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Return of a Wet Birder! (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter brianfm
- Start date
Pam_m
Well-known member
A great report once again, Brian! Always good to catch up on what has changed on your pond, wood and coast walk! Plenty of flora...50 species is an awful lot! As Pie has mentioned you have a good mix of habitats in close proximity! I would not be able to stay away if I lived close by to such a wonderful sounding area!
Good that you took the time to explain to the youngsters all about your birding etc! Let's hope it will make them more aware and appreciate the wonderful landscape they have in their midst!
Thanks for sharing your walk!:t:
Good that you took the time to explain to the youngsters all about your birding etc! Let's hope it will make them more aware and appreciate the wonderful landscape they have in their midst!
Thanks for sharing your walk!:t:
brianfm
Botanical Birder
I have just been reading my Flora Britannica book and found the following information about Lady's Mantle which I found interesting bearing in mind my photo of such above, and the fact that the leaves of Lady's Mantle close up overnight and catch the dew................
'The plant dew was highly valued by early herbalists and this made Alchemilla (Alchemilla is the generic name of the plant) prized,......... prescribed for wounds, infertility and impotence. The alchemists also required the purest dew for turning base metals into gold, hence the name Alchemilla, 'little alchemist'. Such a powerful and magical herb was bound to be christianised and some time in the late Middle Ages it was named Our Lady's Mantle, and eventually Lady's Mantle.'
'The plant dew was highly valued by early herbalists and this made Alchemilla (Alchemilla is the generic name of the plant) prized,......... prescribed for wounds, infertility and impotence. The alchemists also required the purest dew for turning base metals into gold, hence the name Alchemilla, 'little alchemist'. Such a powerful and magical herb was bound to be christianised and some time in the late Middle Ages it was named Our Lady's Mantle, and eventually Lady's Mantle.'
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brianfm
Botanical Birder
17th July. Sixteen very keen members of the RSPB local group set of in the sun for Durham on what was to be our attempt to find Long Eared Owls in that region. The evening was to have a social aspect to it as well with wines and cheeses so there may have been mixed reasons behind the keenness of our group.;-) Apologies are offered to those members who were unable to get a place on this very popular fieldtrip. The day had been a grey one and rain had threatened, but by tea time the cloud had broken up and the journey provided us with some wonderful cloud formations.
On reaching our target area we took a short walk to watch birds on and around the water and wetland area. The flights of Greylag Geese looked very good in the clear evening light and the water area held Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Coot. We were all entertained by Swifts flying not to far above head height and Swallows and House Martins were in evidence too. The calling Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were quickly found. In fact Yellowhammers seemed to be with us for the entire evening until darkness fell. Willow Warblers and/or Chiffchaff were about.
The area was well blessed with wild flowers which included a mass of Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, along with such plants as vetches and clovers, St Johns Wort species, Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre, Ox-eye Daisies Leucanthemum vulgare, Greater Burdock Arctium lappa and Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii, along with the hedgerow umbellifers. We all had time to take a good look at the area before we stopped for our wine and cheese break. I have to say that this is not a usual part of fieldtrips, but on such pleasant evenings, as this was, it is an ideal way to introduce newer members to the friendliness of the group.
We had been told on arrival that Long Eared Owls had been seen today so we left for our walk in the area where we felt they would most likely be seen feeling quite positive about our chances. No ones senses had seemed to be too dulled by the wine! I might as well say now that we never did find the Long Eared Owls although we did hear Tawny Owls. This part of the evening did bring us two Woodcock flying overhead and whilst not finding our target birds was a little disappointing I felt everyone had experienced a very good evening
As we walked back to the coach there were some wonderfully lit skies to the west of us and to the east, what we initially though was a storm, was in fact the rather spookily lit sky over the east coast lit be the flashing red reflected light of the industrial areas of Teeside. We left for home feeling we had experienced a good evening and feeling very relaxed! I arrived home to find the evening there had been dogged by heavy rain storms. We had been lucky indeed and I had survived the evening without been eaten alive by insects as had occurred last year on the groups trip to find Nightjars. The bird list had come to 35 species. Woodcock had been a new one for the year list.
On reaching our target area we took a short walk to watch birds on and around the water and wetland area. The flights of Greylag Geese looked very good in the clear evening light and the water area held Great Crested Grebe, Cormorant, Grey Heron, Mute Swan, Mallard, Pochard, Tufted Duck, Moorhen and Coot. We were all entertained by Swifts flying not to far above head height and Swallows and House Martins were in evidence too. The calling Reed Buntings and Yellowhammers were quickly found. In fact Yellowhammers seemed to be with us for the entire evening until darkness fell. Willow Warblers and/or Chiffchaff were about.
The area was well blessed with wild flowers which included a mass of Meadowsweet Filipendula ulmaria, along with such plants as vetches and clovers, St Johns Wort species, Marsh Thistle Cirsium palustre, Ox-eye Daisies Leucanthemum vulgare, Greater Burdock Arctium lappa and Common Spotted Orchids Dactylorhiza fuchsii, along with the hedgerow umbellifers. We all had time to take a good look at the area before we stopped for our wine and cheese break. I have to say that this is not a usual part of fieldtrips, but on such pleasant evenings, as this was, it is an ideal way to introduce newer members to the friendliness of the group.
We had been told on arrival that Long Eared Owls had been seen today so we left for our walk in the area where we felt they would most likely be seen feeling quite positive about our chances. No ones senses had seemed to be too dulled by the wine! I might as well say now that we never did find the Long Eared Owls although we did hear Tawny Owls. This part of the evening did bring us two Woodcock flying overhead and whilst not finding our target birds was a little disappointing I felt everyone had experienced a very good evening
As we walked back to the coach there were some wonderfully lit skies to the west of us and to the east, what we initially though was a storm, was in fact the rather spookily lit sky over the east coast lit be the flashing red reflected light of the industrial areas of Teeside. We left for home feeling we had experienced a good evening and feeling very relaxed! I arrived home to find the evening there had been dogged by heavy rain storms. We had been lucky indeed and I had survived the evening without been eaten alive by insects as had occurred last year on the groups trip to find Nightjars. The bird list had come to 35 species. Woodcock had been a new one for the year list.
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pie
Well-known member
Wow those skies are dramatic Brian!
What a lovely evening, I'm not surprised it was oversubscribed. I doubt it was anything to do with the wine (although that does sound good!!) there is something magical about a night meet.
Shame about the Long Eared Owl, that would have been something special!
Still, it sounded like a wonderful meet Brian, well done with the Woodcock.
What a lovely evening, I'm not surprised it was oversubscribed. I doubt it was anything to do with the wine (although that does sound good!!) there is something magical about a night meet.
Shame about the Long Eared Owl, that would have been something special!
Still, it sounded like a wonderful meet Brian, well done with the Woodcock.
brianfm
Botanical Birder
24th July. Today was to be my annual pilgrimage to Slaley in search of Nightjars. Early weather appeared to be ideal for the event with warmth and humidity. As my mate and I set off westwards mist was coming in. I assumed that we would drive out of what I thought was North Sea mist and initially we did soon find the sun again. We were armed with our sandwiches and I in addition had my insect repellent. Corvids, pigeons, Kestrel, Swallows, House Martins and Swifts were in evidence during the journey.
By the time we reached our destination and had a bite to eat it was distinctly cooler, but we head for the moorland on the edge of the forest quickly catching sight of Jays (we later picked up a secondary feather of a Jay) and a pair of Green Woodpeckers. We had seen the woodpecker last year at the same spot, but had only a brief sighting. Tonight we had sightings of the two on the tree, in flight and on the ground on several occasions and we listened to their calls most of the evening. We came across some good specimens of fungi including Fly Agaric and I sort of semi crawled under the branches of the trees to get a shot of them.
It wasn’t long until mist began to come across the moorland and eventually viewing to any sort of distance became difficult and I was glad that we had a clearly marked path to backtrack on. We found the odd Meadow Pipit and two pairs of Stonechat amongst the Heather Calluna vulgaris and Bell Heather Erica cinerea. Before we turned for our return walk we heard Golden Plover calling and located the adult in breeding plumage. It was moving slowly in stops and starts towards the path we were on and was clearly wary of us so we kept our distance. About 20 to 25 yards away from the adult was a juvenile bird, and then another. Both youngsters were following the calls of the parent bird which sounded rather eerie in the mist. Two Curlews called whilst flying overhead and we caught a very brief sighting of a raptor as it flew behind the trees. I didn’t see it well enough to identify but felt it likely to be a Sparrowhawk.
By the time we got off the moor land the mist was well down and it was cold, coldness that even the shelter of the forest did not quell as the mist swept across the trees. To be honest I had given up hope of finding Nightjars in their usual area, but we didn’t give up. We set off along the footpath between the stands of trees and found ourselves quite close to a Roe Deer and youngster feeding by the path way. They knew we were there, but obviously felt we were at a safe distance as they continued to feed for a while before moving along into the trees. We heard the calls of a Tawny Owl
We got to the spot we intended rather early so had a wander a little further along the path before retracing our steps. Well by around 10.10 I had given up hope of finding the Nightjar on the perch where I have seen it in the past but we did begin to hear the chirring calls. I rattled my keys in hope rather than expectation. I’m often told that Nightjars will come close to check you or sounds out. Very soon after I had done this we caught sight of a Nightjar fly over the path, above our heads and off down the path and over the trees. It didn’t return. It had been a brief, but very good sighting. We were cold and glad to make off along the path in mist and darkness on our way back to the car.
On the drive home we had a fleeting view of a Tawny Owl fly across the road and around buildings. A very good ending to our evening and the Nightjar was another year tick.
By the time we reached our destination and had a bite to eat it was distinctly cooler, but we head for the moorland on the edge of the forest quickly catching sight of Jays (we later picked up a secondary feather of a Jay) and a pair of Green Woodpeckers. We had seen the woodpecker last year at the same spot, but had only a brief sighting. Tonight we had sightings of the two on the tree, in flight and on the ground on several occasions and we listened to their calls most of the evening. We came across some good specimens of fungi including Fly Agaric and I sort of semi crawled under the branches of the trees to get a shot of them.
It wasn’t long until mist began to come across the moorland and eventually viewing to any sort of distance became difficult and I was glad that we had a clearly marked path to backtrack on. We found the odd Meadow Pipit and two pairs of Stonechat amongst the Heather Calluna vulgaris and Bell Heather Erica cinerea. Before we turned for our return walk we heard Golden Plover calling and located the adult in breeding plumage. It was moving slowly in stops and starts towards the path we were on and was clearly wary of us so we kept our distance. About 20 to 25 yards away from the adult was a juvenile bird, and then another. Both youngsters were following the calls of the parent bird which sounded rather eerie in the mist. Two Curlews called whilst flying overhead and we caught a very brief sighting of a raptor as it flew behind the trees. I didn’t see it well enough to identify but felt it likely to be a Sparrowhawk.
By the time we got off the moor land the mist was well down and it was cold, coldness that even the shelter of the forest did not quell as the mist swept across the trees. To be honest I had given up hope of finding Nightjars in their usual area, but we didn’t give up. We set off along the footpath between the stands of trees and found ourselves quite close to a Roe Deer and youngster feeding by the path way. They knew we were there, but obviously felt we were at a safe distance as they continued to feed for a while before moving along into the trees. We heard the calls of a Tawny Owl
We got to the spot we intended rather early so had a wander a little further along the path before retracing our steps. Well by around 10.10 I had given up hope of finding the Nightjar on the perch where I have seen it in the past but we did begin to hear the chirring calls. I rattled my keys in hope rather than expectation. I’m often told that Nightjars will come close to check you or sounds out. Very soon after I had done this we caught sight of a Nightjar fly over the path, above our heads and off down the path and over the trees. It didn’t return. It had been a brief, but very good sighting. We were cold and glad to make off along the path in mist and darkness on our way back to the car.
On the drive home we had a fleeting view of a Tawny Owl fly across the road and around buildings. A very good ending to our evening and the Nightjar was another year tick.
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brianfm
Botanical Birder
5th August. Well even a long meeting and one or two very heavy showers around lunch time didn’t prevent me taking a look at what was happening at the local country park. Actually, after the showers had disappeared they were soon followed by sun, heat and humidity. I was surprised that the only Dragonfly I saw at all was a Ruddy Darter. Butterflies were around in number, Large and Small White, Meadow Brown and several Small Skippers. I took some time out to try and get some photographs. Unfortunately the ones I got of the Meadow Browns shows them in poor condition indeed. I moved on once I realised I was getting far more bites than decent butterfly shots!
A Brown Hare lay perfectly still on the pathway until scurrying off as we approached it. There were few birds on the pond and viewing was in any event rather difficult because of the growth of the herbage. I felt the whole are looked somewhat neglected to tell you the truth and the open hide was filthy. A female Kestrel was hunting during most of our visit and a large flock of Goldfinch were constantly flying to and fro nearby the thistles. Wildflowers of note were Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara, Yellow Lysimachia vulgaris and Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Tansy Tanacetum vulgare and Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica and lots of Eyebright (species).
1)Bittersweet 2) Eyebright 3) Small Skipper 4) Meadow Brown
A Brown Hare lay perfectly still on the pathway until scurrying off as we approached it. There were few birds on the pond and viewing was in any event rather difficult because of the growth of the herbage. I felt the whole are looked somewhat neglected to tell you the truth and the open hide was filthy. A female Kestrel was hunting during most of our visit and a large flock of Goldfinch were constantly flying to and fro nearby the thistles. Wildflowers of note were Bittersweet Solanum dulcamara, Yellow Lysimachia vulgaris and Purple Loosestrife Lythrum salicaria, Tansy Tanacetum vulgare and Hedge Woundwort Stachys sylvatica and lots of Eyebright (species).
1)Bittersweet 2) Eyebright 3) Small Skipper 4) Meadow Brown
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Pam_m
Well-known member
Hi Brian,
Just read 2 more good reports from you about your travels! Well done with the Nightjar! It sounded a productive if not warm evening. Great photo's to accompany your report too!
Such a pity to read of the open hide being desecrated at the Country park you visited. A sad society when such a place that gives pleasure to others is abused. Thank goodness you saw a reasonable amount of butterflies and Flora to cheer you! Your photo's as usual are delightful.
Just read 2 more good reports from you about your travels! Well done with the Nightjar! It sounded a productive if not warm evening. Great photo's to accompany your report too!
Such a pity to read of the open hide being desecrated at the Country park you visited. A sad society when such a place that gives pleasure to others is abused. Thank goodness you saw a reasonable amount of butterflies and Flora to cheer you! Your photo's as usual are delightful.
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Peewit
Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover
Hi Brian
Oh dear the rain seems to be everywhere at the moment. It is more of a soggy drizzle here
It is not just the rain, it is the wind that goes along with it here.
Will you try again tomorrow Brian?
Kathy
x
brianfm
Botanical Birder
No I didn't try Kathy. I'm not put off by the weather, just been having a break.
I did forget to put on the Great Spotted Woodpecker I saw at the country park. Quite a significant one as tis the first Woodpecker I have seen there. Just been reminded of it by the title of another thread.
Peewit
Once a bird lover ... always a bird lover
pie
Well-known member
Two wonderful reports Brian, you always find a fantastic variety of species.
I love the Fungi pics, I'm looking forward to a foray meet on 28 Sept, although I'm beginning to wonder if they might bring the date forward as things are topsy turvy with all this rain. If Fungi is anything like the Wild Orchids in my area, they will peak a month early.
btw, I thought it was white hankies not jingling keys!
Great tick, well done Brian :t:
I love the Fungi pics, I'm looking forward to a foray meet on 28 Sept, although I'm beginning to wonder if they might bring the date forward as things are topsy turvy with all this rain. If Fungi is anything like the Wild Orchids in my area, they will peak a month early.
btw, I thought it was white hankies not jingling keys!
Great tick, well done Brian :t:
brianfm
Botanical Birder
Two wonderful reports Brian, you always find a fantastic variety of species.
I love the Fungi pics, I'm looking forward to a foray meet on 28 Sept, although I'm beginning to wonder if they might bring the date forward as things are topsy turvy with all this rain. If Fungi is anything like the Wild Orchids in my area, they will peak a month early.
btw, I thought it was white hankies not jingling keys!
Yes the weather just now is ridiculous.
Tis white hankies or white anything Pie. When I was in Poland our guide walked around with a wire frame on his head with a little white paper flag attached to it. We neither heard nor saw Nightjars, but had a bit of a laugh. lol In the case of one lady who is known to post on here t'was her bra, or so the tale goes. It is possibly a myth!:-O I wasn't there at the time!!! I've not seen Gill O on here for sometime! oops maybe I should not have mentioned her name! No, the keys were used only because I'm told Nightjars are inquisitive and will come to explore sounds. It was Bill M who told me that along time ago on the old beeb board. Not sure how much real evidence there is for that, but my limited experience is that they do appear to approach you to suss you out. I think it's best just to keep chatting normally and not stay deathly silent for that very reason.
Good luck with the fungi. I look forward to hearing about it.
take care
brianfm
Botanical Birder
This thread began with me recounting the Tawny Owl calls I heard on New Years day. I am pleased to say that I have since heard them in the local 'village' calling during the afternoon and last night I heard Tawny Owl calls around midnight, from owls which were clearly in the trees not far from my home. Unfortunately I couldn't see them. They called for about twenty minutes. I am pleased to have had this little interlude during a period of time that I have done little in the way of birding, even locally. The weather has been so lousy it has put of even a 'wet birder.' What a depressing month! Since my last report I have seen little, but the garden birds and the odd Large White Butterfly. Anyway I have [lans to go birding on Saturday and maybe an owling evening early next week. No not to look for my local owls but elsewhere where I am told there are numbers and that thishad included Eagle Owls, but I know I will be too late to find them. So fingers crossed for good weather over the next week.
Having raided my money box last week, I did treat myself to a couple of books as promised. Dragonflies/Corbet and Brooks and The Migration Ecology of Birds/Ian Newton. I'm saving the latter for autumn reading, but the wet days of August have ensured that I am well into the Dragonfly book. I have found that a friend has Southern Hawker Dragonflies in her garden pond, this hawker is especially attracted to gardens, so I have enjoyed finding out more about that one in particular. I understand it lays its eggs late in the year and they go into dispause ensuring that development is delayed so that the eggs do not hatch until the following spring when the temperature has risen. The adult dragonfly does not emerge until the following spring. I'm thinking of asking my friend if I can do some pond dipping in her garden! ;-)
Well, there are showers again today, but I reckon I shall walk part of the local patch and see what is happening.
Having raided my money box last week, I did treat myself to a couple of books as promised. Dragonflies/Corbet and Brooks and The Migration Ecology of Birds/Ian Newton. I'm saving the latter for autumn reading, but the wet days of August have ensured that I am well into the Dragonfly book. I have found that a friend has Southern Hawker Dragonflies in her garden pond, this hawker is especially attracted to gardens, so I have enjoyed finding out more about that one in particular. I understand it lays its eggs late in the year and they go into dispause ensuring that development is delayed so that the eggs do not hatch until the following spring when the temperature has risen. The adult dragonfly does not emerge until the following spring. I'm thinking of asking my friend if I can do some pond dipping in her garden! ;-)
Well, there are showers again today, but I reckon I shall walk part of the local patch and see what is happening.
Gill Osborne
Well-known member
:-O I'm never going to live that down, am I?
pie
Well-known member
I hope the forcast is good for your sat trip, I'm sure it is, but I might have been looking at my area and not the UK map.
I'm looking forward to knowing how your Owl watch goes, I tried it once with a "non birder" we heard hoot's & got soaked in the rain! Good fun.
The book sounds interesting, Did you have left over money for your hat Bri?
Ooh! yes, of course it was Gill, genius! For some reason the first person that came to mind was Ruth! :eek!: sorry Ruth |:$|
I'm looking forward to knowing how your Owl watch goes, I tried it once with a "non birder" we heard hoot's & got soaked in the rain! Good fun.
The book sounds interesting, Did you have left over money for your hat Bri?
Ooh! yes, of course it was Gill, genius! For some reason the first person that came to mind was Ruth! :eek!: sorry Ruth |:$|
