Hi all,
Today was a short but promising walk through our valley, I decided to take my camera with me to try and capture anything of interest to me....
Sadly no sign of the Little Egret that was about over the last couple of weeks - but I will keep my eye out for it in the future....
By the amount of Buzzards about it seems that the population is doing really well....up to 5 years ago i had never seen one in the valley....
By the amount of pigeon feathers about the Sparrow Hawk population seems to be doing ok too (see image 1)
I also came across a "plucking perch" for a bird of pray. I cant identify the victim but the feathers seem to look like a Kestrel's ? any help on this matter would be greatly appreciated. (image 2 shows the feathers i put in situation to show them better, image 3 are as found)
On other wildlife matters, I came across the first frog spawn in a marshy part of a field adjacent to the River Trent. I have known this marsh to be visited by frogs for over 40 years, and it's reassuring to know that it continues. ( see image 4)
On a more serious matter I found some footprints of Mink on the banks of the Trent that show that they are still prevalent in the area..... I am sure that the loss of species such as moor-hen, coot, and Water-vole along this small stretch of the Trent, is down to the presence of the Mink....
Sorry to end on such a negative manner, but I feel that people should be aware of the change in species that inhabit the surrounding area....
I look forward to your help and comments on this Post......