Eric & Lesley's Wildlife Blog

Who Goes There?

27/3/2014

The miracle of Bird migration is underway for another year. Some Ospreys have returned and Sand Martins have been seen along with Chiffchaffs singing in at least three locations.

Many of our resident birds have also begun preparing for the next generation. Nest building is under construction for many - Grey Wagtails and Dipper come to mind.

Feeding stations are still popular. Among the visitors mine attracts Robins, famously not able to get on with one another. The one in the picture is threatening another. It is ready for combat.

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Hare today

13/3/2014

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We had not climbed a mountain this year due to the wind, rain, too much snow or family commitments, so decided to remedy that today. The climb seemed very steep and tough going, particularly as we saw very little on the way, just a few Red Grouse. Once up on the top, we had a great sense of achievement having actually made it, but still no wildlife!

After lunch, we started exploring and soon found nervous Mountain Hares (better than nothing), then a nice Ptarmigan pair, still predominantly white, but they soon flew off. So we started heading back to the ski area, but found some more hares to detain us, including this one that was more obliging.

Our descent went smoothly, and once down we hunted round the car park and were rewarded with a little flock of Snow Buntings. Quite a day with three mountain specials seen and photographed.

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British Rail

3/3/2014

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It would be nice if we could photograph all the local birds locally. I do try to cover them as fully as I can but some birds are easier elsewhere which is why it is best to travel.
For the first week in February we travelled to Norfolk to see what we could manage. Barn Owls were an undoubted highlight as was a British Glossy Ibis. Who would have thought? I don't remember the first Ibis I ever saw but I know it was in the Gambia more than 30 years ago and I remember one of the seasoned travellers saying "There, that's your first Ibis". I guess they saw we had the travel bug bad and would see quite a few more in the intervening years.
As a picture from Norfolk I have chosen a Water Rail as an example of a bird I find difficult close to home but (obviously) possible in Norfolk.

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Who Goes There?

Hare today

British Rail

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