A mixed lot

hey hum... another wet and grey day, so some bits and pieces while I have nothing better to do.

The Blue Tit box is just above the window I gaze out upon the world from and I can watch the Blue Tits come and go. Last year, I thought there was a sudden disappearance and when I checked the box several weeks later there were 13 dead young. I guess the adults succumb to some predator or other, and the main predator around here are the numerous 'domestic' cats. And yesterday while dressing the front lawn there was four fresh cat crap piles for my enjoyment, that I nearly stood in... if it had been dog crap...

The bullfinch are still around but not as regular, mind you the grey squirrels, magpies, wood pigeon, collared doves and feral pigeons are decimating the food before they can get to it, and they wont come when those piggies are gorging themselves. I've noticed tidying up can be counter-productive as the bullfinch will feed on spilt seed on the ground.

I lost all my fish years ago and gave up restocking the pond. Gazing out of the window (you should do so regularly to avoid eye strain while spending hours in front of a computer) ... I could see something high on the ridge line of the house at the back. Sure enough a Grey Heron slowly walked down the roof to the eaves and guttering whereupon it flopped down on to the back garden fence – which has a hedge and trees grown in front of it (a safe haven for the birds), a natural obstacle, or so I thought. The Grey Heron then with a single flap of its wings hopped onto the top of the dividing fence-line... which also has a hedge in front of it and then down onto the flagged patio area! I just watched in amazement. Grabbed the camera and took a couple of shots in the rain. I wasn't about to allow the Grey Heron to clear out the pond of my amphibians and a sudden movement from me and it was off. There is now netting over the pond. I wouldn't mind if I lived in acres of landscaping but the garden is so small, 'pocket handerkerchief',  you can't swing a cat – I've tried!* 

Down at Newton Marsh, one of those mixed days where the skies were grey, leaden and threatening while the sun broke out through a gap in the clouds and I managed a shot of Shoveler in flight. A male came close enough not to be ignored. I've always liked Shoveler but can't help but think how odd they look. I think physchologically I have a soft spot for them because they look so odd – a Friday afternoon job, where while creating the Shoveler, somebody grabbed a beak at the last minute, without looking and threw it on before rushing off to the pub. I always expect to see them on Saturday morning when somebody has corrected the error and put a 'proper' beak on them – but it never happens. So they are left with that daft look for eternity. Of course we all know this is natural selection at work and their bills are a great device for their filter feeding. I still have empathy for them.

A Common Sandpiper or two have been around. The water levels have dropped considerably and this has improved conditions for the waders, especially the Black-tailed Godwits but not of course for the ducks.

Down at Preston Docks for a check on the Common Terns, and a number of hirundines were near the lock gates in a very strong wind, which seizing the opportunity allowed me to take a couple of images of Swallows and a lone Sand Martin. Martin Jump found a Gannet in the dock and we were there to grab a couple of images. Unfortunately it expired that evening. I wasn't going to post the photos of the bird but in retrospect, there is no sympathy in nature only a human projection, and such a magnificent bird it should be appreciated not mourned.

*(just a joke)

hope the Blue Tits do well this year

'tidying-up' can be counter-productive

unwanted garden visitor

'hilda ogden's'

common sandpiper

In flight Swallows... a challenge!

a lone Sand Martin

Gannet at Preston Dock

sadly expired that evening

an early morning

Remember summer ?

What an introduction to life in the uk ...

(I just hope it reproduces ok... technology!)

Interesting to see how alert they remain watching fo any insect within range and those whistling ducks!

unfortunately in the cut down version by blogger, you can't quite see the rain falling or beads of raindrops on their feather, but you get the idea and a reminder of that year!

Summertime...

I did say, I'd try and catch up... I am not doing a very good job!

These swallows, photographed at Newton Marsh in early July seemed to say in pictures, more than we can say in words about this year's summer.

I need to do some checking on my five and six spot Burnet Moths – anyone?

I came across my first Meadow Brown, where last year there were loads of Common Blues, Skippers, Tortoiseshell, Peacock and of course Meadow Brown, this year — zilch, nowt bar one.

I'd been spending a little time on moths, as again I know nowt, moved my recycling bin and found this Scalloped Oak (and a Large Yellow Underwing but too dark to photograph).

My annual sojourn across the border produced a Common Orchid and surprisingly (for me) a number of Ringlet. I say surprising, because they are supposed to be 'common' yet I have not found any over here and these were limited to a stretch of about 20 yards (sod metric) of riverbank. I'm not sure but suspect the two were coupled in mating but can't be one hundred percent sure.

Newton Marsh, Swallows and Sands

I made a relatively early start at Newton Marsh with a view to going across the Fylde to Fluke Hall et al. Newton Marsh was very quiet, only to be expected at this time of year and there didn't seem to be even a little mouse moving... so time to head off, especially as it was just beginning to rain. One last check of the marsh and all of a sudden a number of Swallows descended onto the boundary fence along with a few Sand Martins. Plenty of juveniles and youngsters amongst them so I hung around for a while. There didn't seem to be too much insect life about at that time, wet and miserable yet one or two adults called in and fed the odd youngster. Before I know where I was it was mid-morning.

ve harv vaes orf escaping...   don't tell him your name Pike!  The Colditz boundary at Newton Marsh... two fences and electrified!

enough wire?

no not waiting to be fed....

...on yer bike mate

Here comes summer ...not on your nellie!

As a break from the three subject matter of recent posts (more to follow!) here is a bit of a change.

Juvenile Chiffchaff. (see below)

It must be summer, juvenile swallow 

Juvenile Swallow

the problem I had getting that yellow oil seed rape in the background...

Juvenile Swallows

I assume all the same family

Who were still begging for food from the adults

NOT on your nellie mate! This poor Sand Martin juvenile is unwelcome!

There was a bit of commotion in the trees outside the house as a flock of long-tailed tits accompanied by a family of blue tits were passing through. Amongst them was a juvenile Chiffchaff and I grabbed a photo through the double glazing, so not great.

Meanwhile on a visit to Newton Marsh a number of hirundines as usual and I came across what looked like a family of juvenile roosting up and waiting to be fed by passing adults – although I didn't see any feeding, perhaps because I was close by. The last photo seems to capture a certain vehemence from one juvenile of a species to another... I don't think the Sand Martin juvenile was welcome do you?

I wanted to check on that first photo, I had it as Chiffchaff but thought their was the possibility of Willow Warbler. You may want to see the dialogue at http://www.birdforum.net/showthread.php?t=204178

Newton Marsh... bright 'n sunny!

For once the sun was out...

A buzzard dived and harrassed by a single... carrion crow?

Juvenile Coot always look like something else, dunno what though

Male Garganey, a shy creature

Female Black Tailed Godwit

Male Black Tailed Godwit

Male Black Tailed Godwit

Maurading cows with Godwits

Grey Partridge

Juvenile Lapwing

Adult Lapwing disturbed by marauding cows

Redshank

Adult Shoveler

Skylark

Swallow

Swallow

It has been a funny year down at Newton Marsh so far this year, I don't know, it just has been different. I think the artificially high water didn't help in earlier months. Perhaps not only more traffic, literally but also 'on foot'. The male Garganey has attracted new visitors of homo sapiens and now the water has dropped and the birds can 'dabble' and feed a relatively broad number of bird species are around. Everyone tends to focus on the marsh but there is also plenty to see here and there on the periphery etc. The best time is pre or post traffic and now the days are longer an early start is possible and can be rewarding. Late evening visits are often compromised by additional visitors and the sun setting straight on in full face, you don't want to be looking straight into the sun with binoculars!

Does that Carrion Crow harrassing the buzzard look 'big', it does to me, looking at the photo again. Maybe it's the angle. Any comments? Juvenile Coots are just plain ugly and don't look as if they will grow into their adult form! The male Garganey is apparently a secretive bird and it certainly hasn't wanted its photograph taking when I have been there, always keping a good distance away, but appears very relaxed, dabbling all the time before departing to the reed beds. Often feeing in the company of Shoveler. There are about 60–70 Godwits about, often feeding down towards the far end, Freckleton but occassionally one or two come within range... unless as I encountered; a gentleman in shorts and white tee shirt decides to promenade alng the fenceline. "Nice Spot this" he commented as everything disappeared over the horizon... I had to enlighten him that it was even better when the birds weren't disturbed, there ended my visit. These are a compilation of images taken from a couple of visits, one being before the milkman was up! Looking out of my window, we seem to have stair-rods and further rain forecast all week, looks like getting out this week will be problematic.

Oh and one final comment, I have lots of excellent photos of birds taken at Newton Marsh with out of focus wire fencing right through the middle of them.