15th May - You Promised To Put Me In a Magazine

After the rain of Thursday it was welcome to see some blue sky in the morning, unfortunately this did not last and it soon clouded over, the wind from the west was brisk, but not cold.  At the end of the day it was a little brighter, but more important still dry, so I decided to head off for some welcome exercise and a walk around Old Down.

As I walked down Lymington Rise alarm calls rang out from all sides.  I expected a Sparrowhawk, and definitely not what appeared from a garden, a Grey Heron.  It beat its way over the trees and then headed towards Reads Field.

I walked down Brislands where a Song Thrush was singing from the trees, and another was searching for food at the side of the lane.

I suspect the singing bird has a mate sitting on a second brood somewhere while the bird on the lane was still looking after fledglings.

Swallows were flying alongside the trees at the junction with Gradwell, and as I turned down the lane two settled on the wires.

I slowly walked closer and was able to get quite a nice photograph despite the grey white sky.

Behind me I could hear quiet calls coming from the Oak tree.  I searched through the branches and found an adult male Chaffinch tempting a newly fledged bird with some food.

The adult didn't give the food to the begging fledgling, but just led it though the branches using the offer of food as a way of getting it to fly a little bit.  The fledgling though seemed to realise what Dad was up to and sat still.

When it turned to face me it had a quite comical look, the downy feathers on the head looking like the grey eye brows of an elderly gentleman.

I had noticed the bare branches of the Ash trees as I walked along Brislands.  At one stage this spring I thought the Ash was going to beat the Oak into leaf, but they all seem to have stopped and not progressed.  I am afraid this may be down to the trees now suffering from Ash Die Back disease.  Ash dieback, is a disease of ash trees caused by a fungus called Hymenoscyphus fraxineus. 

The disease causes leaf loss, crown dieback and bark lesions in affected trees. Once a tree is infected the disease is usually fatal, either directly, or indirectly by weakening the tree to the point where it succumbs more readily to attacks by other pests or pathogens, especially Armillaria fungi, or honey fungus.

Looking at this photograph the leaves look to have never fully developed, and have died or shrivelled.

Many of the Ash trees look like this which is a real shame.

I walked into the wood, and took the main ride.  I could hear Great Tits calling and there was also a Chiffchaff singing from the tall Oaks.  I walked to the Owl tree, and as I approached I could hear a strange squeaking sound.  I checked the tree and there was no one home, but suddenly an Owl flew out of another tree, quickly followed by another which I can only assume was the mate.  I had my suspicions the calls I heard could very well be Owlets, and this was confirmed when I got home later.  I checked the close trees for any signs, but once the adults had flown off the calls stopped.  I couldn't find anything so finally decided to leave the area, not wanting to disturb too much.  

As I turned to walk away I could hear movement behind me and turned to find a young buck Roe Deer looking at me from the bluebells

This is #2 I photographed in April.  He was not bothered by me, just watched as I walked down the path.

A little further on I came across another.

This buck was a new one, I haven't photographed him before, he has a longer point on the right hand antler at the base.

I crossed to the perimeter path, and walked around towards the west end.  Wren seem to be everywhere.  their song ringing out.  These are males trying to attract a mate.  Apparently the male will build several nests, these will not be lined and it is not until a female accepts the offer do they both line the nest with feathers.  This bird was not singing, but was carrying a feather so is probably a female looking to finish off the nest she has chosen.

I walked on, and then came across yet another Roe Deer.

This one is #1 from the April photographs, having two forward prongs on the antlers.

I also saw several doe deer, and they would move away and watch me from a distance.  I looked to see if there was any sign of kids but could not find any.

I walked around the perimeter path.  The Bluebells are now passing their best, and in places have died back.  With there not being any canopy though the empty space they leave is quickly filled by Filed Mouse Ear or Ransoms.  The Early Purple Orchids were still in flower, and I came across a small patch of much lighter ones.  I don't think they are a different species but a variant of the darker purples ones.

On the main path through the wood, Red Campion are coming into flower, some can be seen as a pink, while others are a lot redder.

For once I decided to walk around the north east part of the wood, and as I walked the path I noticed a Lesser Black-backed Gull in the field.  This bird has been hanging around here for sometime, but this was the closest I have managed to get.  It is a third calendar year bird, the upper wings still not quite showing the full dark grey feathers.  You can also see the yellow legs which are a clincher if you have any doubt it may be the larger Great Black-backed.

Here you can see the upper wing colour.

It was quiet on this side, all I could hear were the calls of Swallows above the trees as I walked along the perimeter path.  The Spruce trees are just starting to have new leaf growth.  These leaves are not only a bright vivid green, but to touch are cold and almost damp, while at the same time soft in comparison the the spiky mature leaves.

As I came out of the wood I could see the Swallows flying alongside the woods, and then out over the field.  Swallows will always present me with a challenge I can not resist, so yet again I had a go at photographing them with some mixed results, the pale grey skies always presenting a challenge.

After a while I decided I had enough shots so set off for home.  As I came down Brislands there were signs that he sun may finally appear for the evening, and away across the roof tops a Horse Chestnut tree proudly showed off its "candles".  Its a shame that later in the year this beautiful tree will probably have its leaves struck down by the leaf miner moth.

Back in Reads Field the House Martins were about in numbers, flying high above the houses.  They too present the same challenge as Swallows.

Here is another that almost looks like the same shot!  The Hurricane to a Swallow's Spitfire

An interesting couple of hours with some special encounters in a wood that looks absolutely stunning.

11th May - Maybug Beatin’ On My Window

Indiffeent weather over the weekend, and after Saturdays proceedings were brought to a halt by the rain, I decided to focus on some work in the garden on Sunday.  when the sun did come out there were at least four House Martins over the house in the late afternoon.

The moth trap has been very poor when I have put it out for the last few days, on one night there was absolutely nothing in it.  I have though been persistent, and this morning there was something of interest to photograph, a few moths and a five May Bugs, or to give them their proper name, Cockchaffers.

This common beetle has a black thorax, rusty brown wing cases and brown legs and characteristic antennae that fan out.  You can often see cockchaffers on May evenings buzzing around the garden. As large, noisy insects they can be a little frightening, but are actually harmless to humans. However, they can considerably damage garden plants and crops.

Adults appear at the end of April or in May and live for about five to seven weeks. After about two weeks, the female begins laying eggs, which she buries about 10 to 20 cm deep in the earth. She may do this several times until she has laid between 60 and 80 eggs. The common cockchaffer lays its eggs in fields

The larvae, known as "white grubs" or "chafer grubs", hatch after four to six weeks. They feed on plant roots. The grubs develop in the earth for three to four years, in colder climates even five years, and grow continually to a size of about 4–5 cm, before they pupate in early autumn and develop into an adult cockchaffer in six weeks.

The cockchaffer overwinters in the earth at depths between 20 and 100 cm. They work their way to the surface only in spring.

They can also be known as  a May bug, Mitchamador, Billy Witch, or Spang Beetle.

Of the five I caught some were happy to play dead, while a couple wanted to get away as soon as possible

Of the moths caught, three were of interest, this Shuttle-shaped Dart.

What I believe is a Common Wainscott, but it does look a little dark.

And this delightful White Ermine.

There was also a Brimstone Moth, but it surprised me and flew off.  So far this spring the moths have been very disappoint, I can only hope things pick up in the coming weeks, we are moving into hawk moth time.

9th May - Seen But not ....

The morning started well as the first House martin flew past the bedroom window, it was sunny with clouds and quite pleasant and I hoped it would stick around, but it didn't.

Only had the first part of the morning today, so I decided to head top Plain Farm, I was hoping that there might be a Willow Warbler about, the scrubby areas around there are usually a good place to find them.

As I parked it was sunny but away to the west it looked quite dark.  It was then I realsied I had not bought any cover for the camera, I decided to take the risk, and carried on up the path.

At the Yew Trees I could hear Goldcrest, but there seemed to be something else.  The Goldcrest song was then replaced by that of a Firecrest.  I could see movement in the Yew tree, so I stood and waited , and soon the Firecrest appeared.

It crept around the branches singing.

This is actually the first one I have seen this year.  I heard one along Brislands last month but it was distant in the garden, this was the first seen and in an area where I have seen them before.

I watched for a little longer, then left it singing.

I walked up the hill and could feel spots of rain.  Looking back the clouds did not look too bad.  As I turned I noticed a bird above and it was a Swift.  A real local rarity, we get very few, last year I only saw one, and that was fortunate because it turned up on a photograph when I downloaded the batch, I didn't actually see it.  Today I definitely saw the bird but did not manage to get a photograph.

It was now decision time go back or head on, I decided to go and move on.  I walked down past the quarry, and then across the road and up the hill towards Plain Farm.  As I did so A Raven flew up from the field and headed away across the trees.

In the fields to the left two Brown Hares were sitting.  They were though a long way off.

Walking up towards the workshops the tree in the field was producing a very English scene with the Black and White Cows.

The clouds then gathered again and it started to rain, it didn't look like it would be too much so I took shelter in the barn by the cottages.  Swallows have been sparse so far this spring, and I had thought I would see some by the farm buildings, but they were not there.  As  I walked past the cows in the field three flew around them low over the grass.  Once I was in the barn one came and settled on the wires close by, and sat there singing.

The barn was providing both shelter from the rain, and allowing me to remain hidden from the birds.  A Kestrel came by, and hovered outside the barn, over the field.

And then turned away as I tried to get closer.

In the hedge opposite a Dunnock burst into song.

And was then joined by a Yellowhammer.  He puts his heart and soul into delivering that "little bit of bread and no cheese".

The rain was easing, and I decided to head down the lane.  On either side of the path Whitethroats were singing, but they remained hidden in the middle of the hedge.  As I tried to get close to see them, away in the distance I heard a Cuckoo call.  Not something I expected, but indeed very welcome.  I thought it may be calling from the trees at the bottom of the lane, and set off towards it.

As I reached the start of the footpath a Pheasant lazily walked along in front of me.

I scanned for the Cuckoo as it was still calling, but I couldn't see anything.  As I reached almost the end of the path I heard alarm calls and the Cuckoo flew ahead of me, despite my efforts I couldn't get a picture, and it then flew behind the trees and away to the north.

I walked down the the fallen tree spot and waited and listened, but there was no further sign, or sound of the Cuckoo.  All I did see though was a very distant Green Woodpecker on the telegraph pole.  I have seen them here before, and I am not sure what the attraction is, maybe a good resonance.

Despite the fact the Cuckoo never returned I had not only heard it, but seen it, which was pleasing.  I am assuming it is a bird passing through, we just do not have the nesting birds here that they would use.  One that could be a candidate, the Willow Warbler just doesn't seem to like it here.

The clouds were now very dark, and I was at the furthest point from the car.  I decided that if it did rain I would use the hood from my coat to cover the camera.  I set off at pace along Charlwood.  The only birds to note were a few Swallows at Charlwood house, and Blackcaps singing every where.  About a quarter of a mile from the car the rain came, but I managed to keep the camera dry as I finally reached the car.  Not a bad short walk, three year ticks today, Swift and Cuckoo being a big bonus, even if I couldn't get a photograph.  A good view of Firecrest, and a Raven, miles from any pylons.

7th May - We Reach The Stars Of What Is Destiny

We were away over the Bank Holiday in Suffolk.  The reports will be added over the next few days here on the Away Blog

Over the last few days we have had weather associated more with autumn than spring, high winds and blustery heavy showers.  Today though the winds have eased and varying amounts of cloud through the morning.  By lunchtime the sun was winning out, and it felt quite warm. there was definitely the potential for butterflies so I decided to head to Swelling Hill, and then a walk around Old Down Wood.

There was nothing on the water as I pulled up.  Worryingly the area around the Moorhen nest was full of muddy footprints.  I checked the nest and it was empty.  Had the eggs hatched or had the nest been abandoned?

I walked around the pond, and found both the Coot and drake Mallard at the far end of the pond.  As I crossed the small bridge there was a loud call, and I saw movement amongst the Bogbean.  The movement became a black blur which then turned into a Moorhen chick.

Both adult birds then appeared, what I assume was the male flew off as if scared and went down in a clump of Iris.  The female swam out calling in alarm, the two young chicks stayed where they were, so I can only assume that the call was to tell them to do just that, and to distract me away from them.

There were at least five eggs, but I could only find two chicks, so she has already lost three.  The remaining chicks do not look very old, so they can only recently have hatched so I wonder who has taken the three.

The Coot seems to be quite settled here now, but it was a little concerned about all the activity.

I walked around the pond, at the back a Chiffchaff sang, and I could also make out at least two Blackcaps.  Every so often a Green Woodpecker would call, adding to the scene.

On the Periwinkle bank Bee Flies were hovering around the flowers, and settling on the leaves both dead and alive.  I love the pattern on the wings of the Bee Fly.

Close to the bank there were small groups of tadpoles, the first I have seen this year.

I left the pond and started off towards the wood, one of the singing Blackcaps was singing in a bush close to the road.

With the warmth and sunshine I decided to walk along the open rides.  Immediately I came across a male Brimstone, and for once it stopped on one of the bluebells.

It quickly became clear that butterflies were moving about, following the Brimstone was a Peacock, again settling on the Bluebells.

And then my first Large White of the year, again, the Bluebells the attraction.

I turned on to the east west path, this as are a lot of the paths now is very open, and was covered in sunshine.  Butterflies were flying every where including Orange Tips and Small Whites.  I would say that there were more butterflies about than I can recall over the last few years at this time of year.

The Bluebells were looking splendid, the blue deep and vivid.

The leaves have come on fast over the last week.  Looking out across the fields the trees in the distance were covered with various shades of greens and browns, the sunshine enhancing and picking them out.

The fields left without grazing animals have become covered in Dandelions, both flowering and in seed.

At the West End a patch of Ransoms was providing a good spot for a nectaring Bumblebee.

Looking out from the West End, the greens within the distant trees were highlighted by the vivid yellow of the Rapeseed.

Another Blackcap was singing in one of the Oak trees at the edge of the wood.

This end of the wood has been opened up to light, whereas before it was a dark and dismal place, now the light is enhancing the bluebells, and seems to have breathed life into the Ransoms with large clumps mixing in with the Bluebells.

I had decided to walk the perimeter path in the hope of finding the Early Purple Orchids, I was not to be disappointed.  As I headed towards the spot there was a purple spike standing out in the sunshine.

There were two flowering spikes all in excellent condition, probably the best I have seen them.

Another two were just emerging, the flowers just developing.  In the past I have seen only two flowers here, so to find at least four was promising.

I walked a little further and stopped once again to admire the carpet of Bluebells stretching into the Hazel trees.

A little further on was a clearing created by the winter forestry work.  While not a full carpet the scene was quite impressive.

I carried on around the path, and came upon another group of Early Purple Orchids, this was by far more than I have seen here in the wood.

I have walked this path for the last four years, searching this area for orchids and never finding them so it was really pleasing to see this clump, but even more pleasing when I came across another group a little further on.

Three distinct groups of Early Purple Orchids was an amazing find when you consider for the last four years the one group I did find struggled.  Whether this is due to the increased light that was now reaching the floor of the wood I don't know, but they are a welcome sight.

Another flower that is doing very well in the wood is the Field Mouse Ear.  Like the Ransoms it is mixing with the Bluebells to produce a welcome scene.

More Bluebell carpets greeted me as I made my way to the main footpath again.

Butterflies were still moving everywhere, but most of them would not settle.  Birds were singing, I could hear Chiffchaff, Blackcap, Robin Wren and even a Garden Warbler that avoided me.  The one bird missing is still the Willow Warbler, hopefully they are present around the Plain Farm area.

I headed down the main path and then turned towards the Gradwell exit.  However rather than head out of the wood I turned back onto the south perimeter path, and then back up the footpath.  Along the way I stopped to photograph this, any idea what is in here?

I headed back towards the Old Down Cottage entrance.  The path here has filtered sunshine with plenty of shadows.  I thought this might be a good place for a Speckled Wood butterfly and was proved to be right as I found one sitting on a dead leaf in a patch of sunshine.

Jays seem to have been following me as I walked around the wood but they would fly off when I tried to photograph them.  This one almost let me get a photograph.

Back at the pond I walked around the primrose Bank, it was now in sunshine, and while there were no butterflies about there were several different insects, all of which I have struggled to identify.  

First up was this bee busy pollinating this Archangel.

The petals of the flowers are shaped such that they for a roof that rubs on to the back of the bee.

Nest was this fly that I think is a type of Caddis Fly.

Then finally this wasp or fly, it may be a type of Saw Fly.

A short but very rewarding walk with plenty of butterflies about, some incredible displays of Blue bells, and of course the high numbers of Early Purple Orchids.  I was critical of the recent forestry work, but it does seem that allowing the light in by thinning out the trees has benefited the flowers and butterflies, I am looking forward to seeing what the summer brings, it already looks like it will be an incredible show of Foxgloves.