[Note: Click on an image to enlarge it. Click again to zoom in further.] Sorry David, only remembered I hadn’t posted your collated totals for June as we are due to do July’s survey!(N.B. Shelduck was a write-in on the June survey; adult Sand Martins numbered around 21 – hard to count as they zoom […]
Pete Lambert wrote today: Tuesday 7 July 2011Two interesting records in my walk this morning. My first Ring-necked Parakeet record at the Marshes when one flew NE over the Green Bridge at 7.38am! Then at Stonebridge Lock what I guess was the same bird flew south at 7.50am. Later, I stood at the section […]
Tuesday 28 June 2011Signs today of the bird seasons moving on with my first Little Grebe since early April, in the channel just south of the Green Bridge. Almost at the same time, a Green Sandpiper flew high NE overhead calling. Again my first since April. Otherwise, I saw a Sparrowhawk carrying prey, but this […]
Our Sand Martins are doing well, with 29 chicks counted so far and activity in the other holes. As can be seen from the last picture some chicks have already fledged and left the nest. It is usual that Sand Martins have two broods and there are signs that some brids are already preparing for […]
Acouple of pictures of the Spotted Fly catcher seen during pete Lambert’s guided walk at the end of last month. David Cottridge
More images of Dragonflies from last Thursday and Friday Large Red Damselfly Pyrrhosoma nymphula– male Broad-bodied Chaser Libellula depressa– female. This female was hovering over the water surface, as in the photograph, and ovipositing (egg-laying). Azure Damselfly Coenagrion puella – Male Azure Damselfly – Male and female joined ‘in tandem’ with female ovipositing. David Cottridge
We have some new arrivals on the marshes – Pymmes Brook to be exact. I spent a bit of time yesterday watching the 14 Sand Martin holes, and there is activity in all of them. I think the development of the chicks must be at different stages as at two holes I observed three chicks […]
Pete Lambert saw a young kestrel being fed on the gasometer yesterday. So looks like a successful breeding season for the resident pair. He also spotted a male linnet singing in the brambles on Clendish marsh. DMC
Red-eyed Damselfly – Erythromma najas – male Three pictures of dragonflies from Stonebridge Pond last week. They should be around for a couple of weeks. Also saw an Emperor Dragonfly (UK’s largest) near Orchid Meadow. Dragonflies are most active on warm sunny days with little or no wind. Broad-bodied Chaser – Libellula depressa – male […]
Three more pictures of our Sand Martins from Pymmes Brook Three