The woodland area near home is accessed by passing through an open area of grassland known as By-the-way field. There is a metal gate to enter the woodland. At this point the gravel footpath crosses a bridge over what might generously be called a stream, but probably more accurately, a ditch. This is a great spot to linger a little, to look and listen. The bright sunshine so evident just a few steps back is now shaded by the canopy and branches of tall trees. It takes a second or two for the eyes to adjust.
One of the first birds to be seen and heard here will be the Great tit, Parus Major to give it its latin name. It has a bright yellow breast with a black line running down the centre. The black continues up to its head. There is a black cap and collar, with white cheeks. The back is olive green and the wings are grey / blue with a thin white line.
The temperature is rising in the garden and there is plenty going on. Life is busy with family commitments, taking photos, editing photos, refurbishments among other things.
A bit of landscaping was needed. The bluebells and primroses have gone. Other flowers are appearing, but a helping hand was required to fill in a bit of a lull in colour. An old tree trunk was removed to make way for this beautiful, vividly red Azalea.
When removing the trunk we found two stag beetle larvae, which have been re-housed and have become family pets. These larvae remain in this state for up to 7 years and survive on a diet of rotting wood and leaves. They are yet to be named.
Colour continues to be a feature: some homegrown and some acquired along with the Azalea.
This juvenile robin is a regular visitor, attracted by the mealworm on the bird table. Other species of juveniles and fledglings are also visiting daily.
These starlings are quite raucous. They are gregarious and chatter away to each other, hoovering up any available food, both competitively and cooperatively.
We are yet to see any sparrow chicks, but if you look carefully at these two photos, you’ll see that its only a matter of time. These two are doing there bit to continue the recent recovery in the sparrow population following the more longer term decline from the 1960/70’s levels.
Blue tits are a constant presence in the garden, performing their acrobatics effortlessly.
We have a couple of great tits visiting daily at the present time. The coal tit is a shy visitor, but the long tailed tits appear to have moved on for the moment.
Sparrows and dunnocks chirp and sing respectively and are never far away.
Hoverflys are enjoying the increased temperatures and move jerkily around the garden in an attempt to make it difficult for predators (and photographers!).
The garden has seen an explosion of colour this month. I must have been aware of this in previous years, but this year I have observed it more closely – yellow primroses and daffodils; white snowdrops and blossom; purple crocuses; pink camellia, cherry blossom, clematis and apple blossom; blue bluebells; green grass and new foliage.
Whilst the background colours and textures have changed, the change in visiting bird-life has been more subtle and not quite what I expected. The bird species I have seen are: sparrow, dunnock, pigeon, magpie, starling, robin, goldfinch, blue tit, blackbird.
There have been absences too. Where are the long tailed tits, siskins, chaffinches, coal tits, wrens, blackcaps? Have they deserted the garden feeding stations now that nature is producing abundant new growth and insects?
My photography knowledge has increased. I leave it to others to judge whether this has resulted in improved quality. I now photograph in RAW instead of JPEG, giving greater flexibility in the post production stage. My camera is now set on manual rather than automatic and I now select the ISO, shutter speed and aperture setting. Most wildlife photo ops are fleeting, lasting only a few seconds and require patience and perseverance. Familiarity with camera controls and settings are essential to respond when those brief seconds present themselves.
With warmer temperatures and school holidays I have ventured beyond the confines of the garden. These are a few pictures taken at Brownsea Island, Pamphill and Moors Valley.
Stephen's Wildlife 