Saturday, September 10, 2011
Thursday, June 09, 2011
Garden Bloomers. ..
Well this is summer eh? Had breakins at our allotment site with 16 sheds being done - not much taken in the scheme of things but loads of hassle for those concerned with the damage done... Bastards, may they get their come upance.
On a brighter note, the garden id looking good at the moment... You might even say Rosey B-)
and finally my favourite
On a brighter note, the garden id looking good at the moment... You might even say Rosey B-)
 |
| Rosa 'Blush Noisette' |
 |
| Acer palmatum 'atropurpureum' |
 |
| Rosa 'Ferdinand Pichard' |
Monday, May 30, 2011
Whatever you do, don't Sneeze!
Spent an interesting few hours on SUnday freeing my nuts off in search of the Night heron at Earlswood lakes..I was unsuccessful but had a really good time chatting to the other birders there and especially Kevin Groocock and Matt Griffiths (the starter of this rumour ).
The day started off with a bit of a mix up over the minibus and we eventually decided to go local in cars (Did I tell you it was a bird club trip?) So 4 of them set off to Rutland and the remaining 7 of us set off for Earlswood Lakes after it was suggested we try for the Night heron . The other lot were well on the way by then so didn't turn around .
We got to Earlswood and had a quick look round and there was no sign so it was decided to push on to Upton Warren and then come back later to try again, but I took a few shots whilst we were there.
it was at this point Kammo Kath decided to get her camera ou and then just as she lined the shot up Alan Ramsell sneezed with the inevitable result
It was a bit slow as they say, and so anything that came into range got photo'd. The mandarin duck for one (along with his mate a female mallard).
Unfortunately for us the damn thing appeared about 30 minutes after we left but it was still a good day.
The day started off with a bit of a mix up over the minibus and we eventually decided to go local in cars (Did I tell you it was a bird club trip?) So 4 of them set off to Rutland and the remaining 7 of us set off for Earlswood Lakes after it was suggested we try for the Night heron . The other lot were well on the way by then so didn't turn around .
We got to Earlswood and had a quick look round and there was no sign so it was decided to push on to Upton Warren and then come back later to try again, but I took a few shots whilst we were there.
 |
| Banded Demoiselle |
 |
| Amphibious Bistort |
So after a quick tea stop it was off to Upton Warren (somewhere I've never been before) and what a nice little reserve. The highlight of the trip for me was a beautiful pair of Bullfinches first I've seen like this for ages.
 |
| Male Bullfinch |
 |
| Aaachoooo! |
So if you want a shot kath... £5 :D We had the usual warblerage singing away and this fella stopped for a quick pose.
 |
| Sedge Warbler |
and then it was back to earlswood for the long wait...
 |
| Mandarin and Mate |
 |
| Common Tern |
 |
| Sunset at Earlswood |
Monday, May 23, 2011
Norfolk Weekend - part two
So where did I leave you .. Ah yes, Titchwell so it must have been Sarnies, tea and bearded tits ! Right then Onwards and upwards.
Day 3 - The other way
Having ate heartily, we ventured to Kelling Heath in search of Dartford warblers of which there were none but we did get several stonechats and a solitary yellow hammer singing is heart out ( when he wasn't hanging on for grim death).
The heath looked a really good habitat but had had a few encounters with sparks from the steam engines of the North Norfolk Railway - never a good mix, dry heath and sparks. But I guess this will result in some re growth in a couple of years time.
Whilst here we bumped in to a ex pat from Warwickshire (whose name I can't remember) but we had a good chat about local birders that he knew so it was good.
Also, his colleague ( God, I'm resorting to work speak in my own time now!!) was incredibly knowledgeable about the chats on the heath, he must have spent years watching them !
From here we shot over to Salthouse, again windy but sunny. Here, after a bit of searching, we managed to tick off Wheatear, Rock pipit and shore lark so not bad for an hour or so. then over to Cley our last stop before we went home. I can recommend the Marsh-mans lunch - I have never seen such a slab of cheese!
On the Marsh we only visited the two nearest hides I didn't think the strong winds would be conducive to anything popping out of the reed and apart from the "usual suspects" as they say we did manage a little and Temincks stint so pretty good considering.
I think the final species tally was 56 birds, 8 butterflies 2 damsels and a dragonfly (no ID) which when it was more of a learning trip for my friend and poor conditions and not a twitching trip was well worth it. I just wish I could have taken more photo's but even with the tripod it was bad being buffeted all the time.
Day 3 - The other way
Having ate heartily, we ventured to Kelling Heath in search of Dartford warblers of which there were none but we did get several stonechats and a solitary yellow hammer singing is heart out ( when he wasn't hanging on for grim death).
 |
| Yellowhammer |
The heath looked a really good habitat but had had a few encounters with sparks from the steam engines of the North Norfolk Railway - never a good mix, dry heath and sparks. But I guess this will result in some re growth in a couple of years time.
 |
| Female Stonechat |
Whilst here we bumped in to a ex pat from Warwickshire (whose name I can't remember) but we had a good chat about local birders that he knew so it was good.
 |
| Male Stonechat |
Also, his colleague ( God, I'm resorting to work speak in my own time now!!) was incredibly knowledgeable about the chats on the heath, he must have spent years watching them !
From here we shot over to Salthouse, again windy but sunny. Here, after a bit of searching, we managed to tick off Wheatear, Rock pipit and shore lark so not bad for an hour or so. then over to Cley our last stop before we went home. I can recommend the Marsh-mans lunch - I have never seen such a slab of cheese!
 |
| Another Marsh man after his lunch |
On the Marsh we only visited the two nearest hides I didn't think the strong winds would be conducive to anything popping out of the reed and apart from the "usual suspects" as they say we did manage a little and Temincks stint so pretty good considering.
I think the final species tally was 56 birds, 8 butterflies 2 damsels and a dragonfly (no ID) which when it was more of a learning trip for my friend and poor conditions and not a twitching trip was well worth it. I just wish I could have taken more photo's but even with the tripod it was bad being buffeted all the time.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
