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Eastern Europe ...Lithuania, a birder's tale. (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter Jos Stratford
- Start date
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Glanville Surprise
With a few hours to spare and the sun bright, off I decided to go, on a hunt for butterflies less common. With the meadows and forest edges now a buzz of butterflies, I chose instead to visit and area of open heath, a rare habitat in Lithuania. Having encountered a few special butterflies at this locality the previous year, I had high hopes for my day. A few stops on route revealed again large numbers of Black-veined Whites and Moorland Clouded Yellows, heaps of Heath Fritillaries and a few Large Coppers. A Map Butterfly was the first of the year's second generation and a Silver-washed Fritillary was my first this year. Various heaths, browns and skippers, dozens of Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries, I had to abandon them or I would never get to my planned destination!
A little bit of rally driving up some sandy tracks and then I dumped my car, in front of me the fine open heather heaths, basking under a glorious sun with blue skies stretching to the horizon. Off I wandered. A habitat not rich in butterflies, the rewards come with the species, not the numbers. Ten minutes later, I had my first prize - a super Spotted Fritillary, a most vivid orange one. Then a few more, then a Purple-shot Copper. A little later, arriving at a favoured sunny slope, I began to note more butterflies - quite a few Spotted Fritillaries, but also a smaller, duller fritillary. The pesky things were not keen on landing, but after much running round after several individuals, finally I got them sussed - sporting fine underwing patterns, Granville Fritillaries, another new species for me! Also added several Rock Graylings, one Common Grayling and, on the very edge of the heath, three smart Cranberry Blues, a most exquisite species. Just a few hours in the field, 26 species noted!
Back to the city, back to work.
Photographs later...
With a few hours to spare and the sun bright, off I decided to go, on a hunt for butterflies less common. With the meadows and forest edges now a buzz of butterflies, I chose instead to visit and area of open heath, a rare habitat in Lithuania. Having encountered a few special butterflies at this locality the previous year, I had high hopes for my day. A few stops on route revealed again large numbers of Black-veined Whites and Moorland Clouded Yellows, heaps of Heath Fritillaries and a few Large Coppers. A Map Butterfly was the first of the year's second generation and a Silver-washed Fritillary was my first this year. Various heaths, browns and skippers, dozens of Dark Green and High Brown Fritillaries, I had to abandon them or I would never get to my planned destination!
A little bit of rally driving up some sandy tracks and then I dumped my car, in front of me the fine open heather heaths, basking under a glorious sun with blue skies stretching to the horizon. Off I wandered. A habitat not rich in butterflies, the rewards come with the species, not the numbers. Ten minutes later, I had my first prize - a super Spotted Fritillary, a most vivid orange one. Then a few more, then a Purple-shot Copper. A little later, arriving at a favoured sunny slope, I began to note more butterflies - quite a few Spotted Fritillaries, but also a smaller, duller fritillary. The pesky things were not keen on landing, but after much running round after several individuals, finally I got them sussed - sporting fine underwing patterns, Granville Fritillaries, another new species for me! Also added several Rock Graylings, one Common Grayling and, on the very edge of the heath, three smart Cranberry Blues, a most exquisite species. Just a few hours in the field, 26 species noted!
Back to the city, back to work.
Photographs later...
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Fourth butterfly trip on the trot to notch up a new species for me, a good couple of weeks!
Dodging thunderstorms and in reality only having a couple of hours in the field, I went seeking new pastures today, touring till I found an area that offered a slight variety in terms of habitat. Plenty of butterflies all about, much as in days past, but then I turned onto a small gravel road and my route ahead was blocked - dozens of butterflies of many a species all on the ground taking salts. I stopped and had a look around - a small marsh down below, steep flower meadows to both sides, the perfect spot to begin my search. The road offerings were fantastic - amongst Mazarine and Amanda's Blues, plus sizeable concentrations of Large and Small Skippers, a whole bunch of others added variety - several Map Butterflies, one Comma and the season's first Purple Emperors, two fantastic individuals settling before me. A brief glimpse of another blue got me darting down the track, but the thing simply vanished before I could be sure what it was, I suspected Turqouise Blue, a species I very rarely see. A Painted Lady flew past, no hint of stopping, several Small Tortoiseshells fed on cornflower.
Wandering into the meadows, the abundance of butterflies was impressive - hundreds of Meadow Browns, Chestnut Heaths and Ringlets, plenty of skippers of one sort or the other, several Scarce Coppers, quite a few Heath Fritillaries ...and another fritillary, a tad larger and distinctively darker. Had to get a view of the underwing, this was a new species for me I was sure. And then one landed, a rather tatty individual, but revealing the diagnostic underwing pattern - it was my first ever Knapweed Fritillary. Ten minutes more and I'd found another three, a little colony.
Back on the track, still the Purple Emperors flitted, I began to search for the mystery blue. Fifteen minutes later, it returned and settled, indeed a fine Turquoise Blue. A Wood White passed by, a couple of Large Whites too, then the rain looked to be arriving. Down sat most of the butterflies, back to home went I.
Dodging thunderstorms and in reality only having a couple of hours in the field, I went seeking new pastures today, touring till I found an area that offered a slight variety in terms of habitat. Plenty of butterflies all about, much as in days past, but then I turned onto a small gravel road and my route ahead was blocked - dozens of butterflies of many a species all on the ground taking salts. I stopped and had a look around - a small marsh down below, steep flower meadows to both sides, the perfect spot to begin my search. The road offerings were fantastic - amongst Mazarine and Amanda's Blues, plus sizeable concentrations of Large and Small Skippers, a whole bunch of others added variety - several Map Butterflies, one Comma and the season's first Purple Emperors, two fantastic individuals settling before me. A brief glimpse of another blue got me darting down the track, but the thing simply vanished before I could be sure what it was, I suspected Turqouise Blue, a species I very rarely see. A Painted Lady flew past, no hint of stopping, several Small Tortoiseshells fed on cornflower.
Wandering into the meadows, the abundance of butterflies was impressive - hundreds of Meadow Browns, Chestnut Heaths and Ringlets, plenty of skippers of one sort or the other, several Scarce Coppers, quite a few Heath Fritillaries ...and another fritillary, a tad larger and distinctively darker. Had to get a view of the underwing, this was a new species for me I was sure. And then one landed, a rather tatty individual, but revealing the diagnostic underwing pattern - it was my first ever Knapweed Fritillary. Ten minutes more and I'd found another three, a little colony.
Back on the track, still the Purple Emperors flitted, I began to search for the mystery blue. Fifteen minutes later, it returned and settled, indeed a fine Turquoise Blue. A Wood White passed by, a couple of Large Whites too, then the rain looked to be arriving. Down sat most of the butterflies, back to home went I.
Attachments
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Hope butterfies ain't boring too many people, but on a right roll with them these days! Today saw me heading off to the far south-east of Lithuania, the boggy lands that separate the country from neighbouring Belarus.
A stop at the picturesque Ula river started the day off with a good variety - Purple-shot Coppers, Cranberry Blues, Holly Blue, heaps of Scarce Coppers, two Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, plenty more too. But the main destination was Cepkalai Bog, a huge 12km by 7km raised bog. A couple of kilometres before the bog, where ancient pines cloak rolling sands, I stopped at a clearing that had proved most productive a year earlier. One minute out of the car and a Large Blue fluttered by, settling briefly before drifting off up the slope. Good numbers of other butterflies too - Spotted Fritillaries, Niobe Fritillaries, Dark Green Fritillary, Heath Fritillaries, several Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, one Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, one Weaver's Fritillary ...what a collection! Another Large Blue floated by, again stopping barely a second, certainly not allowing photographs. Then the first Silver-studded Blues of the day (and year!), first one or two, then as the day warmed more and more. Also Rock Grayling and, amonst the birds, a fine Honey Buzzard overhead.
A good while later, I arrived at Cepkalai. A huge place, very scenic and undoubtedly excellent for birds and beasts, but I rarely see anything of note on my wanders here - the best places would surely involve wading through gunk up to your neck! Didn't fancy that, so in a very pleasant hour or so, the grand total of butterfies recorded amounted to about fifteen! Mostly Heath Fritillaries, plus three Meadow Browns and a couple of Ringlets ...and one real special butterfly! Feeding on ground-hugging purple flowers, tucked in amongst Heath Fritillaries, my first ever Cranberry Fritillary, a very localised species in Lithuania. Super, my fifth new species in five trips out!
Back in the forest, I decided to take a back route back to civilisation, ended up right on the Belarussian border, bumped into a Black Woodpecker, then eventually ended up at a village some 15 kilometres further south. Still more butterflies - Large Chequered Skippers, heaps and heaps of Large Skippers, a couple of Moorland Clouded Yellows. I meandered on for much of the afternoon, a few more clearing adding yet more Cranberry, Sliver-studded and Large Blues, plus fritillaries of various mixes.
It had been a good day, I returned home quite content. The season is still young, but already I've recorded 53 species of butterfly ...all set for a record year, just another nine to go!
A stop at the picturesque Ula river started the day off with a good variety - Purple-shot Coppers, Cranberry Blues, Holly Blue, heaps of Scarce Coppers, two Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, plenty more too. But the main destination was Cepkalai Bog, a huge 12km by 7km raised bog. A couple of kilometres before the bog, where ancient pines cloak rolling sands, I stopped at a clearing that had proved most productive a year earlier. One minute out of the car and a Large Blue fluttered by, settling briefly before drifting off up the slope. Good numbers of other butterflies too - Spotted Fritillaries, Niobe Fritillaries, Dark Green Fritillary, Heath Fritillaries, several Lesser Marbled Fritillaries, one Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, one Weaver's Fritillary ...what a collection! Another Large Blue floated by, again stopping barely a second, certainly not allowing photographs. Then the first Silver-studded Blues of the day (and year!), first one or two, then as the day warmed more and more. Also Rock Grayling and, amonst the birds, a fine Honey Buzzard overhead.
A good while later, I arrived at Cepkalai. A huge place, very scenic and undoubtedly excellent for birds and beasts, but I rarely see anything of note on my wanders here - the best places would surely involve wading through gunk up to your neck! Didn't fancy that, so in a very pleasant hour or so, the grand total of butterfies recorded amounted to about fifteen! Mostly Heath Fritillaries, plus three Meadow Browns and a couple of Ringlets ...and one real special butterfly! Feeding on ground-hugging purple flowers, tucked in amongst Heath Fritillaries, my first ever Cranberry Fritillary, a very localised species in Lithuania. Super, my fifth new species in five trips out!
Back in the forest, I decided to take a back route back to civilisation, ended up right on the Belarussian border, bumped into a Black Woodpecker, then eventually ended up at a village some 15 kilometres further south. Still more butterflies - Large Chequered Skippers, heaps and heaps of Large Skippers, a couple of Moorland Clouded Yellows. I meandered on for much of the afternoon, a few more clearing adding yet more Cranberry, Sliver-studded and Large Blues, plus fritillaries of various mixes.
It had been a good day, I returned home quite content. The season is still young, but already I've recorded 53 species of butterfly ...all set for a record year, just another nine to go!
Attachments
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Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Up at the house, a snapshot of the family - three kids doing well, oldest in the neighbourhoodand, now stretching those wings and well on their way to plodding the meadows.
Also, after her usual elusive self during incubation, the 'reappearance' of the female Roller today, presumably a signal of chicks hatching. Also two Lesser Spotted Eagles , Cranes yodelling and, in the flood forest, a female Garganey with two Teals - presumably one of the three birds present from the spring.
Continued to install a fence linking a ditch and the 'shrike pile', a Corncrake again calling alongside, Whitethroats and Whinchats taking immediate advantage of the new perches.
Also, after her usual elusive self during incubation, the 'reappearance' of the female Roller today, presumably a signal of chicks hatching. Also two Lesser Spotted Eagles , Cranes yodelling and, in the flood forest, a female Garganey with two Teals - presumably one of the three birds present from the spring.
Continued to install a fence linking a ditch and the 'shrike pile', a Corncrake again calling alongside, Whitethroats and Whinchats taking immediate advantage of the new perches.
Attachments
Atricapilla
Still Wandering
You have'nt mentioned the beavers for a while Jos,how are they coping and are the numbers on the rise??
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
They are coping very well, far better than the trees! Two lodges now, third lot in a burrow in a ditch. Am now in the process of ringing choice trees with chainlink to protect elements of the forest.
Atricapilla
Still Wandering
Great news Jos,they seem to be keeping you busy.
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
12-17 June. Record Breakers.
Out pottering on the 12th, the idea of a butterfly 'big day' entered my head - an attempt to smash my previous best-ever day total of butterflies on the local patch. If my memory served me right, the earlier record had been 36 species in mid-July 2008.
The day was warm and sunny, the season was at its peak, everything hinting at potential success. I arrived on my favourite track at 10 a.m., the first butterflies were already on the wing - two Red Admirals, two Purple Emperors, plenty of Silver-washed Fritillaries, Ringlets, Scarce Coppers. Along the track, a right bevy of blues, six species in all, including Silver-studded, Reverdin's and Amanda's, but overhead an ominous cloud was beginning to lurk. All too soon the sun had vanished and the buzz of butterfly action became somewhat muted. Still bright, butterflies remained on the wing, but every species now required far more searching - the record attempt was looking a little fanciful! Slowly, slowly, the tally climbed ever higher - a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, lingering Purple-shot Coppers, several Large Wall Browns. By midday I'd passed the 30 species mark and all was still going well - a Moorland Clouded Yellow was next, then a Comma, then a Weaver's Fritillary. A few spots of rain began to tumble down, oo er - this would not help! A dune system at the top end of my regular route added a few specialities - Spotted and Glanville Fritillaries, Grayling and Rock Grayling. That little collection, along with a Painted Lady flushed from nearby meadows, took me to the grand total of 38, two species higher than my previous best, but with the rain now heavy, the prospect of seeing more had dwindled to near zero. It was only 3 p.m., I felt cheated, the prospect of a magical 40 had to be in the offering.
A two-hour wander in meadows near my house the next day added another five species - the first Short-tailed Blues of the season, my first Purple-edged Copper for a couple of years, plus four Knapweed Fritillaries, a Lesser Marbled Fritillary and at least 20 Turquoise Blues. The possibility of 40 in a day was real.
And so it was, attempt number two - 17 July, Big Butterfly Day!
Bright sun, not a cloud in the sky and a glorious 29 degrees - all was perfect. Arrived and immediately noticed quite a lot of new butterflies had emerged - large numbers of super fresh Brimstones, Silver-studded Blues by the dozen, Red Admirals here and there, several White Admirals too. Soon the notebook was filling up - still a few tatty Heath Fritillaries lingering, late Purple-shot Coppers past their best. In an open meadow, my first Pallas's Fritillaries, simply super butterflies. Also a few Large and Small Skippers, along with increasing numbers of Essex Skippers. High Brown Fritillaries everywhere, one Dark Green Fritillary. I decided to plunge my car through a pool, not the best idea, but on the other side the reward was immediate - on thistles and assorted flowers, mega numbers of butterflies. Commas and Map Butterflies by the score, another couple of White Admirals, perhaps ten Weaver's Fritillaries, a Dusky Meadow Brown and, the star, my first Queen of Spain Fritillary of the season. Tallying up, I had already seen over 30 species, the day was still young. Next stop, a quiet lane through ancient pines and occasional clearing. I'd seen a Poplar Admiral here a week earlier, but I was stunned to find it at exactly the same place again, a truly unexpected bonus to the Big Day. Also happened upon a fantastic collection at another clearing just nearby - absolutely crawling with butterflies. Everything from Brimstones by the bucketload to more Pallas's Fritillaries. However, amongst the many coppers and fritillaries, there were also three more new species for the day - Cranberry Blue, Moorland Clouded Yellow and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. I had now smashed my record, my tally stood at a splendid 38 species. Forty was now guaranteed - I still had the sand dune collection to come.
And the sand dunes did me proud - dozens and dozens of Graylings, plenty of Rock Graylings too. Soon added both Spotted and Glanville Fritillary, plus a Small Heath and an unexpected Small Copper, my first of the year. Yippee, I had now seen 44 species. It was now 7 p.m., I should have been content to return home in triumph - but I still had not seen Common Blue, nor Mazarine and Amanda's Blue. It niggled a little, so off I went - one last meadow to check before the butterflies settled down for the evening. I failed to find any of these, but did bump into a Short-tailed Blue and my first Sooty Copper andLarge Grizzled Skipper of the year, the latter a scarce species I never see in abundance. So that was that, a grand finale bringing me to 47 species, way beyond even my most optimistic hopes. I can retire now, I can't see me bettering this total!!!
The list:
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Wood White
Brimstone
Moorland Clouded Yellow
Small Copper
Large Copper
Scarce Copper
Sooty Copper
Purple-shot Copper
Short-tailed Blue
Holly Blue
Silver-studded Blue
Cranberry Blue
Purple Emperor
Poplar Admiral
White Admiral
Red Admiral
Small Tortoiseshell
Comma
Peacock
Painted Lady
Silver-washed Fritillary
Pallas's Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary
High Brown Fritillary
Queen of Spain Fritillary
Lesser Marbled Fritillary
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Weaver's Fritillary
Glanville Fritillary
Spotted Fritillary
Heath Fritillary
Rock Grayling
Grayling
Meadow Brown
Dusky Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Small Heath
Pearly Heath
Chestnut Heath
Large Wall Brown
Large Grizzled Skipper
Small Skipper
Essex Skipper
Large Skipper
Out pottering on the 12th, the idea of a butterfly 'big day' entered my head - an attempt to smash my previous best-ever day total of butterflies on the local patch. If my memory served me right, the earlier record had been 36 species in mid-July 2008.
The day was warm and sunny, the season was at its peak, everything hinting at potential success. I arrived on my favourite track at 10 a.m., the first butterflies were already on the wing - two Red Admirals, two Purple Emperors, plenty of Silver-washed Fritillaries, Ringlets, Scarce Coppers. Along the track, a right bevy of blues, six species in all, including Silver-studded, Reverdin's and Amanda's, but overhead an ominous cloud was beginning to lurk. All too soon the sun had vanished and the buzz of butterfly action became somewhat muted. Still bright, butterflies remained on the wing, but every species now required far more searching - the record attempt was looking a little fanciful! Slowly, slowly, the tally climbed ever higher - a Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary, lingering Purple-shot Coppers, several Large Wall Browns. By midday I'd passed the 30 species mark and all was still going well - a Moorland Clouded Yellow was next, then a Comma, then a Weaver's Fritillary. A few spots of rain began to tumble down, oo er - this would not help! A dune system at the top end of my regular route added a few specialities - Spotted and Glanville Fritillaries, Grayling and Rock Grayling. That little collection, along with a Painted Lady flushed from nearby meadows, took me to the grand total of 38, two species higher than my previous best, but with the rain now heavy, the prospect of seeing more had dwindled to near zero. It was only 3 p.m., I felt cheated, the prospect of a magical 40 had to be in the offering.
A two-hour wander in meadows near my house the next day added another five species - the first Short-tailed Blues of the season, my first Purple-edged Copper for a couple of years, plus four Knapweed Fritillaries, a Lesser Marbled Fritillary and at least 20 Turquoise Blues. The possibility of 40 in a day was real.
And so it was, attempt number two - 17 July, Big Butterfly Day!
Bright sun, not a cloud in the sky and a glorious 29 degrees - all was perfect. Arrived and immediately noticed quite a lot of new butterflies had emerged - large numbers of super fresh Brimstones, Silver-studded Blues by the dozen, Red Admirals here and there, several White Admirals too. Soon the notebook was filling up - still a few tatty Heath Fritillaries lingering, late Purple-shot Coppers past their best. In an open meadow, my first Pallas's Fritillaries, simply super butterflies. Also a few Large and Small Skippers, along with increasing numbers of Essex Skippers. High Brown Fritillaries everywhere, one Dark Green Fritillary. I decided to plunge my car through a pool, not the best idea, but on the other side the reward was immediate - on thistles and assorted flowers, mega numbers of butterflies. Commas and Map Butterflies by the score, another couple of White Admirals, perhaps ten Weaver's Fritillaries, a Dusky Meadow Brown and, the star, my first Queen of Spain Fritillary of the season. Tallying up, I had already seen over 30 species, the day was still young. Next stop, a quiet lane through ancient pines and occasional clearing. I'd seen a Poplar Admiral here a week earlier, but I was stunned to find it at exactly the same place again, a truly unexpected bonus to the Big Day. Also happened upon a fantastic collection at another clearing just nearby - absolutely crawling with butterflies. Everything from Brimstones by the bucketload to more Pallas's Fritillaries. However, amongst the many coppers and fritillaries, there were also three more new species for the day - Cranberry Blue, Moorland Clouded Yellow and Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary. I had now smashed my record, my tally stood at a splendid 38 species. Forty was now guaranteed - I still had the sand dune collection to come.
And the sand dunes did me proud - dozens and dozens of Graylings, plenty of Rock Graylings too. Soon added both Spotted and Glanville Fritillary, plus a Small Heath and an unexpected Small Copper, my first of the year. Yippee, I had now seen 44 species. It was now 7 p.m., I should have been content to return home in triumph - but I still had not seen Common Blue, nor Mazarine and Amanda's Blue. It niggled a little, so off I went - one last meadow to check before the butterflies settled down for the evening. I failed to find any of these, but did bump into a Short-tailed Blue and my first Sooty Copper andLarge Grizzled Skipper of the year, the latter a scarce species I never see in abundance. So that was that, a grand finale bringing me to 47 species, way beyond even my most optimistic hopes. I can retire now, I can't see me bettering this total!!!
The list:
Large White
Small White
Green-veined White
Wood White
Brimstone
Moorland Clouded Yellow
Small Copper
Large Copper
Scarce Copper
Sooty Copper
Purple-shot Copper
Short-tailed Blue
Holly Blue
Silver-studded Blue
Cranberry Blue
Purple Emperor
Poplar Admiral
White Admiral
Red Admiral
Small Tortoiseshell
Comma
Peacock
Painted Lady
Silver-washed Fritillary
Pallas's Fritillary
Dark Green Fritillary
High Brown Fritillary
Queen of Spain Fritillary
Lesser Marbled Fritillary
Small Pearl-bordered Fritillary
Weaver's Fritillary
Glanville Fritillary
Spotted Fritillary
Heath Fritillary
Rock Grayling
Grayling
Meadow Brown
Dusky Meadow Brown
Ringlet
Small Heath
Pearly Heath
Chestnut Heath
Large Wall Brown
Large Grizzled Skipper
Small Skipper
Essex Skipper
Large Skipper
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Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
Truly was. Bumped into another Hobby nestsite today, plus added a few more butterflies, most notable Camberwell Beauty, Niobe Fritillary and Large Blue. If I add the butterflies either side of the Big Day, the total rises to 57 - but I don't think I'd ever achieve all those in a single day!
halftwo
Wird Batcher
Now that's one I regret not twitching a few years back. But half of the rest you mention I have no knowledge of.
Jos Stratford
Beast from the East
The End of an Era.
Near five years to the date since we met, the sad demise of my male Roller has cast a shadow across my land. The history of this bird, of my land, and indeed of me over the last five years, are inextricably linked - late summer 2004, I was pondering land acquisition, a hazy idea of creating a reserve to protect my little bit of the globe. Doing the rounds, visiting site after site, I happened upon a very nice plot of mixed meadow, flood forest and bushland. Before I had chance to um and arrh, over he flew, an omen indeed so I thought, I bought the land. A bird nearing extinction in the country, surely a worthy reason to start my reserve project. And as the years rolled by, Old Faithful returned year after year, attracting a mate and raising young, one of only perhaps 25 to 30 pairs in the country. Each winter I feared he may not return, that the wintering grounds would not be kind or the rigours of migration knock him down, every spring I delighted in his return.
So too did I this year, the male and partner arriving late, but there on 30 May, the two birds sat, re-establishing territory and choosing a nest site last favoured in 2006, a good kilometre from the locality in 2007 and 2008. Within days, nesting was underway, another season to share with Rollers guaranteed. All went well - the young hatched in the days somewhere prior to 11 July, all pretty much on a par with past years. Barely one week later, however, I noticed an absence, only the female was hunting and carrying food back to the nest. I paid little heed, probably I'd just overlooked him I supposed, often the birds would feed up to a kilometre or even two from the nest. Didn't see him the following week either, alarm bells began to ring, tempered only by the fact that the female remained very active, carting food back and fro to the nest. Was he just keeping a low profile? Sometimes they really can be elusive despite their size and colour.
Sadly, almost certainly, the answer is no, it really seems he is no more. This weekend, the young fledged the nest - a single chick, a contrast to the three most previous years. And telling, the mother and chick were ranging far, a normal behaviour, but if the male was about, he would surely be with them.
A star bird he was, I fear he will not be replaced. With his passing, probably my Roller story has reached its end, the chances of a new male are slim. Somewhere up there in Roller Heaven, there is a bird that shaped a little more than your average bird does.
Near five years to the date since we met, the sad demise of my male Roller has cast a shadow across my land. The history of this bird, of my land, and indeed of me over the last five years, are inextricably linked - late summer 2004, I was pondering land acquisition, a hazy idea of creating a reserve to protect my little bit of the globe. Doing the rounds, visiting site after site, I happened upon a very nice plot of mixed meadow, flood forest and bushland. Before I had chance to um and arrh, over he flew, an omen indeed so I thought, I bought the land. A bird nearing extinction in the country, surely a worthy reason to start my reserve project. And as the years rolled by, Old Faithful returned year after year, attracting a mate and raising young, one of only perhaps 25 to 30 pairs in the country. Each winter I feared he may not return, that the wintering grounds would not be kind or the rigours of migration knock him down, every spring I delighted in his return.
So too did I this year, the male and partner arriving late, but there on 30 May, the two birds sat, re-establishing territory and choosing a nest site last favoured in 2006, a good kilometre from the locality in 2007 and 2008. Within days, nesting was underway, another season to share with Rollers guaranteed. All went well - the young hatched in the days somewhere prior to 11 July, all pretty much on a par with past years. Barely one week later, however, I noticed an absence, only the female was hunting and carrying food back to the nest. I paid little heed, probably I'd just overlooked him I supposed, often the birds would feed up to a kilometre or even two from the nest. Didn't see him the following week either, alarm bells began to ring, tempered only by the fact that the female remained very active, carting food back and fro to the nest. Was he just keeping a low profile? Sometimes they really can be elusive despite their size and colour.
Sadly, almost certainly, the answer is no, it really seems he is no more. This weekend, the young fledged the nest - a single chick, a contrast to the three most previous years. And telling, the mother and chick were ranging far, a normal behaviour, but if the male was about, he would surely be with them.
A star bird he was, I fear he will not be replaced. With his passing, probably my Roller story has reached its end, the chances of a new male are slim. Somewhere up there in Roller Heaven, there is a bird that shaped a little more than your average bird does.
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Oh Jos, what a shame - don't really know what else to say :-C. I'm just so glad that I met him and his odd beak.
Maybe, just maybe one of his bairns.... well we can hope.
D
Maybe, just maybe one of his bairns.... well we can hope.
D
That's sad to hear. Somewhere I've still got a picture of him - I wonder how many BFers have been graced by his presence?
