http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/en-EUMokoFeed10http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/http://data5.blog.de/design/preview/57/a71f28e2ca1652c4254e71f9d65c1d_160x200.jpghttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/in-my-element-once-more-6439689/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2009-07-02:/2009/07/02/in-my-element-once-more-6439689/Thu, 02 Jul 2009 23:14:50 +0200 <p>As most of you know, I'm obsessed with Odonates! Dragonflies and damselflies are my driving force for getting out and about in the Summer months.</p> <p>Today, hot, dry and with enough of a breeze to make walking enjoyable, rather than a burden. So we headed to Sideway, a pair of pools used by Fenton Angling club, and in the shadow of the Britannia Stadium.</p> <p>It's never been the most prolific site for odonates, but is often interesting, with the chance of a grass snake always keeping you looking.</p> <p>Dragonflies are lower in number than damsels, but after 2 really wet summers, numbers seem even lower than I recall. I was still able to spot at least 3 brown hawkers, and a solitary female black-tailed skimmer.</p> <p>Damselflies were, as mentioned, very prolific!</p> <p>Ishnura elegans mating wheel<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/1ishnura1.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Ishnura elegans (male)<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/2ish1.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Ceonagrion puella<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/azure.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>And to put icing on the cake, on leaving the pools, a rabbit ran across our path in full view! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/in-my-element-once-more-6439689/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>insectsodonatadamselfliesdragonflieswildlifehttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/07/02/in-my-element-once-more-6439689/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/06/21/bempton-cliffs-hot-sticky-and-enjoyable-6355874/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2009-06-21:/2009/06/21/bempton-cliffs-hot-sticky-and-enjoyable-6355874/Sun, 21 Jun 2009 16:05:57 +0200 <p>Last Sunday, with a 5am wake up call, we headed off to the East coast, and Bempton Clffs (near Bridlington).</p> <p>Arriving just before noon, the heat started to build up, with a slight sea haze, and very little breeze. Thanks to Springwatch earlier that week featuring the reserve, crowd numbers were up, making some of the viewing spots difficult to get to. Patience was a virtue.</p> <p>Right, couple of things you need to know about seabird colonies. 1) they're loud. Seriously loud. The calls are not melodic, but you'll never forget them. 2) also unforgettable is the smell. Seabirds, by their nature, predate on fish. Fish, when digested...well, you get the idea!</p> <p>The reserve's emblem is a puffin, but if you head out, expecting them to be sat a couple of feet away, you'll be disappointed. Due to the nature of the place, with 400 foot cliffs, the puffins at rest are best seen through a powerful spotting scope. Some locations, they can be seen in flight, but only briefly. Kittiwakes, guillemots and razorbills are plentiful and great to see. The highlight, though, is England's only mainland Gannet colony. Thousands of these beautiful birds congregate on a natural arch, protruding from the cliff.<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/ganheart.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Outside of the seabirds that form the main attraction, the heaths atop the cliffs are home to numerous skylarks - heard, rarely seen! Orchids pop up from the grass in parts too, purple heads stopping people in their tracks!</p> <p>Away from the madding crowd, Amber and I found a bench. A vine weevil decided to explore our hands, while on the bushes around us, my favourite bird of the day bobbed up and down - a Whitethroat!<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/whtcap.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>and</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/whtthrt1.jpg" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/06/21/bempton-cliffs-hot-sticky-and-enjoyable-6355874/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/06/21/bempton-cliffs-hot-sticky-and-enjoyable-6355874/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/23/a-curious-day-at-work-6165435/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2009-05-23:/2009/05/23/a-curious-day-at-work-6165435/Sat, 23 May 2009 22:52:16 +0200 <p>Wednesday, work in the city centre, between two busy main roads. </p> <p>As you may be aware, we've a pair of peregrine on the exchange. From studying them, the male is a full grown adult, but the female is probably a first year adult, so it's looking unlikely they'll mate this year.<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/perry.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>But, apart from them, there is a fair amount of wildlife on the grounds. We've nesting blackbirds, chiding goldfinch, and a great tit that spent several minutes studying me today.</p> <p>My favourite, however, has to be the family of wrens. No sign of chicks, but the parents have been feeding in a shrub next to the entrance for a couple of weeks now. Pictures below.<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/wrn10_filtered.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/wrn4_filtered.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Most interesting, is a pipestrelle bat, that against all conventional wisdom (due to ease of predation), prefers daylight flying. Not only did he circle my head, but took rest in a tree, and at one time, was little more than 2 foot above my head!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/23/a-curious-day-at-work-6165435/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/23/a-curious-day-at-work-6165435/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/15/concentrating-on-the-wildlife-from-now-on-6119261/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2009-05-15:/2009/05/15/concentrating-on-the-wildlife-from-now-on-6119261/Fri, 15 May 2009 10:37:36 +0200 <p>I've deleted my blog thread, summer (in some variant) is approaching, so will only be updating the group page from now on. Wildlife, wildlife and wildlife.</p> <p>At least you'll be spared my words of wisdom <img src="/img/smilies/icon_lol.gif" alt=":DD" class="middle" border="0"></p> <p>Recent shots from Westport Lake</p> <p>Great Crested Grebe at nest<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/fgcgrebe1.jpg" alt="Great Crested Grebe on nest" title=""></p> <p>And a solitary, lonely Pochard<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/poch1.jpg" alt="" title=""> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/15/concentrating-on-the-wildlife-from-now-on-6119261/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/05/15/concentrating-on-the-wildlife-from-now-on-6119261/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/01/05/starting-to-twitch-now-5323152/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2009-01-04:/2009/01/05/starting-to-twitch-now-5323152/Mon, 05 Jan 2009 00:37:13 +0100 <p>Got a "lifer" yesterday! And the best part is the location. At the end of my street, a friend has feeders in his garden. And this little lady is a regular visitor! <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/blkrd5_filtered.jpg" alt=""></p> <p>Not the best of shots - very low light, high iso and slow shutter speed.</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/01/05/starting-to-twitch-now-5323152/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>rare-bird-wildlifewildlife-nature-outdoors-watchinghttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2009/01/05/starting-to-twitch-now-5323152/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/29/to-quote-bill-oddie-4796517/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-09-29:/2008/09/29/to-quote-bill-oddie-4796517/Mon, 29 Sep 2008 14:58:31 +0200 <p><strong>Bird watchers are tense, competitive, selfish, shifty, dishonest, distrusting, boorish, pedantic, unsentimental, arrogant and - above all - envious.</strong></p> <p>And I agree. We went with the local birder group to Gibraltar Point, on the Wash, yesterday. Great place, hides positioned perfectly and some great sightings. Never, in my life had I seen so many Little Egrets. Got my first views of Bar-tailed and Black-tailed Godwits, Curlew Sandpiper and best ever views of Snipe. Fantastic viewing and as I say, a great place.</p> <p>If it wasn't for certain members of the birding brigade. We left the first hide, and were heading to the next when a diminutive blue butterfly flitted past us. It then landed about 4 feet away. Brilliant. My partner reached into her camera bag to pass me her camera (I always have the 500mm for bird trips, she has a 300mm, but with decent macro facilities!). I bend down, pointing my lens at the butterfly. Focus whirs and I hear a noise. Four birders leaving the hide head our way. There's plenty of room behind me on the path. No problem. Except two of the selfish bleeders decide to stomp in front of me and the lens, almost treading on the butterfly. Of course, when I look up, it's gone. Never to be seen again.</p> <p>It could have been a Holly Blue, and quite common. It could also have been the considerably rare Small Blue. We'll never know, because some arrogant toerags who only care about their bird lists, did not have the common decency to pass behind me on the path. I felt like shoving their spotting scopes where the sun doesn't shine, but I didn't. I'd like to think I'm above that.</p> <p>For the two that spoiled that moment for me, let me wish you the sighting of a lifetime, a bird never before spotted on British soil. And I hope that before you can identify it, you trip over your tripod and end up covered in cow dung.... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/29/to-quote-bill-oddie-4796517/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>rant-birders-gibraltar-point-wildlifehttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/29/to-quote-bill-oddie-4796517/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/look-around-you-4780768/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-09-25:/2008/09/25/look-around-you-4780768/Thu, 25 Sep 2008 22:58:11 +0200 <p>A letter in Bird Watching this month condemned the editorial team for including features on both insect walks and wildlife gardening. <strong>This is a bird magazine</strong> was the message. How shortsighted is that? Birds, indeed any wildlife, cannot exist in a vacuum. That is the basis of ecosystems. It's also how I manage to see as much wildlife as I do.</p> <p>My reasoning is this. All animals represent food for other species, smaller to larger. Unequivocal fact. So spend time in a place with a lot of birds around water, for example and you can guarantee insect sightings, mammals, occasinally reptiles. Simple, isn't it?</p> <p>Then again, sometimes you won't need to leave the city centre either. Think of wildlife that has an almost symbiotic relationship with man, and pigeons and rats will top that list. There are a lot more. Hearing lots of chirps as you pass the shops? Look up and you'll probably see hundreds of starlings. Most winters will find you sharing the pedestrian area with pied wagtails. Heck, some places with towering buildings harbour the occasional peregrine falcon.</p> <p>Funny old world, isn't it?</p> <p>Carl </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/look-around-you-4780768/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wildlife-watching-birds-rants-outdoorshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/25/look-around-you-4780768/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/18/natural-break-4746811/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-09-18:/2008/09/18/natural-break-4746811/Thu, 18 Sep 2008 19:45:39 +0200 <p>It was perfect plotting weather this morning which I spent digging and weeding on the allotment. There were plenty of bees, birds, butterflies and ladybirds to be seen in the warm sunshine.</p> <p>When I stopped for a break to eat a just picked deliciously juicy apple that my plot neighbour Joe had given me I wondered across to another part of the site.</p> <p>Over there is a water filled trench running almost the length of one plot. I strolled along the adjacent path looking for <a href="http://www.londondailynaturephoto.co.uk/index.php?showimage=554">Backswimmers</a> and <a href="http://www.londondailynaturephoto.co.uk/index.php?showimage=543">Water Boatmen</a> but couldn't see any.</p> <p>However there were plenty of <a href="http://www.londondailynaturephoto.co.uk/index.php?showimage=549">Common Darters</a> hovering and sky dancing. When I stood still and watched  they were literally at arms length away. <br> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/18/natural-break-4746811/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/18/natural-break-4746811/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/08/august-4699577/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-09-08:/2008/09/08/august-4699577/Mon, 08 Sep 2008 18:05:42 +0200 <p>was a miserable month for bugs as well as people according to <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/environment/nature/august-the-cruellest-month-for-bugs-919541.html">this article.</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/08/august-4699577/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/08/august-4699577/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/05/beginners-guide-to-wildlife-watching-4685036/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-09-05:/2008/09/05/beginners-guide-to-wildlife-watching-4685036/Fri, 05 Sep 2008 10:31:02 +0200 <p>Well, I'm still a beginner - so much I've yet to see out there!</p> <p><strong>Where to go?</strong></p> <p>This is the easy bit. Information is so readily available on the internet. Well known bodies such as the RSPB, WWT and county Wildlife Trusts have sites giving details on where to go, what to see there and amenities (A visitor centre with fully equipped tea/coffee facilities is so welcome most of the year!). For local knowledge, RSPB local groups, mammal groups, etc, usually have itineries including trips with knowledgeable organisers. For those who like to strike out alone, I recommend looking at a set of books, "Where to watch birds in...." as these list numerous sites around an area. As birds do not exist in isolation, other wildlife is guaranteed at these places too.</p> <p><strong>Getting there</strong></p> <p>Car is obviously the most flexible. But even without one, it's possible to visit many reserves. Bus, rail and bike are good options. Be aware though, that due to their very nature, many reserves are off the beaten track and may be almost impossible to reach without a car or organised coach trip.</p> <p><strong>What to take</strong></p> <p>Enthusiasm, and the ability to watch and listen! Practically, I'd say plan for the worst case scenario, weatherwise. Even in Summer I take along a lightweight, water/windproof jacket. Winter expands this to include multi-layering thin clothes, finishing off with a quality fleece. A microfibre compact towel provides comfort too. If you're well off the beaten track, then a survival kit, first aid and preferably a mobile with gps would help. If your mobile lacks gps, but has bluetooth and can support symbian software, a small gps transmitter can be bought for less than £20.</p> <p><strong>How do I watch?</strong></p> <p>Tricky one this. I'm an insect buff, and as you can guess, most of these don't require a great deal of effort to see. Other creatures aren't so forthcoming. Even then, you won't need to put in miles of travelling to get views of many creatures. Bats are a great example. Pretty much any summer,dusk walk around water will generate several sightings. Stand by a pond as the sun descends and watch the bats perform almost impossible aerobatics. That same pond hours earlier could be used by numerous dragonflies. Hides tend to be placed over an excellent viewpoint for bird watching, but don't discount the areas around and between. We had a fox watch us for a few minutes on the path to the hide.</p> <p>High on many peoples list is the exotic looking Kingfisher. How many hours do you need to spend in a hide to see one? Well, err, none actually. Where they're present, you can get many sightings just walking along the river. Usually just a flash of blue, but sometimes a lingering view of one sat on a perch. My favourite was a 20 foot dive to the river, emerging with a fish. Over the last four years, I've become almost blase about sightings, and in winter, expect my first view within 10 minutes of arriving at the river. See if any local river walks have got kingfishers, take a regular stroll and you'll soon get to see this magical bird.</p> <p>Deer are a staple of Autumnwatch, elusive, hard to see creatures. Unless there's a deerpark nearby. Our Black Roe Deer at Trentham graze on a field next to the A34 and can be seen regularly. Other parks have deer so accustomed to human presence, they barely twitch as a car or walker go by. In Autumn, though, I'd advise no close encounters during the rut. Males and testosterone are not a good mix!</p> <p>Take a dawn walk in a wood - and these are sometimes group organised. Spring heralds a great increase in the volume levels, as mating season approaches. Don't expect to know every call, but I've got many mp3 tracks of bird call on my phone for identification.</p> <p>Above all else, get out, get close to nature and enjoy the outdoors!</p> <p>Carl </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/05/beginners-guide-to-wildlife-watching-4685036/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wildlife-nature-outdoors-watchinghttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/09/05/beginners-guide-to-wildlife-watching-4685036/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/27/a-big-thank-you-one-and-all-4646397/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-27:/2008/08/27/a-big-thank-you-one-and-all-4646397/Wed, 27 Aug 2008 23:00:54 +0200 <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/hawker_21macro.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Unfortunately, I'm not as time rich as I'd love to be, but I am friend rich as the group members here prove! As I've mentioned on my personal blog, I help moderate a photography forum, actively encourage and post on 2 wildlife forums and am helping with a photographers blog, testing the blogging side, so to speak. It means I rarely have enough time to spend here with my friends, or to say thank you as often as you deserve. So, well, er, Thank You for your work and support for the group!</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/lizard_1.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>At the moment, I'm installing XP Service Pack 3, and the first instruction is back up your system. What? I've 3 hard drives, almost 1TB in storage and over 10,000 photos. I need to sleep sometime! </p> <p>Summer's nearing the end, and already I'm noticing Autumn colours. My photography (and wildlife watching) will change from insects back to birds, and come October, mammals, with the deer rut. Hopefully have lots of shots to illustrate the changing seasons.</p> <p>Till then, I'll let you suffer a shot of myself again!<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/hide2.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Carl</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/27/a-big-thank-you-one-and-all-4646397/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>thanks-photos-wildlife-support-friendshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/27/a-big-thank-you-one-and-all-4646397/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/hummingbirdmoths-4641819/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-26:/2008/08/26/hummingbirdmoths-4641819/Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:52:14 +0200 <p>When I set off for the dog walk this morning, one of my neighbours was standing in his front garden. He said he was looking to see if there were any Hummingbird Moths around. He claimed that they were rare but he'd seen 3 or 4 at the same time last year, that they favoured a blue shrub (a Ceratostigma) and they were like hummingbirds in the way they hovered over the flowers.</p> <p>I was intrigued, so I searched for Hummingbird moths on UK Moth site. And nothing came up. Is he pulling my leg? (He likes a joke). Or is there really such a moth? If so, a photo or a link would be appreciated! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/hummingbirdmoths-4641819/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>mothswildlifehttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/hummingbirdmoths-4641819/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/straddling-elemental-water-and-air-4641669/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-26:/2008/08/26/straddling-elemental-water-and-air-4641669/Tue, 26 Aug 2008 23:00:13 +0200 <p>Odonata.</p> <p>Dragonflies to you and I. Spring is heralded by the Cuckoo (though I wonder how many have heard it in the flesh!), Autumn by fruits and colour, Winter by the first frost. Summer, some say, is heralded by the arrival of the first Swallows... I beg to differ. Summer is heralded by Pyrrhosoma nymphula - the Large Red Damselfy. High summer by dogfighting Hawkers, and Autumn's approach, by the masses of Common Darters.</p> <p>I'm obsessed, I admit it. </p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/Dragonflies/cmmnbluehomo.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Water plays an important part in the life cycle of these truly ancient creatures - probably has done for 300 million years. Many court the opposite sex above rivers and ponds, and almost all lay their eggs in water. The nymph stage (they don't fully metamorphose) is anywhere between a few months to 4 years, predating anything smaller in ponds and rivers around the world. In fact, water is the element that dragonflies spend most of there lives in.</p> <p>But.</p> <p>And it's a big but. </p> <p>It's only when they hit the air that their true beauty and grace is revealed.<br> <img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/Dragonflies/4spotclose.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Spend a warm summers day by pretty much any body of water, and you'll see what I mean. Hawkers patrolling ponds, Skimmers skipping inches above the water, and Darters lying on top of vegetation, ready to, er, dart out at anything passing by.</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/Wildlife/dartertop1.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>So don't dismiss them as bugs. Welcome them into your walks on the wildside and see how much they brighten your life! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/straddling-elemental-water-and-air-4641669/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>dragonflies-wildlife-photos-macrohttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/26/straddling-elemental-water-and-air-4641669/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/23/raindrops-keep-falling-on-his-head-4627141/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-23:/2008/08/23/raindrops-keep-falling-on-his-head-4627141/Sat, 23 Aug 2008 15:53:35 +0200 <p>Well, I think it's his head.</p> <p>I found this web in the garden after the heavy rain the night before last. Isn't it beautiful? </p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/raindrop_web/2752986" title="Raindrop web"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/986/2752986_0118230292_m.jpeg" alt="Raindrop web" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>The spider looks a lot larger than most I've seen in the garden. But he is quite an attractive little chap close up. Unless you are a fly, of course. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/23/raindrops-keep-falling-on-his-head-4627141/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wildlifespidershttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/23/raindrops-keep-falling-on-his-head-4627141/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/making-whoopee-4623905/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-22:/2008/08/22/making-whoopee-4623905/Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:34:15 +0200 <p>There were lots of ordinary white butterflies fluttering around the allotments this afternoon but these two obviously had something else in mind!<br> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/dscn0660/2751040" title="DSCN0660"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/040/2751040_4aab3892da_m.jpeg" alt="DSCN0660" hspace="5" vspace="5"></a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/making-whoopee-4623905/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/22/making-whoopee-4623905/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/bearded-tit-rory-mcgrath-4591413/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-15:/2008/08/15/bearded-tit-rory-mcgrath-4591413/Fri, 15 Aug 2008 10:18:13 +0200 <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/Bearded_Tit_Jkt.jpg" alt="" title=""></p> <p>Imagine, if you will, a love story. You know, boy meets girl, boy loses girl, boy gets on with life, boy meets girl again. So far so Mills and Boon. Make it autobiographical, about a bearded gooner (bless!) with a history in comedy and add birds. Not that sort! The feathered variety.</p> <p>Starting with those years at Cambridge, trying to lose that millstone around the neck that all teenage boys suffer from, Rory narrates his relationships with humour, at first, the bird references seeming unrelated. Then he meets JJ. Up to this point, Rory's experiences with birds came from the hours he spent sketching them from a reference book. With JJ, birds suddenly come to life, as they both learn, identify and experience the magic of birds for the first time. Love grows, as does their knowledge of the feathered creatures at most of their encounters.</p> <p>Of course, he'll lose her. Got to happen hasn't it?</p> <p>Part two of the book is a grown-up Rory, with his partner, Tori. Have to use grown-up – did you see Rory and Paddy on Wednesday? Mature would have been the wrong word to use.</p> <p>Anyway, grown up Rory and Tori start the long road from country walkers, to watchers, to birders. They visit Titchwell, see the magic of a new species, experience hide etiquette and acquire a scope. Many of us have been there. He even ropes in a hard drinking and smoking friend.</p> <p>I shan't spoil the ending. But I definitely recommend reading this book. Like me, you'll find so much that makes you think “I've done that”. </p> <p>Now to find a copy of “How to be a bad birdwatcher”..... </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/bearded-tit-rory-mcgrath-4591413/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>book-humour-wildlife-birdshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/15/bearded-tit-rory-mcgrath-4591413/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/is-it-a-moth-4576286/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-12:/2008/08/12/is-it-a-moth-4576286/Tue, 12 Aug 2008 10:50:40 +0200 <p>I found this wonderful creature clinging to the kitchen window when I went to put the washing out this morning. It moved its wings a little and has the most vivid orange 'undercarriage'. I can't find it in my butterfly books, so I wondered if it is a moth?</p> <p><a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/moth/2726841" title="Moth"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/841/2726841_c2e76bdeed_s.jpeg" alt="Moth" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>I'm hoping that it is just taking a rest and isn't glued to the window as a result of the spiders' webs that I have neglected to clean! </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/is-it-a-moth-4576286/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>mothswildlifehttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/12/is-it-a-moth-4576286/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/wild-plot-4564696/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-09:/2008/08/09/wild-plot-4564696/Sat, 09 Aug 2008 19:59:06 +0200 <p>I don't have a garden which is one of my few present regrets. However  just over a year ago I took on an allotment, a half plot, which is only a few minutes walk fom home.</p> <p>I blog about<em> Plot 124</em> over on  <a href="http://flightplot.wordpress.com/">Flighty&rsquo;s plot</a> where as you'll see one of the <em>Lawn Loungers</em> links is <a href="http://www.londondailynaturephoto.co.uk/index.php">London Daily Nature Photo</a> which shows photos taken about 12 miles away from where I am in Harrow. </p> <p>One of the <em>Plot People </em>links is <a href="http://www.whentowatchwildlife.org/">When to Watch Wildlife</a> which is an informative monthly guide.</p> <p>I'm happy to encourage wildlife onto the plot and have bird feeders, a logpile and a pond on it, as well as plenty of wild flowers and grasses. </p> <p>Compared to many allotments it's very much a <strong>wild plot! </strong></p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/wild-plot-4564696/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/wild-plot-4564696/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/a-cure-for-the-blues-4564055/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-09:/2008/08/09/a-cure-for-the-blues-4564055/Sat, 09 Aug 2008 16:52:20 +0200 <p>Well, I don't know about everyone else but the minute I joined this group, all the wildlife seemed to disappear. I've seen several Meadow Brown butterflies on the downs, together with a few bumblebees, but not much else.</p> <p>However, I at last managed to get a shot of a beautiful blue butterfly, which I think is called a Chalkhill Blue. According to my butterfly book, the latter is to be found on flowery chalk downs in August.</p> <p> <a href="http://www.blog.co.uk/media/photo/blue_butterfly/2720462" title="Blue butterfly"><img src="http://data5.blog.de/media/462/2720462_c2a4ee14ea_m.jpeg" alt="Blue butterfly" vspace="5" hspace="5"></a></p> <p>Ooh, it was pretty. Other than that, only a plague of flying ants to report. </p> <p>Now what possesses them to take off en masse? </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/a-cure-for-the-blues-4564055/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>butterflieswildlifedownsantshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/09/a-cure-for-the-blues-4564055/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/01/the-incredible-world-of-ants-4528626/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-08-01:/2008/08/01/the-incredible-world-of-ants-4528626/Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:05:21 +0200 <p>I found to my irritation that the dahlias in the garden were absolutely smothered in blackfly. As I don't use chemical sprays, I hoped that the birds I had so lovingly fed during the winter or other predators encouraged by the flowers, would polish them off.</p> <p>Then I noticed that ants were climbing up and down the blackfly and I got all excited thinking that the blackfly were about to meet their maker. But they didn't. The quantities kept increasing until I was forced to spray them with soapy water and rub them off. Not my favourite garden task.</p> <p>Yesterday I read an article that appears to solve the mystery of the blackfly's survival. Apparently ants protect them! They do this because they want to eat the honeydew excreted by blackfly as a source of food to take back to their nest. Presumably this means that other natural predators are scared off by the prospect of itching for hours afterwards.</p> <p>To overcome the ant protection, the article suggested a tip: smear the base of affected plants with jam so that the ants have an alternative food source and leave the blackfly unprotected. You what? Another tip that seems to offer the chance of letting unwelcome visitors to your garden flourish whilst turning it into a weed/pest-infected wilderness that resembles a municiple landfill site. I don't think so!</p> <p>I realise this is a wildlife group, but I now know that the next battle in this war is to kill the ants and blackfly in one go by attacking them with a spray of water from the hosepipe. I hope such behaviour won't get me barred from the wildlife group on the basis that ants have rights too, but you got to be cruel to have dahlias and beans. </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/01/the-incredible-world-of-ants-4528626/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>insectswildlifegardeninghttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/08/01/the-incredible-world-of-ants-4528626/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/30/websites-of-interest-4522026/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-30:/2008/07/30/websites-of-interest-4522026/Wed, 30 Jul 2008 21:28:42 +0200 <p>Some you know, others I hope you'll find interesting!</p> <p>Community sites<br> <a href="http://www.wildlifebritain.com">http://www.wildlifebritain.com</a></p> <p><a href="http://gbwildlife.co.uk">http://gbwildlife.co.uk</a><br> Both full of my good friends, lots of discussion and light hearted debate. Join in too!</p> <p>And national sites</p> <p><a href="http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/">http://www.butterfly-conservation.org/</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk">http://www.rspb.org.uk</a></p> <p><a href="http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/home.html">http://www.dragonflysoc.org.uk/home.html</a></p> <p>Feel free to add any others you think the group will enjoy!</p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/30/websites-of-interest-4522026/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/30/websites-of-interest-4522026/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/my-passion-4518131/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/my-passion-4518131/Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:52:33 +0200 <p>Is all wildlife.</p> <p>But mostly it has a minimum of 6 legs, and 4 wings preferred....</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/dam.jpg" alt="" title=""><br> Blue-tailed damselfly</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/dem572.jpg" alt="" title=""><br> Just when I thought there'd be no more this year, about a dozen Banded Demoiselle show up!</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/fshield573.jpg" alt="" title=""><br> New this year (once on my own last week, and this one on Amber's hand) is the Forest shield bug. Rescued from drowning in a large puddle.</p> <p><img src="http://i110.photobucket.com/albums/n101/Carljervis/rbaystorm.jpg" alt="" title=""><br> Rosebay against storm clouds </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/my-passion-4518131/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/my-passion-4518131/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/your-challenge-should-you-choose-to-acce-4518014/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/your-challenge-should-you-choose-to-acce-4518014/Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:18:31 +0200 <p>Is to sign a petition.</p> <p>As you may know, companies have a legal obligation to leave played out gravel pits in a position that doesn't just leave a wasteland. Parkhall Country Park near me is an example of earthworks returned to nature, and is a great environment for all forms of wildlife.</p> <p>Birds of prey, such as little owls, peregrine falcons and kestrels find the cliff faces great places to breed. And that in itself should be enough to encourage the provision of these sites as nature reserves for us all!</p> <p>So, vote below!</p> <p><a href="http://www.qpa.org/voting.php">http://www.qpa.org/voting.php</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/your-challenge-should-you-choose-to-acce-4518014/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/your-challenge-should-you-choose-to-acce-4518014/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/it-s-national-parks-week-4518002/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/it-s-national-parks-week-4518002/Tue, 29 Jul 2008 23:15:44 +0200 <p>I've just read American expat Maureen's latest entry  <a href="http://brilliantbritain.blogspot.com/2008/07/national-parks-week-uk-28-july-to-3.html"><strong>National Parks Week</strong></a> on her blog<em> A View from England</em> which may well be of interest.<br>Have a look at the previous entry there as well all about <a href="http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/r/ringneckedparakeet/index.asp">ring-necked parakeets!</a> </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/it-s-national-parks-week-4518002/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/it-s-national-parks-week-4518002/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/and-me-4516481/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-29:/2008/07/29/and-me-4516481/Tue, 29 Jul 2008 17:13:22 +0200 <p>I'm joining too - I love wildlife and wildflowers.</p> <p>I'm also a seaside gal!</p> <p>Ellie </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/and-me-4516481/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/29/and-me-4516481/#commentshttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/welcome-hope-i-m-not-talking-to-myself-f-4508355/tag:wildbrit.blog.co.uk,2008-07-27:/2008/07/27/welcome-hope-i-m-not-talking-to-myself-f-4508355/Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:57:32 +0200 <p>So you're no expert, or a professional.</p> <p>I don't care. As long as you find pleasure in the wildlife, flora and fauna of the British Isles you're welcome to join and post!</p> <p>Carl </p> <p> <small> <a href="http://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/welcome-hope-i-m-not-talking-to-myself-f-4508355/#comments">Comments</a> </small> </p>wildlife-flora-welcome-fauna-grouphttp://wildbrit.blog.co.uk/2008/07/27/welcome-hope-i-m-not-talking-to-myself-f-4508355/#comments