December 2011

Sorry there has been a lack of news for six months. Retiring tomorrow 23rd December so will re-start in the New Year.

Wednesday 29th June 2011.

Weather still warm. Last few days I have photographed in the Garden a Tree Bumblebee, Leaf Cutter Bee, Garden Bumblebee and a Red Damsel Fly. In neighbour's garden was a good example of a Green Emperor Dragon Fly.
Fox seen in garden yesterday at 10.30 pm.

Wednesday 23rd May 2011.

Mixed weather last few days.
Hedghog seen each night feeding on spilt Bird Food. Good news this as not seen much Hog movement this year.
In recent days have had young Goldfinches, Sparrows, Woodpecker, Greenfinches & Blackbirds feeding from Bird Feeders.
Two Swift eggs have hatched in neighbours Swift Box in last few days.

Sunday 12th June 2011

On early morning walk today took a wicked picture of Mum Muntjack and Young. In the Garden I now have a Garden Bees Nest in the Shed. Already have Leaf Cutters and Mason Bees.
Very wet today.

Saturday 11th June 2011

Sadly have had to Bury an Adult Hedghog. Had not been well for a few days. Been a great week for young birds in the garden. Today have had young Great Tits, Goldfinges, Thrushes, Greenfinches, Chafinges and Sparrows. Woody and the Jays still taking loads of Monkey Nuts.

Walked today from Fobney to Burghfield along the Kennet & Avon Canal stopping at the Cunning Man for a couple of pints of Haymaking.
Watched a Heron in full flight, very majestic against the Blue Sky, Grey Wagtail, Canada Geese with Young, Blue & Red Damsel Flies and Blue May Flies also seen.

A Good Day!

Sunday 5th June 2011.

At last Rain tonight after another very warm week.Early morning walk today to Southcote Pond along the Kennet & Avon Canal. Good to be out in the Fresh Air but sadly no Wildlife to report. Not even a photograph taken!

In the Garden today Goldfinches, Blue Tits, Blackbirds, Starlings, Woodpecker and Sparrows were all being fed by Mum or Dad.

Spotted an adult Hedgehog but not happy with the state of it, very shakey and moved very slowly. Will have to keep an eye on him/her.

Thursday 2nd June 2011.

Good News - young Spotted Woodpecker being fed by Mum in the Garden Judas Tree today. Young Thrush feeding for itself now under the Bird Feeder.
Jays still busy taking Monkey Nuts, wish I knew where the young are.
Weather very warm again.

Monday 30th May 2011

Home after a few days on the River Thames in London. Garden grateful for the rain this afternoon. Can't believe how many Monkey Nuts the Jays are taking, must have young somewhere close.
Second pair of Swifts next door have laid an egg today, expecting a couple more.

Had a good walk this morning by the Canal as far as Southcote Pond. Cuckoo still singing well, good to see so many Swallows about flying under the bridges. Grey Wagtail, Heron and the Family of Canada Geese also seen.

Thursday 26th May 2011.

A wet day! At last we have the water buts full again. Downside was the strong wind. No other news to report, Birds not affected by the rain/wind, Woodpecker and Jay still taking loads of Monkey Nuts. Starlings still eating at least two fat balls a day.

Wednesday 25th May 2011.

Another warm day.
Jay and Woodpecker very busy taking Monkey Nuts, can only assume there are young about. Not seen young in Garden yet, last year I had young Woodpeckers being fed by the Male.
Thrush in Garden all day ground feeding under the Fat Ball Feeder. Even more Starings today, flying in formation round the Garden tonight.

Tuesday 24th May 2011.

Weather still dry and warm, garden in dire need of rain now. Starlings still making loads of noise while being fed, over 30 Starlings on lawn yesterday lunchtime.
Worried about the Wren again, not seen her feeding for two days now. Good to see a young Thrush being fed this week. Last saw a Thrush during the Snowy period in January.
Swifts have settled again although only two eggs now following the fight last week.

Friday 20th May 2011.

Foxy back in Garden under the Summer House. Completly emptied a large plant box, looking for bulbs no doubt as only soil left.
Wren still busy feeding, so surprised still feeding, thought would have fledged by now.
Swift news not good, nest taken over by two other Swifts causing mahem. There was a 7 hour battle with at least one egg broken. All being recorded by neighbour.

Tuesday 17th / Wednesday 18th July.

Sparrowhawk spent time in garden last night, never caught a bird, could not have been hungry as there were plenty of young Birds about.
Bit worried about the Wren, not much feeding going on. Starlings could not make more noise! Hundreds of them. Woodpecker and Jays returned after an absence of about a month. Both eating me out of house and home of Monkey Nuts.
The Robin rescued last weekend is a surviver, seen today on feeder.
Swifts have been a worry, an intruder entered today causing mayhem for 7 hours. Original pair back together tonight and sitting back on eggs, fingers crossed.

Tuesday May 17th.

Weather still fine, getting desperate for rain now. Been a good 8 weeks without rain. Sparrow Hawk spent time in the garden tonight, not aware anything caught despite a Pigeon staying arround. Starlings so noisy with their young, got through a complete fat block today.
Bit worried about the Wren, not seen today. Will check the nest tomorrow.

Monday May 16th.

Lots been going on the last few days.
In the Garden the Robin rescued from neighbours Cat continues to thrive. Wren still feeding, expect to fledge very shortly.
Jays have re-appeared after a break of about three weeks, eating loads of Monkey Nuts each Day.
Starlings Fledged, so noisy! Unbelieviable yesterday, Mum took a whole Grape from the feeder and rammed it down the throat of a young.
Swift has now laid 3 eggs, interesting days ahead.
On walks this weekend spotted 2 Nightingales at Hosehill, Theale. Skylarks also spotted at Englefield nesting in the Wild Flower Meadow.

Tuesday 10th May.

Wren still busy feeding young. After an absence of a couple of weeks Mrs.Spotted Woodpecker re-appeared tonight. Hopefully there will be young to feed.
Noticed a Chaffinch has nested in the Leilandi Tree and was busy feeding tonight.
Four Swifts entertained tonight with their singing and flying display.

Monday May 9th.

Another warm day.
A pair of Orange Tipped Butterflies spotted in garden, not seen before.
Neighbour has Swifts nesting, today laying an egg for starters.

May 8th 2011

Good early morning walk by the Kennet & Avon Canal, after heavy overnight rain the countryside looked particularly green. Wild Flowers beginning to flower now. Good to see the Swallow back nesting under the Railway Bridge at Southcote. Blue Tit also nesting under the bridge. Grey Wagtails nesting close to the weir.
At home not much activity, Wren still busy feeding. Fox been about digging holes but no sign of Cubs. Watched Bats for an hour tonight flying about the garden.

07/05/11

Wildlife in the Garden
*****************
Wren busy feeding young.
Robin appeared a couple of times in old nest, perhaps another brood beckons.
Leaf Cutter Bees very busy, at least 6 tubes blocked.
Heron trod and destroyed the Frog Spawn, that is bad news.
Pictures on Flickr of newly hatched Spiders which were nesting on the Garage Door.

26/04/10

Testing