I've been putting off for weeks now, but today the new lawn had a trim. But as per normal, after a good mow, I found plenty of other things to do in the garden.
I'm glad I chose today to stay at home as not only did two Chiffchaffs pass through, but a male Blackcap was singing (sub-song) from a couple of gardens down. Sadly it didn't stay long and headed up the island.
The wildflower garden is coming along well, and the whole area is covered in plants. I've just got to remember what seeds I threw over it.
Birds Recorded: Herring Gull Wood Pigeon Dunnock Robin Blackbird Song Thrush 1 Blackcap 2 Chiffchaff Great Tit Magpie Carrion Crow Jackdaw Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Goldfinch
It was a quick walk around my local patch with Ted, before I headed off to see the Audiologist in Weymouth. There wasn't much about in that biting cold easterly and the best I could find were 5 Meadow Pipits and a single Chiffchaff.
Other than that the more notable sightings were 3 Peacock Butterflies and several bee and hoverfly species.
Birds Recorded: 1 Cormorant 1 Sparrowhawk Herring Gull Wood Pigeon 5 Meadow Pipit 1 Pied Wagtail Dunnock Robin Blackbird 1 Chiffchaff Great Tit Blue Tit Wren Magpie Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Linnet Goldfinch Greenfinch
A Cormorant taking a short cut across the island. Its not often you see them flying over the island. This one was heading east.
After having my ears seen to I spent a good hour walking around Radipole Lake. And I can tell you it was good to hear properly again. A useful tip, don't wait over 10 years to have them seen to!
Highlights here were 2 Marsh Harriers north of the North Hide Screen, a Lesser Black-backed Gull and 5 singing Chiffchaff. Still no Blackcaps or Willow Warblers.
Other highlights were 10+ Peacock butterflies seen along my walk. No other species were seen.
Birds Recorded: 2 Great Crested Grebe 1 Grey Heron 6 Mute Swan Canada Goose 1 Shelduck Mallard Gadwall Teal Tufted Duck 2 Marsh Harrier Water Rail Moorhen Coot Black-headed Gull Mediterranean Gull 50+ Herring Gull 1 Lesser Black-backed Gull 4 Great Black-backed Gull Wood Pigeon Dunnock Robin Blackbird 5 Chiffchaff Great Tit Blue Tit Wren Magpie Carrion Crow Starling House Sparrow Chaffinch Goldfinch Greenfinch 5 Reed Bunting
A Great Crested Grebe..................
........fishing in the River Wey on the reserve.
And very successfully to. Here it has caught what looks like a Shanny(Lipophrys pholis). The water here is brackish and both Common Carp, Mullet and it seems Shanny's live here. Something was bothering me about this fish and on further investigation it turns out it is a Bullhead (Cottus gobio).
I'm glad I'm on the right side of the platform from this cob Mute Swan. He didn't seem that happy that I stopped to take his photo.
When you've been sat around for a long time...............
................its good to have a stretch. A drake Mallard, with his mate close by on a nest.
Here another pair of Mallard are in flight.
A drake Tufted Duck doing the backstroke.
A male Marsh Harrier over the north end of the reserve.
Just the one Lesser Black-backed Gull in amongst the many Herring Gulls
A male Reed Bunting
Escapees, Ferals, Possibles Etc. Feral pigeon
Butterflies Recorded: 10+ Peacock
So many Peacock butterflies about today. This one landed by my feet.
It's that time of year when our guests start to arrive at the caravan. So this afternoon Dawn and I did a bit Spring cleaning before the first guests arrive.
And afterwards as we normally do, we had a walk past the farm, both coves before heading back to the caravan.
With bright sunny conditions and the temperature around 14.0°C, I did hope there would be a few Willow Warblers and Blackcaps about. Sadly not and the best I could do was a single Chiffchaff singing.
Other highlights were 3 Curlewflying up the Fleet, plus a few Peacock and Comma butterflies.
