Lets get rid...

of some more bits and pieces. 

Another early Comma and another Bee – I know it sounds daft and I have been seeing the willow burst into bud and flower (can you call catkins flowers?) but it never occurred to me that they would be pollinated by insects, especially at this time of the year when it has turned quite chilly again. Look and learn (something new everyday – a message to myself). 

I caught this Blackcap in the tree where I normally find it this time of year (where I have also had a female and a juvenile) – not great and the light against me but I quite liked the light on the leaves anyway. 

On a walk along the Ribble Link (west Preston) I realised there were Moorhens about every 600m (not 400m, too close, 800m too far) and as I normally don't give them a second look, I thought I would while I could – normally secretive and disappearing out of sight. 

The chiffchaff I found in the same tree as last year, but I have been 'chasing' it down for about two weeks – drives me nuts, you can hear it but can't see it; it has been singing in a copse and here it was high, high up in the canopy. 

I was surprised to come across a glade of bluebells, but that's only because I don't get out enough and in the dappled sunlight (albeit a cold wind) I suddenly felt very English – there are too many Spaniards about! 

A female chaffinch, must be nesting somewhere nearby, was with a male in and out and about of the same location. I came across this detail of a horses head (the Godfather) on a paddock fence and thought – 'nice one', somebody has gone to that trouble (too much money!). 

And finally out of the wind this Peacock was warming itself in the rays... I shared the same enjoyment. (sad!).

...not quite finally

Now in my last post, or one of them, I made reference to 'Attenborough does Africa' when referencing Collared/Ring-necked Doves (whatever you want to call them) and driving across the Fylde as you do, I thought perhaps this may have appeared derogatory – far from it, it is all his fault and I am great admirer... so much so dear reader I feel I should bore you with; 

a long long time ago, in a dim, dark and distant past there was a thing called 'a book' – long before computers and I was fortunate to be given one and read it as a young innocent boy (nothing changed then)... it had lots of pages and lots of words and a few black and white photographs and no pictures to colour-in! It was called 'Zoo Quest for a Dragon' and was David Attenborough's first book (not that I knew that at the time) and his first venture collecting animals (!) for London Zoo (I may have the zoo wrong). 

This trip, collecting animals was focused on a trip to Bali and accompanying islands to find the infamous (then), Komodo Dragon. Hence the title! ... 1956! 

I read it many years later !!! but long before Dickie, as he likes me to call him (which is a bit strange as that's the name of his brother, darling), became the famous presenter of today. He did of course present the same as a TV series for the BBC (See http://www.bbc.co.uk/archive/attenborough/) in 1956 but of course nobody had a TV in them days anyway, so it didn't have a big audience. See the benefits of a book! (TV, TV... Garlic bread, GARLIC BREAD!)

The book, 'Zoo Quest for a Dragon' entranced me as a child and created three elements (two to go) in me, an endearing relationship with my good friend Dickie, a fascination for wildlife and including Bali in my 'top three places to visit before I die' – but that was when I was young, before Bali became Australia's Benidorm, the population of the planet is half it is now and it took three weeks to get there – an adventure in itself. Frightening to think I could leave home now and be there in twenty four hours! Or less! I might do Bali yet. So 'Zoo Quest for a Dragon', recommended reading.

And while I am on the subject, the other great book to have on your bookshelf is Gerald Durrell's 'My Family and Other Animals' – in fact I must get another copy, read so many times I split the spine and it fell apart (paperback version). Inspired me to visit Corfu and I have been three times – again in quieter times, not long after the country was still run by the Army (complete with CIA interference!). Stories perhaps for another day... or buy me a pint sometime. Mind you I went to Lesvos a long time ago too,  before anyone had heard of it... nearly stayed but what a great place that is for birding in spring.... two beers!

Another 'bitty' post

Too much happening to write posts!

Over on the esplanade at Preesall I often come across Wrens in the sea defence wall. Back at Newton Marsh, early one morning, Lapwings were not allowing the Godwits any peace and frequently chasing them off their territory. A dodgy image of a Black-tailed Godwit, for just that, id purposes, showing off it's black tail. I caught a Moorhen dispute, sadly the sun was not up, that's how early it was; while a male Teal walked serenely past when the sun did finally rise. An image of a male Wigeon as most of them have now departed. I found myself at Lower Bentham where I spotted a pair of Grey Wagtails and a Dipper flying low along the river. Up on the top a number of Meadow Pipits were passing through, otherwise strangely quiet, except somewhere 'over the tops' I came upon a large flock of Fieldfare, but sadly they were spooked by passing traffic and disappeared from their feeding into some nearby trees making a racket and it wasn't possible to stop and park.

The local Blue Tits have decided to use the nest box again this year, sadly they left 14 young in it last year... I fear their demise relating to the loss of the parents, which I think was probably the local cats; the Blue Tits coming and going drawing attention to themselves, although there may be another reason, I will be waiting to see this year.

While skulking for the local Grey Wagtails this Brown Rat showed itself in broad daylight... not impressed. Brown Rats carry the nasty Weils disease ... so always wash your hands etc when you've been out and about (I never do!!). 'Weils' can be deadly I think, certainly doesn't do you any good.

While looking for Goldcrests, the Coal Tits were feeding o the pine cones; I came across an early Comma, and again while looking for the Grey Wagtails had time watching Moorhens... so easily overlooked and I was glad I spent some time watching them. I think they are now on nest (but again rarely I have seen them with any young, mink and rats I fear)... but have you seen the size of those feet, you know what they say about big feet? A pic of a Sparrowhawk to illustrate just how high they appear and ride the thermals hereabouts (almost out of sight).. what do they see at that height? Answers on a postcard please.

I have five blackbird nests around the garden and not one has been successful – magpies! yet again the blackbirds decided to nest in a flowering blackcurrant bush in the front garden and their coming and going attracted the attention of a magpie – I wonder if it is a deliberate 'dupe nest'. (The photos taken from the car, parked on the drive as usual, on a bad light day). On the way back from Knott End a Hare trying to hide in grass too short and a pair of Collared Doves because I ignore them – and I was watching a programme about 'Attenborough does Africa' or something and at a water hole in the Kalahari were... correct, Collared Doves. 

And, in case you were left wondering, as Julie Roberts said to Hugh Grant in 'Notting Hill'... big feet: big shoes.

Berttie Bassett's All Sorts

A selection of images from the last week or so, the wind has got up and most of the blossom has been blown away, a few butterflies from my patch and on three separate days I had a female mallard with 7, 11 and 14 young respctively, only a day or so old. I have a blackbird nesting in the back garden and one under my bedroom window, they have tried in the past unsuccessfullty with the number of 'domestic' cats and magpies hereabouts. I think the cats will be the greatest threat this year. (Last year the nestbox was left with 14 Blue Tit fledglings dead after the parents failed to continue feeding and I can only assume the parents were no longer alive). New birds have tried this year.... early days.

Cherry blossom – now all too soon blown away

Speckled Wood

Male Orange Tip

Male Orange Tip

Ma Mallard

Aaahhh

Comma

The Family bar dad! 

Another aaahhh

Speckled Wood

Bee on Lion's teeth flower

Female Blackbird sitting tight, in the back garden

Rodaside Bluebells – Ours or Spanish, I don't know

Male Reed Bunitng – Carr House Green Common

Ready steady... warble

Willow Warbler, extended primary projection

Willow Warbler, supercilium

Willow Warbler, 'orange' legs

Comma

Comma

Just an image I like of male Grey Wagtail

Male Grey Wagtail showing his 'bib'

I was aware there were Willow Warbler and Chiffchaff on my doorstep but 'catching' them is another matter entirely. Hours of fun staring into the thick cover and following the song has not got me very far in previous years. The best last year was a Chichaff high in some trees and the most common view was 'up it's backside' as one stares up into the branches (they don't put that in the guide books!). I don't know what is going on but I have dropped lucky this year. Unexpectedly, returing from another foray, I came across this Willow Warbler out in the open, well that is the best I am ever going to get... unfortunately just too far away. Anyway, three images to illustrate the various features, wing projection, supercilium, and leg colour. I have been 'chasing' the old chiffchaff too ('chasing' means hours sat or stood waiting!) but that's for the next blog submission (I think).

I was surprised to come across this Comma butterfly so early and again a little surprised at it's wing size; all previous sightings have been much bigger and later in the year.

And yes, he's back, by popular demand a couple if snaps of my favourite (at the moment) Mr Grey Wagtail strutting his stuff, I'm guessing she may be on the nest. I'm off to see if I can find that Willow Warbler again.