Monday 25 January 2010

Moth trap - no results

I had the trap out again on Friday Night and Saturday night. No Moths seen or captured, but did get a few small flies. A couple have been hijacked for further analysis.

Weather is getting milder again after the recent cold snap. At Chateau Martyn, minimum temperature last week was a +2C and maximum was +10C with about 15mm of rain. Much better, although the exotic birds that visited the garden have not reappeared despite tempting them with an assortment of fruit.. However, it has returned a little colder in the past 24 hours or so with a light dusting of snow over the higher moorland.

Friday 15 January 2010

Snow going

Although the snow is disappearing fast (it's been raining most of the day), we have had quite a few different types of birds in today. The Greater Spotted Woodpecker and the Redwing was back at lunch time and this afternoon, a flock of blue tits, great tits and long tailed tits took advantage of an impromptu birdbath in the guttering around the conservatory. This was despite the fact that I had put fresh water out for them in a bowl sitting on the ice on the traditional bird bath. This was much better though, hiding behind the curtains in my daughters bedroom, I really enjoyed their antics. Sadly, the light was too poor for any decent photography, but I did manage to get a couple of snaps which hopefully, I will post later.

Tuesday 12 January 2010

Redwing - another new one

Delighted to see this in the Garden this afternoon. There was actually a pair having a real battle before this chased the other one off.



I need to complain about the lack of bird species more often. I also had another new one yesterday - only saw it briefly, had a white crest on a black head - not a long tailed tit - about the size of a chaffinch.

Thursday 7 January 2010

Late Christmas pressie

My darling daughter bought me a pond dipping net for Christmas. A really excellent quality unit from Bioquip in Warrington... arrived yesterday

Here is a link: http://www.bioquip.net/

Fieldfare- back again

Back again this lunchtime, removing the last of the berries. I did manage to get a couple of shots of him in the snow.. (and in the sun). Quite amusing to watch him identifying a target then almost 'bouncing' up to get the berry and then landing again in almost the same place. Couldn't have done better on a trampoline.







Fieldfare


Apparently they are commonish but this is the first I have seen in the garden. Shame it wasn't in the sun.. but Heyho..




Friday 1 January 2010

Happy New Year

I suppose this is the last post for 2009. . Hopefully 2010 will bring more success at the trap than I have had the last week. The trap has been on very night since Christmas day and the only animal trapped was a bluebottle house fly. I did manage to capture a moth by the back door but have not managed to identify it yet.(postscript - Winter Moth). It died in capivity but with the wings folded vertically (like a butterfly).

I will send my 2009 results off to the VC58 county recorder later and see what he thinks. I'll let you know..