tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9518522806579022742024-03-19T04:20:35.445+00:00North Bucks WildlifeNorth Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.comBlogger164125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-17183861838894363592011-05-18T10:45:00.000+01:002011-05-18T10:46:31.498+01:00Bats are back !I'd staked out last years Noctule roost a couple of times in the day over the last few weeks to see if I could hear them. My results were 1 Greater Spotted Woodpecker in and out and worst still 2! Grey Squirrels poking out of two of the holes last weekend. Last night was show time as I'd organised to lead a walk (back in February) for the local natural history society to see the emergence (presuming the bats would return ;). Having not done a proper emergence survey I was unsure that any bats were actually in the roost. I popped up after tea with my daughters for one final check before leading the walk. My youngest was adamant she'd heard them for a second from inside the tree. But I struggled due to all the bird noise. I started to stake out the tree around 2030 and was chuffed to hear them inside the roost. The 20 or so MKNHS members then joined and had to wait until 2109 before the first Noctule emerged soon followed by another 21. This follows the pattern of last years results, where the same number were recorded at this time of year and soon grew to the high 70's later in the summer.<br /> I'm well chuffed.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-8502548846024639902011-04-08T14:07:00.002+01:002011-04-08T14:27:38.059+01:00Linford Lakes at lunch timeGlorious sunshine and no breeze.<br />Reserve was very quiet with a Little Ringed Plover the only wader. A pair of Red Crested Pochard we a belated year tick. At least 2 Cettis Warblers singing were the only other birds of note.<br />Insects were the order of the day with numerous Bee Flies and even two locked back to back mating. Butterflies included my first Speckled Wood of the year, also Peacock, Orange Tip, Small White, male and female Brimstones.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-61238107404858114672011-04-07T14:49:00.003+01:002011-04-07T14:56:47.620+01:00CMKA quick stop off at CMK this morning on the way to work yielded 7 Wheatears strung out in a line. I could also hear a Meadow Pipit close by but couldn't see it.<br /><br />At lunch time as I walked through the car park at the back of work I saw my first Orange Tip of the year. Taking my butterfly tally to 6.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-51781518190725939182011-04-06T15:00:00.003+01:002011-04-06T15:07:15.957+01:00Manor Farm todayLunch time visit. 20 Oc, Sunny but blustery.<br />1 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Redshank, 1 Oystercatcher, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 5 Linnets, 3 Sand Martins and 1 Meadow Pipit feeding out on the spit for a few seconds - was hoping is was something rarer, but alas not.<br /><br />Also 1 female Brimstone.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-76688612129573842612011-04-05T14:13:00.004+01:002011-04-06T16:46:22.389+01:00Willen and CMKPopped into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Willen</span> this lunchtime. From the hide 1 Green Sandpiper, 2 Common Tern, 1 Little Grebe, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 2 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Oystercatchers</span>, 1 female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Goldeneye</span> and a Willow Warbler in full song behind me. The South Lake held nothing of note.<br />Onto <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">CMK</span> other than Wood Pigeons a single singing Skylark was noted.<br /><br />Plus the Common Pipistrelle was feeding in the back garden around 20:00 tonight.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-36486148710240522552011-04-05T12:24:00.004+01:002011-04-05T13:02:10.338+01:00Round upFew bits and bobs:<br />Sunday early morning - at least 2 Smooth Newts in the pond next to Shenley Wood.<br /><br />Monday - Manor Farm Gravel Workings, a lunch time visit - 3 Yellow Wagtail, 2 Green Sandpipers, 1 Little Ringed Plover, 1 Swallow, 2 Sand Martins, 2 Buzzards, 1 Oystercatcher and 1 Little Egret. Site looks good for spring wader migration!<br /><br />Tuesday (today) - Gallows Bridge BBOWT NR, Rob and I set off from MK at 05:20 and were first to arrive in the car park as dusk approached at 05:55. We set off towards the hides which we could just make out in the gloom. Scanning the large open meadow in front of us it wouldn't be hard to see if last nights COMMON CRANE was still on site this morning. My bins (10x) could barely pick out the Canada Geese. So I set up my scope (20-60x) and started to scan. My first impression of an object was a white carrier bag stuck on the fence line, it wasn't until the neck and head appeared to start moving, so I paid closer attention. Eventually I gave up and asked Rob to have a look - 06:17 - bingo it was the Common Crane, Bucks ticks for both Rob and I. We were then joined by a Northants birder in a suit and tie! and enjoyed the Crane for another 10 minutes. We then had to head back to MK before the rush hour started and to get the family up. Other birds on site (in the gloom) were Curlew, Meadow Pipits, Skylarks and a few bits of wildfowl. There appeared to be more Hares in the meadow than birds, you could see their black tipped ears walking under our scoped views as we watched the Crane.<br />Nice when a planned twitch and Bucks tick come together.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-4116244487851922162011-03-31T13:36:00.004+01:002011-03-31T13:51:11.547+01:00Linford Lakes at lunch timeWarm and sunny but somewhat pegged back by 21 mph south westerlies, seemed like a good idea to finally get out and connect with some spring and summer migrants, well that was the plan.<br />Having missed Water Pipit and both sorts of small plovers at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Linford</span> recently I thought I'd give it a lunch time dash. Nice to see Cowslips and Celandine's in flower along the footpath in. Numerous <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chiff</span> Chaffs were vocal and the odd <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Blackcap</span> joined in in the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">bustery</span> conditions. One loan Comma made up my fifth butterfly species of the year (having added Small Tortoiseshell, Peacock and Small White in Cornwall at the weekend). From Near Hide a pair of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">Oystercatchers</span>, 1 Little Egret and a female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Goosander</span> were the best spots. Still not seen a <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">hirundine</span> this year. On the walk back a very quick view of a probable Small White butterfly. Also nice views of a male <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Blackcap</span> and a pair of Great Tits displaying and mating.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-72693362486109935942011-03-30T22:08:00.004+01:002011-03-30T22:18:43.393+01:00Local area - MedbourneWalked the girls to school this morning, we again checked out the local pond next to Shenley Wood. Still no newts, spawn or frogs in evidence. I did however hear my first Blackcap of the year duelling with a Chiff Chaff just inside the wood. Further on towards school I again spotted the House Sparrow pair feeding under the Hawthorn hedge near the play park.<br /><br />Tonight I thought I'd try and increase my bat species list. I gave it 30 minutes in the back garden facing the wood. I did see a Buzzard flying west hotly pursued by two Crows. The Jackdaw roost is still around 300, amazing how they always fly in pairs, even when there are a few hundred flying over you. But alas I didn't see any Noctules, Brown-long Eared or even last weeks Common Pipistrelle. Still, it's early in the season.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-72127035142658623632011-03-22T14:31:00.002+00:002011-03-22T14:34:28.631+00:00Willen SouthA shorter lunch today, so thought I'd check out <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Willen</span> South for spring migrants.<br />2 Buzzards, a drake and 3 female <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Goldeneye</span> were the best spots. Not many ducks or gulls either.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-23845595296096745042011-03-22T09:31:00.002+00:002011-03-22T09:44:12.276+00:00Back garden Pipistrelle 45Over the past few evenings I've been gazing out the kitchen window at dusk looking for my first bat of the season. On the 21/03/2010 (at 18:54 looking at last years field notes) I saw (and heard) my first Common Pipistrelle. Last night I looked out the back window and again saw the hundreds of Jackdaws swirling over Shenley Wood before they roost. At 18:40, bang on cue a bat flew over the house. I found one of my bat detectors and raced outside with the frequency set to 45. I then had to wait another 5 minutes before a Common Pipistrelle (45) did a few flybys over the back gardens and happily fed. I even got the girls to come out and have a look (and listen) to this marvellous mosquito muncher. Mammal number 5 and Bat seasons open!North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-4401449779049357782011-03-21T15:18:00.006+00:002011-03-21T15:51:17.669+00:00Walton Balancing LakesWith a report yesterday of a Bearded Tit still at Walton I thought I'd take a quick look in my dinner hour. The V8 was awash with Primroses and trees in 'white' blossom all the way down from the city centre. A balmy 14 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">oc</span> and light winds made for a pleasant half an hour observing from the platform.<br />A singing <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chiff</span> Chaff in a tall Silver Birch was my first of the year. A Grey Heron was also flushed from the cleared section on arrival. A couple of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Mistle</span> Thrushes flew over showing their 'white armpits'. Three Mallards then came through the reeds and started feeding in the clearing. A couple of 'squealing' Water Rails were also noted. I also noticed the reed cutting carried out by the Parks Trust and the 'numbered' tennis balls staked out in the local area. Hopefully the intended Harvest Mice don't mind their bright yellow 'prefab' homes!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ5mrGhuCDZPDNA5BBgFBt3LAlHngEdJKzXsxoIoUcpcCcDzM-y0RuOA-mdd6F1Sbg0lVnpVkrAUJGrZthq1RlAge09mVV_Z-bRu0by9QypFfSUM2KgQh7TB3QhH-zhMbY2kzNdY7J-g/s1600/IMG_0114.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLQ5mrGhuCDZPDNA5BBgFBt3LAlHngEdJKzXsxoIoUcpcCcDzM-y0RuOA-mdd6F1Sbg0lVnpVkrAUJGrZthq1RlAge09mVV_Z-bRu0by9QypFfSUM2KgQh7TB3QhH-zhMbY2kzNdY7J-g/s320/IMG_0114.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586558961867644914" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WZWWUFTnd7OmWvTP5y-EqL_ul-vHR_yFEll_8jtNDmpZ06Lt-LFF6BJeYK2LseriGViUcCRx6DpNVImN1zqOQlRMEddYZP_FE1j33ALLL1PZFuWBUQXJgcnKPYxwO5KLqhZjvwr_IlY/s1600/IMG_0115.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6WZWWUFTnd7OmWvTP5y-EqL_ul-vHR_yFEll_8jtNDmpZ06Lt-LFF6BJeYK2LseriGViUcCRx6DpNVImN1zqOQlRMEddYZP_FE1j33ALLL1PZFuWBUQXJgcnKPYxwO5KLqhZjvwr_IlY/s320/IMG_0115.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586558967263503522" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLvumQ8HXafv14EVWGpX5sdNcz7OWLFJ40jACuoyW_WBjD5DjeN8Xi8tyr8t3wHpcI7nxBLNtdFwZ6nGgp-6HE6S3JJKhB4AXAHFEzbAQ5nbc3mAlgpdzp4e6zUwiRpUPbQKQxXKUzL8/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWLvumQ8HXafv14EVWGpX5sdNcz7OWLFJ40jACuoyW_WBjD5DjeN8Xi8tyr8t3wHpcI7nxBLNtdFwZ6nGgp-6HE6S3JJKhB4AXAHFEzbAQ5nbc3mAlgpdzp4e6zUwiRpUPbQKQxXKUzL8/s320/IMG_0117.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586558973356584514" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvc4LcRrcu4WcZRlWQtKRmH6xT-sv_gNxollnGlyvbWVF8owUQEQc9r63pVMD8J672qUOAOJfqlNs5E-fxbWdKYnkNpqmijDXPJnUgS9JuNvrFdhNY4Adqbv-GQIvZiUjiPV74EICs_M/s1600/IMG_0116.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 239px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRvc4LcRrcu4WcZRlWQtKRmH6xT-sv_gNxollnGlyvbWVF8owUQEQc9r63pVMD8J672qUOAOJfqlNs5E-fxbWdKYnkNpqmijDXPJnUgS9JuNvrFdhNY4Adqbv-GQIvZiUjiPV74EICs_M/s320/IMG_0116.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5586558970617387474" border="0" /></a><br />record shots from my mobile<br /></div>North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-67873505068663776722011-03-18T15:15:00.003+00:002011-03-18T15:43:46.677+00:00Willen Lake yesterdayWith a text from Martin late afternoon yesterday of an Avocet at Willen. I made a detour on the way to Niks. Arriving at the same time as Rob, we started scanning the island from the sewage treatment works car park. Even at that range and with bins the Avocet was easily picked out feeding near a Grey Heron, along the side of the island. Alas other reports had had the bird feeding outside the hide - which was lucky as we'd not have seen it from the STW car park. I then thought about trying to find the Redshanks reported earlier. With bins, I spotted a small wader and thought that looked promising. Rob by now had set his scope up and advised it was a Ringed Plover. So I got my scope out (with a 60x zoom) and positioned myself on the side of Robs van (not enough time to get my tripod out) and used his roof as a tripod. With this view it defo looked like a Ringed Plover. But as mentioned on Robs blog <a href="http://birdingnorthbucksandbeyondblogspot.blogspot.com/">http://birdingnorthbucksandbeyondblogspot.blogspot.com/</a> and later reports on the NBBR <a href="http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/NBBR/">http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/NBBR/</a> stated it was a Little Ringed Plover. So I'll have to see both now to be sure of a proper 'year tick'.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-59445258620999356432011-03-18T09:33:00.005+00:002011-03-18T10:43:46.287+00:00Bechsteins talk last nightLast night I attend a meeting of the North Bucks Bat Group <a href="http://www.northbucksbatgroup.org.uk/">http://www.northbucksbatgroup.org.uk/</a> for an update on last years Bechsteins Project. I knew the results were good as I helped out with as many as I could. We recorded 9 different Bechsteins Bats in 16 surveys which is a great effort. We still have 13 more surveys to carry out this year between May and the end of June so could be a busy few months.<br />The other reason for this post is the meeting was in Winslow and I always enjoy the drive back to Milton Keynes through the country roads, looking for mammals or owls. On this journey and with many I completed last year, I spotted nothing at all. Ironically the only two mammals I did see were next to the last roundabout to my house! These included a scruffy, skinny Fox (actually walking into the undergrowth on the roundabout/island itself) and a Rabbit opposite, on it's back legs, bolt upright with it's ears fully stretched out. I'm guessing he'd seen the Fox and Fox not he. Makes you realise how much wildlife lives within Milton Keynes - or sad that there's not a lot to see in the countryside.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-48081362550576697862011-03-13T20:31:00.014+00:002011-03-15T10:32:40.320+00:00Rufous T. Dove for one morning only - praise the Lord !<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblwMyRUX6lyEhLNSGbZFCEbLhNJhyphenhyphen_HV11IMOryTaeqYxKKyB01cT5dLBlJms6Wrriaz0TgaYY9U8eoX60WiezU4rkEjJAmZJNQsZWg8muBNpcLJtOFcJFCXpElMKSFwykEfd13mYE7w/s1600/P1010219CopyCopy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 318px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblwMyRUX6lyEhLNSGbZFCEbLhNJhyphenhyphen_HV11IMOryTaeqYxKKyB01cT5dLBlJms6Wrriaz0TgaYY9U8eoX60WiezU4rkEjJAmZJNQsZWg8muBNpcLJtOFcJFCXpElMKSFwykEfd13mYE7w/s320/P1010219CopyCopy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584250290486722770" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Oriental (Rufous) Turtle Dove<br /></div>......sounds like a sixties soul singer !!<br />Well, with a weird 'free Sunday morning pass' from the Mrs - (I promise I will paint the en suite as soon as the 6 Nations is over :) and with no other (lifer) birds on. Rob and I decided (and as it's a year of 'lifers' for me) to give the Oriental (Rufous) Turtle Dove a go in Chipping Norton. On route from first light, I happily spotted a herd of 7 plus Roe Deer feeding in the lovely Oxfordshire countryside before we arrived in Chipping Norton. Plus we must have seen 30 plus Pheasants on route, some with the worst "green cross code" you could ever imagine.<br /><br />As we drove down The Leys at 07:25! We couldn't see any other birders outside number 41 - a good sign?? (it had had 600 backing up the hill!)<br />As we parked around the corner near Jewsons and walked back up 'The Leys' following another couple of birders we still thought it was looking good (i.e quiet).<br />We waited outside, the four of us, in the light drizzle, after about 5 minutes, we were ushered in by the house owner, Steve. Expecting to be asked to take our shoes off, I was surprised to see another 20/25 pairs of boots/shoes already lined up along the hallway?<br />As we entered the small dinning room, Steve briefed us as to the set up, we paid our £5 (to a worthy cause) and we were finally ushered into the kitchen, a long Victorian extension with nearly 20 birders already positioned, ready for the appearance of the Siberian Dove.<br />As Rob and I were positioned at the back of the kitchen next to the 'aga' and near the constantly trickling fish tank it was going to be a long, hot wait... - I mentioned to rob I recognised a silver haired gent at the front on the left - Geoff Dawes from Leighton Buzzard! who was a good friend who helps with the North Bucks RSPB local group! - small world birding or what!!<br />Rob and I waited patiently on the heated tiled floor / next to the pumping heat of the aga and even from our 'behind the back of the head views' notched up 6 Brambling, 5+ Bullfinch and numerous other 'garden' birds enjoying Steve's offerings.<br />It was not until 08:55 that finally the front row birders started muttering/shuffling/mentioning that the Oriental Rufous Turtle Dove (mega vagrant 3 star) had appeared in an ash tree out of mine and Robs views. After a few minutes Steve rota'd the assembled birders so that everyone at the back could get to the front and see this pretty bird. Which Rob and I did. Even better the OTD dropped down onto the bird table and munched with the best of them! Giving views down to 7 metres, before having enough and flying off into next doors.<br />At which point we left Steve's, giving our humble thanks. Well to us it was 'amazing' that he had allowed (and still does allow) bird watchers into his house to witness this amazing 'mega' bird - would you?<br /><br />Many thanks to Geoff Dawes for getting in touch and emailing me these shots taken on Sunday.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-V2rOrsUqNsrsrICVsDCR32FVrB0Nhwvd41tE4G2x-1VhKGXlBT8PezVsIXo8e7Pni49c08ZNkafHNWrJa0A9erlpAKKGeW6x2-KUKvyO6pH6-C9rBHOwbFCbh_WE87h-CV9tZryRYU/s1600/P1010216Copy%25282%2529.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhv-V2rOrsUqNsrsrICVsDCR32FVrB0Nhwvd41tE4G2x-1VhKGXlBT8PezVsIXo8e7Pni49c08ZNkafHNWrJa0A9erlpAKKGeW6x2-KUKvyO6pH6-C9rBHOwbFCbh_WE87h-CV9tZryRYU/s320/P1010216Copy%25282%2529.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584249804604478642" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DF0UJzR-aiQJKBJDfUfAFRv2HzlrUgJQINCA8sxLLBRs8bj80ffQtEquHoCbm3jy4AOtv55KFf5-9sFqVASbCdlnellcXjrgR7zCdGFVWve3zSAvciVtXSnUiaSSeMbt9MfdYePIxzQ/s1600/P1010207Copy.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3DF0UJzR-aiQJKBJDfUfAFRv2HzlrUgJQINCA8sxLLBRs8bj80ffQtEquHoCbm3jy4AOtv55KFf5-9sFqVASbCdlnellcXjrgR7zCdGFVWve3zSAvciVtXSnUiaSSeMbt9MfdYePIxzQ/s320/P1010207Copy.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5584249799941510146" border="0" /></a><br /></div>North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-50104439586895908302011-03-12T12:48:00.002+00:002011-03-12T12:56:22.227+00:00MedbourneDriving to school this morning to help out with a gardening detail. A Buzzard was being mobbed by a Crow, don't get many sightings on the estate. A couple of 7 Spotted Ladybirds were rescued from the kids whilst gardening. Driving home and parking up saw my first butterfly of the year with a splendid male Brimstone flying along the edge of Shenley Wood in the sunshine. Finally it looks like Blue Tits are nesting again in the back garden.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-29307058288038299102011-03-10T20:06:00.006+00:002011-03-10T20:29:20.318+00:00Moth IDWhilst putting the dustbins out this evening a moth flew into the garage and started flying around the internal light. I gave it a quick look over and thought I'd be able to 'ID' it from my books. I could not. So I went back into the garage and luckily the moth was still inside. After 5 minutes of getting it into a pot and bringing it inside. I'm was still none the wiser.<br />Guesses include a White-point!? So before I emailed a few experts I tried one last flick through the books when I came upon a 'Satellite' <span style="font-style: italic;">Eupsilia transversa, </span>I think it's this because of the two dots adjacent to the small white 'kidney' shape. It flies September to May in urban habitats.<br />A first for me I think.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuaFFu89LBuKfXck9WTyIR1Yw5530Dxx5BoI3a1A3fHB4RdRCOusvZbMno0sXwRRf2wR93AkXtNPOJGpI_t8PuDoNXnJ1xBCRHUY-wZ_WjVz-X9JFzQagOY0QyURTQKFzbm4W0w7VBOw/s1600/IMG_2557.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTuaFFu89LBuKfXck9WTyIR1Yw5530Dxx5BoI3a1A3fHB4RdRCOusvZbMno0sXwRRf2wR93AkXtNPOJGpI_t8PuDoNXnJ1xBCRHUY-wZ_WjVz-X9JFzQagOY0QyURTQKFzbm4W0w7VBOw/s320/IMG_2557.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5582548503188595426" border="0" /></a><br />Satellite <span style="font-style: italic;">Eupsilia transversa</span><br /></div>North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-43685473465715613252011-03-10T11:11:00.002+00:002011-03-10T11:36:31.261+00:00Mr SprawkyMaking the girls school lunches this morning, I looked out the kitchen window and Mr Sparrowhawk was back. Perched on the fence not 7 metres from me. I did the classic, 'put my hand in my pocket to use the camera on my mobile' and he was off in attack mode, he dashed off under the bird table and behind the garden shed. I waited half a minute to see if he was unsuccessful and would sit back on a fence. But all that happened next was a Blackbird was flushed from next doors and flew off.<br />I had noticed some larger droppings on the roof of the bird table and now predict he's been feeding in the garden for sometime.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-31091639559970827612011-03-08T14:08:00.003+00:002011-03-08T15:31:45.909+00:00Linford Lakes at lunch timeA rare lunch time trip out today and although very nice with the clear blue skies and plenty of sun shine. The best Ray <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stroud</span> and I could muster from Near Hide were 3 Snipe. Earlier I'd seen a female Bullfinch and could hear the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Siskins</span> further into the reserve. On the walk back an Early Bumble bee buzzed along one of the paths.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-84136018909446353462011-03-03T20:56:00.020+00:002011-03-04T10:42:29.347+00:00Lesser Horseshoe Hunt<span style=";font-family:";" >Two years after our failed attempt to locate 3 Lesser Horseshoe Bats at a farm in mid bucks, <span style=""> </span>Laura and I returned yesterday evening to do a ‘winter reccy’ of the garage that previously housed the Lessers, plus a Brown Long-eared maternity roost. With permission from, the very helpful, <span style=""> </span>Sue and the tenants and neighbour who share the loft</span><span style=";font-family:";" > space. Thi</span><span style=";font-family:";" >s is what w</span>e found. Double click on the photo's for a closer look.<br /><div style="text-align: left;"><span style=";font-family:";" >The first picture just goes to show the size if the 'loft' space basically it's above 3 large garages.<br /><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp9kZB6iGMnlKXSNl4qJ212jLUTod7h9ufj8sjF942PTsejAPDT_TALo37ujKghntUscBuVLw8LxE0E-nTgSJ6oPGiek7AYzMmQaZWodL5jvmSB74TBfjJb1rd5re0KQRImn36DD6KX4/s1600/IMG_2513.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqp9kZB6iGMnlKXSNl4qJ212jLUTod7h9ufj8sjF942PTsejAPDT_TALo37ujKghntUscBuVLw8LxE0E-nTgSJ6oPGiek7AYzMmQaZWodL5jvmSB74TBfjJb1rd5re0KQRImn36DD6KX4/s320/IMG_2513.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579963062147721746" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />These bricks with slits are positioned at both ends of the loft and allow the bats access into the space<br /></div><br /><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEF38jk1S8US3x4boHo-jcBXQ_fwaNqqkl8zf45q4ZH3Dp_71A0XrgHjvvlZEarIWLG7YHWLwSixr5IZ_oaQtm0FQnqtrfDfW71MJ4gWZYs5M8y_UOg1XaT10N346AOaeCCjjCZA2V0A/s1600/IMG_2508.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYEF38jk1S8US3x4boHo-jcBXQ_fwaNqqkl8zf45q4ZH3Dp_71A0XrgHjvvlZEarIWLG7YHWLwSixr5IZ_oaQtm0FQnqtrfDfW71MJ4gWZYs5M8y_UOg1XaT10N346AOaeCCjjCZA2V0A/s320/IMG_2508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579963066880201826" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNoSpacing">Also below these are smaller bricks that have a special cavity to house bats<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNoSpacing"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7peufBw3HLo1EGgUYT-S_Ns21s97P6lecOhiNUDyQ46ElAhxL-F9ULZmUKO-WbHXqB78YAOIVq91bQ1aYehj-fkX0ONcv7G-V_L8ft2hyphenhyphenPMu_id_19Q3Y74uJo1NspCPXxURXiwogUwA/s1600/IMG_2541.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7peufBw3HLo1EGgUYT-S_Ns21s97P6lecOhiNUDyQ46ElAhxL-F9ULZmUKO-WbHXqB78YAOIVq91bQ1aYehj-fkX0ONcv7G-V_L8ft2hyphenhyphenPMu_id_19Q3Y74uJo1NspCPXxURXiwogUwA/s320/IMG_2541.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579963072007909986" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: left;" class="MsoNoSpacing">Here's the view of these from the outside, with the shot on the right a close up of the smaller access point / hidden cavity. Also note the droppings.<br /></p><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQFsxlcl4VA4vV2IbOKZWb5sxLv_pMkQdb4jZv1G2Xgqo6DpnGkwYuOl9J_SCuBIUEaHKuy8G9LeBY6_FgNhqVD3-QRjtv1ScuAoxfAFIbtUDpBQqRIKmT66ZFUX_3g-kGTwc5LjVFSM/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyQFsxlcl4VA4vV2IbOKZWb5sxLv_pMkQdb4jZv1G2Xgqo6DpnGkwYuOl9J_SCuBIUEaHKuy8G9LeBY6_FgNhqVD3-QRjtv1ScuAoxfAFIbtUDpBQqRIKmT66ZFUX_3g-kGTwc5LjVFSM/s320/IMG_2547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579967683918599522" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E7-W8xp8fJQGGXY5jCHVbsM5hg5GaBZyjOuN6gmuh-YXjmadTRNqoD4TKZN8-zf79ecvowMLIWb5TWmle4R9AS0xqU9tY6XzZKEaNRUJl2CiGioGQRqpCxnbn1PyyKtHY1BVMjAsjRU/s1600/IMG_2546.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4E7-W8xp8fJQGGXY5jCHVbsM5hg5GaBZyjOuN6gmuh-YXjmadTRNqoD4TKZN8-zf79ecvowMLIWb5TWmle4R9AS0xqU9tY6XzZKEaNRUJl2CiGioGQRqpCxnbn1PyyKtHY1BVMjAsjRU/s320/IMG_2546.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579967690292983170" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Throughout the very clean loft we witness about 7 piles of bat droppings neatly deposited in a small area's. What was hard to work out was the fact that the bats didn't leave any signs of there presents on the actual roof space?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J_ip3OCwBKulhaVIXFutWZt2Sde-G-bX1_C75dUczRSp3LsPeWWZB98T3lx8iR5082tRBwyz4pV4RDeEFT7m9WUgwFaPAuYkejv2tirMUKE3ZytwfWmXYXAoXZAtwyd7p1vGFaZus5U/s1600/IMG_2507.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9J_ip3OCwBKulhaVIXFutWZt2Sde-G-bX1_C75dUczRSp3LsPeWWZB98T3lx8iR5082tRBwyz4pV4RDeEFT7m9WUgwFaPAuYkejv2tirMUKE3ZytwfWmXYXAoXZAtwyd7p1vGFaZus5U/s320/IMG_2507.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579970036852880002" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBdUArhUDQi6ULXshtLUHB_cpAGsOVCeJVcx-4IzfJlSe3PyXOmNOY49KV66_OJA-SSKgiOPhX_hWq8oT_DK6sXheRmr0gmJryZZhEBAt1zRQIJWkp9QMb121XLM8npPcy0K2frb3txc/s1600/IMG_2518.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivBdUArhUDQi6ULXshtLUHB_cpAGsOVCeJVcx-4IzfJlSe3PyXOmNOY49KV66_OJA-SSKgiOPhX_hWq8oT_DK6sXheRmr0gmJryZZhEBAt1zRQIJWkp9QMb121XLM8npPcy0K2frb3txc/s320/IMG_2518.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579970045081266178" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Another such area showing droppings but no signs of bats ever being present above<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tbsctw2Qmng1kKTQ-ph7h_XAGPvPNDvG7o5Oxm3ZJkBUbjDrl3JothoIKI1uU4B6r4Gtrgi4Rx0__REk2DsLxqbfD7T99Ch-yFcHpQmamsNuKtjUMZng-qu7b1GJNxsAajwb9wnGKLU/s1600/IMG_2519.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2Tbsctw2Qmng1kKTQ-ph7h_XAGPvPNDvG7o5Oxm3ZJkBUbjDrl3JothoIKI1uU4B6r4Gtrgi4Rx0__REk2DsLxqbfD7T99Ch-yFcHpQmamsNuKtjUMZng-qu7b1GJNxsAajwb9wnGKLU/s320/IMG_2519.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579970041867840226" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Then Laura finally spotted a much smaller pile of droppings with some staining on the roof above<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice_waRf21lQo6zzULEHxBY_sdg_cOcBfWSPG7UK2-szPG84JbK1BK0Xqn_s48us-KMK4PhFKT-4lZKKD2L6BCErVgWjW8ZXOhh6cfHWnxzLA8Y5rcGTHqOlsBgzNI4HyV6gHi9I1QT8M/s1600/IMG_2538.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice_waRf21lQo6zzULEHxBY_sdg_cOcBfWSPG7UK2-szPG84JbK1BK0Xqn_s48us-KMK4PhFKT-4lZKKD2L6BCErVgWjW8ZXOhh6cfHWnxzLA8Y5rcGTHqOlsBgzNI4HyV6gHi9I1QT8M/s320/IMG_2538.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579972857735505090" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgiiwqb_ioeplUneYAmd1GfZYBkNdQvoO5i8FmkA71t2tJ-84J9xzvLerBXmAQ2X_oKVSA6c9XaLABbe4gTTWK30HQAcC8YbZ1gO7Ar8aR7LZIMvStbRu0VmvwBxbXu7tqyNCAqMauSw/s1600/IMG_2537.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLgiiwqb_ioeplUneYAmd1GfZYBkNdQvoO5i8FmkA71t2tJ-84J9xzvLerBXmAQ2X_oKVSA6c9XaLABbe4gTTWK30HQAcC8YbZ1gO7Ar8aR7LZIMvStbRu0VmvwBxbXu7tqyNCAqMauSw/s320/IMG_2537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579972850454681650" border="0" /></a></div><br />Also built into the roof tiles are special bat tiles with an access slit, this is what they look like from the inside. So it's possible bats could use the area between the tiles and the roof lining? Again weird how there are not many droppings on the floor around these?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvuHtkDuN0_9qiB6g10cBB8YsMHutP8ou-CDsp-OEtmIyYwlU5ToLIJ254C6FuZ6v95IbCRuzUNY8fiyFrKo_6FafygORyhH10IGe9nfOW6U7pG3loHgrThyphenhyphenLFu-V_8zWRP605yjk3Po/s1600/IMG_2524.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgvuHtkDuN0_9qiB6g10cBB8YsMHutP8ou-CDsp-OEtmIyYwlU5ToLIJ254C6FuZ6v95IbCRuzUNY8fiyFrKo_6FafygORyhH10IGe9nfOW6U7pG3loHgrThyphenhyphenLFu-V_8zWRP605yjk3Po/s320/IMG_2524.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579976573521576098" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />We also found a few Small Tortoiseshell butterfly wings scattered about which must have been eaten by the bats.<br /><br />Finally at one end of the loft is a huge wasps nest. The second photo also shows another pile of bat droppings near to it. About 50 dead wasps were also scattered around this end<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMuQ3vS8deu96wOEo6nRLswPWuHFgSFwp1D-L1kTlNTbvWL2fzTxMwjj6YR8QZ6G29_-YbUnMnfGHeW05wBye0zmQ181m96-1fZ2BNrTROme3oVknXcJBbp-IkyLxUKbw9VpntVYS7CU/s1600/IMG_2529.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZMuQ3vS8deu96wOEo6nRLswPWuHFgSFwp1D-L1kTlNTbvWL2fzTxMwjj6YR8QZ6G29_-YbUnMnfGHeW05wBye0zmQ181m96-1fZ2BNrTROme3oVknXcJBbp-IkyLxUKbw9VpntVYS7CU/s320/IMG_2529.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579976581283029090" border="0" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt6tGvapTVbxI4w2TZPWjUsm6tlo3zgj9E7XEnp3s3Yo5iBrJy1wqyfZ5VsBMv1_QQsyUnraHV0f1Jx-LjNc9GFuadW-qYIIkrMiB3RvNo4psqiY9faPzsM_vHqcBre5-WzEK70mOZwA/s1600/IMG_2532.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAt6tGvapTVbxI4w2TZPWjUsm6tlo3zgj9E7XEnp3s3Yo5iBrJy1wqyfZ5VsBMv1_QQsyUnraHV0f1Jx-LjNc9GFuadW-qYIIkrMiB3RvNo4psqiY9faPzsM_vHqcBre5-WzEK70mOZwA/s320/IMG_2532.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579976584473686898" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />This last picture shows how the wasps are entering the loft.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWUldFPBqLDh7sF2vKvk9VF5v-Q_u-GUK_ZDVXLufinMwAmRpoZ2US1ctQ1V2PM_lujSqYzVEbG3cOqlyTWEHpAiaseYpiRKpqOF3hNiVuTn87mjHK3AJcFHwRBQPpcQPjgtcNDWl0hU/s1600/IMG_2550.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUWUldFPBqLDh7sF2vKvk9VF5v-Q_u-GUK_ZDVXLufinMwAmRpoZ2US1ctQ1V2PM_lujSqYzVEbG3cOqlyTWEHpAiaseYpiRKpqOF3hNiVuTn87mjHK3AJcFHwRBQPpcQPjgtcNDWl0hU/s320/IMG_2550.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5579978587068598914" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Laura and I plan to return to find out what's using the space and whether the very rare Lesser Horseshoe bats will return. (the original findings were a first for Bucks, this species of bat is normally confined to Wales and the west country).<br /></div></div></div></div><br /></div>North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-9212929010494618602011-02-28T10:50:00.002+00:002011-02-28T11:08:12.465+00:00Medbourne and school runWalked the girls to school today and then got a lift into work. So we walked down the side of Shenley Wood. The Parks Trust have been doing a lot of coppicing work recently and I predict the Bluebell explosion is going to be particularly spectacularly this spring. Highlights of the walk in (and reason for this post), firstly a Nuthatch flew from a small stand alone tree next to the houses and into the wood, nice year tick. Then near the play park I could hear "chirping"? Thought it sounded strange/unfamiliar and thought it sound like a Sparrow! So I stopped and tracked the "chirping" and there next to us in the bare hedge were a male and female House Sparrow!!!!! Medbourne Mega!!!!. In our four plus years of living on this estate I've only seen one other House Sparrow, a female briefly in our back garden on the bird table about 2 years ago. Nice start to the day.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-19678488433309563062011-02-25T11:42:00.001+00:002011-02-25T11:42:58.514+00:00Fascinating read.............<a href="http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/songbird-survival.html">http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/songbird-survival.html</a>North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-59040600092793614522011-02-21T12:24:00.002+00:002011-02-21T12:31:21.514+00:00Medbourne Waxwings15:00 on Sunday I was playing football with the lad next door in our cul-de-sac whilst my daughters were playing outside. I looked up to see a large flock of about 40 plus birds flying roof height down Vernier Crescent. I could hear a faint 'trilling' sound which made to pay more attention to the birds. Accompanying this noise as an ID feature I also noted shorter/stubbier head profiles (i.e. no long beak as on a Starling). Also they appeared lighter in colour in the dull grey of the afternoon skyline. Plus the flight just seemed more 'jerky'.<br />The continued on their journey over the roof tops and towards Grange Farm.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-34925155288273970942011-02-14T09:36:00.002+00:002011-02-14T09:51:43.036+00:00Probably a Ferret..........Coming back from a night out in Stony <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Stratford</span> on Friday, we were on route past <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Hazeley</span> Wood to drop one of the party off in Grange Farm. As we travelled along the end of the H4 (sat in the back) I spotted something moving across the road. It looked weird because it blended in with the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">orangy</span>/yellow street lights as it crossed the road. We slowed down and actually started to reverse back up the road to get a better look (now all 5 of us were straining to get a look). I can only say it was probably a Ferret.<br />Description: Bigger than Weasel and Stoat. Long low and stretched out body (classic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">mustelid</span> shape), white/pale/yellow fur with possibly darker colouring towards the tips of the hair? Didn't get a view of the face and can't remember anything about the colouration on the tail. It was not bothered by us and happily bounded off towards the houses.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-43577963575401404212011-01-27T20:45:00.002+00:002011-01-27T20:50:04.768+00:00Linford Lakes at lunch timeAnother lunch time trip to see what was about, the paths were alive with birds compared to recent visits, well I say alive, a female Chaffinch, Wren and 3 Blackbirds were better than nothing.<br />From Near Hide in a freezing north east wind, the best I could muster were 6 Little Egrets dotted around trying to keep out the wind.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-951852280657902274.post-82246702215223244522011-01-24T15:53:00.003+00:002011-01-24T16:23:51.928+00:00Linford Lakes at lunch timeDriving down next to the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Blackhorse</span> Pub I spotted 4 <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">thermalling</span> Buzzards over the road, two of these were displaying as I took the road inside the reserve. And that was about as good as it got. Paths still quiet. From Near Hide, 3 Little Egrets and 8 Grey Herons. Lots of Crows stood on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">bund</span> (or what's left of it). Also loads of wildfowl in every corner of the reserve but nothing above the usual.North Bucks Wildlifehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14272425612637701688noreply@blogger.com0