We dipped the ponds yesterday to check on the progress of the Natterjack tadpoles, they are difficult to find at the moment, we did find some newly emerged, which is good news, but the first batch still show no signs of legs. What we did find with legs were quite a few Palmate Newt Larva, […]
Weather a bit cooler and showery, not much to see in the morning, but it did brighten up in the afternoon and birds were out gathering food to try and fill the young, caught on camera, a Sedge warbler with a caterpillar then a Meadow Pipit with another type of caterpillar. Also found a couple […]
Yesterday and today a Great Crested Grebe has been seen on the fishing pond, managed a couple of long shots. Also found a Common Mallow in flower just by the waste bin at the car park on the front. Bob and Bri
Mother and calf are doing fine, born just two weeks ago, the other three are a few weeks older and can be seen lazing in the morning sun and then calling on there new mate. Bob and Bri
The family of swans lost one of the cygnets on Saturday night transferring from the fishing pond up to the long pond, and today they had moved again to a smaller pond but all six remaining cygnets are still OK. There were also another two swans and a cygnet from last year visiting one of […]
Yesterday must have been the warmest day this year, lots of Immature Common Blue Damselflies, Four Spot chasers, moths and Butterflies, found an ideal spot in a dip at the west side of the rifle butts. We also came across a little fat froglet, doesn’t look like a common type, see photo. This years seven […]
The Great Tit is back nesting in an old stump of a tree behind Gillies pond, only 10 yards from the Sparrow Hawk’s nest, watched today as it carried food for the young. Bri
On our way up this morning Ian told us that some of Brian’s cows were out of the enclosure and he had phoned Bri to let him know. When we arrived at the first gate Bri was still trying to find them, eventually found them at the curved seat. While we were gassing, like old […]
Butterflies Lots around at the moment, The Wall, are starting to emerge in great numbers, saw my first Small Copper yesterday, and a Lead Belle moth. Bird Song Each day we are greeted by the chorus of Warblers and a lonely Song Thrush, who sits on the same bush every morning. Sparrow Hawks The pair […]
5th May 2014 Visited Gillies this morning. There was a sedge warbler singing in a willow near the pond and a blackcap not far away. Further round, beyond the dense willows onto the scrubby area, a lesser whitethroat was singing and I eventually managed to see it. There were chiffchaffs and a male reed bunting […]