Vole.

Lesley took this picture of an acrobatic Reed Warbler.

31st July 2011.

Under a grey cloudy sky Brian and I went to Ryton, the weather did not improve and as a result we didn't see many butterflies. Gatekeeper, Meadow Brown, Small Copper, Common Blue and a Hornets nest.

24th July 2011.

We didn't manage to get out on Friday. Lesley found this Hummingbird Hawk moth visiting the Buddleia in the garden yesterday,this moth is a immigrant from southern Europe and north Africa.

17th July 2011.

The weather was kind to us on Friday, Brian and I went to Ryton in the hope of seeing Purple Hairstreak's and White-letter Hairstreak. There was also the lure of a bacon sandwich. We didn't manage to see the Hairstreak's. Peacock, Red Admiral, Small and Large Skipper, Silver-washed Fritillary, Brown Argus and Brown Hawkers on the wing.

Peacock.

Brown Argus.

Lesley and I went to Snitterfield in the afternoon, large numbers of Peacock about, the only problem being that most of the blackberry blossom has gone over. Lesley managed to find a rather worn White-letter Hairstreak.

White-letter Hairstreak.

2nd July 2011.

On Friday Brian and I went to Oversley Wood in the hope of seeing Purple Emperor and Purple Hairstreak, neither put in an appearance. We did see White Admiral, Silver Washed Fritillaries, Small and Large Skipper.

Silver Washed Fritillary.

White Admiral.

Alice is doing a butterfly survey of the Loxley Meadow, carrying out four visits, one visit each month. We decided to take advantage of the fine weather and went this afternoon. Lots of Marbled Whites, Ringlets, Meadow Browns and small numbers of Small and Large Skippers and this Purple Hairstreak, whilst I was messing about trying to change the lens on my camera Alice took this photo, by the time I was ready it had gone.

Also overhead Red Kite and Buzzard.

25th June 2011.

We decided to visit Oxhouse Farm, Combrook to see the Dark Green Fritillaries, one of my favourite butterflies. There were quite a number on the wing along with Marbled White, Small and Large Skippers.

Dark Green Fritillary.

Marbled White.

There were also a number of White-legged Damselflies.

19th June 2011.

On Friday Brian and I decided to stay local as the forecast didn't look too good, so it was Snitterfield Bushes. The wind was blowing a gale but we managed to find a sheltered spot in the meadow to take some pictures of the numerous Ringlets and a solitary Marbled White, the first of the year.

12th June 2011.

My thanks go to Pauline and Bob, Brian's friends for allowing me to spend time on Friday morning in their wonderful garden. The garden backs onto open countryside and the feeders attract all sorts of visitors Nuthatch, Great Tits, Blue Tits, Coal Tits, Jackdaw, Crow, Chaffinch, Greenfinch and Great Spotted Woodpeckers. With all this potential food on display it was not surprising to see a fly through by a Sparrowhawk.

Juvenile Great Spotted Woodpecker.

5th June 2011.

It was Hampton Wood again on Friday, although it was nice and sunny, it was very windy. Large Skippers, Brown Argus and Speckled Wood butterflies, one very worn Broad bodied chaser.

Strangalia Maculata ( A member of the Longhorn beetle family)

29 May 2011.

Brian and I went to Hampton Wood on Friday as earlier in the week Brian had seen a Great Spotted Woodpecker feeding its young at a nest hole. We were too late they had fledged, not too much about in the cold and windy conditions.

One bright spot of colour though, Large Skipper.

22nd May 2011.

On Friday Brian and I went to Ryton Pools a selection of butterflies on show with Common Blue, Brown Argus, Green Hairstreak, Grizzled Skipper, Dingy Skipper and Small Heath. We also saw a Cuckoo which was perched on the fence.

Small Heath

I had the moth trap out on Friday night, photos by Lesley.

Buff tip

Buff Ermine.

Treble Lines.

15th May 2011.

On Friday it was a change in venue for Brian and I, we went to Hampton Woods. Large numbers of Banded Demoiselles and a new bug for the collection Agapanthia Villosoviridescens, a type of Longhorn beetle.

Banded Demoiselle (Male)

Today Lesley and I popped into Snitterfield Bushes, not too much about due to the weather. Lesley found this newly emerged Broad bodied chaser.

Agapanthia villosoviridescens

7 May 2011.

Yesterday it was back to Ryton to try and find the elusive Green Hairstreak. We managed to find a couple of females laying eggs on Birds-foot-trefoil. This pretty little butterfly has a black oval eye ringed by bands of black and white, the hairy fringes and mouthparts give the butterfly its generic name of Callophrys which is Greek for 'beautiful eyebrow'.

Egg laying on Birds-foot-trefoil.

2nd May 2011.

On Friday we decided to give the Royal Wedding a miss and went to Ryton in the hope of seeing Green Hairstreak, Grizzled and Dingy Skippers. It was cold and overcast, butterflies were in short supply, we did manage to find one Grizzled Skipper. Today Lesley, Brian and I went to Snitterfield, lots of Grizzled Skippers and several Dingy Skippers in the sun. We also disturbed three Roe deer and a Muntjac. First Broad bodied chaser of the year.

Dingy Skipper

Grizzled Skipper

24th April 2011.

It's been a busy end to the week, Lesley and Alice arrived back safe and sound from their Kenya trip with loads of photographs. On Friday Lesley Brian and I went to Brandon Marsh with the first Cuckoo of the year and a brief glimpse of a Pied Flycatcher, the Terns are also starting to arrive.

Here are a few pictures from Kenya.

18th April 2011.

Went to Hampton Wood with Brian this morning, the bluebells are starting to flower. Still not too many butterflies about but I did manage this photograph of a Male Orange-tip butterfly.

16th April 2011.

Friday Brian and I went back to Ryton in the hope that a week on would see more butterflies about. We saw an early Painted Lady and several Tortoiseshell which appeared to be egg laying on nettles. Female Orange-tip, Green-veined white, Brimstone and Peacock. My pictures were very poor this week. I hope to be showing something more exotic next week when Lesley and Alice return from safari in Kenya.

10th April 2011.

It's amazing what some people will release into the wild. We saw this Terrapin basking in the sun on the main pool at Ryton, it was as big as a dinner plate. The consequence of releasing a non-native species is that they have few natural enemies, growing to 12 inches with voracious appetites.

I had the moth trap out for the first time this year, Hebrew Character, Twin Spotted Quaker and this nice Brindled Beauty.

1st April 2011.

The forecast promised sunshine which failed to materialize, Brian and I went back to Brandon Marsh, several visitors had been seen during the week ranging from Spotted Crake, Egyptian Goose and Golden Plover. We did see a flock of Golden Plover and I managed to get this shot of the elusive Cetti's Warbler, the cluttered shot through brambles gives you some idea of the skulking habits of this warbler.

and this Treecreeper.

26th March 2011.

At last a glorious walk in the sunshine at Brandon Marsh for Brian and I. We had a good view of a Cettis Warbler through the Binoculars, several Great Spotted Woodpeckers drumming, Nuthatch, Redshank and Ringed Plover of note.

This Toad also thought it was a nice day for a stroll.

20th March 2011.

Friday Brian and I went to Ryton Pools, plenty of action as fights for territory were breaking out all over the place. Chiffchaffs are starting to arrive, these warblers are one of the earliest summer migrants to arrive.

Battle Stations.

12th March 2011.

A nice bright morning for a change, destination Brandon Marsh for Brian and I. Brian spotted the first Chiffchaff of the year, the Great Crested Grebes came close to the hide. A good morning out, nice to have the sun on your back.

6th March 2011.

Brian and I visited Ryton Pools on Friday even if the weather isn't good you can guarantee a decent cup of tea and a bacon sandwich. Surprise visitors were four Oystercatcher's although the poor light meant no pictures of them worth publishing.

Female Tufted Duck.

25February 2011.

It was a visit to Brandon Marsh today, not too much about. Bullfinch. Great Spotted Woodpecker and Reed Bunting on the feeders at the visitor centre. Shelduck, Snipe and Two Oystercatcher's of note on the main pool. We were treated to a bit of courtship display by a pair of Great Crested Grebe's, they rushed towards each other carrying nesting material and then rose from the water breast to breast, pity we didn't have a bit more light.

28th January 2011.

Brian and I went to Ryton Pools again today, it was freezing. We spent an entertaining half hour in the company of a Goldcrest, it's the closest that I have been to Britain's smallest bird. It was quite happy to ignore us as it roamed the bramble bush looking for food.

18 th December 2010.

We don't normally chase after rare birds but a report of Waxwings in Alcester was an opportunity too good to miss. This year has been a good year for these berry loving visitors from Northern Europe and it was great to be able to find them.

29th November 2010.

I had an important event to attend on Friday.

Alice's Graduation.

Links

BJKilby

Alice's Africa